Packing Your Carry On

If you are making a short trip, you are likely to avoid check-in luggage and effectively avoid long check-in lines at the airport. Additionally, you may want to risk lost luggage during a short trip. If you plan carefully, you will be able to pack all the things you need into a carry-on.

Here are some tips to help you do so:

• To begin with, ensure that your carry-on luggage meets with specific luggage regulations. If you are not sure of the details, you will be able to find them on the rules and regulations list of your airline. You can also look up the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) website for detailed information.

• Carry all your personal valuables like your wallet, identification papers, jewelry, camera, etc. in your personal bag that you can carry along with your carry-on. There may be occasions that you are separated from your carry-on, like in the toilet if there isn’t enough space. It is important that you do not risk losing any of your personal valuables.

• Make a list of things you need to carry with you. This will ensure that you do not carry any unnecessary items and you don’t forget any of the things you do need to carry. Lay out all the things on your list and check them off as you pack them.

• Carry minimal clothes. Ideally carry clothes that you can mix, match or layer for different occasions. Neutral color clothes work best for this purpose. Also consider rolling your clothes to avoid wrinkling and to maximize space.

• Avoid carrying toiletries. If you are staying at a hotel, most hotels provide these essentials free of cost. If you are particular about a brand, you can consider buying sachets or a small container at your destination to last for the period of your stay.

• If you intend to shop at your destination, ensure that there is some free space left in your carry-on so that you can pack small items. If your shopping is likely to be more than just a few things, you may need to buy extra luggage and check it in.

Enjoyable Travels

Courtesy and politeness is what we expect from our fellow travelers and we should be prepared to return the favor. Most of us are not discourteous by intention, but simply because we are not even aware that we may be causing anybody any discomfort. Here are some tips you can follow that you are not the source of unpleasantness for your fellow passengers:

• Choose your seat carefully. If you are likely to use your laptop during the flight, choose the window seat so that you are not disturbed by other passengers who need to reach the aisle. If you are likely to visit the toilet frequently or take short walks, take the aisle seat so that you do not disturb other passengers.

• While you are waiting to board the plane, have your boarding pass ready so you don’t hold up the queue as u search for it in your handbag.

• Once you board the aircraft, quickly find your seat. If you have any carry-on luggage, quickly put in the overboard compartment and sit down on your assigned seat. It is important to hurry this process as much as possible since you are holding up the movement of everybody behind you on the aisle.

• Restrict cell phone usage in the waiting area. If you cannot help but use your cell phone, ensure that you have your volume down and are not disturbing other passengers. Extend common courtesy that you would expect to be shown.

• Most people do not realize this but a strong perfume can be very uncomfortable in the sealed in pressurized cabin of an airplane. If you know you are traveling during the day, avoid using heavy perfume in the morning or just before the flight.

• Personal hygiene is also important. You don’t want yourself or your clothes to look dirty, unwashed and smelly.

• Whether at the airport lounge or in the airplane, ensure that you clean up after yourself. Don’t leave behind a trail of empty coffee cups, tissues, newspapers, etc.

• Finally, be pleasant. If anyone tries to engage in conversation, do reply back, but resist from giving too much personal information.

Boarding Tips

Whether you are travelling for work or pleasure, it is important to make your experience at the airport as hassle-free as possible. Here are some tips you can follow to avoid any inconvenience at the airport:

• Most airlines provide the facility to check-in by phone or online within 24 hrs of departure. Use this facility to check-in so that you can avoid the bother of standing in line for check-in while having to manage your luggage and co-passengers, if any.

• Plan to arrive early at the airport. There may be snags and delays on route to the airport. If you do not have enough buffer time, you are likely to have a very stressful time making it to the airport on time, in case of any delays.

• If you are carrying less than two items of check-in luggage, try the option of curbside check-in. Queues on the inside of the airport are usually longer and take more time as most passengers in that queue have multiple items of luggage.

• If you are only using a carry-on luggage, ensure that it meets the regulation size standards. If it does not, you will be required to come back and check it in.

• In the post-9/11 world, a number of common use items are restricted onboard an aircraft. Check the complete list of restricted items on the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) website and ensure that you are not carrying any of them on your person or your luggage.

• Liquids are strictly monitored at airport security. The TSA website has detailed information on how to carry liquids in your carry-on. If you carry any liquids that do not meet the regulation standard, you will need to dispose of them.

• During your security check, you will be asked to remove your shoes and any other clothing like caps, jackets, coats, etc. Wear clothing and shoes that can be removed easily and without fuss.

• If you beep while going through a metal detector, you may have to go through a pat-search or frisking by a hand held device. Avoid this by ensuring that you are not wearing any metal on your person. Remove jewelry, if any and avoid clothes with metal buttons.

Safety Precautions

Air travel poses a number of potential threats that put your personal safety at risk. Here are a few tips to follow to ensure your personal safety during air travel:

• Dress inconspicuously. Do not attract attention to your self by flashy clothing or excessive jewelry. Be comfortable and wear clothing that will not cause any inconvenience at the security check.

• Always carry your passport on your person. Do not keep it in your wallet, purse or luggage in case they get stolen or lost. Keep a copy of your passport in your purse to facilitate easy replacement.

• Do not carry large quantities of cash on you. Carry small change in your wallet and an ATM card. If you do go to an ATM, do not withdraw large amounts of cash at a time. If you do need to carry cash with you during travel, spread it around in your luggage. Also, consider using traveler’s checks.

• Do not carry any financial information like investment details, tax records, etc. unless absolutely necessary. If you do have to carry them, ensure they are deep within your check-in luggage.

• Carry your identification papers, wallet, cash and other valuables like camera, phone, iPod, etc. in your handbag that you can carry on board along with your carry-on luggage. In the event that you need to part with your carry-on luggage at any time, you need not risk losing the most important valuables.

• Before leaving for the airport, ensure that there are no delays in your flight. Try and minimize the time you need to spend at the airport.

• While choosing a seat, choose one that is closest to the any one of the emergency exits on the plane. Also be aware of evacuation procedure in case of an emergency landing. Pay attention to and follow the safety instructions provided on the airplane carefully.

• While traveling, it is fine to strike up a conversation with a fellow passengers, but do not reveal too much information about yourself, your company or your associations and beliefs. Do not get drawn into long conversations with anyone, especially about politics, religion or other personal beliefs.

Preventing Theft

Losing your wallet, especially when traveling, can be quite a harrowing experience. Here are some tips to protect your wallet while traveling and cutting your losses in the event that your wallet does get stolen.

• Never carry too much cash in your wallet. If your wallet gets lost, cash will be the toughest thing to replace. Carry your ATM card instead so that you have access to cash if you need it. If you need to carry large amounts of cash, carry it inconspicuously on your person. If you are traveling for an extended period or are traveling internationally, you may also consider carrying traveler’s checks with you instead of cash.

• Do not carry all your credit cards. In the event your wallet does get lost, you want to limit the number of credit card companies you will need to call for card cancellation. At most carry one or two credit cards.

• Make a copy of all the cards you carry in your wallet and keep these copies separate from your wallet. In case of loss, you will have all the details you require to cancel your cards handy.

• Never carry any password, account details or PIN (Personal Identification Number) in your wallet. Ideally memorize them or keep them safely at home. Never ever write down the PIN number of your ATM card on the back of your card. This makes it very easy for the thief to wipe out your account even before you can cancel your card.

• Never keep any keys in your wallet. If your wallet gets stolen, your address will be also easily available. If you are traveling, you may not be able to change your locks in time to prevent burglary.

• Never carry your passport or social security number in your wallet. Identity theft is very common today and the consequences of it can be anything between minor inconveniences to life-changing disasters.

• Never carry your travel tickets in your wallet. You will be required to present them at various checkpoints and managing your wallet along with your luggage can be difficult. You may not notice it if something fell out of your wallet and you will also be an easy target for pickpockets.

Protecting Your Valuables

The best advice with regard to valuables during travel is simple: don’t carry any. However, it is rarely possible for us to travel without some valuables like our laptops, phones, cameras and a number of other things depending on the occasion for travel.

Since you cannot help but carry your valuables, here are some tips to keep them safe:

• Cut down on the number of valuables you carry. If you don’t need all the jewelry you wear everyday, take it off. Get traveler’s checks instead of carrying cash. Moreover, never carry all your credit cards with you when you travel. If you happen to lose your wallet, you will need a lot of time and patience to call all your credit card companies and cancel your cards. Ideally, just take one or two credit cards with you on travel.

• Never put your valuable items in your checked baggage. In the even that your luggage is lost or damaged, you will have a difficult time getting adequate compensation from the airline for all your valuables. Always put whatever valuables you may be carrying in your carry on luggage.

• Use laptop alarms if you must carry your laptop. It will secure your laptop and if anyone tries to steal it, it will sound a loud alarm.

• At your hotel, enquire about a safe in your room. If you have one, keep all your valuables in it and only remove them when required. If you do not have a safe in your room, enquire about a safe in the hotel. Most hotels keep safes for to store travelers’ valuables.

• Never carry your passport in your wallet or purse. If your purse gets stolen, you will need to contact your consulate and go through the hassle of getting a duplicate passport.

• Make a copy of all the cards you are carrying. Also note down all contact numbers of credit card companies. Keep these documents separate from your wallet. In case you lose your wallet, you will have the credit card numbers and contact details handy for quick cancellation of cards.

• Be as inconspicuous as possible. Do not flash your jewelry or cash while traveling.

Safety Tips

Even though millions of people travel by air annually without any problems whatsoever, but there are a number of potential threats involved in process of traveling. Your personal safety is of prime importance, and here are some safety precautions to consider before your travel:

Have a detailed itinerary. Know where you are going to be when and make your reservations beforehand. Do not make your itinerary common knowledge to colleagues or friends. But, let family members and some superiors at work know all the details so that they know how to contact you in case of an emergency.

Traveling to some countries requires you to take immunization shots. Ensure that you have had all your immunization shots, if any are required for the country you are visiting.

Make a copy of your passport and keep the passport and the copy separately. If you do happen to lose your passport, the copy will be helpful in replacing your original passport at your country’s Consulate or Embassy.

Prepare a sheet of medical information about yourself. List down the medication you are currently on, any chronic illnesses, any allergies and your blood type clearly on this sheet. In case of any accident or medical emergency, this sheet may prove very useful in saving your life.

Do not put any large identification marks on your luggage. Avoid using luggage or name tags with company logos.

Distribute all your credit cards and cash if different parts of the luggage. If any part of your luggage gets stolen or lost, you will not lose all your money, and it will be easier to replace a small amount of cash and replace a single card.

Make copies of all your credit cards and keep these documents separately. Also write down all the contact details of credit card companies and banks. In case you lose your credit card or ATM card, all necessary information will be handy and will facilitate the process of card cancellation.

Carry an extra pair of glasses, if you wear them and enough extra daily medication in case you are detained for any reason during your trip.

Tips For Long Flights

One cannot avoid a long flight if the occasion arises, but one can attempt to make it as comfortable and bearable as possible. Here are some tips to help you on your long flights:

• Wear the most comfortable clothes you have. Remember that you will need to take of your jacket, shoes, etc. during security check at the airport. Dress to make that process convenient. But also remember that you are going to be in the same clothes for a long time and choose clothes according to their comfort levels. Avoid synthetic materials, tight clothes and bulky sweaters.

• Choose your seat with care. If you are likely to sleep through the flight, you may want a window seat so that you are not disturbed by other people climbing over you to access the aisle. If you are likely to need frequent toilet breaks, you may want to take up an aisle seat, so that you don’t have to climb over other passengers regularly.

• The low humidity atmosphere inside an airplane can dehydrate you. We may not realize the cause, but may start feeling uncomfortable and light headed. To avoid discomfort of this sort, ensure that you carry bottled water and sip from it regularly. Also, your skin is likely to get very dry and itchy in this atmosphere. Carry a good moisturizer or body lotion you can use in the event that you require it.

• Bring your own food if you are not likely to want to eat the food offered by the airline. You cannot stay hungry throughout a long flight. This is especially important, if you have a medical condition that requires regular food intake of specific nature.

• Most airlines provide their passengers with pillow and blanket. You may not want to use these airline-provided blankets or they may run out of them. If you are particular about using a blanket, bring your own or carry a sleeping bag to cover yourself.

• Long flight can be difficult on our joints, muscles and spine. Move around regularly to loosen stiff joints and muscles. This will help prevent cramps arising from stiffness.

First Time Flyers

Flying is unlike any other experience of travel. For a first-time flyer, the prospect of flying can be rather intimidating. Here are some tips to help you through your first flying experience with ease and comfort:

Mental preparation is a must. You need to know what to expect. Boarding, take-off, turbulence, bumps, air pockets and landing are all part of the flying experience and you need to know what to expect so that you are not surprised, taken aback or shocked when they do occur.

Different airlines have different rules for seat allocation. While some airlines let you choose your seats while booking your tickets, other only allow seat choices during check in. Decide which seat you would prefer and find out how you can get the seat of your choice. If you are likely to sleep or are prone to motion sickness or if are likely to use your laptop, choose the window. This way you can avoid being disturbed by passengers trying to reach the aisle. If you are likely to frequent the toilet, choose an aisle seat so you don’t disturb other passengers.

Know the prices of anything you are likely to buy. The cost of items in the airport and onboard can be much higher than their retail prices. Find out details from the website of your airline so that you know what you can expect to spend on your journey and are prepared for it.

Know the rules that apply to your luggage. If you are planning on using only a carry-on, ensure its size meets the regulation standard.

Know the number of luggage pieces you are allowed to carry and charges applicable to extra luggage.

Know what to expect at the airport. Know the security procedure. After checking in your luggage, if any, carry your boarding pass and identification with you. You will need to go through a metal detector and your carry-on luggage will be x-rayed. Follow the rules of security thoroughly to avoid any delay.

Dress comfortably. Remember that the temperatures can be very low in the airplane and be prepared for it. Carry a light jacket or a scarf.

Traveling When Pregnant

Life has become much too hectic for women to be able to take a break during pregnancy. Unless there is a case of medical complication, most women carry on with their regular lives during pregnancy, including travel.

We have heard a number of horror stories related to traveling pregnant women, but not all of them are true. If you follow some basic precaution, there is no reason why your travel during pregnancy cannot be as safe as traveling normally is.

Here are some tips for you to follow:

• The safest period to travel during pregnancy is during the second trimester. The chances of miscarriage are high during the first trimester and any excessive physical exertion should be avoided. Most airlines do not allow women who are more than 36 weeks pregnant to fly for the fear that they may deliver on board. For international travel, the limit is usually 32 weeks. Check the rules and regulations of the airline you plan to fly with to avoid last minute cancellations.

• Choose a seat in the aisle so that you are able to take short walks during the flight and ease muscle cramps, if any. If possible, take an aisle seat near the toilet so that frequent toilets breaks become possible. If your size during pregnancy is too large, you may have trouble finding comfortable seats. Travel by first class if you can afford it or reconsider your travel plans.

• The low-humidity atmosphere in the airplane can leave you dehydrated. Carry bottled water with you and sip regularly.

• Take the safety precautions on the airline seriously. Always wear your seat belt when you are seated, but ensure that the belt is across your lap and never across your stomach.

• Finally, always ensure that you are traveling with major airlines that have pressurized cabins and not in small unpressurized planes. If you cannot help traveling in small unpressurized planes, always ensure that you do not travel more than 7,000 feet in altitude.

• Finally, avoid excessive travel. Air travel does have an impact on pregnancy and it is better to avoid complications than to deal with the consequences.