Holiday travel tips: check out these tips to make your holiday visit to the airport smooth

Tampa International Airport says it is expecting 236,000 people to travel through TPA over the weekend. With that in mind, here are some holiday travel tips to make things a little less chaotic, courtesy of TPA.

Arrive early – nothing can stress you out over the holidays like running late, so plan ahead. Allow at least two hours for parking, check-in and screening if you are traveling over the holidays. Early mornings and weekends are especially busy, so don’t take a chance-allow extra time.

Double Check - If you’re grabbing a bag, suitcase, briefcase, jacket and other items you haven’t used in a while, be sure to give them the onceover so you don’t accidentally take something prohibited through the checkpoint. Many people who have brought guns, ammunition, knives and other prohibited items say that they did so unknowingly.

Plan your airport visit ahead of time – select your airport parking option before coming out to the Airport. If you’re picking up arriving passengers, review the latest pick-up tips.

Animals in the airport - service animals are always welcome! Traveling non-service animals must be properly confined in a pet carrier if one is present, or controlled on a leash when they are in the airport. Be sure to check with your airline for any additional requirements for traveling with animals before coming to the airport. Requirements may vary between air carriers. Non-service animal pets that are not traveling, such as those greeting arriving passengers in the Main Terminal, are not allowed at TPA.

Wrap on arrival – TSA recommends that you wrap on arrival to avoid delays at screening. Packages can be wrapped, but if an item cannot be cleared through the initial screening and needs to be further evaluated, unwrapping can cause delays.

Baggage allowances – Baggage allowance, size and weight of accepted bags, and fees vary between air carriers. Check with your airlinefor a complete list of baggage restrictions before packing.

Review screening procedures – if you haven’t traveled in a while, it’s a good idea to visit theTSA website and review current screening procedures and the list of restricted items. Traveling with food and gift items is popular this time of year, and the 3-1-1 restrictions for liquids, aerosols and gels still apply.

Check out the TSA website for more information, or if you have questions about:

• Identification for children under 18, lost ID, or list of accepted forms of ID
• Complete list of prohibited items including what is allowed in carry-on vs checked baggage
• Traveling with medication, medical devices and accessories

Safety first! Traveling can be stressful, especially during the busy holiday period. By staying aware of your surroundings and keeping a close eye on your property, you can significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim of theft while traveling. Take a few minutes to review these important reminders. A little preparation time now, could save you a great deal of time replacing stolen property later.

• Write down the location of your vehicle and the license plate number in case you need help finding your car when you return.
• Secure your vehicle and do not leave valuable items in plain sight.
• Never place valuable or irreplaceable items inside checked luggage.
• Always keep an eye on your belongings and never leave them unattended-even for a moment.
• Identification and luggage tags are very important, however the outside tag can be ripped off and removed. Ownership information and a copy of your itinerary should be inside the luggage.
• If possible, do not carry your wallet in your back pocket. Place your wallet in the front pocket of your trousers or inside a jacket breast pocket.
• Make photocopies of important documents such as passport, credit cards and driver’s license, front and back. Carry one copy with you and leave the other at home.
• Report any suspicious activity to the Tampa Airport Police Department.