Airplane travel is one of the safest modes of transportation available today. With security measures being at an all time high there should be little reason to avoid traveling by plane . Many seasoned travelers know the best airline to travel on, the best time to catch a flight, and which airport restaurant serves the best sandwich, if it is not possible to quiz a friend or co-worker about recommendations on traveling the following strategies according to Nancy Dunnant in her book Travel Smart will help the traveler experience a less hectic journey.
Flight Tips
Check around before booking a flight. Many airlines offer discounts especially to certain areas. It might even be beneficial to check with a travel agent to see if the destination is offered in a discount package.
It use to be that if the traveler made it to the airport early a great seat would be guaranteed but this is no longer the case since most airlines preassign seats when reservations are made. However if a seat is not to the traveler's liking it is possible to get it changed. The traveler should go back to the desk twenty-five minutes before flight time to see about changing seats. This is when the seats of all of the passengers who have not showed are reassigned.
When carrying a hanging bag on a plane to put in the overhead it is important to note that the bag can be picked up mistakenly or on purpose by other travelers. Put some type of identifier on the bag to make sure it is recognized.
A colored string or sticker will help the traveler spot the bag. A name tag isn’t enough.
Use the internet to check out statistics on different airlines. Many internet sites give different statistics that will show the best airline to book. This is also true for cruises, car rentals, and hotels. One good site is Plane Crashes and Event Rates By Airline Since 1970. With the current state of security being on high alert, most airlines take the safety of their passengers very seriously.
Airlines with high traffic, for example Los Angeles International, Washington Dulles, and New York’s JFK airport all have numerous security safeties in place. These procedures all take extra time and energy and should be viewed, not as annoyances but as a means to safeguard travel.
Airplane bathrooms are small and airless. They are also only allowed to be used during certain times. It is important if bladder issues are a problem to have safeguards in effect while in flight.
If a baby is going on the flight, with a parent or guardian, it is important to understand what will be needed to be close at hand. This is also true if children will be flying. Coloring books, snacks, and small toys can be packed in a large purse or shoulder bag. Wet wipes, hand sanitizers, and No Jet Lag Homeopathic Pills are good for grown-ups also.
Lost Baggage
One way to make sure luggage is not lost is to take fewer pieces of luggage but, since that is not always possible, a good practical tip is to make sure that a name, address and phone number is written on all pieces of luggage. The good news is that 95% of all luggage does arrive with the traveler, it is also important to insure bags for their actual value. If the contents are worth more than the $750.00 most insurance covers, then extra insurance should be purchased.
Travelers should not fly 12 hours after dental work. Changes in atmospheric pressure can cause swelling and sever pain. People who fly should always carry their medical history. A one page summary can be placed inside a passport. Blood type, allergies, prescriptions and any preexisting health conditions should be included.
Reasons Not to Drink on a Flight
One important tip when flying is to try and not eat the snacks provided on the flight. Nuts, soft drinks and alcohol can cause a swing from high to low blood sugar. An elevated or low blood sugar level can make a person feel tired, cramped, and/or headachy.
It is important to realize that alcohol has a bigger punch when flying. This is because body fluids in the pressurized dry cabin evaporate quicker. The pressure also makes the intestinal tract absorb the alcohol faster making the alcohol felt quicker. It is beneficial to drink four or five large glasses of water during the flight to keep form being dehydrated.
Alcohol has also been an issue when passengers overindulge and either are removed from the plane before an appointed destination or arrested upon arrival.
In this modern age of zooming from one destination to another there should be no reason why traveling by air should be feared. By knowing the strategies needed to get through security and a few helpful hints to keep up with luggage, an airplane flight can be the start of a joyous trip.
Brenda Gargus - Brenda Gargus has a Masters' degree in Psychology and an undergraduate degree in Education. She has taught for 29 years in a variety of ...
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