We’re a little less than a week away from the busiest travel day of the year (and 7 days away from what is arguably the yummiest day of the year) and many of our Delta travelers are busy prepping to visit family, friends and loved ones across the country and the globe.
We know traveling during the busy holiday season is hectic, which is why every year we spend lots of time and resources preparing—hiring extra staff, providing specialized training to our customer service team, sharing travel tips and more.
This year, our social media team is excited to bring YOU into the mix of our holiday readiness planning. ‘How?’ you may ask. Here’s the idea: our customers know the tricks of traveling like the back of their hands and we want to share your knowledge with the world.
Participating is simple (and much easier than cooking a Thanksgiving meal if you ask me). Share your holiday travel advice (and be sure to include the #deltatips hashtag) on Twitter, Facebook or in a comment here on the blog, and our team will collect the best of the best to share right back here on November 23rd. We’ll also retweet our favorite tips throughout the week and post some nifty advice of our own.
So what are you waiting for? Come join the conversation!
Liz G.
Delta Social Media
November 18th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
1. Always remove everything from your pockets BEFORE you enter the security line! Put hats, gloves and scarves in your carry-on too! (It saves time and plenty of hassle!)
2. Wear slip-on shoes – not dealing with laces is a lifesaver. (Slip-ons do not equal flip flops! Remember you may be connecting in a city with much colder temperatures than where you are at your departure or destination cities.)
3. Give yourself plenty of time to check-in and get to your gate. There’s nothing worse than trying to run for a plane…and worse yet, missing it! The flights will be packed, so re-booking on another may not be an option…for a couple of days! So be prepared and be early!
4. Smile and relax – it’s already a stressful time, so why make it worse by being a Debbie Downer… Plus smiling releases hormones that make you feel happy!
November 19th, 2010 at 12:26 am
Tips from an employee of this fabulous organization:
1. Pre-pay for your baggage online. This will save you a few bucks, and expedite your journey through the check-in hall. Look for the bag drop location at your airport to drop your bag off.
2. Know how much your bag weighs. Overweight bags are not only heavy, but also come with an added fee. Avoid this fee by packing light, or only packing necessary items.
3. There are limits as to what you can carry-on. Check as many items as possible. Remember the “1+1 Rule” mandated by the FAA… you can have one regulation-sized carry-on bag and one personal item, that’s it!
4. Pay attention to the flight monitors located throughout the airport. In hub airports (like ATL, DTW, MSP), gates can change frequently. Stay up-to-date by ensuring you are at the right gate for your flight.
5. Trust Delta. Should you ever need help throughout your travel experience, we would be more than happy to assist you in any way possible. Should delays and/or cancellations occur, look for our Need Help? Centers (in many Delta airports/all hub airports) or contact our Help Line
November 19th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
One thing I’ve done in the past that’s worked out real well is to ship gifts and even clothes to my destination instead of checking them! It may cost a little more that way, but there is a lot less stress and you won’t be required to unwrap the gifts if asked to by TSA!