The holiday travel season can be hectic, stressful and devoid of cheer. Wintry weather can ruin plans, massive crowds can cause claustrophobia and an overabundance of family time can induce some headaches.
- Thou shalt check thy flight status regularly and monitor weather before arriving at the airport.
- Thou shalt not be verbally or physically abusive to TSA agents.
- Thou shalt leave home early, arrive at the airport early and allot ample time for security and pre-flight snack-buying.
- Thou shalt pack wisely -- no overweight luggage, no liquids in carry-ons, etc.
- Thou shalt make a budget for thy holiday adventure.
- Thou shalt not gripe excessively about lines, crowds and delays (everyone is in the same boat).
- Thou shalt pack earplugs to tune out crying children and those that did not get the "no griping" memo.
- Thou shalt be kind to fellow travelers and airport/airline employees.
- Thou shalt eat wisely -- in and out of the airport.
- Thou shalt have a backup travel plan.
- Thou shalt stay calm in the face of cancelled flights, gridlock traffic and all other circumstances outside thy control.
- Thou shalt have a drink to calm thy nerves -- but thou shalt not overdo it.
- Thou shalt grin and bear it during conversations with nosy family members and airplane seatmates.
- Thou shalt take deep breaths.
- Thou shalt remember the holiday season will be over soon. Thankfully it occurs just once a year.
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Christmas with the Royals
Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (R) looks toward his wife Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (L) as they arrive for the Royal family Christmas Day church service at St Mary Magdalene church in Sandringham, Norfolk, in the east of England, on December 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Christmas In San Jose, CA
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Christmas in Myammar
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Christmas in Myammar
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Christmas in Myamar
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Christmas in Bethlehem
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, right, embraces Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as they attend Christmas Midnight Mass at Saint Catherine's Church in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, early Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Abed Al Hashlamoun, Pool)
Christmas in Bethlehem
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, center, holds the Baby Jesus in Saint Catherine's Church at the end of the Christmas Midnight Mass and leads the procession to the Grotto, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, at the nearby Church of the Nativity, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, early Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Abed Al Hashlamoun, Pool)
Christmas Bethlehem
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Christmas in Bethlehem
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Christmas in Afghanistan
French soldiers and service members with the NATO- led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) eat Christmas dinner at a dining facility at the U.S.-led coalition base in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
Christmas at the Vatican
Vatican Swiss guards stand attention before Pope Benedict XVI delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" (to the City and to the World) in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. Pope Benedict XVI has wished Christmas peace to the world, decrying the slaughter of the "defenseless" in Syria and urging Israelis and Palestinians to find the courage to negotiate. Delivering the Vatican's traditional Christmas day message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, a weary-looking and hoarse-sounding Benedict on Tuesday also encouraged Arab spring nations, especially Egypt, to build just and respectful societies. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Christmas in Kabul
Civilians in Santa Claus hats and service members with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) wait to be served Christmas dinner at a dining facility at the U.S.-led coalition base in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
Christmas in Kabul
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Christmas in Kabul
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Christmas in Bangladesh
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Rowan Williams
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Queen Elizabeth II
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Christmas in Lithuania
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Christmas in Lithuania
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Christmas in Sudan
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Christmas in Bethlehem
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Christmas in Sudan
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Christmas at the Vatican
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Christmas at the Vatican
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Christmas in Indonesia
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Christmas in Iraq
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Christmas in Iraq
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Christmas in Iraq
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Christmas in England
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Christmas in India
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Christmas in India
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Christmas in Pakistan
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Chirstmas in Pakistan
People attend Christmas service at a local church in Karachi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)
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