"Excuse me?" I stared at the woman behind the Alitalia counter where I was trying to check in for my holiday flight back to America-a flight that left in just an hour. "What other airport?" Call me crazy, but I just assumed my flight home would leave out of the same airport I flew into.

Things happen when you travel. Making it to a flight on time, and in one piece, has always been a challenge for air travelers, but no time of the year is more challenging than the holidays-especially now that there's heightened security, reduced flights, and 3-1-huh? liquid carry-on rules. And once you've set foot in the airport, things are largely out of your hands-planes and lines aren't going to move any faster just because you will them to.

So, what can you do to help ensure that you arrive at your loved ones' doorstep with presents still in hand and holiday cheer that's not just from the four mini-bottles of whiskey consumed on the cab ride from the airport? Prepare properly. Follow these ten tips, and you just might make it to your plane on time, without running over Grandma Harriet en route.

1. Always check which airport you're departing from. Seems unnecessary. Obviously not-a lesson I learned the hard way. Check especially if you were not the one to book the flight, or it was booked a long time ago.

2. Allow an extra hour. Airlines suggest leaving two hours before a flight? Leave three. Especially at the holidays. Lines are always horrendous, plus you've got to get your 10 bags of gifts in and out of the car, find parking, fight traffic…there's too many unpredictable things to not leave an extra hour to get there.

3. Check-in from home. Use that home computer for something other than porn and e-mail. Most airlines allow you to check in and print boarding passes from any computer now…up to 24 hours before flying! Check in the night before your flight, and rest easy knowing that's one less mob scene you'll have to fight.

4. Avoid main baggage check-in counters. Utilize any other baggage handling method possible before entering the terminal: online baggage check-in (if your airline offers it), skycap (costs a couple bucks tip per bag), or direct luggage shippers. For just $30, www.BaggageDirect.com will hand you your boarding pass at your front door, then handle sending your luggage through your airline for you (limited airlines only), leaving you to travel luggage-free. If money's really burning a hole in your pocket, you can ship your luggage direct from your home to your lodging through a company like www.LuggageFree.com or www.VirtualBellhop.com.

5. Pack your toiletries correctly. The rule's " 3-1-1," courtesy of the clever marketing folks at the Transportation Security Agency. Translation? Three liquid ounces max per container, all in one quart-size Ziploc bag--that is all the liquid/cream/gel/oil you can carry onboard with you. The rest goes in the checked suitcase. That includes all the make-up normally buried in the bottom of your purse.

6. How will you get there? Determine your ride well in advance. If you're driving, gas up the night before. Shuttle? Confirm the night before. Cab? Don't wait 'til the last minute to call one. Public transportation? Double-check the schedule. Limo? Forget the worry, just focus on the mini-bar. Be ready early, in case your ride arrives at your doorstep early. And make sure to leave extra time for things out of your control, like…

7. Traffic. Unless you can teleport yourself through space, you will be fighting traffic to get to the airport, so check for problems beforehand, even if you're not the one driving. Listen to the radio or check maps.yahoo.com for live traffic along with your directions. Which brings us to one of the most important rules for getting to the airport smoothly--

8. Know where you're going. Whether driving or riding public transpo, map your route, and parking (if necessary), ahead of time. At peak travel times, like the holidays, you can spend 30 minutes driving around looking for a parking spot-especially if you choose the "official" remote airport parking, which is always the most crowded. Choose an independent parking garage instead-they often allow you to make reservations in advance and are generally less crowded and expensive than official airport parking. Many are listed at www.AirportParkingReservations.com.

9. Carry pocket change. Never leave home with an empty wallet--you may need singles/change for tips, the bus, luggage carts, or food once in the air. Credit cards can get you through most of daily life, but not the traveling one, I'm afraid.