Air Travel Tips

When you’re packing and choosing your clothes, it pays to think about security at the airport as well as what you’ll be doing on your trip.

You need to decide if you’re going to carry everything on or if you’ll be checking luggage. It will make a difference as to how you pack…. and how you pack can make a difference when you are trying to go through security lines at the airport.

If you will be traveling with carry-on only, then you need to prepare your one quart/one liter-sized, clear plastic zip-top bag. Have it ready ahead … read more

You’re finally on your way; you get to the airport, and OH NO…. you’re getting bumped. How did that happen? You have a reservation. How could they not have enough room for you? Well, now we’re into a whole new category of flight problem. Not getting on the flight you wanted.

The problem comes from the way airlines book their flights. They routinely overbook their flights. They do this because there is an amazingly large “no-show factor” even in this day and age of “non-refundable tickets”.

How much they overbook each flight is … read more

OK… Let’s address the security line. You’re packed and ready for your trip. You need to start planning your strategy for getting through those security lines.

The first trick is to remember to check in online if you can. In the U.S. and many countries, you can do this 24 hours to flight time. Hopefully you have or can get your seat assignments. If you’re traveling on a no-frills airline, by checking in early, you’ll get to board in an earlier boarding group and grab a better seat.

The other advantage if you … read more

If you’re a frequent flyer, you don’t need us to tell you about security and the TSA Self Selecting Lanes. You’ve probably already used one of those “Black Diamond Lanes” designed to get you through the TSA check point faster. According to the TSA, those lanes are working.

If you’re wondering what we’re talking about, you’re not a black diamond traveler…. and if you see color coded signs at the airport TSA checkpoints in the U.S., you should choose the blue square or the green circle. WHAT???

In the last year or so, the U.S. Transportation Security … read more

It may seem obvious, but when you’re traveling, you want to get there on time. So why do we need to discuss this? Because so many people don’t! When you’re planing your flights for your trip, there are several things to keep in mind so this doesn’t happen to you.

The tendency is to book flights to get you to the ship, or the tour, or the wedding just exactly when you need to be there. That’s really not the best option. In order to be sure you get there, it’s a better idea to plan … read more

Delayed flights can be a problem. Fortunately, the majority of time , you probably won’t experience this problem. Due to the publicity the airlines get, they try to get their flights to be on time as possible. However, unforeseen problems can occur and you should be prepared when your flight is delayed.

What will the airlines do for you if you have a delayed flight? It really depends on why it is delayed. If the flight problem is because of air-traffic delays due to congestion, most airlines won’t do much for you because they … read more

Cancelled airline flights are a bane for everyone. The worst thing about cancelled flights is that one cancelled flight will start a whole domino effect. Not only your flight is affected but for flights at down line airports all through the day. Planes end up in the wrong places with crews that can’t fly them because of time regulations.

So why do airline cancelled their flights?

Probably the most common reason a flight is cancelled is weather. Sometimes this is pretty obvious, like if you’re sitting in the middle of a snow storm, and … read more

Start shopping early if you’re booking a flight for any holidays…. or a wedding or a cruise. There have been capacity cuts on all the airlines these last couple of years, so there will be fewer seats for those holiday flights.

If you’re going on an impromptu trip, you can look and book at the last minute, but if you HAVE to be there for Christmas or Mother’s Day or a wedding or that cruise, booking a flight at least six weeks ahead is probably a good idea.

Internet booking gurus suggest the best time to shop for your flight … read more

There are security lines in almost all airports in the world these days.  If you want to get through those lines like the frequent flyers do, there are a few tricks that will make it easier for you and everyone around you.  Think ahead, so you’re not doing all of this just as you get to the head of the line.

• Empty your pockets of loose change.  Wallets and cell phones should go into one of those little bins they provide also.  Remember heavy watches, bracelets, and belt buckles can set of the alarm, so take those off, and stow them … read more