With the holiday season upon us all, you may be travelling to spend time with loved ones or just to enjoy a much-needed vacation.

With families spread out more so than ever before, air travel has become increasingly common, not to mention stressful, during the holiday season.

Prior to the terror attacks in the US on September 11, 2001, air travel was busy during the holidays, but since then, security has been maximised, with long lines and unhappy people, many wishing they were someplace else.

For those who are looking to make the process of going through security checks a little smoother this holiday season, taking a few easy precautions can help you minimise the stress that comes with checkpoints and baggage claims.

[obox]First and foremost, do not wrap any gifts for loved ones before getting on a plane. Airline security can and will open all wrapped packages. To avoid having to wrap gifts twice, simply wrap them when you get off the plane or send them via a shipping service such as UPS, Federal Express, DHL, etc.

Check ahead of time to see what you can and can’t bring on the flight. Surprises waste time and lead to even longer lines at the airport. If you plan on travelling with something that you think might be questionable, do not wait to surprise the counterperson at the baggage check and then risk losing the item or missing your flight.

If travelling to the US, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) website offers a detailed list of products that can be taken on a plane and those that can’t. Many items, including hammers, martial-arts weapons, and even knives, are perfectly acceptable if secured in the baggage you check.

However, none of these items are allowed in carry-ons. To peruse the items list, simply visit the DHS website at www.dhs.gov or the web site of the airline on which you’ll be flying, which should have a customer service link that will answer any questions you might have.

[obox]Wear appropriate footwear. Contrary to popular belief, passengers are not required to remove their footwear before walking through a metal detector. However, don’t be surprised if and when a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) official asks you to remove shoes with metal or even big-soled sneakers should the metal detector go off when you walk through.

If you’re not going to wear flip flops or thin-soled sandals, be prepared to be asked to remove your footwear (which, for time’s sake, should be easily removable). To avoid being asked, you can simply remove your footwear before walking through the detectors, an easy concession to make that will help you (and those in line behind you) get to your plane a little faster.

[obox]Arrive for your flight early. While many airlines suggest you arrive at least an hour in advance of your boarding time, around the holidays, getting to the airport even earlier is a great idea. Thanks to more flights, passengers, and baggage issues around holiday time, lines are especially long.

Arriving at least 90 minutes prior to your flight should ensure that you don’t miss your flight. Use the technology available to you. If you have Internet access at home, check your flight’s status via your airline’s website before heading to the airport.

Flights typically run off-schedule during the heavy season, and you might find that when you get to the airport that your flight has been delayed.

Checking ahead of time can save you from spending precious hours sitting in the waiting area. Also, many airlines now boast e-ticketing, meaning you can check in for your flight and check your bags without having to wait for the next available baggage clerk. If you’re worried about checking your bags by yourself, airlines typically have a roaming clerk who will check your bags for you once you’ve printed out your boarding pass.

[obox]Do not lock any of your baggage. TSA officials will search the baggage you check. Locking your baggage will require them to break your locks, and you will not be reimbursed for any locks they might break.

TSA is also not liable for any items that might be damaged on your flight, meaning you should not pack any fragile items in your luggage or overstuff your bags, which will be difficult for TSA officials to reclose if overfilled.

[obox]Remove any hidden piercings you might have before walking through the metal detectors. Piercings will set off metal detectors. Ear piercings or any other types of piercings that are visible to the naked eye can be confirmed as setting off the alarm with a simple hand wanding. However, hidden piercings will likely lead to you being patted down. TSA screeners can offer you a private place to remove hidden piercings if you want to avoid being patted down.

For more information on travelling during the holidays, or to answer any further questions you might have, visit the DHS website at www.dhs.gov, or the TSA website at www.tsa.gov.