First you buy the ticket, then you wait in line, then you pay for your luggage, then you wait in more lines, then a few more lines, maybe some fees and oh yea, throw in some cash for trying to keep yourself hydrated and fed. It’s a shame that what was once a glamorous way of travel has been reduced to groans and grumbles. But, if you find yourself booking some last minute flight deals and are about to spend some time in an airport you can make the experience a bit better.
The Basics
Show up early – You’ll save yourself the headache if you do. We all know that it’s a good idea to show up between 1-2 hours before our flights are scheduled to take off and yet whenever I’m in an airport there is always someone sprinting through the concourse or pleading to be allowed to cut ahead in line. Sure, traffic happens and things come up, but you’ve got to keep your eye on the ball here. Be aware of what local traffic is like around the time of your flight and how big/busy your airport is. Those two little details can save you the heartache of hearing “I’m sorry, sir, but we’ve just closed the doors.”
Be prepared – It’s the Boy Scout motto for a reason. There’s a chance that when you get to the airport you’ll have to produce ID, a passport, a boarding ticket, luggage tags and cash. If you’ve got all of those within easy reach, your line and security experience is going to go a whole lot smoother. This is particularly true if you’re savvy enough to use a self-check in kiosk. Seriously, take a look around next time and I bet you that the line there is half as long as the one that you’re standing in, if there is even a line at all.
Food for thought – Airports and airplanes are known for a lot of things and haute cuisine generally isn’t one of them, at least not for those of us flying in economy class. Pair that with the ever increasing prices being offered to you, the captive audience, and it’s the perfect mix for bringing your own chow. Some great flight food includes pretzels, nuts, dried fruit and beef jerky. Nothing messy that can spill on you and it will all keep for however long you’re in the air. Another great tip? I always carry an empty water bottle with me through security. Sure, they won’t let liquids past, but you can always fill it up at a water fountain on the other side of the guarded gates.
Really, traveling and flying don’t need to be the stressful things that we all dread and it’s certainly no way to start a fun vacation. Take a few minutes before you leave your house to make sure you’re prepped and I think you’ll find that you can almost look forward to airports as the beginning of a new adventure.
