How many of us remember saying this ourselves or heard our own children say this to us? Usually we hear this on car rides but I am sure with many people traveling this Holiday Season that many kids around the country have said this or ‘when are we gonna get there?’
A few tips for travelers so they don’t have to hear this from anyone they are traveling with – kids or fellow adults.
1. Call the airline/train/bus company before you leave the house. Many will have prerecorded messages about delays. Also try checking their website. Many airlines have a function on-line to check their flight status. If your flight is delayed or canceled a representative via phone will be able to help you with out all the hassle of being at the airport. The same goes for Amtrak or bus services like Greyhound.
2. If your flight was not changed before you arrived to the airport or train/bus station make sure you bring something to do. Bring a book to read, a pack of cards, a hand held game, an MP3 player or something small, easy to carry to help pass the time. My own parents always traveled with a small cribbage board and a pack of cards, no matter where they went or how they traveled. They often used this while the waited or when they got to their destination as well.
3. Be patient and understanding – PLEASE. It will make your trip and others so much nicer. Weather is an act of God and the airlines, trains and bus companies have absolutely no way to control or prevent this from happening. Remember that you are safer on the ground than you will ever be up in the air or on the road with any major storm or bad weather. The transportation don’t want to cancel service but they do want to keep you and their employees safe from harm.
4. When you plan a trip add some extra time to your travel time. When you are booking your travel, especially during the winter, try to arrive earlier that you need to be there, so if you are delayed there won’t be any issues because you have planned ahead already. If you end up not being delayed take a few hours and explore the area you have traveler to and enjoy what that location may have to offer such as historical sites, museums, art galleries etc.
Happy and Safe traveles for 2009.
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