The 2007 Thanksgiving travel period is supposed to be so bad this year that even the Pres has taken notice and opened restricted military airspace for commercial airplanes traveling up and down the busy East Coast flight corridor. For its part, the TSA has promised to open up as many security lines as it can and put more screeners on duty.

As much as we like to look on the bright side (at least you’re not at work, right?), we’re not gonna lie. Getting to and from your Turkey Day destination this week might be a wee bit hectic. In fact, you might as well count on wanting to kill someone at least once during your travels. That way, you’11 be pleasantly surprised if everything goes according to plan.

We’ve put together some tried-and-true tips to help you during your travels. They’re simple. And they work:

1. Have a zen moment. Sometime before you strike out for the airport, take a moment to level with yourself and your traveling companions. Admit that the next few hours of your life are likely to be marred by too many people trying to get too many places in too little time. And know that you’re going to be in the thick of it. And someone on the plane near you is probably going to have noxious body odor or an annoying voice or an elbow that keeps creeping into your precious personal space. Ponder these realities. Then take a deep breath, exhale and just get to it. Sometimes, preparing yourself mentally for the mayhem can make all the difference. Or at least, that’s what we keep telling ourselves.

2. Go online before you leave. It may seem like a pedestrian point in this day and age, but use the power of the Internet before you head to the airport. You can check-in, check flight status, upgrade to exit row seats, check traffic reports and make off-airport parking reservations before you leave the house.

3. Get there early. Just do it. Just this once. Through Sunday, plan to arrive at the airport no later than an hour and a half before domestic flights.

4. Be your own Wolfgang Puck. Don’t rely on the airline or the airport to feed you. A week ago, I was shocked to find only one kind of nasty pre-packaged sandwich in the airport terminal in which I happened to be waiting. I was really surprised – but yeah, there was only one option. And it was beyond foul. Bringing travel-friendly snacks can be a lifesaver during the holiday travel season – especially if you have kids. Here are of my favorite snacks that travel well:

- Crackers and cheese
- Apples, grapes and nuts
- Sandwiches with the lettuce and tomato packed separately
- Cold pizza (seriously, what else tastes as good at room temperature?)

5. Know the rules. In the last few years, airlines have made lots of little changes to rules governing checked bags. Most charge fairly high fees for overweight bags and passengers checking more than two bags. Many airlines won’t check bags in after a specified cut-off time. Be sure to know the rules and restrictions that apply to you and your travel companions.

6. Pack essentials in a small carry-on. Using a small carry-on (not a large one that will be subject to mandatory checking if the airplane you’re on runs out of overhead space before you have a chance to board) to stow medicine, phone chargers, computer power cords, a toothbrush and other essentials is one of the smartest things you can do. Running out of battery power while you’re stranded in the airport or arriving at your destination only to find your luggage hasn’t made it can put a major wrench in your plans.

7. Distract thyself. Whether you’re driving three hours to grandma’s house or flying cross-country, never underestimate the power of an enticing distraction. Stop by the bookstore for a new book you’ve been dying to read, create a new iPod playlist (or 12), bring a stack of note cards and start your holiday greetings, knit up a storm. We don’t care. Just figure out something to keep your mind occupied during long periods of downtime.

8. Take care of yourself. Down an Airborne tablet before you go. Wash your hands like a crazy person. Drink water like a fish. Stand up and stretch. Circle your ankles. Bring a pack of tissues and some Tylenol. Do whatever you can to stay healthy and avoid the colds and sniffles that hit so many travelers after a long flight.

9. Dress the part. Wear clothing that will cut time in the security line and remain comfortable throughout your trip. Remember that belts, shoes and outerwear have to come off before you clear security. Slip-on shoes are ideal. Take a sweater or extra layer on the plane – you never know what cabin temperatures are going to be like.

10. Don’t blame the innocent. Now this one’s obviously less for travelers and more for the common good. Blaming employees when planes get delayed, flights get canceled, storms strike, hotels run out of rooms or traffic jams gum up the works really only accomplishes two things: it pisses the employees off and make them less likely to help you. Neither are beneficial to you. Being nice won’t work miracles, but masking your surly attitude can help. And it’ll save you from getting booted from the plane or out of a rebooking line.