What you need to know about flying

Flying 101

Whether you are new to flying or you have been flying for years going through airports can be a strenuous and frustrating task.  Fortunately, it does not have to be. If you want worry free travel, it only takes a little preparation.  I have put together this compilation to help you figure it out.  I start with the assumption that you have a ticket already.

The day before

1. Be sure you do not need to “Check-in” online.  If so, do.  Not doing so will likely lead to hefty fees.
2. Double check that your documents are in order.  (Passport, ID, Credit Cards, etc.) For example, remember that credit cards need to be cleared for international use.
3. Print off ticket if needed.
4. Locate and identify the route that you need to take to the airport.
5. Research and write your arrangements for your destination.
6. Find Terminal of your flight.

Day of your Flight

1. Check and re-check your documents (passport, tickets, cards, etc)
2. Head to the airport at least 2 hours before.  Note, international flights can take a bit longer than flying domestically.

Navigating Airports

Some airports, such as DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth), London Heathrow are massive whereas others are medium or even small.  Large airports can become somewhat confusing with all the terminals.  The good news! Most terminals are separated in alphabetical or numerical order.  In each, certain airlines fly.  So lets say that you fly AirAsia in ___ terminal.  That means AirAsia flys only from that terminal.  Therefore, all you need to do is go to the terminal and there you will find the check-in counter and eventually your gate.

Assuming that you do not yet have it, you will need to attain a boarding pass upon entry into a terminal.  Boarding passes can be received from the airline provider, and getting in line for your specific flight.  For example, if you are flying American Airlines go to the desk that says American Airlines, and your specific flight, like Washington D.C. to Miami International.  There you will wait in line until your turn present your ID, check-in luggage, and get your boarding pass.

Next, you will walk through the airport security.  See next section.

Gate versus terminal.  Gates are specific to your airplane, whereas a terminal consists of multiple gates.  For example, Terminal A or Terminal 1 might have 20 gates.

About Airport Security and Security Checks

If you are lucky security clearance will only take a few minutes, but occasionally they run somewhat longer.  To ensure a quick pass through the line follow TSA’s rules closely.

Tip 1: Be sure you follow the 3-1-1 rule attentively or you might lose your cosmetics or toiletries.  That is, only 3oz or less all contained in 1, 1 quart sized bag.

Tip 2: Not wearing a belt and using sandals will allow you to quickly zip through and not worry about putting your belt or shoes on again.

Tip 3: Empty pockets before getting to the airport.  You will have to in line, and it will slow you down.

Tip 4: Remove items like computers and electronics and have them in a small bag easily accessible for the conveyor belt.  I say this because you will physically have to take them out.

Tip 5: Keep your passport and boarding pass together and out.

Tip 6: A smile never hurts.

What to Expect When Flying

Whether you are going international or flying more locally, expect to do a lot of people watching, half sleep, mediocre food, an occasional baby cry, and small bathrooms.  I say all of these less than desirable things because you could encounter these.  On a positive note, you could receive excellent customer service, stimulating conversation with the person next to you, see the world from a different point of view, or watch the sunrise over the skyline.

Additionally, long overseas flights can give you a chance to accomplish many things.  For example, you can write, which is what I am doing now.

Keeping Busy on Long Flights

After you have read the safety manual and sky mall booklets multiple times, you might be thinking how am I going to burn the time?  Some people,  like me sleep little on flights.  After all, what are you going to do with the skymall magazine full of things that you find useful, but yet cannot quite pinpoint when you would use it?

Here is a list of things to do when flying:

• Read a good book or magazine (get it before)
• Listen to music
• Journal
• Plan your trip (like what you would like to do)
• Get to know your neighbors (people sitting around you)
• Write postcards
• Play computer games
• Fill out your customs card
• Watch a movie or catch up on all those shows that you missed last season
• Respond to emails (If Wifi is available)(If not, you can still write them out)
• Write a business plan (Why not?)
• Study a language
• Suduku or crossword puzzle
• Draw (Watch out for the turbulence)
• Sleep

Extra tips

• Don’t forget to stretch and drink lots of water when flying. Why? Because you are sitting in one place for too long, it is bad for you.  Fluids also help you keep your body hydrated when traveling.
• In order to avoid ear trouble, try popping your ears some.  Start immediately when the cabin is closed.  To do this, make yourself yawn as big as you can.  Also, chewing gum isn’t a bad idea.
• To avoid or diminish jet lag, try going to sleep only after around 8-9pm (20-21) at your destination.  This will get you on track to adjust.