General Discussion

crazycatlady

(4,492 posts)

83. Things that make air travel easier for me

Thu May 4, 2017, 09:01 PM

May 2017

1) Weigh your bags at the stations provided at the airport. You will be hit with steep fees if checked bags exceed 50 lbs (I travel for months not days).

2) If the airline offers to gate-check your bag for free, I'm the first one to volunteer as tribute. I would have checked the thing if not for the fees I'm trying to avoid (when I travel on business, I'm allowed one checked bag, but again this is for months not days).

3) If you are staying in a hotel-- they have toiletries with the room. Using the hotel shampoo, etc saves you from having to pack the liquids in your carryon.

4) When all else fails, locate the bar nearest your terminal. Drink up.

(I don't have a printer, so all my boarding passes are printed at the airport).

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Useful Tips for Inexperienced (and experienced) Airline Passengers [View all] MineralMan May 2017 OP

I think I will stay home or take the train katmondoo May 2017 #1

Good. More room for me on the plane. Thanks! MineralMan May 2017 #3

Not leg room, I'm sure...I LOVE train travel angstlessk May 2017 #11

I don't have time for trains. MineralMan May 2017 #13

Get a sleeper and make the trip a short vacation! angstlessk May 2017 #16

I travel TO vacations. Traveling time is not vacation time for me. MineralMan May 2017 #18

I see why, they cared for you when you needed them... angstlessk May 2017 #22

I like to make "hungry eyes" at the TSA pat down clerks NightWatcher May 2017 #2

LOL! MineralMan May 2017 #4

Tweak your nipples while you're in line. NightWatcher May 2017 #9

Just leave my nipples out of this, if you don't mind.... MineralMan May 2017 #14

Useful! True Dough May 2017 #5

Exactly. Almost every problem I've ever had MineralMan May 2017 #7

Excellent advice. cwydro May 2017 #6

Ain't it the truth? MineralMan May 2017 #10

Most European airports SoCalNative May 2017 #8

That's why I said IF they have curbside checkin. MineralMan May 2017 #12

Me too. cwydro May 2017 #17

Yup. Leave your attitude at home or pack it in your MineralMan May 2017 #40

I have been flying to Japan since 1999 doing curb side check in with Delta and have never had a OregonBlue May 2017 #77

Do you have a connecting flight somewhere in the US? SoCalNative May 2017 #87

I'll have to think about that. Most of the time we fly direct to Narita. Once in a while it's a lot OregonBlue May 2017 #89

Jewelry jberryhill May 2017 #15

Yeah. I've never had my wedding ring set anything off. MineralMan May 2017 #20

Yeah, I typically take a cycling jacket jberryhill May 2017 #31

My son used to do the bike thing too... LeftInTX May 2017 #41

Cool luggage! MineralMan May 2017 #42

Pretty comprehensive list titaniumsalute May 2017 #19

All of that stuff goes into the pockets of my travel jacket. MineralMan May 2017 #21

That jacket is a good idea LeftInTX May 2017 #45

I have an old tan corduroy sports coat with lots of MineralMan May 2017 #47

Yeah I never travel with a jacket... titaniumsalute May 2017 #61

Several good ones... I'd really add.. hlthe2b May 2017 #23

Yep jberryhill May 2017 #37

I literally hate rolling carry-on luggage. MineralMan May 2017 #44

Bottom line... LESS (less weight, less size, less clutter) is More.. hlthe2b May 2017 #48

I'm not a big fan either zipplewrath May 2017 #55

I would like to add some things (for travelers with children). EllieBC May 2017 #24

Great suggestions. I don't have kids, so MineralMan May 2017 #46

Do they have benches for removing and replacing shoes? csziggy May 2017 #25

Rarely for removing them. Usually for putting them back on. MineralMan May 2017 #29

They have accomodations. LeftInTX May 2017 #35

Try shoes sans- laces..just slip them on and off. pangaia May 2017 #53

Good sandals jberryhill May 2017 #49

I have scar tissue from a third degree burn on the top of one foot csziggy May 2017 #73

Use the restroom before boarding the plane. BYO water if it is a short flight. LeftInTX May 2017 #26

All good ideas. I knew I wouldn't get them all in. Thanks. MineralMan May 2017 #30

and..if you can..get to an office and sign up for the Known Traveler Number... samnsara May 2017 #27

Sure. For frequent flyers, that's a great idea. MineralMan May 2017 #34

One thing regarding shoes - phylny May 2017 #28

If there's a damned emergency, I'll manage. MineralMan May 2017 #38

Glad to hear it. I like my plan for me because I don't know what will happen. nt phylny May 2017 #43

Absolutely... so stupid to wear anything you could not navigate in, if needed. hlthe2b May 2017 #50

I do all of that greymattermom May 2017 #32

We just had a gate change while waiting at the gate MineralMan May 2017 #36

Great advice! Raster May 2017 #33

Thanks! MineralMan May 2017 #39

Pack a change of underwear in your carry-on bag PA Democrat May 2017 #51

Yup. Always. If your checked luggage doesn't arrive, at least you can MineralMan May 2017 #54

I remember when flying was a pleasure. n/t rzemanfl May 2017 #52

You know, it still is for me. MineralMan May 2017 #56

You're more laid back than I am. rzemanfl May 2017 #62

I remember those days, too. 'Tain't like that any more. MineralMan May 2017 #64

Get FLIGHT AWARE !!! pangaia May 2017 #57

Yeah, I have that on my phone. I haven't found it all that useful, MineralMan May 2017 #58

I fly out of Rochester ny and also do a lot of international flying so pretty much must connect pangaia May 2017 #59

That's true. I remember one flight I had being cancelled. MineralMan May 2017 #63

Good plan. pangaia May 2017 #70

It has saved my bacon a few times too jberryhill May 2017 #74

I respectfully disagree with most of these tips oberliner May 2017 #60

To each his or her own, I suppose. MineralMan May 2017 #66

Fair enough oberliner May 2017 #69

Newark.. yeah, I used to go through there a lot.. mostly to China and Europe. pangaia May 2017 #86

Very Useful and well said Dem_4_Life May 2017 #65

Thanks to you, good traveler. MineralMan May 2017 #67

You missed steps #0 and #11b ... BYOB JoeStuckInOH May 2017 #68

I like your style, Joe! I may try this on my next flight to Florida! Nay May 2017 #76

Full disclosure... simply having the liquor is legal but drinking it can be a gray area. JoeStuckInOH May 2017 #85

Yeah, I figured it would be like this, thus the pouring of the liquor in the Nay May 2017 #88

Well done! treestar May 2017 #71

Sometimes super-efficiency backfires mainer May 2017 #72

Ah, one of those... jberryhill May 2017 #75

Great tips. I would add some pre-flight tips Rorey May 2017 #78

Seinfeld ruined the outside bag check. Croney May 2017 #79

#11 good call JDC May 2017 #80

Everything in this post is perfect. KatyMan May 2017 #81

Follow #10 most of all. ileus May 2017 #82

Things that make air travel easier for me crazycatlady May 2017 #83

And this is why I only fly when absolutely required. Tatiana May 2017 #84