More of Us Will Travel This Thanksgiving Weekend Than Any Other Holiday Weekend in the Past

More of us will travel this Thanksgiving Weekend than any other holiday weekend in the past. And, some will go "over the hills" and a few will go "through" the woods to a grandparent's home. But, many of us will be fighting crowded highways and parking lots, long security lines and jammed airports and flight delays. Over 37 million of us traveled during the Thanksgiving holiday in 2005 and the AAA predicts that number will increase this year.

Here are a few tips to keep you sane if you're traveling very far this Thanksgiving season or during the other upcoming holidays.

If you're driving, try to avoid doing in on Wednesday. I'm lucky that I only have about three hours of traveling, so I leave about 9 or 10am on Thanksgiving morning. And, Wednesday night is a great time to do some Christmas shopping. I go almost every year and the stores and the malls are deserted. Sometimes you'll find those special "Black Friday" prices available on that evening - I have. Try to return home on either Friday, Saturday or Monday whenever possible. Remember to make necessary hotel reservations because they'll book up on most of these nights.

Also, if driving on toll roads or across bridges, consider buying a electronic device which allows you to go onto the toll roads and through the bridge toll booths without stopping. Although I only go through the bridges a couple of times a month, I'm considering buying one just to save time as I commute in the San Francisco Bay Area. (In the SF Bay Area, using one of these passes usually saves $1 on each trip on a bridge.) In some locations, Avis, Budget and Hertz car rentals are providing these electronic passes to their customers. An additional fee may apply. In some areas and on some cars, Avis has also installed a special GPS system that will issue instructions on how to avoid upcoming traffic jams and road closures.

When flying, try to select direct, non-stop flights. (Watch out for flights listed as "direct" flights - they frequently make a stop en route to your final destination.) Book as early in the day as you can, delays get longer and more frequent as the day goes on. Check flightstats.com for statistics on which airlines have the best and worst "on time" records. Try to book with the airline(s) with the best record possible.

Try to avoid major airports whenever possible. For example, if you're flying into or out of San Francisco, you might check out flights using the Oakland or San Jose airports instead. Sometimes tickets are cheaper, parking is less expensive and the traffic may be less onerous.

Check in as early as possible. Airlines regularly overbook flights and you don't want to miss a flight because you didn't check in on time. If you're leaving from a major airport, you can check in, get rid of all but your hand luggage, then go shopping, enjoy a meal (yes, some of those airport restaurants are very good) or relax with a good book. Just be sure to allow yourself enough time to get through the security lines if you go back out past the security checkpoints. More and more airports are locating eateries, bars and shops past the security lines to avoid passengers having to go through the checkpoints more than once. Keep your boarding pass and photo ID handy to show personnel as needed.

Make sure any liquids you carry on board are in small containers (3 oz. or less), encased in a quart-size, clear plastic bag. Not being prepared for what can and cannot be taken aboard planes is currently the single most time-consuming factor of long security lines. You can also bring along any bottled drinks purchased AFTER you have gone through the security checkpoint. Any bottles bought prior to that point must be discarded before you go through security. If you're taking gifts, check with each airline to ascertain what their requirements are for wrapped or unwrapped in your carryon luggage.

If your trip is for only a couple of days, try to limit your luggage to carry on only. It won't get lost if your flight is cancelled or delayed and you'll avoid the crowds at the baggage claim areas. If your luggage is lost, be sure to ask what you're entitled to for necessary items - grooming items, etc. In the case of major events, such as a wedding, an airline will often pay for the cost of renting tuxes and/or purchasing a suitable gown for your special event.

Check to see what rights you have if you're bumped or delayed while flying. If it's weather delayed, the airline usually won't do anything. Airlines must compensate passengers who are involuntarily bumped if a flight is oversold, depending on the length of the delay and the ticket cost. If the airline arranges substitute transportation that will at your final destination one - two hours past your original arrival time on domestic flights), it is required to pay you an amount equal to your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $200 maximum. Currently this time frame on international flights is one to four hours. If you don't have a cell phone, or it doesn't work, airlines will normally allow you to use a phone at no cost to call and tell people you're meeting when your new arrival time (and place) will be. If you're delayed beyond a normal mealtime, ask for a free meal. If you're delayed overnight, they will put you up in nearby accommodations and provide transportation to and from the airport. However, this is only while you're en route - if you're delayed overnight at the city of origination or your destination, they will not do this. And, always ask if you can be upgraded to first class or business class.

Be prepared for long waits - take along a good book. Take a small amount of writing materials - you might even address your holiday cards. Have some snacks with you and a bottle of water. If children are traveling with you, be sure they have games to play or books to read. They'll also appreciate some of their favorite snacks too.

Consider taking a train instead of flying. You can relax, chat with family members or friends traveling with you, enjoy a good book or even get a bit of work done. Your luggage is less likely to get lost and you can enjoy the scenery while you travel. And, the security lines (do they even have them?, I've not seen one at my local train station) will be short everything will be less crowded.