Fewer travelers will take to the skies this Thnksgiving than last, but travelers can still expect full flights. (AP Photo/Alfredo Lee)

The Sunday following Thanksgiving is the busiest air travel day of the year. The Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving is the second. Although the Air Transport Association expects Thanksgiving travel will decline over last year, no big suprise given the state of the economy, the upcoming weekend still ranks among high for traffic volume, and stress levels, for both fliers and the customer service employees that serve them. Many frequent holiday travelers will no doubt remember the perfect storm that afflicted the nation's air travel system over Christmas, 2008 - several weather fronts drifted through portions of the country for a period of two weeks, snarling air traffic for the better part of the holiday season. This year, keep in mind a few tips to make the travel experience a smooth one:

1. If you haven't already done so, double check your itinerary, and double check your arrangements to and from the airport on both ends. With many flights booked to capacity, it is difficult for airline agents to reschedule passengers who miss flights or show up to the airport on the wrong day. Take a moment to review everything to avoid disappointment and confusion later.

2. Turn on Twitter. In addition to following Airline Examiner, FltAdvisor and airlines such as Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, United, Continental, and Southwest Airlines are very active on Twitter, offering service and weather updates; many have reps who can respond to inquiries in real time.

3. Go early. Now we don't suggest you spend unnecessary time at airports, and TSA prohibits airlines from checking luggage more than four hours prior to departure, but arriving earlier than normal at most airports will help alleviate unexpected problems such as full parking lots, long lines at ticket counters and TSA, and of course, any possible weather or traffic problems on the way to the airport.

4. Consider travel insurance. Many companies such as Access America or AIG offer travel insurance products that cover beyond what airlines do in the event of a delay or cancellation. Many airlines won't provide hotels or meals for weather-related delays, but insurance providers do. They'll also cover more extensively for delayed luggage and other items than the airlines will.

5. Review the TSA regulations on their website. It's a scene that plays out at airports every day - passengers who are infrequent travelers who forget to remove their laptops and shoes, and seem to think various bits of metal jewelry, belt buckles, pocket change, keys and other items which will set off the metal detector are ok to wear on the airplane hold up the security line. After checking a bag or reiving a boarding pass, be sure to empty your pockets and remove your jewelry into your carry on - your fellow line-standers will thank you.

6. Have FUN, and be thankful. Travel may be an annoyance for many, at best, or the ninth circle of hell, at worst. Keep in mind the reason for holiday travel is to take advantage of the miracle of efficient, affordable jet air travel to see loved ones that would have been inaccessible to us for a weekend trip just a century ago. Take a moment and reflect on how the gift of flight was just a dream at the beginning of the last century, and give thanks that we've progressed so far.