Greetings,

10 Smart Travel Tips for Families

A very busy summer air travel season is forecast, as rising gas prices send many families to their destinations by plane this year. Full flights are anticipated, making planning ahead essential. 

1. Make plane reservations as soon as possible to lock in current inexpensive fares. As fuel prices increase, airfares will also.

2. Select seats when you make the reservation - this is the only way to ensure that you will be seated together. Waiting until you arrive at the airport will scatter each of your family members throughout the plane, or will require asking other passengers to accommodate you by moving seats when they are trying to get settled themselves.

3. Print boarding passes before leaving for the airport. If you have booked online, this option is generally available 24 hours in advance of the flight and will save standing in a check-in line at the airport.

4. Pack light. Many airlines are charging $25 each way for a second checked bag (most still allow one checked bag at no additional charge). Plus they also charge big fees that vary between airlines for checked bags weighing 50 pounds or more. Weigh each bag at home on a bathroom scale before leaving for the airport so you can lighten the load. Also measure each bag before packing as no bag may be over 62” based on linear measurement of length + width + depth. Larger bags may incur a large fee.

5. Take less. Organize what each family member wants to pack far in advance to allow time to wash favorite things and to encourage participation by each person. This minimizes complaints upon arrival, as each was part of the packing decisions. Plan to find a coin-operated laundry half way through the trip so you can pack half as much clothing. Tucking in a self-sealing plastic bag of laundry detergent saves money and hassles.

6. Self-sealing bags of several sizes are the travelers' best friend! Organize clothing by grouping adult’s items: socks in one container, underwear in another. Children’s clothing is easily organized by folding or rolling an entire days outfit together — pants, tee-shirt, underwear and socks — and tucking into a bag. Pop the dirty items back into the bag at the end of the day to isolate soiled clothing from clean.

7. Pack into as few suitcases as possible - the more bags the greater the chance that one will be misplaced or forgotten. Plus, a hefty fee may be charged for additional checked bags. Some airlines now allow only one checked bag plus one carry-on per ticketed passenger (young children who ride on a parent’s lap are NOT considered “ticketed”). Many families pack into community bags of one adult with one child per bag, for a family of four this means two checked bags plus carry-on.

8. Travel with your child’s safety seats and strollers whenever possible. Each airline has a slightly different ruling on traveling with this gear, so call or visit your airline website to check in advance so you won’t have any surprises at the airport.

9. Pack a backpack for each person. Parents can manage children better if they are hands-free, so purses and in-flight necessities are best carried in an adult backpack. Kids fly quieter when entertained, so allow them to choose their toys and to carry them. Smaller children manage better passing through airports, airport security, and aircraft aisles with small backpacks; bigger children can manage small rolling bags that will fit under the seat.

10. Savvy frequent flyer parents advise bringing on the following in your child’s carry-on:
• Gameboys, games and extra batteries and travel-sized games • Books (thin paperbacks are best!) and/or coloring/activity books and crayons • Portable DVD player (however battery length is usually only about 3 hours) • Pajamas and slippers for a long flight (if comfortable, children are more likely to sleep) • Hard candies to suck on, water or juice to combat pressure changes during take off and landing • Anything your child must have such as a favorite blanket or bunny.

Packing light will spare your back and your budget and minimize baggage hassles. Plan ahead, take less, and have a great vacation!

        
Mexico, Canada to U.S. Passport Now Required

Stricter Passport Rules Go Into Effect at Border Crossings for Travel by Land June 1. If you're planning to travel to Mexico or Canada next week, be prepared to show the proper identification.

Starting Monday, the last implementation stage of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will go into effect,requiring travelers to present a passport or other valid travel document when entering the U.S. by land or sea.

The requirements were put into place in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. While parallel provisions for air travel went into effect in January 2007, this stage of implementation for land and sea travel was delayed because the government feared Americans were not adequately prepared.

Previously, Americans returning from Canada by land had to present a driver's license and birth certificate to prove identification and citizenship. But as of June 1, Americans will need to present a valid travel document to enter the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean islands and Bermuda.

What's a valid travel document? A regular passport, a new passport card, a "trusted traveler" card or an "enhanced driver's license," which states the person's nationality. Children under the age of 16 will not be required to have the travel documentation.

Currently, only a handful of states -- Vermont, New York, Washington and Michigan -- offer the new enhanced documentation.
Enhanced driver's licenses are wallet-size and are less expensive than the average $100 fee for a standard passport.

Officials hope the provisions, which invalidate birth certificates and drivers' licenses as forms of identification, will help set a more uniform standard for border travel, creating a safer and more efficient travel experience.

With summer ahead, the new regulations have potential to thwart many travel plans.

   
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