AsSalaamo Alaikum,
I have come across an article series by the title of the thread a few times on Yahoo. I am always intrigued to read it, and sometimes, actually often I learn a few things that I personally did not know. So I figured, I might share here.
Here is the article from today, And I’ll update the thread often as I come across newer/more articles featured on Yahoo by that title.
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15 Flying Tips That’ll Keep You Sane This Summer
1. Think about your outfit for your airplane trip. Not how you look but how you will feel! People get on airplanes dressed in ripped shorts, flip-flops, and a tank top and then complain that they are freezing?!? Whenever I fly, I always have a scarf or jacket I can put on if I’m cold or use as a pillow.
2. If you’re traveling with a pet you might want to ask your vet about a light medication for your animal. We call it “doggy dope.” It will lessen the stress on your furry friend and you both will arrive at your destination a little less harried!
3. I know it may sound basic but wear socks or shoes when entering the airplane bathroom. You’d be shocked at the number of passengers who go into the bathroom in bare feet. Men don’t have the best aim even when they’re on the ground; you can be sure that in a small space and with rough air, the bathroom floor is not exactly germ-free!
4. Airline tickets used to be booked by professionals. Today consumers do it themselves online, with price being the only factor they consider. Big mistake! When booking online, you need to consider another important factor: the time you have between connecting flights. If you only have 45 minutes or less to connect to another flight, you’re basically flirting with a very stressful running-through-the-airport situation.
5. My favorite packing trick is to bring clothes that are old or you’re not crazy about and then just leave them behind during your trip. Your closet gets cleaned out and you have more room in your suitcase for purchases. And as an added bonus, if you’re traveling to a developing country, you can give those items away! Now you’re thinking: “Lovely… you’re giving dirty old clothes away?!” That doesn’t have to be the case. Lots of times you buy something and it just doesn’t fit perfectly or it’s not your color. So it sits unworn in your closet. Why not just pack it, wear it, and give it away to someone who can use it? I once gave this green velvet shirt from the Gap to a woman in Morocco. She was so happy you’d have thought I’d given her gold!
6. Flight attendants are cheap dates. Say a passenger brings chocolate for the flight crew. That costs the passenger, what, maybe just a couple of bucks? And yet we’re thanking that passenger as profusely as that Moroccan woman I gave my shirt to. Next thing you know, that passenger gets a free headset or a free drink. It’s actually funny because it can be something so small and yet we bend over backwards with “thank yous.” It’s just nice to be thought of!
7. On the same thoughtfulness note, the best new trend I’ve seen is the preemptive baby apologies. I was on a flight a few months when I saw a passenger with a baby putting little bags of candy on the seats around her. The bags had a note attached that read: “Hi, my name is Jordan and I’m five months old. Sometime during the flight I may get hungry or fed up with sitting on my mom’s lap. So I may cry a bit. Just know that my parents are going to do everything they can to keep me happy and quiet so I don’t bother you!”
8. Once most of the people are boarded, start looking around the plane to see which seats are empty. Once everyone is on board you’re allowed to move around your cabin. But you have to be fast because someone else is probably eyeing that aisle seat! And remember you can always move toward the back of the plane. I’m always amazed how people will stay jammed together in the front of the airplane while the back is empty. They just never looked?
9. Ask for or book the exit row seats because you will most likely have more room. But what most people don’t know is that it is always colder by the doors and window exits (much colder), so dress appropriately (See #1)!
10. If you have any special dietary needs, you should plan ahead. People get used to their dietary routines at home and are shocked when we don’t have a vegan, gluten-free option on our Food for Sale menu.
11. For heaven’s sake, put any crucial item in your CARRY-ON bag. You would not believe the important items people put in their checked baggage: diapers, medication, inhalers. These are things you NEED so you NEED to have them on the airplane with you!
12. Book the first flight of the day. Yes, you have to wake up really early. But the morning flights have a huge advantage because the airplane is already there. You don’t have to worry about delays or weather in some other city where your plane is flying in from.
13. It’s also a good idea to have a printed copy of your driver’s license and passport inside your suitcase in case your carry-on is lost or stolen. And for the ultra-scary event like an armed robbery or fire where your suitcase and carry-on is lost, I scan my ID, passport, and travelers checks and e-mail copies to myself. This way, you can go to any computer and print a copy of your documents.
14. As you probably know, everyone must take off their shoes in the airport security line. You may want to think of how many people are traipsing though the metal detector barefoot — and what you may catch in the process. I suggest wearing socks!
15. And lastly: for goodness’ sake, don’t wear a lot of jewelry, belts, chains, or boots you can’t quickly take off. The people behind you in security will give you the stink eye!
Happy flying,
Betty
Same goes for the laptop. Take it out ASAP so you can put it in the tray instead of standing at the really tiny table trying to hurriedly zip out the laptop.
carry food. carry snacks.
