2008-01-30T13:45:28-08:00

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2008-02-03T07:51:32-08:00

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2008-01-31T19:29:27-08:00

Give yourself plenty of time, especially during holidays and vacations 19476

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2008-01-31T19:29:48-08:00

See how relaxed this guy looks? 19477

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2008-01-31T19:45:16-08:00

1. Give yourself plenty of time! I know, I know, everyone is different.  I have some friends that always arrive the airport down to the wire.  I have this built-in paranoia about doing that.  I don't like my trips screwed up.  Sometimes I've got meetings I can't afford to miss.  I typically arrive an hour early for domestic flights, two hours early for international flights.  I add a half-hour to an hour during holidays, popular vacation months, and the span of days when colleges are starting a break or back in session.  Why?  Three reasons.  First, so you don't miss your flight because the check-in and security lines are long.  Second, if your flight gets cancelled for whatever reason, you have time to re-book onto another flight (I've had to do this several times).  Third, this is when the most inexperienced travelers are traveling, they don't know what they're doing, the wait drags on.  Self check-in is available! Most airlines offer it online the web 24 hours ahead of departure.  There are also self check-in kiosks at the airport.  2. If you are connecting through Heathrow airport, you are only allowed one carry-on. That's right, one carry-on.  You would not believe how many people I have seen in the transit line having to re-pack two or three bags (e.g. large pursue, computer brief, small backpack, rollabout) into ONE bag, with some having to return to the airline counter to check-in some of their bags. 3. Buy some noise-reduction headsets. Until you've used one, you would not believe how much it reduces engine noise (especially if you sit near the wing), hyper passengers who decide to talk non-stop, children with megaphone voices, etc.  True for domestic as well as international travel.  I bought a Sony earpiece (USD 70), a Sony over-the-ear headset (USD 125), but I have to admit the Bose QuietComfort QC3 or more compact QC2 is pretty awesome (if you are up to spending in the USD 300 range). 4. Bring your own snacks. I don't like airplane food.  It never tastes right or normal to me.  I like to bring my own crackers, cheese, chips, etc. 5. Know and follow the guidelines on what you can and can't carry-on. Or you will get stuck in the security line and may have to throw away things you paid for.  If you have any liquids, creams, toothpaste, moisturizers, etc., make sure the volume is within the guideline and inside the right-size plastic bag.  I've lost track of the amount of time I've wasted in line watching people have to throw-away cosmetics, water bottles (buy it once inside security), and other stuff. 6. If you are leaving your car in long-term parking, find a good secure covered lot. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area.  At SFO, I use SkyPark,  At Oakland, I use Expresso Parking.  Good deals with AAA Auto Club membership.  Free shuttle to the airport.  Most importantly, very secure.  Why do this?  It started with business trips with me.  A colleague parked his car in the airport's public long-term lot, it got broken into, the company said that's your responsibility -- not the company's.  Fine, then I decided the parking lot is now more choice in terms of safety.  Believe me, there's nothing worse than coming home from a trip all pumped to being home again, only to find you have to spend time dealing with vandalism or burglary of your car. 7. Know alternate numbers to change your reservations. For your agent, if you used one.  For your airline's reservation desk, if you booked online.  Why?  When a flight gets cancelled, EVERYONE waits in line for reservation agent.  While they were doing that, I simply made a phone call to get myself re-booked. 8. If you fly often, buy an airplane power adapter. Not all seats in all classes of service have an outlet, but you never know.  (OK, I fly business most often).  The other thing I do, of course, on flights is work.  I typically try to get my expenses reports out of the way during my dead time on flights.  But I see many folks who bring their own movies on DVDs.  And some who are watching movies but without a DVD, so I assume used Bit Torrent, iTunes, etc.  I plug my iPod and BlackBerry into my PC to keep it charged as well.  If you are doing sensitive work, be conscious of those around you.  Once this competitor was working on a presentation next to me, and I finally decided to tell him who I worked for.  There are others way to win. 9. Bring a little keychain flashlight. I started doing this when I wore contacts (I since got Lasik, though mainly for sports and the beach), because I would inevitably drop a contac on the floor somewhere.  There is always something I drop that's little.  It's also handy when trying to find something in your briefcase or purse. 10. Don't let the travel itself stress you out. There is so many other things that you can let stress you out, e.g. serious illness in the family or with a loved one.  I worry about those I love.  I don't stress about traveling, it is what it is.  I don't stress about the failings and stupidies of corporate machinery.  It's like this corny saying I heard a long time ago:  "Wear the clothes, don't let the clothes wear you".  I dont' run for taxis, I don't run for trains, and I won't run for a plane either.  Just follow tip #1. See also: <ul> <li><a href="/creations/5423-Eight-Tips-for-International-Travel/steps/1" mce_href="/creations/5423-Eight-Tips-for-International-Travel/steps/1">Eight Tips for International Travel</a></li> <li><a href="/creations/5417-Eight-Tips-for-Traveling-with-Kids/steps/1" mce_href="/creations/5417-Eight-Tips-for-Traveling-with-Kids/steps/1">Eight Tips for Traveling with Kids</a></li> <li><a href="/creations/5244-How-to-kill-time-in-flight-and-at-airports/steps/1" mce_href="/creations/5244-How-to-kill-time-in-flight-and-at-airports/steps/1">How to kill time in flight and at airports</a></li> </ul> 19478

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