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