The holiday season is in full swing, and Vanguard Airlines, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: VNGD) wants to get your holiday started on the right track. With more people traveling in the next few weeks and tighter security measures now in place, travelers should observe the following tips when flying this holiday season.
Before You Leave for the Airport
- Allow yourself extra time. Plan to arrive for check-in at least two hours before your flight's departure. Remember to allow additional time for traffic and parking.
- Ship holiday gifts. Gift-wrapped packages may need to be opened and inspected during the screening process, whether checked or carried on. To avoid delays, you should hold off on wrapping presents until your travel is completed. It may be necessary to remove items from their original containers.
- Pack restricted carry-on items in your checked baggage. Certain items cannot be carried onboard the aircraft. These include knives, scissors, straight razors, metal nail files, cutting instruments, corkscrews, baseball bats, golf clubs, ski poles and hockey sticks. When in doubt whether you may carry-on the item, please place it in your checked baggage.
- Use see-through plastic bags for items inside your luggage. If you have items inside your luggage that that you plan to place in bags (laundry, toiletries or other supplies), secure them in clear, plastic bags. This will make it easier for security personnel to inspect these items and speed up the security process.
- Limit your carry-on baggage. You will only be allowed to carry one bag plus a personal item (purse or briefcase) aboard the aircraft. Electronic items, such as laptop computers, video games, CD players and cell phones, may require additional screening. Be prepared to remove your laptop from its case.
- Tag your baggage. Many bags look alike. Affix a brightly colored tag or sticker to help you more easily identify your bag. Be sure to put your name, address and phone number on the outside and inside of each bag, including each of your carry-on items.
At the Airport
- Note that access to secure areas is limited to ticketed passengers. You must obtain a boarding pass at the ticket counter if you do not have a printed confirmation of your electronic ticket or if you are checking baggage. Only ticketed passengers will be allowed beyond the security checkpoint, unless a child is traveling alone or the passenger requires a medical assistant. Be prepared to show a government-issued photo ID at each step in the check-in process.
- Be prepared to have your baggage searched. All passengers are subject to random baggage searches. Please understand the importance of this process if screeners ask to search your baggage at the ticket counter, security checkpoint or before boarding the aircraft. Everyone, including frequent travelers and VIPs, are subject to random security searches. Watch your belongings, and do not leave your bags unattended. Do not accept packages from strangers.
- Don't make threats, even jokingly. All perceived threats, even those meant as a joke, will be taken seriously. Any reference to terrorism, weapons or explosives made at check-in, the security checkpoint or onboard the aircraft may be considered a threat and cause you to be detained and questioned.
- Be patient. All personnel will work as quickly as possible to get you to your destination safely. Your cooperation and patience will help expedite the process.
- Choose the right airline. Vanguard, Kansas City's hometown airline, brings you affordable fares and the customer service you deserve.
- Have a Happy Holiday. Don't sweat the small stuff. Remember, the security lines and short delays over the holidays are the small stuff. Enjoy yourself, and enjoy the overall convenience and affordability of air travel.
Vanguard Airlines, Kansas City's Hometown Airline, provides convenient all-jet service to 15 cities nationwide: Atlanta, Austin, Buffalo/Niagara Falls, Chicago-Midway, Colorado Springs (beginning Dec. 20), Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York-LaGuardia, Pittsburgh and San Francisco. The airline offers low fares with no advance-purchase requirements, advanced seat assignment and extra legroom on all flights with a fleet of eight Boeing 737s and five Boeing MD- 80-series aircraft, which feature SkyBox Business Class service.
Savvy Traveler - Tips for the Savvy Traveler - Savvy traveler Deborah Burns writes sensibly and lucidly on those little things (itineraries, visas, foreign languages, transportation, children, and budgets) that make the difference between a holiday to dream about and a nightmare vacation experience. The more preparation the better. Some visas take months to procure. The best travel deals are often available far in advance of departure. And as for those shoes, to bring comfortable, well-broken-in footwear, you can't go shopping for them a week before you leave. Covering health, business, souvenirs, safety, dining, and what to pack, Burns's most important lesson is that you don't need to learn everything the hard way.
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