Delays, cancellation and chaos. Words all too familiar to holidaymakers who have in recent years faced travel problems as a result of everything from volcanic ash clouds and airline strikes to heavy snow.
On Wednesday 30 November they could face more of the same when UK Border Agency staff go on strike, a move that could cause "significant disruption" at Britain's airports and ports.
So should you revise your travel plans if you're due to arrive into or leave the UK next week? Here we have the answers.
The advice from all the relevant agencies, as well as individual transport operators, is that at this stage any disruption to outbound passengers will be minimal and people should stick to their travel plans.
However, because the situation is so uncertain anyone planning to travel next week should keep in regular contact with their travel operator to monitor the situation. This is particularly important for air passengers as airports – especially Heathrow – are likely to be worst affected.
A spokeswoman for Heathrow operator BAA said: "Keep in touch with your airline, but we expect disruption to be predominantly on inbound flights."
However, Bob Atkinson of TravelSupermarket.com said he would still consider rearranging travel next week if possible. "If it cost a relatively small amount to change the date of my flight I might do it, so as not to face the prospect of queues and general chaos."
Yes, if you can. In a letter to carriers using Britain's largest airport, Heathrow's chief operating officer Normand Boivin warned the strike could lead to "very long delays of up to 12 hours" for passengers arriving at the airport, and "mass cancellations of departing aircraft". Delays at immigration are likely to be so long that passengers may have to be held on arriving aircraft, he said.
Boivin said that following consultation with major carriers it had agreed "a voluntary protocol" for all airlines to reduce inbound passenger volumes on the day of the strike.
British Airways and Virgin have announced that passengers coming into the UK on 30 November, and on days either side, can change their flight dates free of charge. BA has said it is currently planning to operate a normal schedule, but passengers who are due to arrive on an international flight into Heathrow, Gatwick or London City airports on 30 November have the option to change their booking if seats are available on one of the following dates: 27-29 November and 1-7 December.
Virgin has announced that anybody who is due to fly on the strike date can rebook on an earlier flight in the four days up to and including 29 November, or a later flight for four days after if they wish.
Yes, it could do. The Association of British Travel Agents said that for those who have a biometric passport with a chip, using e-passport gates could speed up waiting times upon arrival in the UK.
Eurostar says not at this stage. "We are not expecting significant disruption to our services so we are advising passengers just to keep an eye on things," a spokeswoman said.
The Port of Dover is due to make a statement on the situation, but P&O said that at present it is business as usual. A spokeswoman said: "We are meeting with the UK Border Agency this afternoon about arrangements to keep the border open at Calais, but at present we are being assured that this will be open as normal."
She added that because P&O operates a service out of Calais every 45 minutes, any passengers who are delayed would find their tickets valid on the next available service.
Most travel insurance policies cover policyholders for missed departures or delays and cancellations if they go on for longer than 24 hours, according to Graeme Trudgill, technical services manager at the British Insurance Brokers' Association. Policyholders should check the terms and conditions of their cover, however, as policies vary widely.
Trudgill says no. "Because the strike is already a known event, insurance taken out now would not cover you for any delays or cancellations caused by next week's industrial action."
