YVR tweets holiday travel tips using examples from Home Alone
It is the busiest time of the year for holiday travel, with Vancouver International Airport (YVR), seeing up to 90,000 people travelling through the terminals every day.
This means if you’re heading out on a winter getaway, or just going to see family, you need to be prepared.
Luckily, everyone’s favourite airport twitter account, @yvrairport, is back with another incredible thread, this time on holiday travel tips — with a twist of course.
YVR tweeted out holiday travel tips using examples from the holiday movie Home Alone, to remind travellers to stay organized by sharing examples of what not to do.
Home Alone – perhaps the best Christmas movie ever made but also an extremely effective travel tips guide for the holiday season. A thread: pic.twitter.com/wZEAauKgWi
— Vancouver International Airport (@yvrairport) December 16, 2019
The thread begins with @yvrairport explaining the pot of the famous film for the “two or three people who haven’t watched it yet.
The film follows the McAllister family, before their vacation to Paris. Because of the holiday chaos and a number of unfortunate events, their son Kevin gets left Home Alone
The chain of events actually begins the night before they fly out when a family squabble in the kitchen (incited by Buzz, the worst) results in spilled milk on the countertop. In a rush to clean up the mess, Mr. McAllister accidentally tosses Kevin’s ticket in the trash. pic.twitter.com/RP06ICWiwV
— Vancouver International Airport (@yvrairport) December 16, 2019
“Losing or destroying a paper ticket isn’t an issue for 2019 travellers, but it does bring us to our 1st TRAVEL TIP – be prepared and confirm travel details in advance! Have all travel documents and ID stored securely in a safe place leading up to the big day and check-in online,” says YVR.
The next piece of travel wisdom YVR imparts is finding foolproof ways to ensure you wake up for your flight — one thing the McAllister’s didn’t do.
Ignoring the fact that there were so many people in the house, the alarm clock thing is easily avoidable. The movie takes place in 1990 so there are no smart phones, BUT, there are still battery-powered clocks, wake-up call services. Or a digital watch. Lots of options! pic.twitter.com/ubaQUeJiqs
— Vancouver International Airport (@yvrairport) December 16, 2019
If you want to avoid the fate of the McAllister family, be on time.
OK, so they wake up late. Chaos ensues as everybody tries to get ready in record time. But credit where it is due, as they appear to be somewhat packed from the night before and get going pretty quick. This is good hustle by the McAllister clan. Pro tip: pack before! pic.twitter.com/jCiDm62FqI
— Vancouver International Airport (@yvrairport) December 16, 2019
The next tip is that you should arrange transportation ahead of time, one thing the McAllisters did do, with a shuttle they had set up to the airport.
While YVR doesn’t offer a shuttle service, some airports in the area do, and you can always get a ride from a friend, take the Canada Line, or find long-term parking near the airport if needed.
They also appear to have transportation booked! The Airport Express shuttles are there waiting. Again, this is good hustle by the McAllisters. YVR doesn’t have shuttles to the airport (local hotels do offer free shuttle service to/from), but it is incredibly smart to have a plan. pic.twitter.com/ws5hUjQWxv
— Vancouver International Airport (@yvrairport) December 16, 2019
Next, YVR says to avoid distractions when gathering belongings or extended family members for a trip to make sure you don’t miss anything — or anyone.
Some things go horribly wrong at this point as the nosy neighbour kid starts poking around. He annoyed the driver enough that the driver tells him to scram twice. This is the correct approach. If you are assembling for a large vacation abroad, avoid distractions. All of them. pic.twitter.com/uGawb63L5W
— Vancouver International Airport (@yvrairport) December 16, 2019
The “nosy neighbour kid” is the reason the final family count was accurate, and is the reason Kevin gets left behind.
The family leaves and barely makes it on the plane, when they realize something is missing.
All of this would have been avoidable if everybody followed some pretty basic travel tips that will ensure you and yours have a happy and hijinx free holiday season in 2019 and beyond. pic.twitter.com/O5k5rY7tOB
— Vancouver International Airport (@yvrairport) December 16, 2019
All of the stress could have been avoided if the family just planned ahead.
The full thread is available on Twitter, and YVR’s full list of holiday travel tips is available online.
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