The world is a crazy place, but the airport is plum insane...unless you know what you're doing.  After having much travel experience under my belt even before becoming a flight attendant, I quickly learned the tricks of the trade of getting sanely through an airport.  I thought I would share them, and hopefully some people read this and take heed to it!

I.  Packing

What you need to pack with you on your flight depends on whether or not you are going to check some baggage.  It is very important, though, to make sure you have a day's worth of supplies on you to get you through in case of a delay or cancellation.  Here is what I usually carry on me:

1.  Hygiene kit
   a.  Remember you have the "3-1-1" rule.  Everything must be in containers of 3 ounces or smaller in a 1 quart plastic baggie.
   b.  In mine, I take a bottle of shampoo, a tube of toothpaste, toothbrush, a travel pack of baby wipes, and floss.

2.  Change of underwear/undershirt

3.  My Netbook - I highly suggest one of these...saves you a lot of room on packing compared to a conventional laptop.

4.  Travel Pillow - this I usually strap on the outside if I have a bag that has those straps.

5.  Snacks - these usually contain granola bars.  Airport food is expensive, so try and save some money this way.

6.  Digital Camera - you never know when you may need it!

7.  Any items I normally have on me (ring, belt, wallet, etc) I usually throw in my carry on.  You'll see why later.

Now, if you want to be awesome and have less of a hassle, learn how to pack in to a carry-on suitcase.  This just takes practice.  I am able to comfortably go about 2 weeks with one carry-on bag and a personal bag.

Remember too that you get your carry on (usually a rollerboard or smaller suitcase) and a "personal item" with most airlines.  A personal item can be a purse or computer bag.  Every airline has different regulations, so make sure to read up on them before you pack.  You'll get two bags for sure, though.

II.  Checking In

So much easier than you think it is

1.  A lot of airlines now have self check-in 24 hours prior to your flight, which makes less to do at the airport, so take advantage of that if you can.

2.  If you have no checked baggage (this is why I never check bags if I can), then you can go right up to a self service kiosk, hit in your confirmation number, choose no checked bags, print out your boarding pass, and be on your way.

3.  If you have checked bags, you can still check in at the self service kiosk, but then you'll have to wait in line to get your bags checked...and sometimes these lines are long!  Plus, airlines now are usually charging baggage fees for any additional checked bags, so make sure to read up on those so you aren't blind sided at the airport.

III.  Airport Security

Hooray, the most chaotic part of the airport!  It is your choice to be part of the chaos, though.  It can go through simply while keeping a few simple things in mind:

1.  Remember when I said pack everything you normally have on you in to your carry on?  If you haven't done so yet, then make sure you do it now.  The only two items you will need on you are your I.D. and boarding pass.  Put it all in your carry on!  Belt, buckle, money clip, coins, keys, wallet (know what that's from?)

2.  I pack my 3-1-1 hygiene bag with my laptop.  When you put your items in to the trays, your laptop needs to go in its own tray out of its case.  Your hygiene kit can go in to another tray along with anything else you have forgotten by this point.

3.  Your footware can slow you down at the security checkpoint too.  I like to go with flip flaps or, of course, loafs.  Something that will slide off and on.

4.  If you have done all this correctly, the most work you'll have to do when getting to the X-Ray machine is take your laptop and hygiene kit out and take your shoes off (and jacket if you are wearing one) and place them on the belt.  Simple.

5.  Remember to take your I.D. and Boarding pass with you.  Some airport security stations like to double check.

6.  There you go!  Now all you need to do is slip your footware back on, grab your hygiene kit, laptop, and carry on and get out of dodge!  I like to take my stuff a little in to the terminal so I'm not in anyone's way and re-fit in peace and quiet.

IV.  The Terminal

Where people go nuts and things cost more.

1.  This is the best place to be if you love to people watch.  Anger runs very rampant in airports, and it usually is over things the airlines can't control.

2.  You can always check to see if there is free internet if you have a laptop.  This is great in helping the time go by, or if things seem to be happening to your flight, you can look to make other plans, change hotels, or just look for more things to do when you get to your destination.

3.  One thing I believe you should always watch for when you get to your gate are upgrades to first class.  Upgrades at the gate are usually discounted hundreds of dollars and might be worth it.  For example, a first class seat upgrade from Boston to New York would cost $50 to upgrade at the gate, but not worth it because that flight is very short (unless you are fat, then the space would be great).  I was just at the Atlanta International Airport heading to Denver and there were first class upgrades available for $100 dollars...VERY worth it if you ask me.  That $100 on that 2 and a half hour flight would get you a hot meal, anything on your TV for free, much nicer seating with a lot more leg room, free headphones, and unlimited free alcohol!  You may have to be on the airline's frequent flyer program to take advantage of this.

4.  When I purchase a ticket, I always make sure to do my best to have an extra day built into traveling to and from my destination.  Why?  As most people know, the airlines tend to overbook flights, which may be an inconvenince for most, but a gold mine for some!  I have heard announcements for requests of passengers to leave on a flight that leaves an hour later and they would receive a $150 voucher for their next ticket!  I have made up to $400 dollars in one day, but I know of people that have cashed out up to $1,500 over a couple days!  The airlines will take care of you for your "inconvenice" as well - meal vouchers, hotel room, ground transportation, inflight coupons...they will definitely help you out if you help them!

V.  Boarding

This is where most experienced travelers usually get annoyed by newbies.  Boarding is simple, but it still takes some people forever to figure out how to put their stuff away and sit down.

1.  Before you go to get on the plane, make sure you take everything you need out of your bags for the flight.  BEFORE!!  BEFORE!!  This is the major cause of hold up in the boarding process...people will get on the plane and stand in the aisle fiddling through their bags.  Flight attendants will even make announcements to please scoot in to the seats so others can get bay, but that doesn't work for some reason.

2.  If you are flying on a smaller plane, you may need to "gate check" your carry on bag.  Smaller planes do not have the same bin sizes as the bigger ones.  When you gate check a bag, it is placed in the belly of the plane with the other luggage, but when you get to the next gate, it will be waiting planeside for you.  I've never seen or heard of a gate checked bag be missed, but if you want to have more of a warm and fuzzy feeling that you'll get it back, just ask the gate agent to put another tag on a different handle on your bag so only a blind person would miss it.

3.  Board by your zone.  I've been trying to figure out how the zones actually work, but I see people try to board out of zone all the time.

4.  If you are traveling with someone and your seats are not by each other, don't freak out.  First check with the Gate Agent to see if there is anyway she can move you two together.  If s/he aren't able to help, some people are willing to move so you can sit with your travel partner...especially if you can give them a seat they want, i.e. a window or aisle seat instead of the middle seat.  If you are not able to find anyone who will switch, just let a flight attendant know your situation and s/he will usually find someone on the plane that is willing to move for you.

5.  As you are boarding and walking to your seat, keep an eye on your seating area.  You may have to place your carry on in an overhead bin a few rows away from your seat.  Remember that all your items must be underneathe the seat in front of you or in to an overhead bin.  If you are at a bulkhead row (row with no seats in front of it), then all must go in to the overhead bins.  The seatback pockets are not designed to hold much weight, so don't cram a bunch of items in to them.

There you have it!!  Hopefully this will make your experience easier and much less of a hassle!

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