Holiday Travelers are Booking Earlier This Year

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

Although the summer travel season just ended, Georgians are already beginning to lock in their holiday travel plans. In fact, according to a new AAA survey, 69% of residents are already planning to take a holiday vacation. More than half of them (55%) booked holiday plans earlier this year due to higher travel prices. Three-fifths of holiday travelers (61%) say they plan at least one flight during the holiday season.

“Whether you plan to book a flight, cruise, or visit a theme park, it’s best to get ahead of the holiday rush and finalize your plans now,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “This will help ensure you get the itinerary you want at a competitive price. While it’s possible that those who wait until the last minute could catch a lower rate, their preferred options may already be gone.”

Thanksgiving Travel

Two-thirds of Georgia travelers (66%) are planning a trip with at least one overnight stay for Thanksgiving. The busiest travel days will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday. Consider booking a flight on Sunday or Monday before Thanksgiving and Saturday after the holiday. Airports should be less busy, and flights should have more availability.

Christmas Travel

The timing is spread out for Georgians planning a Christmas trip. Only 10% have already finalized plans, as a fifth waited until September (20%), with more waiting until October (38%) and November (19%) to book. Regardless of what date Christmas falls on, most travelers depart two to four days before the holiday. Since Christmas Day falls on a Monday this year, travelers should expect the busiest days at the airport to be Friday and Saturday before the holiday.

AAA’s Advice for Booking a Flight

• Book early for the best combination of availability and price. Most travelers want to skip layovers and get right to their destination. That means nonstop flights will fill up fast, especially those going

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cross-country and internationally.

• Book a direct flight that leaves early in the morning. Afternoon and evening flights are more susceptible to delays/cancellations due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Connecting flights multiplies the risk of something going wrong.

• Consider traveling a day or two earlier than planned. Even if you face delays, you are still likely to arrive on time.

• If your flight has connections, build between flights in a couple of hours. This way, if your first flight is delayed, you are less likely to miss your second one.

Flight Concerns

One-third of Georgians (34%) say they are less likely to fly this year because they’re concerned about flight delays and cancellations. AAA urges travelers to consider travel insurance, which provides financial compensation if your flight is affected by covered reasons like severe winter weather, which can ruin your plans.

“Given recent challenges with air travel, we are seeing more and more passengers opt for travel insurance,” Haas said. “Travel Insurance is such a valuable resource for air travelers because it provides financial benefits for lost or delayed luggage, flight cancellations, and flight delays of as little as three hours.”

More People are Gifting Experiences Instead of Presents

AAA travel advisors say they’re seeing more people gift travel experiences to loved ones instead of presents. That means those people are already thinking about the holidays. “I just booked travel for one family who’s surprising their children on Christmas morning with a trip to Disney World, leaving later that same day! That family was sure to book early to get exactly what they wanted,” said Cady DeBlois, a travel advisor for AAA.

YOLO (You Only Live Once) is Replacing Bucket Lists

After three years of a pandemic, many travelers are tackling their bucket lists now! “I’ve had travelers tell me, ‘I don’t know what my health will be in five or ten years, let’s go abroad this year,’” said Jodi Abata, AAA travel advisor, who frequently books international trips for members. “There seems to be a sense of adventure from more people now. They don’t want to delay travel any longer.”

Europe, Cruises, and Theme Parks Sell Out in Advance

European travel is booming this year, and the holidays will be no exception. AAA travel advisors say touring Christmas markets in Europe is extremely popular, and itineraries sell out in advance. River cruises are also in high demand during the holidays, along with Caribbean cruises. Theme parks are a holiday favorite among families with kids when students are on winter break. DeBlois added, “I’ve already booked theme park vacations for Christmas 2024! That’s how eager many families are to get their holiday plans on the books.” from page 5

More information at AAA.com, or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Rolande and her team work hard to cater to each client’s individual needs. There is no one-size-fits-all philosophy to be found here. They work with clients as much as they can on everything from scheduling to the needed level of care.

“Each time you have the opportunity to impact someone’s life, it gives you a sense of fulfilling your purpose on earth,” said Rolande. “It’s a personal fulfillment and it’s also my calling to help and to put a smile on the face of the seniors and medically frail community.”

If you want to learn more about how these services can help you, give them a call at 770-837-8569 or head to their website and fill out their online form. Someone will be back with you in twenty-four hours to discuss your needs.

Rolande said it best: “We are passionate about the care we offer –Jesus loves everybody, so that’s what we’re here to do.”

More information at precioushandscare.com/contacts/

Legal Talk: Got Arrested?

Jason A. Black, Esq, Partner, Weinstein & Black

Have you ever been arrested? It has been my experience as a former law enforcement officer and now as a criminal defense lawyer that many people are lost when it comes to knowing what to do immediately after someone is arrested. The most questions I answer are: What are the charges? Has the person been booked into the jail? Is there a bond?

When someone you know is arrested, there is a process that must occur for one to be able to be released from custody. This process requires the person to be transported to the jail, searched, and booked in on the charges that he or she may be facing. While that seems simple, the next part is where most people get lost. Depending

Community Spotlight: Gwinnett Technical College’s Automotive Technology Program

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

Gwinnett Technical College’s Automotive Technology program has been approved by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) for a five-year accreditation. This accreditation assures students receive a quality education in automotive technology which is current with emerging technologies and requirements in the automotive industry. In addition, the accreditation assures potential employers that graduates have completed the program and have the ability and knowledge to make immediate contributions to their organization.

Gwinnett Tech is one of eleven public colleges in Georgia to hold this level of certification. “The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is recognized throughout North America and Canada for industry-leading technician training and certification,” states Automotive Technology Program Director Bob Baumann. “Our instructors are all Master ASE certified, which demonstrates our exceptional automotive knowledge and experience. Becoming an ASE Education on the charges, he or she may be afforded a preset bond and be eligible to be bonded out immediately. For the more severe crimes, including family violence and violent felonies, the person must go before a judge to determine whether bond is appropriate. u Property Bond: you put your property up as collateral. u Cash bond: pay the full amount of the bond in cash. u Bondsman: pay a percentage of the bond (this is nonrefundable to you)

So, how do you navigate this process? The following are some tips and suggestions to best help your friend or loved one.

• Check the jail’s website. Sheriff’s offices post current inmate lists showing the pending charges and bond amounts. If it does not show the bond amount, you can always call and inquire the status/amount.

• If there is a bond set, do you do a property bond or a cash bond, or do you use a bondsman?

• If there is no bond, you will need to seek legal counsel.

Some charges require a Superior Court Judge to set the bond in the state of Georgia and is only triggered by a Motion for Bond.

The key here is understanding that this process is sometimes lengthy, so have patience. It is always best to seek the help of a lawyer in criminal actions, if possible.

Disclaimer: This is not intended as legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Jason Black is a Partner at the law firm of Weinstein & Black. More information at www.wblegal.net or call (404) 228-2629.

Foundation Accredited program is a long and rigorous process that is difficult to achieve. Being ASE accredited ensures our students receive the most up-to-date and relevant automotive education. This gives our students the best opportunity to enter the automotive industry and enjoy a long successful career.”

Dr. D. Glen Cannon, president, states, “The automotive industry is consistently growing and looking for a highly skilled and trained workforce. Here at Gwinnett Tech, we are dedicated to providing our students with a quality education that will allow them to excel in the automotive industry. This accreditation will help students feel confident and assured they will be workforce ready upon program completion.” will drain the life out of all of us. So be purposeful, deliberate, and intentional with your time.

More information at GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.

Third, we must cultivate mindfulness in our lives. Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment. So, we must engage in activities encouraging mindfulness, such as meditation, yoga, prayer, or simply walking in nature. These practices can help us appreciate the beauty of the present and reduce the anxiety associated with FOMO.

Fourth, we should focus on quality over quantity. Remember that the quality of our experiences matters more than the quantity. So, my advice is instead of trying to attend every event or accept every invitation, focus on the activities and relationships that bring genuine joy and fulfillment to our lives. In addition, we must live with gratitude and contentment. We must shift our mindset from scarcity to abundance by practicing grati- tude. I suggest we make a daily habit of listing the things we are thankful for. This will help us remember how much we have to be thankful for and decrease feelings of FOMO.

Finally, it is important to disconnect to reconnect. We should take occasional digital detoxes to fully reconnect with the real world and the people around us. Engage in meaningful conversations, enjoy face-toface interactions, and savor the moments from which technology often distracts us.

The fear of missing out is a common modern-day struggle, but it doesn’t have to control our lives. By defining our priorities, limiting screen time, practicing mindfulness, and embracing gratitude, we can learn to appreciate the present moment and live a more fulfilling life. Remember, life is happening right now, and it’s beautiful in its own unique way. Life is a present. Life is the present. Life is being present.

Thank you as always for your support as we work to make a difference in lives. And also, and as always…thank you for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN!