Being a professional driver, I get a lot of questions about what it's like to be on the roads so much. The delicate truth is, I actually log more air miles every year than road miles.
I get to spend way more time at airports than I would like to, because I'm typically flying back and forth to the vehicles I'm moving around the country. Over the years, it's given me the opportunity to observe a few things. And I've learned a few things that have made my traveling life easier, and might help make yours easier too. So without further ado, I give you 10 tips to make your air travel easier:
1: You are NOT a Sherpa.
This has to be the most egregious violation that I see. There are disturbing number of people that try to carry every single thing they own onto the plane with them. If you do this, you are holding up the TSA security checkpoint, you're holding up the loading process, You're delaying the unloading process. In short, you are making everybody else in the world late. If $25 to check a bag is going to break your back, then maybe air travel isn't for you. One means one. One carry on, and stop trying to carry on those damn steamer trunks. I promise, you are not going to need access to your entire makeup collection, your entire collection of hair bands, curling iron, hair dryer, exfoliating kit, on this flight. Check that shit. Plus, drag-assing your entire wardrobe across a mile and a half in an airport to make a connecting is just exhausting. If you're carrying more than one bag while you're getting on the plane, you're wrong. End of story. I can promise you that if you follow this one rule, you're traveling life will get a whole lot easier.
2: Check your bags for free!
Okay, I get it. You don't want to give the airlines one more red cent, and $25 to check a bag is highway robbery... Well, there's an easy way around that baggage fee. Be "that guy" and drag your entire luggage collection through the TSA security checkpoint. However, once you get to your first gate, tell the attendant that you want to check your bags there. They can do the whole process right at the gate, and they don't charge you for it there. They just tag your bag and put it on the plane, And you can collect it at the luggage carousel when you get to your destination. Now keep in mind, this process only works if you're not caring something That's prohibited by TSA like volumes of liquids, or weapons. But if you're dragging your steamer trunk with you to avoid the $25 fee, this is an easy way to get around it, and still get to check your luggage.
3: Dress the part
I understand that air travel isn't as luxurious as it used to be 50 years ago. But you may want to think this one through before you head to the airport. Pick comfortable clothes. Pick layered clothes. Pick shoes that are comfortable to walk in, and run in.. because you might just be sprinting across the airport to make that connecting flight. I've seen one too many women try this shit wearing high heels and it never works right. Especially when she's dragging her four carry-on items and a steamer trunk with her. Bring your noise canceling headset, because there will be screaming babies. You don't HAVE to dress nice. However, one truth that I can speak to is that the more professional you look, the more professional you will be treated by the airline staff. You're more than entitled to dress as comfortable as you want. But don't be surprised when people treat you as a reflection of your own outward appearance.
4: Have a plan. Have a backup plan.
Before you ever leave to head to the airport, Make sure that you have a plan on what you're going to do. If you're driving there, make sure you know where you need to park. If you're catching a ride, make double sure on your agreed upon times. Have a plan in place for what happens if your flight gets canceled, or you're connecting is late, or you're connecting gets canceled. It's okay to have already picked out an emergency hotel, or a place to rent a car. If you've already anticipated the worst, It makes it easier to deal with if it happens. I've watched people completely melt down in the airport, because their connecting was missed or canceled, and they just had absolutely no idea what to do.
5: Know your airline hub.
I'm going to tell you a secret here, The cheapest flight isn't always the best flight. Before you pick an airline, or a flight, make sure you know where their main hubs are at. Let me give you an example. I live in Florida. Because Delta's main hub is in Atlanta, I try to do as much business through Delta as I can. The reason for this, is that the proximity to their hub means that fewer flights are canceled or delayed, and if they are, they're picked up pretty quickly. American Airlines closest hub to me is in Charlotte North Carolina. When I fly American, I get about 70% more cancellations or delays flying into Florida. With United's airline hubs being in Chicago and Houston, I don't even consider them. When you're flying, the closer you are to an individual airlines hub, the lower the probability that you're going to get stranded. Keep that in mind when you book your flight.
6: Check your bags before you go.
Before you pack your bags to get on that plane, pick up every bag that you're going to use, and dump it all the way out. Make sure that you put hands on every single thing that goes in that bag. Take a mental inventory. Take all your liquids, or liquid substances and put them in gallon Ziploc bags together. That way if something leaks, it doesn't get all over your clothes. Checking your bags this way not only insures that you have everything you need, it insures that you don't have something you don't need, like an errant pocket knife or something stupid that you left in a bag that's going to get you in trouble with TSA when you're trying to get through security. Hundreds of people are arrested every year for taking a gun through TSA that they "forgot was in their bag". Don't be "that guy". Check your bags before you leave.
7: Cranky? Maybe you're thirsty.
The process of pressurizing and depressurizing a plane cabin dehydrates you. It's part of the reason why despite everything else, airlines still serve beverages on planes. If you're feeling a little nauseous, or your head hurts, or you just a little cranky, drink some water. You'll start to feel better in about 5 or 10 minutes I promise. In fact, if that baby 2 seats behind you been screaming non stop for 45 minutes, you may want to politely point out this fact. Baby may just be dehydrated. But POLITELY.. mom's probably cranky too.
8: What's the hurry to board?
I see this every time I go to get on a flight. They make an announcement over the intercom that they're going to board your flight in 10 minutes, And everybody stands up and gets in line. I got news for you, you aren't going to get on the plane any faster, and you're not going to get to your destination any quicker if you stand in that line. Do you know what you will get? After 25 minutes outstanding there, you'll get to sit in your seat, only to have every Sherpa with a steamer trunk struggle past you and smack you in the head with their bag as they're headed to the back of the plane. If you're flying on an airline that has assigned seating, I promise you your seat is still going to be there. Give it a little time, let the line die down a little bit, being last to get on the plane is actually kind of nice. Sometimes there's an exit row seat available that isn't filled, and the steward just will let you take it.
9: What's the hurry to disembark?
Guess what, if you stand up as soon as the plane lands and grab your steamer trunk and stand there in the center aisle for 10 minutes, You aren't going to get off the plane any faster, and you are going to get out of the airport any faster, you're just an asshole. The plane will actually unload faster if you sit in your seat and wait for your turn to get up and get out. That way the people in front of you have room to maneuver to grab their own steamer trunks out of the overhead bins and get off the plane. Yeah, I understand, sometimes late flights mean you're in a hurry to make a connecting. If that's the case, just mention it to the airline stewardess before you land. A lot of times they will help you make concessions to get off quickly to make your connecting if you need to. Otherwise just sit there and wait your turn.
10 Be nice!
Airline staff have a terrible job. They have to deal with a lot of their own rules, Most of them don't really know what's going on, and the few that do, have been instructed to lie to you. Being nice, being friendly, will go a long long way with these people. Airline staff does have the ability, and the gumption to upgrade your seat if they want to to, give you free food or drinks if they want to, but it's entirely on them. And more often than not, that's based entirely on how you treat them. Pro tip: Airline staff can, and will accept tips. I don't know about you, but I've found that when I tip somebody, they generally have a tendency to treat me better.
Bonus tip:
If you're going to be traveling more than twice a year by air, getting the TSA pre-trip screening done saves a TON of hassle and time. It only costs about $85, and it's good for 5 years. It's probably the smartest thing I've ever done when it comes to air travel.
By no means are these 'rules", nor be they set in stone. I have just found that my life has gotten exponentially easier when I'm traveling, if I'm following a few guidelines. You're welcome to give it a shot, or just keep dragging that steamer trunk through security... Your choice.
Great observations and advice
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