Travel Notes: Planning for problems makes traveling easier

Linda Strait is president of House of Travel Inc., a full-service travel agency in Springfield.

If you are traveling for the holidays, you will want the experience to go as smoothly as possible. Planning in advance will help.

Traveling with children presents special challenges, often because the expectations and abilities of the individuals traveling together have not been considered. Pre-planning and family discussions are necessary for everyone to have a realistic picture of what to expect, and to learn to give and take so that everybody's happy.

Discuss in advance the check-in process at the airport with all family members. Patience, a sense of humor and some great chocolate will help.

If flying with young children, consider their everyday lifestyle. Most young children go to bed early and rise early, so an early start for your family would probably work best. They get hungry at irregular intervals and go to the bathroom at irregular intervals, so pack snacks and individual juices in your carry-on.

Be sure you bring easy-to-pack activities: Legos, books, etc., and if old enough, let them carry their things in their own backpack to give them a feeling of control.

If traveling with Christmas gifts, mail them ahead or leave them unwrapped for the security agents. To help things go smoothly, get to the airport one to two hours before your scheduled departure with the proper identification.

Anyone 18 years old or older must present a government-issued photo ID. Minor children traveling with a single parent must have documentation from the absent parent.

Minimize the number of pieces and size of baggage you will be carrying. Most airlines require the size of carry-on items to be less than 22-by-14-by-19 inches and weigh less than 40 pounds. Also, limit the number and type of electronic equipment you carry with you to reduce the possibility of delays in the screening process.

If you have a medical condition that requires you to carry a needle and/or syringe on your person or in your carry-on baggage, you must also have the medication that requires such injection on your person. The medication must be packaged with a pharmaceutical label or professionally printed identifying label.

Try not to book the last flight through airports that are prone to weather delays. This will give you a back up if you miss your connection. If your flight is cancelled or delayed to the point of missing a connecting flight, go to the airline you are booked on and ask them to find an alternate flight for you. You must work with the airline you are ticketed on unless you are willing to pay for a new ticket.

Be sure that you keep all pertinent documents and get the names of people with whom you speak.

Always get a confirmation number for your hotel room, and ask your travel agent to put the hotel telephone number on your itinerary. If your hotel is guaranteed for late arrival and your plans change, you can cancel your reservation so that your credit card won't be billed.

Always book your car rentals in advance. The prices can be better, and you won't be surprised by no availability when you arrive at your destination. Before renting a car, be sure that you have enough credit on your credit card. Rental companies put a hold on your credit until the car is returned. Check the gasoline gauge when you pick up your car. If it is not full, be sure the attendant notes that in writing. Note the time of picking up your car, and return it at the same time on your return date to avoid extra hour charges.

I hope that all of you traveling to visit family and loved ones have a wonderful holiday.