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A Little Preparation ... - I find that a combination of several common tips goes a long way toward preventing flying problems, or at least making them more tolerable. I go with one carry-on, make sure it's a little smaller than the minimum size, bring my own food and drink onto the plane, bring at least one good book if not two, eat in the airport before the flight, and get to the airport a little early. I've never had to check a bag, and I've never had missing or damaged luggage. I've never been bored during flight delays. I've never been hungry or thirsty on flights. A little preparation goes a long way.
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Bring Your Own Headphones - Bring your own headphones for listening to movies and music, they work the same as the ones they sell on the plane for a ridiculous 'entertainment fee'.
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Get More Leg Room on the Plane - Being an everyday kinda guy ... I can't really afford to fly first class on my trips overseas -but do a bit of research and while cheking in ask for the WINDOW SEAT NEAR EMERGENCY EXIT ... You will get enormous leg room.
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Beware of Cheap Excursions - Although you may find the shore excursions cheaper through local sources compared to the cruise lines excursions desks, you may end up stranded - or at the least taken advantage of. The cruise lines check out the companies they contract with, and you are much safer using one recommended by the cruise line or a company your travel agent is familiar with.
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Automobile/Airline Adapters - There have been a few instances of airline power adapters not working with in-seat power sources. This can happen when an adapter is required to produce the fully rated 70 watts to fast charge the internal laptop battery but the in-seat power system is not designed to produce that much power. With an adapter efficiency of 90%, the 70-watt load tries to pull 78 watts from the in-seat power unit, and it safely shuts down. The safety circuits in the adapter also sense the overload and also safely shut down.
This can happen with any of the in-seat power systems that have current limited outputs of around 5 amps (Note that 5 amps at 15 volts = 75 watts). This can also happen with any brand of power adapter and with any laptop that draws up to 70 watts.
Many of the in-seat power systems were designed when laptops used between 54 and 60 watts. The need for higher power was not foreseen by the airlines.
Solutions:
- Turn off the laptop before plugging the adapter into the in-seat power system. Most laptops will draw less than 70 watts when only charging the battery. Allow the battery to charge for 15 to 20 minutes then try to operate while it continues to charge at a somewhat lower level.
- Remove the laptop battery before plugging the adapter into the in-seat power. The operating power of a laptop is far less than the combined operating and charging power. Note that without the internal battery any interruption in in-seat power will cause a loss of unsaved data.
13-Dec-2003 Tim - LaptopUSB.com ID204
Avoid Airport or Port Parking Charges - Don't pay for airport or port parking charges. Use an airport transfer service, which will take you and collect you from the airport etc. from outside the terminals, and can carry your party in one car/bus for a fraction of the price of taxis, trains, and buses. Find them local in your area in most directories or newspapers in the summer months.
13-Dec-2003 Vanessa Devey. Sunland Airport Transfers, UK ID1189
Avoid Cramps - Prior to long distance flying, I always have a workout in the gym. (Go for a long fast walk if you're older.) It keeps you form getting cramps.
1-Jan-2000 Jonathan Walpole ID1198
Avoid Stiff Muscles - Avoid stiff muscles by trying to keep them in motion. They can ache from being too still for too long at a time. Every 10 or 15 minutes, help your circulation and muscles by rotating your shoulders (backward and forward) and bending your neck to each side by lowering your ear to your shoulder (and repeating on the other side), as well as back and forth (chin to chest, then back). Also, get up and walk around once in a while to keep that blood flowing!
1-Jan-2000 Laura Methvin ID1186
Avoiding Ear Problems - Before the plane takes off, suck gummie bears or any type of sweet. This will lessen the effect of getting the pressure into your ear while the plane is taking off.
1-Jan-2000 Cherylene Liew ID1202
Backpack Essentials - For those travelling with backpacks, bring along several large orange garbage bags to protect the pack from luggage carousels and machinery; prior to checking your pack in, write in large letters across the garbage bag your itinerary and flight numbers, then slip it over the backpack and tie tightly. Your pack is now immune to the gnashing teeth of the luggage carousels, and you'll have no trouble identifying the pack on the carousel.
1-Jan-2000 Greg Mills ID1207
Backpack for Carry-On - I use a medium to large size leather backpack for my carry-on. It allows me to have both hands free for handling luggage, tickets, boarding pass, etc. After I check my luggage I can carry it by the handle. I alway pack magazines, newpapers, and a paperback for the flight and any unexpected delays. It is also a very good idea to pack sandwiches and snacks - you never know when you might need them. After reading the magazines and newspaper and eating your snack, you have room for souvenirs or fragile purchases on the return flight.
29-Apr-2001 Kyra Achee ID187
Baggage Care and Attention - When you claim your bag at the airport, check it over before you leave the bag claim area. Look for any new damage on the bag, and to be sure that it was not opened and something taken (airlines have time limits for when these can be reported, and they will need to see the damage before opening the claim for damage or pilferage). The baggage service desk for the airline is normally right in the claim area; this is also true for Customs arrivals. It is especially important to fill out the misplaced baggage information before leaving Customs, as Customs will have special forms that may help the baggage clear without your presence at the airport. If you have combination locks or keys for the baggage, these should be left with the paperwork for your baggage - as it will prevent delays in getting your bag or possible bag damage from Customs opening the bag.
21-Apr-2001 Tobi Harris ID36
Baggage Screening Can Ruin Film - Newer baggage screening may ruin film, so carry it with you in your pocket and lay it in the basket when you deposit your keys to go through the screener. And if you find this too hard, you may just need to buy it when you arrive.
18-Jul-2004 Noah Creany ID1683
Be an Early Bird - Whenever flying don't book yourself on the last flight of the day. If you miss your flight you will end up stuck in an airport or hotel for the rest of the night.
24-Apr-2002 Jess Darling ID500
Bring Your Own Headphones - Bring your own headphones for listening to movies and music, they work the same as the ones they sell on the plane for a ridiculous 'entertainment fee'.
30-Aug-2002 Michelle Fulton ID834
Budget Water Sense - Everybody says to drink lots of water when you're flying - the really annoying thing is that, at airports, water is sold in tiny little bottles at outrageous prices. If you take along your own large empty plastic coffee mug (the kind with a plastic cover and a hole for sipping), airport coffee shops will fill it to the top with ice water for free.
1-Jan-2000 Susannah Rutherglen ID1199
Pet insurance-Pet insurance from Virgin Money UK, insure your dog, insure your cat - cover from £4 a month.
Butter Too Cold - Place your frozen butter on top of the hot entree's aluminium foil to melt it before peeling off the foil. That way, you can spread it on your bread easily.
5-May-2003 Raymond ID1486
Chamomile for Jitters - Nervous passengers might consider taking a few chamomile tea bags for the journey. They are tiny, flat, lightweight, and a double stregnth brew acts as a natural sedative. Unlike various travel tablets avaliable, chamomile will enable you to relax without leaving you heavy headed and drooping all over your neighbour. Just ask the flight attendent for the hot water when tea and coffee is offered.
17-Nov-2002 Sharmah ID1383
Chapped Lips - BRING BLISTEX!! On the plane, this can be invaluable. If your flight is over 1 hour long, I strongly suggest you make this tiny tube of lip moisturizer a part of your carry-on bag. Almost nothing is worse than severe chapped lips in the very dry environment of the plane. Even if your lips are not chapped when you take off, the dry recycled air will do the job quickly! Blistex is tiny, and if you have dry elbows or heals, it can also be used as a skin moisturizer. It is shareable, as you can sqeeze it on to fingers instead of lips, and in very desperate situations, it can be put on the face in small amounts to get rid of that dry, tight feeling. I hope every one will heed this advice; as a veteran flyer, it is a small thing that can make a huge difference!
21-Apr-2001 Alice Rathek ID77
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