Avoid Slew Of Summer Travel Headaches With These Tips For Travelers Headed To Airport

Summer is fast approaching and with it comes the annual pilgrimage to anywhere but home. Sure as the sun rises and sets, millions of Americans will head to airports nationwide and crisscross this country in search of a week or two of rest and relaxation. 

Chances are you’ll be among them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your time in the terminal a little less stressful. According to federal estimates, the vast majority of those who take to the roads, air or waterways during summer months are in search of more relaxing horizons. From considering Oakland park and fly for storage of your motor vehicle while you’re away to knowing what can and can’t be brought aboard an aircraft, we’re here to suggest a handful of ways that are sure to streamline your travels.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s statistics bureau, just seven percent of vacations between Memorial Day and Labor Day are done so by air. For those who’ve been to an airport during non-peak travel times, such a low percentage may be hard to believe -- especially after long waits at security checkpoints, walking shoulder-to-shoulder down bustling hallways and dealing with packed parking lots. To ease this burden, airline experts suggest arriving at the airport two hours before a domestic flight is destined to take off. That threshold climbs to three hours for some international flights.

The purpose of arriving early isn’t to get acclimated to the airport; it’s to give you enough time to park, get through  security in a timely manner and make your way to the terminal where your flight is departing from. Often easier said than done, we know, but it comes with the territory. Keep your composure and patience and you’ll be on your way soon enough. A visit to the Transportation Security Administration’s website before arriving at the airport before your flight can’t hurt, either. This way, you’ll be armed with the knowledge of what’s not going to make it past security and limits placed on other items -- such as liquids, gels and aerosols.

The fun (if you can call it that) doesn’t stop once you’re aboard the plane and destination-bound. Travelers are encouraged to wear loose-fitting or otherwise comfortable clothing to make the extended sitting period a little more pleasant. A form of entertainment, be it a book, magazine or headphones for music, are also strongly encouraged. For more information on Oakland Park and Fly options before your trip, visit expressoparking.com.