Travel in a Flash

With gas prices hitting their second highest price ever, many are opting to fly to their vacations this summer instead of driving, creating an increase in passengers, experts say. Just read an article with some great tips on how to cut down your travel time.

Metal detector: I definitely have not mastered this one yet. I have gotten to where I never set it off, but I am the one fumbling around for jewelry and phone etc. and where to put them. Some, and I mean Penn Jillette and other libertarians and Cato institute folks, want to get stopped. I can remember doing a show with Penn and him whipping out a pocket-size metal copy of the Bill of Rights. The metal sets detector off and you show the Bill of Rights to the powers that be and complain that you should not be searched. Abracadabra and you have made a political statement.

But if you are like most of us I will assume you don't particularly care for being wanded and standing in that weird roped in line. The article says to "sort things at home, throw all change, cell phones and jewelry into a small plastic bag. Then, at the airport, there'll be no last-minute dance to empty your pockets. (This would also be a good time to weigh bags on a bathroom scale, to make sure they don't go over the usual 50-pound limit.)"

Another tip "don't let the kids bring any toy guns—even the water variety." Wrapped presents also not a good call, "that'll get you yanked aside." The article suggests wearing pants or shorts with draw strings (no belt buckle required). I will add two notes I have noticed as a woman: don't pack tweezers and other sharp grooming materials in your carry on bag. I know, I know the rules changed and you can now, but trust me, not all employees got the memo. Want to keep this G rated, but let me just say avoid things with under wire, it makes the wanding even more unbearable.

Since name tags can fall off, as a safety precaution the article suggests you "slip your itinerary (with a phone number) in a side zipper." And maybe black is not the new black--everyone has a roller one so if yours is different you will be able to spot it better, less chance of bags getting mixed up, and you will be able to describe it easier if it does get lost".

Bon Voyage!

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