Your Getaway Guru Debut
By Kathy Yarian
I’m thrilled to join Thrive as your new travel columnist. For more than three decades, I’ve helped people here in Northeast Ohio and beyond explore places near and far as a travel consultant.
Let’s start with a few tips to help you navigate the always interesting and occasionally challenging travel world. You can read more on my travel blog by the same title, Your Getaway Guru on northeastohiothrive.com.
Let’s start with airplane travel:
- Always download the airline app on your phone. You can check in, pay for bags and follow last-minute schedules or gate changes. And with the app’s boarding notices, there’s no reason to make a mad dash to the gate—you’ll have plenty of time for a final restroom trip or to fill your water bottle.
- Most low-cost carriers don’t serve complimentary drinks on the plane. Pack an empty water bottle or one of those indestructible and unnecessarily expensive Stanley cups to take with you. Fill them after you’ve gone through the TSA checkpoint and take them on the plane.
- Here’s a clever hack: Freezing a water bottle is an easy way to have cold water on hand during your flight. TSA rules usually only apply to liquids in their liquid form, but once frozen, it’s considered solid, so you can bypass the usual liquid restrictions. Plus, it’s refreshing to have that cool water available once it melts. It’s a great trick for anyone who wants to stay hydrated while avoiding buying expensive airport water.
- Make sure you have the new REAL ID driver’s license for domestic travel, starting May 7. See dhs.gov/real-id for details. You can’t board your flight without it.
- Get to the airport early. Period. Plan for long lines at the airline ticket counters and/or the TSA screening line. Clients ask me all the time, “Do I really need to get to the airport two hours early (for domestic flights) or three hours early (for International flights)? My answer is always “Yes.” I would much rather wait at my gate than run to the gate. That makes for a hectic start to the trip. Plus, if everyone has checked in for the flight, that plane could take off at any time. I’ve been on several flights that pulled away from the gate 15 minutes earlier than scheduled. Don’t be that person standing at the door, begging for the plane to return to the gate. I’ve seen that happen. You don’t want to end up on someone’s social media site. It’s not a good look.
- If you fly a few times a year or more, consider signing up for one of the government’s Trusted Traveler programs which will expedite you through security. TSA PreCheck at tsa.gov/precheck is good for domestic travel within the USA, costs $85 and is valid for five years.
Global Entry at cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry is for frequent international travelers. It has the benefits of PreCheck plus it simplifies the customs experience when you return to the United States. It costs $120 and is good for five years. Aside from fees, Trusted Traveler programs often require in-person interviews. Evaluate the benefits to determine the best fit for you.
- Can I bring an apple on a flight? (A friend texted this question to me today). What about knitting needles? The answers are at your fingertips. Yes to both, by the way. Text TRAVEL to ASKTSA (275-872) or go to tsa.gov. One more thing: TSA’s Instagram page is worth following; it has funny stuff and helpful information.
