Trifter

If you are traveling internationally, you will almost certainly be using an airport. Here are some tips that will help you save time and reduce stress when navigating the terminals and gates on your way to Paradise.

• Know your transportation and parking arrangements beforehand. There are basically three options for airport transit. If you have a good friend or family member who is willing to take you to and from the airport, you will save a lot of money. On the other hand, you will be placing your vacation in the hands of someone who could run late or have engine problems. If your vacation will be a relatively short one, you may consider driving yourself and parking in the long-term lot of the airport. Long-term fees are usually around $3-5 per day. The third choice, a taxi, is usually the most expensive option. Whichever you choose, have the arrangements made at least a day before your departure date.
• Arrive early! This piece of advice is often repeated, but how early is appropriate? To determine how soon you should leave the house, take into account the travel time to reach the airport, 10-15 minutes to locate the drop-off area or parking lot, 20-40 minutes to check in your bags, 15-25 minutes to get through the security checkpoint and 10-15 minutes to locate your actual gate. In this example, if you lived 25 minutes from the airport you should leave the house about two hours before your departure time. Keep in mind that heavy traffic, automobile trouble and other factors could interfere, so pad the numbers as much as possible.
• Pack lightly. When traveling to an international destination, you will usually have more than one leg in your journey. You may have to receive your bags, check them back through Customs and then proceed to your next gate. As a general rule, try not to take more bags than you and your party can carry and run through a terminal with! This philosophy will also save you money by reducing bag-checking fees.
• Know your itinerary. Take a few minutes to have a look at your flight itinerary, paying special attention to the length of time between arrivals and departures. When possible, find out from the flight attendant which gate you will need to find once you land. Some flight legs are scheduled closely together, and a slight delay on one flight can make it necessary to move very quickly through the airport to catch the next one.
• Be flexible. Air travel is a game of “hurry up and wait.” You should be fully prepared to locate your gate quickly and then settle down for a long interval as the plane arrives and prepares for boarding. Bring reading material or some diversion to distract you while waiting. Beware of using ear buds, as this can cause you to miss important announcements. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, calmly check with the ground crew or customer service to see what comes next. Getting irate or stressed will not help! As long as the delay or cancellation is the fault of the airline, they will do all in their power to move you to your destination with the least amount of hassle. Be friendly and understanding, and listen carefully to the instructions.
• Be security friendly. Limit the amount of metal that you are wearing. Have your laptop computer out of its case. Empty your pockets into the bowl or container provided. Be prepared to have your bags checked manually. Be ready to remove belts and shoes. Check airport regulations beforehand and leave any suspect or banned items at home. Keep in mind that airport security is there to protect all passengers from harm. Help them to do their job efficiently.
• Be on hand for departure times. Be close to your gate at least fifteen minutes before the scheduled boarding time. If you are off shopping or in the restroom when your flight is called for boarding, this is considered to be your fault and it can result in rebooking fees and big delays.
• Do not drink before the flight! If you ever watch the television show Airline, you will see at least one passenger refused boarding per episode on account of drunken behavior. If the flight crew determines that you are too intoxicated to fly, they can ground you for eight hours. It is best to avoid alcoholic beverages in general.
• Have some cash handy. Some flights sell small amenities and alcoholic beverages in-flight. They almost always require exact change, so it is a good idea to have some fives and singles in your pocket in case you wish to buy a set of headphones or a beer. Cash is also handy in the airport itself when purchasing magazines and snacks.