Video: Holiday Travel Preparations

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Christmas is only seven days away.

And with the holiday approaching, preparations for holiday travel are winding down.

“It’s hectic,” Delta passenger Nicholas Depatto said.  “I mean, you have people coming back from school, you have people coming back from vacation, people going on vacation, you have people off of school, you have kids, its just a very busy time of year.”

During this busy time of year, airports are usually filled with long lines and hectic crowds.

Mike Hainsey is the Executive Director at Golden Triangle Regional Airport, and he gave a key piece of advice for travelers.

“The number one thing is, because we are busy, you want to show up an hour early, that gives you time to check in, for everyone to scan your bag, to get through security, and to comfortably get on your plane instead of racing and being late,” Hainsey said.

Hainsey says booking your flight ahead of time is always important, expect the unexpected.

“I try, around the holiday season, to plan my travel and make sure I don’t hit the airports that are snowy, like Chicago, I stay away from Chicago, I’ll go to an Atlanta cause I know it doesn’t snow down there,” Depatto said.

Depatto is headed home for Christmas. He says the thing he dreads the most about holiday travel is standing in the long lines.

“It’s just, it’s just annoying,” he said.

And even with his early preparation he still managed to run into a flight delay.

However, he has tips for his fellow passengers who might find themselves in a similar situation.

“Just bring stuff to do, make sure you have a cell phone with you so you have something to do, if you have kids, bring tablet chargers, books, crayons, stuff like that,” Depatto said.
Hainsey also says wrapped Christmas presents can not be carried on to the plane.

He recommends wrapping the gift once you arrive at your destination.