Travel Tips – Make Your Flight More Comfortable

From someone who’s done the good, the bad, and the jet-lagged.

Before You Go

Notify Your Bank: Let them know where you’re going to avoid frozen cards.

Boost Your Immune System: Take Emergen-C, vitamins, and pack hand sanitizer. Trust me—airplanes are germ factories. I once got an eye infection from a flight!

Prepare at Home: Pay bills, stop your mail, and confirm your travel plans.

Packing Tips

• Use real luggage tags. Tape contact info inside your bag, too.
• Make a packing list. It helps avoid forgetting essentials.
• Roll clothes, tuck socks in shoes, and bring a trash bag for laundry.
• Weigh checked bags to avoid overage fees (50 lbs. limit).
• Buy travel-size toiletries and follow TSA’s 3-1-1 rule for liquids.
• Leave space for souvenirs in your bag.

Money

Don’t forget to bring some cash and have a credit card with you. Before you leave, make sure you’ve contacted your bank and tell them in which states or countries you will be traveling so that you don’t run into problems using your cards.

Keep your wallet and cash in your front pocket and not in a coat pocket or back pocket so that it’s less likely to get pick-pocketed and stolen. Some people even use those wallets with chains on them for when they travel… good idea.

Identification

Make sure you have your driver’s license (domestic travel) or passport/visa (international travel) with you. On international flights, I also like to have a photocopy of my passport and visa in my carry on luggage in case I would happen to lose it. I figure that photocopy could really come in handy and save a lot of hassle. Maybe even go a step further and scan your passport and store it at a web-based email account like GMail where you can access it anywhere with your username and password. Yet one more thing you can do is take a good picture of each document with your camera phone and have it there.

Quick Story
I did lose my passport once in Tokyo. When I was getting off the plane, I had to pee really bad (REALLY bad). I had it in my hand, went to the urinal and left it on the shelf that was above the urinal. Thank God someone turned it in. It was really strange hearing my name over the intercom in the Tokyo airport but then I went to the counter and they had it – I didn’t know I lost it until then. Yikes.

Keep your identification with you at all times. Have it on you. A button down shirt with a chest pocket can be pretty handy or wear khakis that have multiple, deep pockets so that it stays in there and does not get lost.

Pack Some Snacks

I like to pack some nuts or granola bars in my carry on bag or have one in my jacket. Delays can happen and meals are not served on a lot of flights (mainly just international flights), so having something to get you by is important. My stomach gets upset sometimes when I don’t eat, so I like to have a snack or two available.

Pack some gum to help your ears adjust to the pressure in flight, too.

At the Airport

Check in online 24 hours ahead. Use kiosks when you arrive. Be polite to TSA agents and efficient with your bins. Use a jacket to hold your keys, wallet, and other pocket clutter—it makes things smoother.

Going Through Airport Security

The reason why you need to arrive 1.5 to 2 hours before your flight is mainly due to getting through security. There may be long lines. Going through security is a pain but here are some tips I use, which may help make it easier.

Have your boarding pass and identification ready. TSA is there and will need to check this. Don’t get into really any kind of conversation with the TSA people. Just smile and greet them. Thank them when you get your ID back. They don’t really want to know you and don’t have any interest in you either. Don’t take it personally. If you’re acting too strangely, you are probably more likely to be pulled aside to get checked out. Be polite but don’t stick out. This also helps to keep the line moving.

Wear a jacket. This is probably my biggest tip. With a jacket, you’re able to put things your wallet, keys, change, watch, gum and whatever else is in your pockets in the pockets of the jacket. You really don’t want to put loose things in the trays and you want to have as few trays as possible so that you don’t accidentally leave anything at security. Also, most planes have it a little cold in the cabin, so it’s nice to have a jacket just in case.

You’ll need to remove your shoes and belt – so don’t wear pants that are too loose. 🙂 As you’re waiting in line to get some trays, you can do things like untie your shoes, take off your belt or put things into your jacket pocket. The sort of vibe that you feel when it’s your turn to start traying your items is that you want to move quickly and not hold everyone up – so be the person that’s prepared. So also think about how many trays you will need.

You’ll need one tray for your shoes, belt and clothes. One more tray for your laptop (I’ve been told you don’t have to take the laptop out of the protective tray). The laptop should be off. Don’t stack electronics – so don’t put an iPad on top of your laptop or phone on top of your laptop. A carry on bag should not need a tray. I will put a backpack into a tray. Put your boarding pass and identification in a tray. Check all your pockets again, then wait to go through the metal detector of body scanner.

If TSA Does Stop You

If they do want to do some further investigation into you as a traveler, don’t freak out. Sometimes it’s just another bag check. Sometimes it’s a pat down. Just be calm and comply with them. Don’t give excuses about how the rules don’t apply to you or whatever. They’re not going to like that at all and it’s only going to make the experience even worse. Cooperate with them and just get through it.

If, in some extreme examples, you feel like you’re getting treated unfairly, then you might want to consider wanting to be able to call a lawyer – that would have to be pretty extreme though. I would at least start by asking for a pen and paper so that you could start jotting down names and badge numbers. Only play these cards if all else fails and after you’ve done your best to comply with them. I’m not a lawyer here – I’m just saying what I would do.

On the Plane

• Board early for overhead bin space.
• Dress in layers—planes get cold.
• Wear dark, comfortable clothes.
• Bring snacks, water, and gum.
• Stretch often and hydrate.
• Freshen up mid-flight (face wash, socks, deodorant).

Being on a plane can be boring. There’s a lot of waiting. You should bring stuff to do.

Definitely bring a book or magazine that you want to read. Time will fly by if you have a good book.

Download movies to your iPad or mobile device before your trip. I do this a lot. Not all flights have movies (mainly just the international ones). iPads and phones are also good for games but I like to save my phone battery for making calls if I need to (or bring some backup power for your phone). Make sure you bring some good headphones as well. I have a sad headphones story in just a minute or so – read on.

Alcohol?

I know some people that always get a few drinks before they get on a plane. That’s not me. They can knock you out if you need that (so I sometimes do) but they’re also going to make you want to go to the bathroom – but so does water and coffee, actually. It’s up to you.

Drinks at the airport might be more expensive. In-flight alcohol really isn’t too expensive if you ask me… I like whiskey and 7up (a “7 and 7”) and for $7 you get a small bottle and the 7up, which is actually like two drinks or $3.50 each – so not too bad. If you do buy alcohol on the plane and you’re not in first class, then they seem to want to have you pay with a credit card – not cash anymore… just FYI.

Probably the best way to how to bring alcohol on a plane is to buy it at the airport. Some of the duty free shops on international flights are actually a good deal and you can save some money. Don’t get the huge bottle but go ahead and buy a smaller bottle that you can put in your carry on baggage.

Get Your Body Prepared

Some people like to take Emergen-C or other vitamins to help boost their immune system. That makes sense because you are going to be in a closed cabin with lots of other people with recycled air for a good amount of time. It’s very easy to get sick on an airplane.

Quick story: I once caught an eye infection on a plane. I must have touched something and then touched my eye. It was not fun.

Bring along some hand sanitizer along with you (travel size) so that you can clean your hands often during your flight. Hey, it’s better to look like a germ-o-phoebe than catch something that makes you sick.

If you are sick, then please cover your mouth and bring hand sanitizer – or even wear something over your mouth (surgical mask) for everyone else’s sake. Be a polite traveler.

Always check your gate on your connecting flight. It might have changed from what’s on your boarding pass. Pay attention to the departure boards (computer screens) in the airport. Flights often change gates.

It’s easy to get lost in an airport. Follow the signs and don’t be afraid to ask people for help or directions.

What to Wear on the Plane

Definitely wear comfortable shoes. I like to take mine off when I get seated. Make sure you’re wearing clean socks so that your feet don’t stink. Put in some air cushion insoles in your shoes because you’ll be walking quite a bit through airports. Some airports, like Frankfurt, are quite large. When your feet feel good, your body is less stressed.

And I like to bring a light jacket with me on the plane. For some reason, planes get very cool. They crank the air conditioning plus you’re up in the sky, so plan for the flight to be cool. With a jacket near by, you can easily put it on and be comfortable. Also, with a jacket and if you’re a guy and don’t carry a purse, you can have things you need in it like gum and snacks and headphones and stuff.

Another tip with what clothes to wear on an airplane is wear dark pants. If you happen to drop food on yourself or if someone else does, then you don’t have to worry about stains so much – they don’t show as much. I think wearing white pants or a while dress/skirt would be about the worst decision possible.

And don’t wear clothing that’s constrictive like tight jeans. Although the look of women in tight jeans is great, you’re just not going to be comfortable, ladies. If you’re a guy, wear pants that are not tight but have room.

Board the Airplane as Early as You Can

This is important if it’s a large plane and you have a pull behind bag or a suitcase on wheels. You want to make sure that you find a good place to put it in the overhead baggage storage on the plane. It should be right by your seat or forward in the plane – not further back from your seat. If it’s further back, then it’s going to be very difficult to get to your bag once everyone stands up to get off the plane.

If you have a long flight (a long flight for me is 5 hours or more), then here are some tips to feel good while flying:

1. Freshen up during your flight. Go to the bathroom and wash your face. Don’t worry about taking too long in the bathroom, it’s a long flight. There’s time. Take some time for yourself so that you feel good.
2. Consider bringing along a change of socks or underwear. As you near your destination, go in the bathroom and do a quick change of these things and you’ll feel more fresh and clean.
3. Bring along some deodorant or cologne/perfume.
4. Get up and stretch. If there’s a line for the bathroom, then great – that’s more time to you get to stand and move around.
5. While sitting, make sure you move your feet and legs often. Stretch them out as best you can in your seat.
6. Drink plenty of water. Water is the medicine of life. Being dehydrated leads to being uncomfortable.

Taking Bathroom Breaks on the Plane

Timing is important. Don’t take a break before a meal or you could be blocked from your seat. Go after a meal or before another one – they’ll turn on the light a bit before the meal, so that’s your cue to get up.

If your sitting in a seat that’s not on the aisle, don’t worry about asking people to let you out. That’s just part of the sitting there. They have to do it. Wake people up if you have to. They’ll get back to sleep later. It’s just part of the game.

Arrival

Check the seat pocket, floor, and overhead before leaving. Immediately find your next gate on the monitor if you have a connection. Don’t assume it hasn’t changed.

A Story
This makes me sick to talk about, but on one trip, I bought some of those nice, Bose noise canceling headphones (before the trip). You know, the expensive pair. I travel a lot and thought I’d get some good use out of them. Well, I got just one use out of them. I left them on the plane! I realized it too late and tried to track them down but nobody in their right mind would turn those in I guess. I felt so sick. I hardly ever lose stuff. I just had too much with me. I guess that’s why I always use a backpack now so that I can put that stuff in it. I now use a $35 pair of earbud headphones (earphones) that I also really like and do not worry about losing them.

Ok, you’re at your destination or you’re going to catch another flight. You’ll either head to baggage claim if you checked a bag or check the monitors for the gate of your next flight.

International Travel

• Put your phone in airplane mode to avoid roaming fees.
• Bring plug adapters and voltage converters.
• Photocopy your passport and keep a digital copy in your email or phone.

Story: I once left my passport in a Tokyo airport bathroom. I didn’t even know until I heard my name on the intercom. Someone had turned it in—miracle!

Cheap Airfare & Booking Tips

• Book early for better prices.
• Sign up for airline reward programs and fare alerts.
• Use an airline credit card for perks like free bags.
• Confirm flight times and names match your ID.
• Check your layover duration and number of stops.

Kids Travel Tips

• Pack snacks, games, and distractions.
• Practice going through security at home.
• Make ID cards for kids with your contact info.
• Babies should drink or suck during takeoff to ease ear pressure.

Travel Safety Tips

If you are traveling alone, there are some things to be aware of when it comes to safety.

First, trust your gut. If you are going to an area that doesn’t feel safe to you, don’t go there or wait for someone else to come by. Don’t take a nap or sleep in an area that’s too secluded or you could be setting yourself up for trouble – yes, even in a security controlled area of an airport.

Second, communicate with people you know as you travel. Text a spouse or family member or friend when you get to each destination or as you leave. Let them know where you’re at and where you’ve been. If you do somehow go missing, there will at least be some kind of trail.

Women, make it sound like you’re not traveling alone if you are… or even if you’re not. Place a fake call once in a while to “John” or someone where people can hear it. Do what you can to make it look like you’re not alone. Don’t divulge too many details of your travel plans to strangers either.

Dealing With Travel Problems

Sometimes there are problems with travel. There are delays due to weather or equipment malfunctions – hey, life happens. Here’s how to deal with them.

First, have the phone number to your airline’s support / help people in your phone. Also, this is where being in their miles programs really helps. They know you a little more and see that you are loyal.

If you are using a travel agent, then that’s even better – they should go to bat for you because they will want your repeat business. I’ve only used a travel agent 3-4 times now but on one of those times, it really helped to have them as I got stuck in Frankfurt for 6 days with that volcanic ash cloud fiasco.

Second, find the customer service counters at the airport. They are just counters for customer service and not the counters at the gates. Personally, getting on the phone is probably faster and easier but sometimes there’s no line at those counters.

Third, have someone you can call to help you. It might be a spouse or a friend of family member. Before you go, make sure they have the airline phone number and  your travel itinerary so that they can speak on your behalf. Sometimes you might find yourself literally running from gate to gate and it’s almost impossible to talk on the phone, carry your bags and weave through people – all at the same time. Having someone else can really help – they are almost like your personal concierge or travel agent. I always email my itinerary to someone the day before I leave.

Fourth, ask other travelers for help. Maybe someone sitting next you can help you or have some ideas for you. We’re all kind of in the same boat and have probably all had problems, so others might be able to give you a helping hand. It’s worth a try.

Conclusion

Plan well and stay flexible. Travel doesn’t have to be stressful. Use a checklist, get sleep, stay hydrated, pack light, and give yourself time. You’ll thank yourself when everything goes smoothly.

Have your own tips? Drop them in the comments below. Safe travels!

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