Comprehensive Traveler's Checklist

You've done your research, picked your destination and made your reservations for a well deserved vacation. All that is left is the packing, right? Wrong. If you don't want to be worried about your home because of forgotten tasks, inconvenienced by left behind items or delayed by poor communication; print this article, or make your own list from it, and then check off each step as you complete it.

If the term "worry wart" describes you, pack the checked-off list in something you carry with you (purse/wallet) so that you can pull it out during an attack and remind yourself that, "Yes, I did take the trash out before we left."

If you are not traveling by personal transportation, when you arranged for your tickets you should have notified the carrier of:

> Any special requirements that you have, i.e., wheel chair, etc.
> Any pets traveling with you.
> The need to carry on special items, i.e., oxygen tanks, etc.
If you didn't, make these arrangements as soon as possible to avoid potential delay and inconvenience.

Special items that will need to be completed as soon as possible:

> Taking a pet on international travel - You will need an international health certificate completed. Requests need to be made six months in advance of travel to allow adequate time for shots and processing. Check with your vet or the embassy of the country you will be visiting for the form.

> General international travel - Review the Center for Disease Control (CDC) traveler's health page and ensure you and your children have any recommended vaccinations for the area you'll be visiting. Also, visit the Department of State's website to learn about any special precautions you may need to take once you've arrived.

> If you need a passport for travel to your vacation destination, you can apply at your post office or city hall. If you need to renew a passport, you may be able process the request via regular mail. Regular processing takes 4-6 weeks.

> Arrange for traveler's insurance if you are not covered by current policies.

Three to Five days prior to travel checklist:

> Inventory everyone's prescriptions and ensure an adequate supply is on hand to last one week past your return date to avoid any possibility of running out.> Arrange for the post office to hold your mail, or have someone collect it daily. Same goes for any newspapers you may have delivered.

> Limit refrigerated grocery buying. Arrange it so that you will have as few items as possible in the refrigerator by your travel date as possible.

> Review household bills and prepay any due during your planned absence. Most common utilities, cable, etc. services offer online payment that you can schedule for the day that it is due, if preferred.

> If leaving pets behind, arrange for pet care. If you don't have a friend that can either take them in during your vacation or check in on them regularly, take them to a pet hotel. If you've never used one, ask your vet for a recommendation. My vet runs one. Yours may, too. Fish can survive up to three days without food. If you're leaving for more than several days, you may wish to invest in an automatic feeder and make sure it's stocked. For periods of a month or more, you'll want to engage a friend or pet store service.

> If taking pets with you, ensure you have pet carriers, food and water dishes, etc. appropriate for mode of travel being taken. If flying or traveling by train, ensure the carrier meets the airline's/train line's regulations.

> Arrange for any lawn care or snow removal needed.

> If you have a neighbor that you trust, give this neighbor your key and your contact information so that they can make you aware of any emergency situations that may arise.

> If you live in an apartment building, you may also wish to inform the complex manager. If you live in a house, many local police departments have vacation forms that you can fill out. They will notify patrols and neighborhood watches to have someone do a regular walk-around of your property.

> Ensure you have a timer to run a couple of lights in your house to make it look occupied while you are away.

> Check reservations to ensure no changes or warnings have occurred. Adjust as needed.

Special considerations, when travel includes flying:
> I always carry, as a minimum, one full change of clothes, a toothbrush, prescriptions, required documents and my laptop with me as carry on. Always assume that the carrier may lose your baggage, especially during busy holiday travel and determine your "essentials" - those items you can't do without for a couple of days while your baggage catches up with you.

> Look up your airline's carry-on baggage allowances:
>> Bag dimensions allowed can differ between carriers and most airlines have changed their rules in the past few years. Your old carry-on may no longer be allowed.
>> Liquids - all airlines have special restrictions on these. Toiletries must be in maximum size of 3.4oz containers, and all must be packed in one-each, one-quart zip lock bag. It's nuts, but I've seen a lot of traveler's toiletries thrown in the trash at the security line over this rule.
>> I have seen a lady miss a flight because she couldn't afford to lose an oxygen container that she tried to carry on with no notice (most airlines allow them if you provide notice prior to flight.)
>> Allowed items can vary, based on destination. Look up your airline's rules!

> Presents - whether packed in checked baggage or carry-on, you may wish to not wrap your present until at your destination. If at any checkpoint, security wishes to inspect your items, they may unwrap it to verify contents.

One day prior to travel checklist:
> Bank run - pick up what cash, traveler's checks and foreign currency that you might need. Drop off any valuables in a safe deposit box for safe keeping.

> Go through house, collect, and take out trash. Then you'll only need to take the kitchen trash out on the day of departure.

> Pack your bags, including an empty tote for purchases made during travel. If you are using a baggage limited mode of travel, you may wish to arrange to ship this bag to your home or a friend prior to your return.

> Tag luggage with bright stickers or ribbons for easy identification

> Ensure you have the following ready to go:

> The forms of money you picked up at the bank and any credit cards you intend to use. (consider leaving any form of money that you don't intend to use behind, i.e., extra credit cards, personal checks, etc.)
> Everyone's IDs.
> All tickets for travel and entertainment that you have purchased.
> Medical information, including doctor's name and phone number
> Prescription medications.
> Insurance cards and papers.
> List of names and addresses of people to contact in case of emergency.
> Names, addresses, phone numbers, reservation numbers, dates, and times for reservations and appointments that you have made.
> Addresses of any friends and family you'll want to mail or drop a postcard to.
> Reconfirm all travel itineraries and adjust timing, if needed. If your home area or area of destination is suffering poor weather conditions, make sure to check again before heading out the day of departure. While verifying itineraries, make sure to take note of your carrier's current check-in time requirements. You may need to arrive at the airport, train station, etc., earlier than originally projected.

Day of travel checklist:
> * Empty refrigerator and turn it on low
> * Unplug electronics
> Turn off hot water.
> Turn down thermostat.
> Verify all windows and doors are locked.*

If you need to leave especially early on the day of travel, do these tasks before going to bed the night before.

At the Airport:

For first time fliers, or fliers that have not flown in the last few years, here's the drill. Be prepared and make it as easy on yourself and fellow travelers as possible:
> There will be two "checkpoints" in the security line. At the first, you will present your ID (driver's license or passport is fine) and your boarding pass. Children aren't required to present ID.

> Just before you get to the conveyor belt of the second checkpoint, you'll need to take off your shoes and coat, and remove any large electronics from your bags (laptop, full size game consoles, etc.) - They do make special flip open laptop bags for airport security, but in all other cases, they will need to be removed and place in a bin to themselves - Your shoes, any metal items (keys/change), and any coat will go in another, and then your carry-on bag goes directly on the conveyor belt.

> Do not move to the metal detector until all your items have moved into the x-ray machine.

> Do not move through the metal detector until you are waved through by security.

> As soon as you are waved through, collect your items and move on. There are chairs or benches past this checkpoint where you can rearrange your carry-on items and put your shoes back on.

Have a great trip!