This Thanksgiving, the airline industry expects 12.3 million roundtrip passengers and AAA expects 46.3 million Americans to hit the road. Here are expert tips and tricks for making one of the busiest travel holidays of the year easier than ever. You can thank us later!

Be Mindful and Thoughtful

Can holiday travel feel stressful? Does it help to take out your frustration on fellow passengers and travelers? It doesn’t have to be this way. Frame your journey as an exciting adventure. Everyone traveling has a similar goal to celebrate Thanksgiving with loved ones. Practice slowing your breathing if long lines or traffic are causing you stress.

Travel Light

Everyone flying will be packing carry-ons to accommodate their journey. Overhead compartments will fill up quickly. Try to pack everything into a backpack that will fit under the seat in front of you. If you have gifts or bulky items, consider shipping them to your final destination ahead of time.

Travel at Odd Times

The day before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year, closely followed by the Sunday after the big day. Fly to your destination a few days early and fly back on Friday when the masses are out shopping the best deals of the year. Drive through the night to avoid traffic.

Stay Connected

Smartphone users can take advantage of apps that provide updates on airline statuses, road traffic, weather, and current news. Social media is a great resource to be the first place to hear about anything that might go wrong with your flight. Airlines can also be more responsive to public pleas of assistance on social media.

Travel Tip — Surge Three Sixty Five

As veteran travelers, we know that making it through the security line is nothing less than a refined science, brought about through trial, error and the occasional streak of good luck. Consider the following tips and make it through airport security faster and easier the next time you fly.

Enroll in Programs

CLEAR, TSA Pre, and Global Entry programs allow you to use a separate line through security. With these programs, you become a “Trusted Traveler” because you have been pre-screened by Homeland Security.

Perform Your Own Pre-check

Make sure to have all the essential paper work in your hands. Put all loose change, metals, valuables, cell phone, etc. in your jacket pocket or bag before putting it through the X-ray machine.

Dress up to Dress Down

Belts, shoes, jewelry, watches, jackets, and hats are some of the pieces of clothing you will, or may need to remove before walking through the metal detector. Dress accordingly.

Pick the Right Time to Fly

According to Airport Security wait time trends, Fridays between 4pm and 8pm (local time), holidays, and three-day weekends are when security lines are the busiest. If you have flexibility, go with a smaller airport because they are less crowded.

Travel Tip — Surge Three Sixty Five