| Traveling can be a stressful event and | | | | As long as you arrive when the airport |
| airplane travel is tops on the list of the | | | | recommended, you will have plenty of time to |
| stressors that we experience on what is | | | | make it to the front of the line and get |
| supposed to be an exciting and fun event. A | | | | checked in. It may look impossible but it |
| few simple steps can remove most of the | | | | will happen so just relax and be patient. |
| stress of air travel. | | | | |
| | | | 9) Make sure that any "carry on" baggage |
| Things to do before travel day: | | | | really is carry on. Otherwise you may get |
| | | | stopped at the gate and have your bag taken |
| 1) Pack your bags. Make sure all your packing | | | | away to be stowed with the regular luggage. |
| is done at least the night before and that | | | | It will delay and stress you. And it will |
| you have all your bags in one central | | | | delay everyone else. |
| location for easy and complete loading into | | | | |
| your car or taxi. | | | | 10) When boarding the plane, find your seat |
| | | | and stow your carry on baggage quickly. And |
| 2) Have all your travel paperwork organized | | | | then sit down and stay out of the way. There |
| and in one central location. | | | | are lots of people trying to do the same |
| | | | thing and we've all encountered the folks who |
| 3) Make a checklist of all the things you | | | | block the aisle for a long time fussing about |
| want to check to secure your home before you | | | | something or other while a harried line of |
| leave and walk through your home checking off | | | | boarders is forced to wait. You don't want to |
| each item. Do this at least an hour before | | | | be one of those people. So just get your |
| you leave your house. Do this and you will | | | | business done quickly and efficiently and sit |
| never worry if you left your stove on or any | | | | down. You'll have plenty of time to get up |
| of the other little nagging worries you might | | | | once the plane is in the air. |
| have while on your travel. | | | | |
| | | | 11) If you have to change planes, it can be a |
| 4) Be sure your pets are taken care of. Make | | | | real challenge, especially in the larger |
| any kennel reservations well in advance of | | | | airports. If you know the gate you will have |
| your trip to be sure you have a reserved spot | | | | to go to, ask the flight attendant for advice |
| at a kennel you trust. | | | | to reach that gate quickly. In some airports |
| | | | - like Atlanta - a Delta connection can be a |
| 5) Call the AIRPORT and airline the day | | | | huge adventure taking 30 minutes to get from |
| before to see how early the recommend you | | | | one gate to another. If you know in advance |
| should arrive for a smooth, stress free check | | | | how you have to get to your next airplane, it |
| in. If they tell you to arrive three hours | | | | will be much less chaotic when you get off |
| early and you arrive just 30 minutes early, | | | | the first plane. And a much more relaxing |
| you will probably feel great stresses about | | | | walk (or run) to your next gate. |
| missing your flight. Also ask if there are | | | | |
| any parking restrictions you should be aware | | | | 12) When the plane lands, patiently wait your |
| of. Ever since 9/11, when we have a | | | | turn. Whether you push or just wait, you |
| heightened threat level there may be car | | | | usually won't get off the plane any quicker. |
| searches before you can park. | | | | People tend to let the folks in the rows |
| | | | before them get up and go in a pretty orderly |
| 6) If you are just taking carry on luggage, | | | | fashion. Trying to rush it will only get your |
| many airlines let you pre check in right on | | | | blood pressure up and will not be looked upon |
| the internet 24 hours before your flight. | | | | favorably by your fellow travelers. |
| That means that you can get and print out | | | | |
| boarding passes right from your home. And | | | | 13) If you just have carry on baggage, you |
| when you get to the airport, you can go right | | | | have successfully completed a pretty stress |
| to the gate and your boarding area without | | | | free flight. |
| getting into the long check in line. If you | | | | |
| have to check baggage, you will not have this | | | | 14) But if you have carry on luggage, there |
| option available to you. But if not, it is a | | | | is one more step - waiting for the luggage. |
| great time and stress saver. | | | | Just pick a place around the conveyor belt |
| | | | and wait. Expect your bag to be the very last |
| Travel day: | | | | one to come out and be pleasantly surprised |
| | | | when it comes out early. |
| 7) Leave home in plenty of time to anticipate | | | | |
| busy traffic or accident situations. If it is | | | | By following these simple steps, you will |
| an hour trip to get to the airport, you may | | | | find that your stress levels from your air |
| want to leave an extra half hour early just | | | | travels will be much less. A well planned |
| in case there are road problems. | | | | trip agenda ensures that those little stress |
| | | | points stay little stress points and don't |
| 8) If you are checking in bags, be prepared | | | | balloon into a full blown crisis. Try it any |
| to wait in line. If it is a busy time of day | | | | you will be amazed how just a small amount of |
| at the airport and you are traveling with a | | | | up front planning dramatically improves the |
| popular airline, there could be a significant | | | | enjoyment of your travel. |
| line. Don't worry about how long the line is. | | | | |