My kid went to the Wrong Airport when Traveling Home from College for the First Time. I then Taught him these 5 Travel Tips
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During Thanksgiving, the twin siblings had no issues with their flights, as they traveled together. However, when they decided to fly separately for the December break, problems arose. Their mother had booked their tickets using airline miles and sent her son the details. Unfortunately, he didn’t pay close attention to the information. When he arrived at the airport, he realized he was at the wrong one. Unaware that New York City had two airports, he had gone to the wrong one, which led to an $80 cab ride to the correct airport. He made his flight, but the mistake was both costly and stressful.
5 Essential Travel Tips to Help Your College Student Get Home Safely for the Holidays:
1. Let your college student book their own tickets: When I shared my son’s travel mishap with other parents, they recommended that my kids book their own transportation. This would help them pay more attention to their travel details and become more responsible adults. It would also make them more aware of travel costs, which is all part of the college experience.
2. Take a picture of their passport or license: My twins keep photos of their licenses and passports on their phones as a backup, in case they lose them. Although they haven’t needed it yet, it’s a helpful precaution. I’ve also taught them key travel lessons: always do a 360-degree sweep of an area before leaving, such as when getting up from a seat in the waiting area, and check for important items like wallets, IDs, and phones multiple times during travel.
3. Tell them to arrive early to allow for mistakes: When my son went to the wrong airport, arriving two hours early was key to making his flight. The correct airport was over 45 minutes away, leaving him with little time, but it was enough to get there. Since both airports had full flights, arriving early allowed him to correct the mistake and catch his flight.
4. Discuss safety tips when using ride-shares: My twins have used their college campus van for airport trips, which is a safer and cheaper alternative to rideshares, as the drivers are vetted college students. I recommend other students check with their school for similar transportation options. When my teen took a cab once, I talked about safety, including verifying the driver’s ID, confirming the fare and payment methods, and staying aware of surroundings while keeping valuables secure.
5. Discuss all travel rules beforehand: Since my twins fly without checking luggage, I remind them to pack drinks and toiletries that are 3.4 ounces or less to avoid issues at security. By ensuring they’re prepared and know the rules in advance, I hope their travels home go smoothly. These tips should help your college student return home safely for the holidays and avoid costly mistakes.
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