Wake up at four in the morning to get to the airport by five. Then leave two hours to: check bag in, get yourself checked in, receive a boarding pass and go through security (that’s a nightmare in it self).

By the time you get to the actual gate, after a stop at Starbucks, it has taken almost three hours to go through the hellish experience of the airport.

And as the summer months loom, our plans for such torture begin. But with such a challenge, how do you know where to go?

Chris Villa, customer service specialist, and Lynn Beauchamp, shift manager passenger service, both work for US Airways at Sky Harbor and have the do’s and don’ts of traveling and a few helpful tips on the side to make traveling as smooth as possible.



Ticketing

One thing that is stressed as almost a necessity is checking into a flight on the web. “This will allow you to receive your boarding pass with seat assignment enabling customers to proceed directly to the security checkpoint and gate,” Beauchamp explained.

She also said that reserving a seat in advance even if only center seats are available on a full flight is very wise. Otherwise you just might lose your seat.

Villa commented that planning in advance for a holiday trip is a must as many flights might sell out early. For example, Spring Break seats to Orlando and/or Mexico sell out as much as seven months in advance.



Packing

How many times has your bag been over weight? Or maybe your bag went missing? Beauchamp said to include name, address and phone number inside and outside your luggage. Also, mark your luggage in some unique way to easily identify it. “Some customers tie a ribbon or paint markings on the outside.” This is a must. Do not pack valuables or fragile items inside your luggage.

But if your luggage is lost, try not to panic.

Don’t leave the gate until you have filed a report of the lost bag and received a claim number, Villa said. “That will be your tracking number for later. If you have your contact information in the bag, the airline will be able to get it back to you very quickly. If not, having a prepared list of what the bag contains will be helpful and make your time filing the claim faster.”

Next you need to follow up with the airline every few days. Don’t call multiple times a day—that’s worthless. But if you do not hear from the airline within a week, contact their customer relations department for help, Villa said.



Carry-ons

The TSA (Travel Safety Administration) are the men and women in the white colored shirts who look into everyone’s bags at the security gate.

The TSA has also created more rules to secure traveler’s safety.

However, those rules are sometimes a lot to swallow. Here they are, narrowed down to two categories.

• Liquids—According to Beauchamp, the TSA does limit the amount that can be carried onboard an aircraft. Customers should be aware of the 3.4 oz rule/container that should be placed in a clear, zip-top bag. Bags are available at the front of the security check point.

Villa also said, “Liquid makeup, mascara, lip gloss and hair spray also need to go in the quart size bag for carry on.” Anything larger than 3.4 ounces is confiscated unless it is in a checked bag.

• Common items NOT allowed—weapons (knife, gun or a toy resembling a weapon), alcohol, golf clubs, hazardous liquids or gases (oxygen, nitrogen).

Helpful Tips

These are just some random last-minute tid bits that Villa and Beauchamp thought might be important.

Don’t fall asleep at the gate; the flight could leave.

Also, announcements cannot be heard in the restaurants and bars.

Villa suggested saving the bags that linens and draperies came in because they are good to place your under garments, bathing suits and dirty things in.

That way, the security person looking through your checked bag can see them without having to handle your personal things.