CBC Manitoba presents: Top 10 travel tips this winter

CBC Traffic Reporter, Trevor Dineen, is used to deadlines, but he missed a pretty important one en route to Scotland this December.

He and his wife arrived 55 minutes before their flight out of Winnipeg, but it turns out that was not enough time to check their bags.

Passengers need to check bags at least 60 minutes before an international flight, otherwise the luggage stays home.

This detail is just one of many that can get a would-be perfect winter getaway off to a bumpy start.

With that said, travel agent and blogger Ron “That Travel Guy” Pradinuk has come up with his list of top travel tips to help ensure pain free and smooth travels this winter.

Top 10 travel tips this winter:

1. Arrive early at the airport. The days of showing up last minute with bags and then expecting to be ushered through security are over.

2. Both Westjet and Air Canada have instituted cut-off times for checking in and dropping off baggage. They range from 45 minutes for domestic flights to two hours for overseas travel. Check your airline’s policy in advance.

3. Airlines expect clients to be at the proper gate and ready to board at least 30 minutes before take-off. So, again, arrive early.

4. Today we live in a world where the airline booked with may not be the airline actually transporting you to your destination. If this happens to you and you catch it in advance, familiarize yourself with the other airline's website and policies in case there is an unexpected issue.

5. When fees for checked baggage were first introduced, airlines began seriously monitoring size restrictions for carry-on bags. Make sure you meet those requirements.

6. It is widely acknowledged by most travel experts that passengers tend to pack more than they actually require for their trips. Pack less and pack lightly. You will save dollars and frustration.

7. Scheduled airlines offer greater leeway for checked baggage (23 kilograms per bag). Most charter flights, like Sunwing Vacations and Transat Holidays, restrict baggage weights to 20 kilograms per bag.

8. Weigh your bags at home and allow for a kilogram or two differential between what your scale reads and the airport reading.

9. Leave extra space in your luggage for gifts and souvenir shopping.

10. ...Be. On. Time.