Bring your Patience…and a book

Are you traveling to the airport soon? There are some things you may need to know.

Turn on any news station or talk to a friend who has just returned from a trip involving air travel and you will hear various things but the one thing you will always hear are the words “the wait.”

You don’t have impatient friends and the news isn’t just looking for views, the wait times are at all time highs. We have entered the “Post Covid” era here in the travel industry but we are no where near where we were pre Covid.

There are a few different reasons for the wait times all of which, we just have to live with. Wait times are affected by things such as staff levels (airport and aircraft staff), weather and the sheer number of travelers. While some of these things are out of our control, there are some things YOU, the traveler, can do to make the process easier.

Number one, accept the fact it will be busy. According to Travel Pulse, “Nine out of ten U.S. travelers now report that they’re planning on taking trips within the next six months".” This is a lot of travelers.

Number two, know before you go. Things to know before you go:

- Masking requirements

- Vaccine Requirements/proof requirements

- ArriveCAN App installation and filled out (for Canadian arrivals)

- Current Passport expiry date

- Have all of your current ID ready and available

Current suggestions (May 2022) are to arrive at the airport 3-4 hrs before your departure time for International Flights and 2 hours for Local Flights.

Wear your mask - they are required in Canadian Airports and on Canadian Aircraft. Have your current ID and Passport readily available. Have the dates of you vaccines available with your Vaccine passport QR code - print these out if possible. TSA does not want to watch you fiddle with your phone.

And last but not least, be patient. Every other traveler is in the same position as you and the airport staff are working to the best of your ability to get you to your destination.

Happy Travels!