As a frequent airplane traveler I have become pretty accustomed to airports, TSA security check points, parking and getting from point A to point B in airports and beyond. I have written a few posts on helpful travel tips and today I have an updated list that will hopefully help make your airline travel a bit smoother during the coming vacation months
*Transportation to and from the airport can be stressful. If you plan to park your car for an extended time remember it will most likely be a bit costly. There are usually Park and Fly lots available at a lower cost per day so search your local area for those. Many airports also have real time parking apps that help you find out if the parking lots are filled up. Trust me it helps to know before you go if you are not going to be able to park on site. The one I used at Minneapolis is located here and was always very helpful in seeing availability and calculating rates, etc. There are also phone numbers you can call to find out how much parking is available.
*Other options for getting to and from the airport that may or may not be available in your area are Uber and Lyft. Both are downloadable apps for your phone that allow you to arrange a ride from your location immediately. There is no need to pre-schedule and while I have not used Lyft I have had great success with Uber in both NYC and Las Vegas. It is much cheaper than conventional cab rides and is a fun way to get from home to airports to other locations.
*Know the rules of your particular airline. A little preparation ahead of time by simply going to their website can save a great deal of time and disappointments upon arrival. Know what the rules are on luggage sizes, cost for luggage and how to transport pets.
*Live and breath the 3-1-1 rule. It applies to EVERYONE flying in the US. No liquid more than 3 ounces each in a 1 quart bag with 1 allowed per traveler. I am the queen of stuffing a 1 quart bag full of stuff. Another tip–have it already bagged BEFORE you got through security to save time and frustration. Sometimes there are bags available at check points but don’t count on it
*TSA Pre Check is a great perk if you have it. It can now be purchased for $85 for a 5 year period but you must apply for it ahead of time. Click here to find out how to get approved for TSA Pre Check.
*Once in the security line please make sure you are ready. Be a Scout –prepared to take off your shoes, coat, belt and that lovely accent scarf that you have donned to complete your airport attire. Have your liquid bag out, your laptop and anything else that needs to be scanned. If you are ready you can move quite quickly through the line.
*If you know what you are doing you will be best served to avoid lines with families and frail o people or people in wheelchairs. This is not being mean-spirited but is just a fact that if you get in a line with strollers and walkers and wheelchairs it is going to take longer.
*Once you are in the boarding area PAY ATTENTION. The time on your ticket that says “Board Time” is not an absolute but you need to be there by that time to ensure that you hear all of the instructions for boarding. The flight attendants and gate staff can be very helpful but only if you ask. Gates do change and being there early ensures that you are able to hear gate changes as they are made and adjust.
*Board when it is your zone. Most airlines board by designated zone with a few exceptions. Pat attention and don’t board if they have not called your zone. Do not block the boarding area so that people have to walk around you. Common courtesy will get you a long way.
*I usually fly Delta and have their app on my phone. It allows me to download my mobile ticket (no need to print one off), check my flight status, track my luggage (you can see when it is placed on the plane and taken off), view gates and see other information about the flight that is needed. It is very helpful when making connections because I can see what gate I am going out on the next leg when I land if it has not been available prior to boarding. It helps to know before I deplane if I am going to have to make a mad dash across the airport to catch the next flight.
*Most airlines have their own magazines in the seat pockets. These can also be a great source of information including maps of most major airports as well as listing any food, beverage and entertainment options available on the flight.
*Finally, BE NICE. Everyone gets stressed out, flights don’t always take off on time and weather happens. Polite conversation and treating people like they matter makes a huge difference in both their treatment of you the traveler and the person who is working to make your trip successful.
Hopefully your travels will be smooth and carefree and with a little preparation ahead of time you will fly with a smile on your face. Tell me in the comments where your next trip is —each comment supports our May Comments for a Cause –SAFE.
For successful travel this summer it is very simple—Know Before You Go.
30 Comments
Leave a commentGood tips, Beth Ann. I’d add check-in and print your boarding pass at home to save time at the airport. If you can’t print your boarding pass at home, use the check-in kiosk at the airport. If you travel with only a carry-on, you don’t even have to spend time in line to check your bags.
Oh great addition! I usually use my mobile pass on my phone which makes it even easier –no worries about trying to print a pass. I forgot that one. Thanks, Laura!
I would recommend still printing the boarding pass, even if you have the mobile app. One time I was at the airport, in the security line, with my ticket on my phone and it just shut down. It wasn’t dead or anything, just shut down for no reason. Luckily it turned back on by the time I actually needed it, but I had quite a moment of panic!
Oh yes! I try to have a back up paper pass as well ! Great advice!
I like your cause this month but wonder why the post pictures of the safe house? Doesn’t that make it less safe?
They keep the address a secret but I am sure someone could track it down. I was a bit surprised she gave me photos as well.
Great advice (some of it, just basic common sense, I think!). Thankfully, I don’t have to travel by air often. It isn’t my favorite thing to do! I subscribe to the theory: “Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man: landing is the first”!
It is common sense but some people lack that when it comes time to travel. {:-)
Loved this! For only having 3 airplane trips in my life, in one year, I’m pretty good at this! Hoping for more of course! Thanks for the tips 🙂
You do great at flying. I would love to be your seat mate! 🙂
Taking notes!
You guys will be just fine!
My husband and I are going to apply for TSA Pre-Check this year. When we traveled internationally we got Pre-Check status at random and it was pretty darned nice. It’s worth $85 for five years to have that status. It saves a lot of time and aggravation.
It really is a good deal and helps destress the situation a lot. I have it because of my airline status with Delta but if I don’t fly with them I probably won’t. It’s nice that there is the option now to get it.
Great tips! We are getting quite good at international travel but still it can get nerve racking.
I know you are getting really good at it with all your jet setting around. IT always helps to be prepared.
I’m not paying to travel with anybody who tries to tell me what to carry!
Haha. Well they do it for safety reasons if you are talking about the 3-1-1 and I don’t mind it too much.
I don’t fly often, but these are still fantastic for when I do fly! Thanks so much!!
You are so welcome!
I haven’t been on a plane since 1972, but if I ever do again, I’ll try to remember these helpful hints.. lol
No flying for me this summer, as I am planning on sight-seeing right here in Iowa. 🙂 But these are great tips to keep in mind! Great post!
A little planning and patience go a long way in making air travel a better experience for everyone. I’ve used Uber on occasion with great success. There have been some recent debates about tipping the driver, (is it included in the fare or isn’t it?) and I hear Uber is changing their policy.
Thanks for the reminder about the 3-1-1 rule.
Am flying Delta Greensboro/Atlanta/Miami June 7-14. Have not been on plane or at airport 30 years. I am frightened what TSA will be like boarding from Ft Lauderdale for return trip. My ticket printout says wheelchair ramps service for my father, 92, but I will need chair immediately from taxi to airport entrance and he will need chair while waiting in TSA lines and getting to gates. I have a 3 hour lay over in Atlanta.
Delta has usually been pretty good for me and if you take the time to check ahead of time with them I am hopeful that your trip will be less stressful . It is always challenging traveling with folks that need assistance but hopefully they will rise to the occasion and be able to get you from the taxi to the airport entrance –there should be skycaps to help with that. Good luck!
Lots of good advice! We are also frequent flyers and 1 piece of advice I would add is pack extra toiletries to go. Always leave them in your travel pack and you rarely need to mess with packing your liquids quart bag… It’s already packed. 🙂
Oh my, I haven’t traveled by air in so long… I think this almost sounds like too much work! But I get it’s the safety factor too. I suppose one gets used to what is now required, but I will definitely have to do some research if we are ever lucky enough to actually go somewhere.
Well I think it might be different for Canadians—maybe? I don’t really know. Mr.Diamond is going to Toronto next month so I will have to quiz him about it. 🙂
I’ll be flying soon to Florida!!! I’m confused about the 3-1-1 rule – Help!! It says a quart size bag…do they even make those? I just have gallon size Ziplocs! Does that work? Can I let it slip by? HAHA!!
Yes they make quart size ziplock bags. 😊. Sometimes airports have them available but don’t count on it. They usually hold you to it…