Although Labor Day is only one day, Labor Day Weekend, as well as several days that hug either side of the weekend, are historically big travel days. It marks the end of summer for many, and in turn, they use the extended weekend as a “last hurrah” of sorts.
The number of people who have been traveling by plane this year is pretty consistently beating last year’s numbers. With that, it’s no surprise that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says it’s prepared to screen more than 17 million people during what they think will be the busiest Labor Day travel period on record.
This year, the “Labor Day travel period” will run from Thursday, August 29, through Wednesday, September 4. The peak travel day is projected to be Friday, August 30, when the TSA expects to screen 2.86 million people.
Expect airports to be a mess
Of course, it’s possible that negotiating airports during this year’s Labor Day travel period might work out fine. But if it doesn’t, and you’re one of those project 17 million people flying, it’s better to have a few tricks up your sleeve. This will help ensure that YOU’LL be better off, in light of delays, cancellations, crowds and whatever else comes down the pike, than those who don’t have such a bag of tricks at their disposal.
How to be prepared
Note: If you fly constantly, you don’t need me to tell you what to do. You do you. But if you don’t fly as often as you’d like, some of these suggestions could be useful.
Plan ahead of time
Unless it’s an emergency situation, people know days, weeks or months ahead of time that they’re going to be flying. Plan for the day with this simple list.
Have the right apps
How did we ever fly without apps? Well, some of us still do. 😉 But for those who prefer to use apps, different programs on our phones can tell us about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes before an announcement does. They can also help you organize your entire travel agenda. Your boarding pass can be on it. And so on.
This list of travel apps are excellent to help you for your entire trip, particularly the flight portion.
How to get through TSA quickly efficiently
If you fly frequently, you don’t need anyone to tell you how to get through the TSA security line efficiently. But if you don’t fly often, keeping everything in your head is not as easy. And if you’re a more recent member of TSA PreCheck, the rules are different.
This checklist can help you get through the queue as quickly and efficiently as possible.
A few other things to keep in mind when you’re up at the TSA security checkpoint:
- How to help avoid getting a false positive on TSA swab tests
- How to find the shortest TSA queue
- Easy hack to skip the longest TSA lines
- 6 things that can get your luggage flagged by the TSA
- 7 activities that could earn you a secondary TSA screening
Also, several airports in the U.S. now have various forms of “Skip The TSA Queue” systems. via a reservation system.
Join the airline’s frequent flyer program
I know, I know…ignore that Virgin America one LOL
You should always sign up for airline frequent flyer programs. It’s free. Even if you never, ever earn enough miles for a free flight, being a member of an airline’s frequent flyer program puts you one step above your fellow passengers who aren’t members. If something happens and they have to choose between bumping you or someone who isn’t a member, they’ll usually pick them.
Here’s how to sign up for the major frequent flyer programs for U.S.-based airlines.
Where to sleep at airports
Ugh! The worst has happened and you’re stuck at the airport overnight. The website described here can give you some great tips.
Pack some snacks
Ca-ca happens…just ask the people who were stuck in Southwest’s meltdown in late 2023, or Delta’s meltdown a few weeks ago. If you’re stuck in an airport overnight, you could get mighty hungry after all the stores close. Pack snacks.
Last one! Proper etiquette for people who don’t fly much
When people are stuck or delayed at an airport, their nerves tend to get on edge. Someone who annoys someone else could be the victim of being yelled at, or worse, simply because everyone’s upset. Here are some tips for proper airport etiquette, by frequent flyers, and written for non-frequent flyers. 😉
Feature photo: Bruno Sanchez-Andrade Nuño // flickr // CC by 2.0
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2 comments
Or…stay home.
That’s what we generally do, frankly.