Four Ways To Save Time When You Travel
When you travel, all you want to do is get on a plane and get to your destination. Unfortunately, check-in lines and security checks can eat into your free time and make travel a hassle. If you want to spend more time browsing the stores or having a drink in the airport bar, then follow these tips for speeding up your travel time.
1. Get Clear
Having a Clear Card is like having an EZ-Pass for the airport. It’s a way to breeze through the fast lane during an airport security check. It works like this. Apply for an account online and provide some basic information. Then go to a Clear enrollment station to have your fingerprints and iris captured and to present two forms of government issued identification. Pay the initial enrollment fee of $128 and you are entitled to use the Clear lane at airport security, providing your fingerprint or iris print as security. You’ll still have to go through x-ray machines and metal detectors, but you will get through security much quicker at the 20 airports currently supported.
2. Keep Your Laptop Bagged
If you’re traveling with a laptop, as about 70% of us do, then getting it out of the case, putting it in a bin and packing it up again can take time that you just don’t have. But what if you didn’t have to unpack your laptop to have it scanned? The Transport Security Administration has approved new ‘checkpoint friendly’ laptop cases to help speed up the process. According to the New York Times:
“The new cases include either a fold-down section in a bigger briefcase or a stand-alone protective sleeve that contains no extra clutter and can be readily viewed through the scanner.”
Manufacturers are rushing to produce these new bags, with several examples already available.
3. Pre-Book Airport Parking
Driving around looking for a space is a major waste of time. If you’re traveling on business, then your time is precious, and if you’re on a family trip, you’ve probably got enough to think about. Consider pre-booking offsite airport parking. All you do is drop your car off at the designated location and get a shuttle to your terminal. No hassle, no fuss - and no problem with the weather. Offsite airport parking gives you an affordable way to secure your vehicle and ensure that you make your flight on time.
4. Cut Down On Luggage
If you’re a business traveler, reduce your luggage to a single carry-on bag. You won’t have to spend time sorting luggage out at either end of your trip. If you travel frequently, then keep a bag packed with the essentials that you will always need. Then all you have to do is pick up the bag and walk through the door. To save yourself even more time, check in online. Then you can relax and enjoy your trip and make the most of your precious time.
(Photo: Anton Abramsen)
Tags: Airport Parking, business travel, travel
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:56 am
Excellent tips. The ‘clear card’ is a bit expensive, but if you are a regular traveler, then it’s probably worth it.
Also the new laptop bags should make it easier to to get through the X-ray machines also.
Another idea is to make sure that if you lock your hold luggage; use one of the approved TSA locks - that way the TSA can unlock them without having to damage the lock
Brians last blog post..43 Ideas to Keep You Busy on the West Coast of Puerto Rico
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:57 am
I’d love to have one of those laptop bags myself, Brian. Great advice about using approved locks.
September 30th, 2008 at 4:40 am
[...] reason to pack light is so that you can breeze through check in, security and customs, but if you want to be prepared for anything, how do you do it. The golden [...]
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:50 am
That is pretty cool. I never knew they made special bags for your laptop so you do not have to take them out. That was always the biggest hassle for me. I am always worried someone is going to take my laptop when I am not paying attention.
Travel Blogs last blog post..5 Questions For My Readers
October 24th, 2008 at 11:49 am
That’s definitely a worry, Justin. Travel used to be simpler before we had all these devices to look after, but it was probably also much less convenient.