Travel Tips: Airline Travel
Airline travel used to be a big deal. Nowadays, one can get such a big deal money-wise that it is by far the most effective and enjoyable way to travel. Most people who travel for pleasure (as opposed to business) travel a few times per year. No matter how much or how little you travel by air, knowing travel tips can make your trip worth every dollar. Domestic flights usually take no more than six or seven hours; if there is no stop-over during the flight, this can be a long time to sit still. For circulation and general well health, remember these tips:
âÂ?¢ Stretch before the flight. A runner’s stretch to include the hamstring, quads, calves, and back will help flexibility.
� Drink a lot of water the day before the flight.
� For longer flights, consider Ted hose (therapeutic tight nylon-type socks).
� Bring a deflatable neck pillow.
When the boarding call begins, pay no attention to your seat number. Really. You have that seat number no matter when you board the plane. Spend as much time as you can on foot in the airport. Instead of sitting in the waiting area watching television or reading a magazine, walk briskly around the airport and window shop. Take the stairs instead of the escalator; this will give you a reason to want to sit down for a while on the flight. Be the last to board, and you’ll be seated the shortest amount of time.
Throw fashion to the wind. Unless you are meeting a very important client at the airport, or making a first impression on a future employer, don’t torture yourself for style. Men: wear jeans, or sweat pants and a t-shirt. Women: wear jeans or stretch pants and a long-sleeved shirt as the planes tend to be chilly. Always ask for a blanket right when you enter the plane; even if you’re not cold, you can use it for privacy if you want to sleep. Wear shoes that slip on and off easily.
Bring small bills on the plane. Not all people drink during a flight; but, if you want a cocktail, the attendants prefer that you have correct change. This is a courtesy and a sure way to get your money’s worth. If they need to “come right back” with change, it’s a small enough amount to be forgotten about. Also, meals used to be complimentary in flight, but on the shorter flights some sandwiches can run about 5.00.
Bring business cards. Anyone who does work on the side, or has their own business should always carry business cards with them. Even if you’re not on a business trip, or if you’re not in business full time – you’ll inevitably meet the most amazing people at the airport.
Pack appropriately. Bring one pair of dress shoes and the one pair of comfortable shoes that you are wearing on the flight. If it’s summer, you may be able to squeeze a second pair of sandals in, but in reality, if you’re not going for business, and it’s not your honeymoon – two pairs of shoes should do the trick for a relaxing vacation. If you want to fit everything in your carry-on, it’s possible with fewer shoes. If you want to check your luggage (meaning that you’ll have gobs of clothes) then you want them to remain as wrinkle-free as possible. Try this:
âÂ?¢ Don’t fold the clothes.
� Lie a pair of pants in the suitcase with the legs hanging out (toward the left)
� Next, lay a pair of pants in the suitcase with the legs hanging out (toward the right.)
� Now, put a dress in, with the skirt part hanging out toward the bottom (or the handled part of the suitcase.)
� Finally, put the last garment facing out toward the top.
� Repeat with all garments in a rotating fashion.
When you’ve put all of the clothes that you are bringing into the suitcase, it should look quite odd with the half of them hanging out on the left, right, up, and down. The middle will be a bit hollow. Place perfumes, shoes, vests, or small items in the center and begin laying the clothes in, one by one. Left, right, up, down, repeat. This fashion of folding prevents wrinkling and allows for more room in the end.
Finally, if you’re the type of person who hates to sit still for long periods of time, request a flight with one or more stops. Although this takes longer, straight through flights save a couple of hours that you’ll probably spend in a hotel room alone anyways. And, if you’re spending time with friends or family, they’ll want you to arrive revived and fresh, not irritated. A stop over allows you to get out of the plane and walk around making the end of the trip more tolerable.
Though these tips seem like common knowledge, they are simple matters that people seldom remember when traveling. Don’t be afraid to take a little bit of extra time to make your trip as comfortable as possible. When traveling for pleasure, you should not be under any pressure at all. It’s time to relax. So stock up those five dollar bills and have a cocktail and a sandwich on your first leg of the flight. Stretch and take a walk on a stopover and arrive at your destination ready to go out and have fun rather than hit the sack.
