Prepare for security in advance

Get your laptop out, undo your belt and shoelaces and put your watch, jewelry and loose change in your bag before you get to the end of the security line at JFK. You're looking at a wait of about 10 minutes at Kennedy even under the best of circumstances. Now imagine how bad it gets before Christmas. So be the kind of prepped flyer who breezes through TSA and not the one holding up the line for everyone else by fumbling with your shoes at the scanner. Pro tip: pack all your carry-on liquids in a 1-quart bag at home so that it's easy and quick to pull out separately.
[Photo via @xeniaadonts]