By Nancy Mertz, co-owner Sea Kayak Adventures, Inc

Long security lines, a traffic jam of planes at airport gates, bad weather—there are any number of potential delays you could face at the airport this holiday season. However, with a bit of preparation (and a good attitude), you can be on the plane and on your way with minimum hassle.

A) To avoid delays at the airport this peak travel season, take the following steps:
1. Arrive EARLY - Arriving at the airport early is THE number-one most important thing you can do when flying during the holidays and peak travel seasons. Check in for international flights at LEAST 2 hours ahead of time thus you must allow additional time on top of that for winter weather, traffic jams, and to park your car - being on time or early is seen by most airlines and tour operators as your responsibility.
2. Check In Online - Print your boarding pass at home, grab your carry-on bags and head straight to airport security line.
3. Sign Up for Email or Text Message Alerts - to get advance warnings of airline delays or itinerary changes
4. Call Your Airlines Ahead of Time - two weeks in advance and a day in advance, to confirm air times and seat assignments.
5. Make Sure All Gifts Are Unwrapped—or ship them ahead of time
6. Know Your Airline's Baggage Policies Ahead of Time - be prepared for extra checked luggage fees
7. Have All Contact Information Handy - for your airlines' customer service, hotel, tour operator, car rental company and relatives

B) Tips for speeding through airports and airport security:
1. Carry on luggage and travel light, wearing your bulkiest shoes and clothing such as heavy coats.
2. Wear slip on shoes
3. Shed bulky clothing before you get to airport security official - place them on the conveyor belt with your carry-ons.
4. Follow the carry-on rules - Keep your liquid toiletries under the 3-oz maximum, storing them all in a single plastic quart bag that you remove from your carry-on so it can be X-rayed separately. Remember to take your laptop out of its bag. And check online before leaving home to verify you haven't packed items that screeners will confiscate.
5. Remove your metal - bring your own clear plastic bag and unload your booty (jewelry, belts, etc.) while you're waiting in line, then just drop it all into the dish provided by security. This goes for asthma inhalers and similar medical devices, too. You can also put pocket items such as cell phones and coins into your carry-on for safekeeping. Pocket knives are NOT allowed through security.
6. Hang on to your boarding pass - Your boarding pass and identification should be in your hand as you walk through the detector.

C) Protect Your Health While Flying - Precautions you can take to avoid cold and flu bugs from other passengers:
1. Rest and hydrate well the day before and after your air travel day.
2. Drink plenty of water on the air travel day. (Suggestion to save you and the environment - bring an empty water bottle in your carry-on, then fill with tap water in the airport. Bring your own travel coffee mug too, to further save on wasting paper cups).
3. Wash hands as often as possible and use hand sanitizer frequently (3-oz sizes in your zip lock bag). If you need to cough or sneeze, do so into your elbow area to avoid passing germs on your hands to others. There's always going to be risk of exposure to new germs when traveling. By taking precautions, however, you can minimize the risks.