Don’t get left behind this Christmas.
If you think that airport mad-dash scene in Home Alone is pure Hollywood, you’re wrong, according to a new survey.
Out of 2,000 adults who’ve booked a flight, 13 percent admitted to missing an early morning alarm — or hitting the snooze button one too many times — ahead of an important trip away, while 51 percent said they’d left an essential item at home.
Much like the McAllisters in the treasured 1990 classic, 18 percent of travelers said they had been late to the airport at least once — leading to intensely stressful situations.
Three percent said they’d even left a member of their party behind — accidentally, of course.
Luton Airport, located near London, commissioned the study as part of a holiday travel season campaign to promote getting to the gate on time — even hiring actors for a hilarious PSA that reenacts the holiday film’s famous last-minute rush through Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.
The point of the campaign, officials told SWNS, was to remind passengers to plan, pack — and set an alarm — in advance to ensure nothing, or no one, is left behind.
In a clip, viewers can see a Kevin McCallister lookalike (Tyler Stringer) making his way through the U.K. airport, applying aftershave to his face at a duty free shop (and reacting accordingly afterward), stopping at a clothing store to dance with a mannequin, and teasing an employee with a tarantula (a fake one).
“Christmas comes with additional pressures — and additional items to remember — meaning travelers are more likely to forget things,” an airport spokesperson said.
“We hope our campaign will offer a simple and friendly reminder to passengers about how to plan ahead, what to pack and, of course, to set that all-important early morning alarm.”
Holiday travel airport do’s and don’ts, according to the experts
- Airline policies vary widely so check airline guidelines before packing gifts and holiday foods, and if you are bringing presents, please don’t wrap them in advance because airport security staff might have to unwrap them for you to check what’s inside.
- Write that all important checklist in advance to ensure you bring key travel documents, confirmations, medication and gifts ready to go.
- Try to get seven hours of sleep before flying so you are wide-eyed and feeling fresh ahead of your trip.
