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What do you do to make air travel easier?
My personal travel passion is Southeast Asia. But how do you manage the long flight, people frequently ask. For me, it's largely about state of mind. I think of a flight from the U.S. to Hong Kong, for instance, as two novels - mysteries or thrillers, nothing too serious - and two movies. Usually, the trip ends before I hit the end of the second novel. And I try to value the serenity of being in a place where no one can call or zap me with e-mail. Whether the flight is short or long, I bring along creature comforts. Bottled water is essential. Since few airlines offer meals anymore, I try to make sure I've got something to nibble on, or pick up a sandwich at the airport. Nothing worse than being stuck and hungry! On longer flights, I also bring along a blow-up pillow, extra sweater, and eye-mask. I may look goofy, but at least I usually get some sleep. One key element: choosing seats well in advance so I'm in an aisle. The worst thing for me is crawling over strangers to get to the restroom.
Since the events of 9/11, security has been heightened at every airport around the country, leading to longer lines at security. It seems that if you fly early, especially on Mondays, the lines are longer and tempers a little shorter. I have started to fly mid-morning if possible - 10-11 a.m. The long security lines are gone and you can usually check your bag, go through security, and get to your gate quicker and with less hassles. The people working the security lines are usually a little less stressed at that point also. I still try to get to the airport at least an hour and a half before departure, because you never know what might be waiting for you there. Anything I can do to alleviate the stress of standing in long lines and having to deal with a huge throng of people that early in the morning makes my trip that much easier.
I am a computer consultant who travels almost every week. Since 9/11 I have altered my routines somewhat to make my travel a little less stressful. 1) I get to the airport 1.5 hours before flight time to make sure I can get through security to board with time to spare. 2) I take advantage of Delta's web site (I fly Delta 98 percent of the time.) to check in from my home or office before I get to the airport. I never check luggage. 3) I note which airports have preferred security lines for Elite or Medallion flyers, and use them to save time. 4) I avoid the busy times in the airport when possible and negotiate with my clients alternative times to be on site. I fly out of Atlanta, which is a big time-saver for me. 5) Getting patted down stinks. Before I reach the metal detector, I always remove things such as cell phone, keys, and pens that set off the alarms. 6) I use my passport for ID and keep my e-ticket in it, which makes it easy to show when requested.
Patience is a virtue. This is not only a saying, but a rule of travel, too. For me, patience is my biggest ally in the frequent international travel that I must take. Because of all the new security procedures in place since September 11, 2001, we all forced to wait longer than what we'd really like. However, this cannot be controlled, so we must make every effort to accommodate ourselves to it. I'm sure we have all heard of recent news stories where impatient passengers have become angry and even violent. This is not the solution, but rather another way to aggravate an already tense situation. I have learned to accept these new hassles as a new way of life. While it bothers me to wait an extra few minutes in the security line, I understand that it is in the interest of all of us. The security personnel are there to protect us, so I have learned to modify my travel habits accordingly. Air travel has changed forever, and we must now live by the new rules. For me, patience is the best way to adapt to this new lifestyle.
Keeping oneself occupied is key in my travel experiences. While I can't do much to entertain myself during the check-in and security screen procedures, I do find ways to stay busy once inside the gate area. As an aviation enthusiast and owner of an online aviation video channel, I'm always willing to walk around and observe the hustle and bustle of the airport terminal, which, in my opinion, is a dynamic place to people-watch. Others who may not be so aviation-oriented might prefer to watch television or even have a sit-down meal, if time permits. Doing any of these things or even simply catching up on video channel work, as I often do on my laptop, makes that time pass by ever so quickly. Once aboard the aircraft, I continue in this mode of self-entertainment. Again, because my work involves aviation, I often find myself looking out the window and enjoying the view while the aircraft taxis out and takes off into the awaiting sky. However, I'm always well prepared to battle boredom en route with a couple of aids I bring along with me. One of these is my laptop, which I use to catch up on my work, and the others are magazines meant to keep me busy and informed. On the very long-haul trips I catch to the United States, I'll even bring along some sleeping pills to help me doze through the rest of the flight.
Preparation is the most important thing I do to make my air travel easier. Whether it's packing or security check-in, I'm always ready and prepared for what is to come. For example, I now pack from a security point of view. While shaving razors were not an issue before the terrorist attacks of 9 September 2001, I now realize that these items are not allowed in my carry-on luggage. When leaving for the airport, I plan ahead accordingly, especially if heavy auto traffic is expected. When arriving at the airport, I know exactly where the airline's ticket counter is and prepare my bags in advance for the check-in procedures. While many wait until the last minute to place the nametags on their luggage, I label mine even before leaving my home or hotel room. When going through the new, enhanced security-screening stations, I ready my identification and travel documents well in advance. Nothing bothers me more than to see passengers fumbling through their baggage for their paperwork right at the x-ray machine area. As I approach the gate areas, I occasionally check on my flight's status, and plan accordingly if any delays are reported. At my destination, my ground transportation is all prearranged. It is truly rare to find me running from one car rental counter to another, looking for the best price. Like all of my other planning details, I've known exactly what to expect.
The key to enjoying air travel or, if that is too ambitious a goal, making it easier is to do it a lot and have a lot of money (which I do not) or have it well supported by those who want you to travel. Then you can get the conveniences everyone should have but most do not. First, you can take a taxi or limo to the airport so you can be dropped off right at the terminal and don't have to find a parking space and transport yourself and luggage there. Similarly, on return you can just get into the car and be taken home. I have been using the same driver for over two decades; he knows where to get me and where to take me, and I can even fall asleep. He also drives other people who travel a lot and often can tell me nice gossip about them. By traveling a lot you can get an elite card so you get domestic upgrades and seldom have to stand in lines, both essential to easy air travel. And, for me, getting a drink is relaxing in the late afternoon, which is usually the time for one or both legs of the trip. Another important thing to arrange is to live near a hub airport, since then you can go almost anywhere you want to go without changing planes; avoiding changing planes and the associated delays should be a serious goal. A world club membership is helpful, too. Usually I want to work some on the trip, but I also often take mini-vacations. After intense activity with work and family and university activities and responsibilities, I find that a somewhat mindless activity with some refreshment and catching up on reading magazines or even a good adventure airport paperback is very relaxing, as is uninterrupted daydreaming. With a couple of mini-vacations a month, I don't need long vacations, which I find boring anyhow. On transoceanic flights I have learned to take the sleeping pill Ambien, which works well for me to get a few hours of sleep and wake fresh. Properly timed, it rotates my clock pretty well. Not talking with people sitting next to me on a plane is also relaxing. I did let down my guard and have one interesting conversation on a flight from Europe about 10 years ago. For those to whom flight time is also meditative time, it's necessary to develop a demeanor that lets the person in the next seat know talking is out. |
Jane Woolridge
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