How to Fight the Flight Follies

 By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy Pixabay

Did you know that TSA recently set a new record for the number of people that flew in the US?  On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, 2,907,398 passengers boarded flights in this country.  That represented a 10 % increase from the previous year.  That doesn't necessarily mean that everyone made it through security and onto their destination without a hitch.  That's because things like check-in snafus, weather, and other unanticipated factors can cause flight delays or cancellations that can derail an otherwise uneventful trip.  To help you avoid what I call the flight follies, I've come up with ten tips designed to make your next airline trip a smooth landing.

#1: Don't get busted before you even board a flight.  While many flights depart on time, if you fail to arrive early enough at the security checkpoint or fail the preflight inspection, you may inadvertently shoot yourself in the foot before even setting foot on a jetliner.  Depending on the airport, the time of day, and the date of departure, you'll need to determine how much time it's expected to take you to clear TSA.  (This can range from 1-3 hours.)  You'll also need to know what you can and can't bring on an airliner.  TSA has a web page designed specifically to provide you with this information.  You'll also need to make sure you have all documentation required to clear security and board the plane.  Last but not least, it wouldn't hurt to check the weather forecast and the airline's website to see if any delays are expected.

#2: Don't let delays give you an ulcer.  Nobody plans for delayed or cancelled flights, but they happen.  This is especially true during the holidays when record-setting numbers of passengers are traveling.  If you don't want schedule interruptions to ruin your holiday spirit, you need to make sure you expect the best but plan for the worst.  What I mean is that you need to pack more than your luggage before you head to the airport.  Make sure you take along something to help you pass the time.  Whenever I fly, I download an eBook that will help me pass the time should I wind up stranded for hours in an airport.  I also bring wireless headphones that will allow me to listen to my favorite tunes while drowning out the din going on around me as I wait for my flight. 

#3: What should you do if your flight is delayed? Last year 20% of airline flights were delayed.  That means the odds of your flight being delayed is 1 in 5.  Delays are not only aggravating, they can cause you to miss a connecting flight.  To keep from being blindsided, you can use technology to provide you with up to date flight information, including delays, weather and more.  FlightAware.com is a free site that provides the public with up to the minute status of flights anywhere in the world.  Just key in a city, or a flight number and you'll be presented with a real time map of air traffic in the area, along with notices of delays caused by weather or air traffic congestion.  Be advised that delays are subject to change.  The last thing you want to do is to miss your flight because you arrived at the gate late because you thought your flight was going to be significantly delayed.

Image courtesy Pixabay

#4: What should you do if your flight is cancelled? The good news is that on average only 2% of airline flights are cancelled in the US.  The bad news is if your flight is one of them, you'll then have to deal with the stress of booking another flight while stuck at the airport.  If you discover your flight has been cancelled before you head to the airport, call the airline to book another flight.  However, if you find out your flight has been cancelled after arriving at the airport or your connecting flight was cancelled, your best bet is to head directly to the airline desk right away since booking an alternate flight is available on a first come, first served basis. While you're waiting in line you can call the airline directly to try to book your flight.  Some airlines also have self-service kiosks in major airports which allow you to scan your boarding pass and book another flight. Above all, no matter how frustrated you become by a cancellation, don't take it out on the ticket agent. The agent is the one who can help you the most.

#5: What if you get stuck in the airport for an extended amount of time? If it turns out that the next flight will require you to be stuck in an airport other than you're home city, you could be entitled to anything from a food or hotel voucher to a credit or refund on your airline ticket.  If any of these prove fruitless, call your credit card company to see if they offer travel protection on the ticket you purchased using their card.  Many card companies offer travel protection that will reimburse you for meals or an overnight hotel stay if your flight is cancelled. While the Department of Transportation requires the airline to refund the cost of your ticket if a flight is cancelled, if you voluntarily give up your seat in exchange for perks offered by the airline, you could also give up your right to additional compensation.  

#6: How to avoid the lost bag blues. With record air travel comes record baggage losses.  If you're going to Boston and don't want to discover your bags wound up in Boise, you'd be well advised to carry-on as opposed to checking your bags.  That being said, you need to determine in advance what restrictions your airline and TSA impose on carry-on luggage. Most airlines restrict passengers to two types of luggage, a carry-on bag of no greater than 22x14x9 inches and a personal item, such as a laptop, purse, camera bag, or small backpack.  These are required to fit in the overhead or beneath the seat.  Some airlines impose weight limitations, which if exceeded will require you to pay an additional fee.  Most airlines don't count such things as a wheelchair, cane or crutches as an additional carry-on item.  As for what you can and can't pack inside a carry-on, you're best bet is to click over to the TSA's What Can I Bring page to find out what the most up to date list of do's and don'ts happens to be since the list is subject to change.  

#7: Making the miles fly by. Even once you've boarded your fight, that doesn't always mean you can count on smooth sailing.  Especially during the holidays, an airliner can be full to capacity.  That means little to no elbow room, cranky passengers and even a squalling baby or two that the drone of jet engines can't eliminate.  That's why when I fly, I take along my noise-cancelling headphones and eye shades.  I'd rather close my eyes and snooze through part of a flight rather than having to endure the cacophony of jet engines and passengers with cabin fever.  Once I wake up, I'll lose the eye shades but keep the headphones on and switch to reading or listening to music.  I find that much more soothing than grinding my teeth through a long flight.

Image courtesy Pixabay

#8: Dealing with turbulence.  The only thing worse than being marooned at the airport is to finally get airborne only to be bounced around the sky by turbulence.  While the discomfort and stress associated with bumpy air can make even seasoned travelers queasy, there are a couple of things you can do about it.  Booking a seat toward the front of the plane or over the wings will help, since these areas experience less bouncing because they're forward of the aircraft's center of gravity.  The other thing you can do if you're particularly sensitive to airsickness is to procure a pair of motion sickness wristbands that use acupressure to relieve nausea.  Just make sure you don them before your plane leaves the gate.

#9: Avoiding jet lag. If your flight is going to entail resetting your watch more than one hour, you may find your vacation being married by jet lag.  That's because it can take up to a week for your body's internal clock to catch up to the time zone you find yourself in.  The best way to nip jet lag in the bud is to gradually adjust your local time to the time zone you'll be flying off to.  That means if you're travelling east, try to go to bed an hour earlier than normal for a few nights before you depart.  If you're heading west, stay up an hour later than usual. It's also advised that you avoid caffeinated beverages during your flight.

#10: Preparing for the return trip.  No matter how harrowing the outbound leg of a flight is, the most important thing to do before you head back to the airport for your return trip is to adjust your attitude.  If not, the homeward leg is going to give you a headache that will take more than a couple of aspirins to cure.  Instead of dreading the long lines and possible delays you'll have to deal with on the way home, think of all the fun you had and all the places you saw on your trip.  If you arrive at the airport early with a smile on your face, you may even get an upgrade to a better seat on the plane like I did a few years ago on a trip home from Europe.

Catherine Powell is the owner of A Plus All Florida, Insurance in Orange Park, Florida.  To find out more about saving money on all your insurance needs, check out her website at http://aplusallfloridainsuranceinc.com