Pro Tips: How To Keep the Holiday Spirit When Traveling This Season

Christmas week is one of the busiest travel weeks, with approximately 280,000 travelers flying to and from PIT between Dec. 21 and Jan. 1. The busiest days will be Dec. 22, 23, 26, 27, 29 and 30.

Planning to help Santa deliver gifts this Christmas? Please remember the following important TSA rules.

And check out our simple tips to make the experience as pleasant and stress-free as possible.

Packing Gifts

While wrapped presents aren’t prohibited, TSA encourages you to pack items in gift bags or boxes instead. This allows the TSA to inspect them more quickly and easily if the item triggers an alarm during the screening process.

Bringing the holiday “spirits”

You can travel with alcohol if it is packed safely in your checked bag or in your carry-on if it’s in containers of 3.4 ounces or less in a 1 quart-sized, clear, zip-top bag. Spirits that contain 24 to 70 percent alcohol also need to be kept in their original unopened packaging in checked bags. You are limited to 5 liters or less per passenger.

If you must bring the fruit cake

Cakes, candy, cookies and fruit cakes can be placed in your carry-on bag, as can other solid food items and holiday treats. Liquid or spreadable foods such as preserves, jellies or jams must be transported in a checked bag – unless they are less than 3.4 ounces, in which case they can be transported in a clear one-quart plastic bag in a carry-on.

Celebrating the festival of lights

A menorah and Hanukah candles can be placed in your carry-on bag if it doesn’t use oil, which cannot be transported on a flight. Sufganiyot can also be in your carry-on as long as they are in a clear container or bag.

Experience the holidays at PIT

PIT has some holiday surprises to help get you in the spirit. This includes some of your favorite Christmas characters, performances, food and even a dog parade with festive costumes. Here’s the schedule:

Wednesday, Dec. 18 from 2-4 p.m.: Elsa and Anna from “Frozen” will be at the Center Core airside along with face-painting ambassadors handing out candy canes. Live performances 3-5 p.m. at the airside stage and 10 a.m. to noon at the landside piano.

Thursday, Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon: Buddy & Jovie from “Elf” will joins ambassadors handing out candy canes at the Center Core airside.

Friday, Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon: Caroling quartet ambassadors and free candy canes at the Center Core airside.

Friday, Dec. 20 from noon to 4 p.m.: Hot beverage and doughnut station in Baggage Claim.

Monday, Dec. 23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: PIT PAWS parade, giveaway table and live performance from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Center Core airside.