I'm a Professional Packer-Here's How to Make Everything Fit in Your Carry-on This Thanksgiving

"Thanksgiving week is one of the most hectic times to find yourself in an airport. In 2023, the TSA recorded the Sunday after the holiday as its busiest day in history-although that number was since topped this past summer. So if you're one of those millions of travelers taking to the skies the last week of November, you can probably expect longer-than-average security lines, crowded gates, and busy pick-up areas."

"First, try to book a morning flight; statistically, early departures are less likely to be delayed than those later in the day. You can also travel with just a carry-on suitcase and forego checking a bag as you won't have to stand in line at the bag drop-off, wait at baggage claim, or stress about your luggage making a particularly tight connection. Yes, the latter strategy is often easier said than done-but as a travel journalist and writer of a packing newsletter,"

Thanksgiving week produces extremely heavy airport traffic, with record passenger volumes leading to longer security lines, crowded gates, and busy pick-up areas. Travelers should book morning flights because early departures are statistically less likely to be delayed. Packing only a carry-on eliminates bag drop-off and baggage claim waits and reduces connection stress. Make a packing list at least a week before travel, or two weeks for extended or international trips, to plan outfits and uses for each item. Select a spacious, well-tested carry-on to maximize efficient packing. Use tested packing hacks and lightweight gear to travel more lightly.

Read at Travel + Leisure