Its begun. The main stream media is in panic mode over holiday travel issues. One of the biggest, parking at the airport. Headlines are screaming "Parking To Fill Up Fast in Jacksonville" and the like. All they have to do is look back 12 months and change the dates on the articles. Of course this is not news to anyone who has flown anywhere over Thanksgiving, or Christmas, in the past 30 years. But it does harbor impending disaster. And the news media just love that. The TV will be filled with crying babies, distraught teenagers, and pictures of long lines.
Seasoned travelers will do one of many things:
1. Take a cab or limo to the airport — At the cost to park of $20 a day, if you are going more than four days, its probably cheaper to take a cab, both ways.
2. Have a friend drop them off or pick them up.
3. Reserve a space on line — virtually all airports are represented at a number of sites — Key in "Parking" on Google and see what pops up.
4. Simply drive to the airport and park in an available space. My spies tell me that at virtually all airports there is parking available. It may not be the most convenient, but its there. Off airport parking is available, too. But its probably important to plan ahead and be sure you can find those little lots around the corner and down the block.
5. Airport hotels are offering park/sleep/fly packages that let you come a day early, leave your car, stay overnight, and be well rested for your flight.
Of course most won’t take this advice, and most main stream media won’t print it. All those "one flight a decade" folks will jam the airport at the last minute, have far too much luggage, complain about just about everything, and actually be the cause of most late flights.
Cynic? Nope, just experienced.
The best solution – have Thanksgiving at your house and let the family come there.
All the best
JVH
