Make Air Travel Easier and More Enjoyable

You can make your air travel planning and your flight easier, and avoid some of the most common air travel problems, if you follow some simple guidelines.

If you don't travel often, or you are confused by the plethora of new airline security regulations and guidelines, here are a few tips to help you plan a smooth and enjoyable trip.

When you book a flight using a discount website or a frequent flyer program, be sure you read and fully understand cancellation policies, black out dates, and flight change penalties.

If there is ANY possibility you may have to change a flight and incur a penalty, be sure you look into available flight insurance or insurance on your itinerary, just in case.

Talk to your air carrier or go on their website before you book your air travel plans and/or before you leave to be sure you fully understand baggage limitations for number of bags and total weight, and for carry on. This will save you a lot of headaches when you get to the airport.

Be sure you understand what you can and cannot pack in your bags and what you can and cannot carry on the airplane. Lighters, matches, scissors, sharp objects, among other things, may be confiscated. Pressurized cans and other items that may explode can also present a problem.

Even if you put these in your checked luggage, you will need to be prepared to have your bags searched. If you don't want someone rifling through your luggage, play it safe and don't pack these items. Buy toiletries and smaller items when you get to your destination if you must.

If you are traveling outside your home country, be sure you understand what you can take in and out of the country without penalty, duty or confiscation.

Understand what shots or inoculations you will need and be sure you have all necessary papers (birth certificates, passports, visas and copies of contact information for those who are waiting back home).

Unless you are flying across the ocean, or traveling first class, you rarely if ever get a meal on an airline anymore. With cost cutting measures, the first things to go were the fringe benefits.

Be sure you take snacks or food with you for longer flights, especially if you are traveling with a child or with someone who cannot go a long time without eating because of a health problem like diabetes or hypoglycemia.

If you are checking baggage, ALWAYS carry your most important items onboard with you (medication, toothbrush, razor, and something to wear to bed) in case you lose your checked luggage or you have to lay over in another city because of weather related delays.

Never agree to check or carry on a bag for someone else unless they are a friend or family member and you KNOW what is in the bag. You are expected to vouch for the luggage you bring onto the plane, and if there is anything illegal or dangerous in a bag, you could find yourself in a bind.

Make advance arrangements for any passenger who needs additional assistance (a wheel chair at the gate or transportation TO the gate from the terminal), and/or children who are traveling alone and need an escort, or those who may be traveling alone and might require medication or help during the flight.

Use eTickets if you have access to a computer. You won't have to wait for the tickets to arrive in the mail. You can also use automated notification for a computer or cell phone notice if your flight is changed or delayed.

Always bring your driver's license or a form of photo ID to the airport. You will not be able to board a flight without your ticket and ID and you will be required to show your ID when you check in and when you clear security to go to the gate.

Finally, you should NEVER make a joke or a reference to security issues or terrorist activities in or around an airport. Take this seriously or you could end up behind closed doors undergoing a rather unpleasant search and interrogation. And, NO joke is worth your missing your flight or being held as a suspect.

If you follow these simple tips and guidelines, your trip will be more enjoyable and you are less likely to have a problem with airline security or procedures.

Learn how to plan and execute a worry free flight. Visit our web site dedicated to airlines and air travel: Air Travel

Timothy Rea is an avid traveler who has countless experiences traveling. He shares all his airport and air travel experiences.Learn how to plan and execute a worry free flight. Visit our web site dedicated to airlines and air travel: http://www.airlinesacme.com/airlines/