An airport can be one of the most stressful places for travelers, novel and experienced alike. Even though I’ve had my fair share of airport struggles, I’ve learned how to travel smarter, so much so that I don’t mind airports at all. Well, aside from the inevitable germs…but I’ll touch* on how to mitigate potential contamination below. Where’re my germaphobes at?

I recently had one of the smoothest trips to the airport ever, so I wanted to share some tips for those privileged enough to experience air travel (it really is a privilege. One I’m very grateful for). But first, I’ll share some of my past airport faux pas. These include:

• Navigating a new airport without knowing how busy or large it is. I’d end up running to get in line at security, my face glistening with sweat beads and my heart pounding as I just make it to the gate, all because I didn’t carve out quite enough time.
• Traveling abroad to Europe and forgetting what I packed in my carry-on. I once had to dump an entire $45 bottle of jojoba oil that I needed (a small fortune for a young broke college student paying her own way). And when I returned to the U.S., I payed €150 because my checked bag was over the weight limit. Oi vey.
• Not packing snacks on multiple trips. I’m gluten-free, so eating on the go can be a struggle if I’m not prepared. Plus airline surcharges can be astronomical; I’d rather eat a snack I prepared so I know what ingredients are in it and can save some $.

Okay, now for the airport travel tips. It’s not an exhaustive list, but hopefully you’ll find some applicable golden nuggets for your next trip.

Here We Go: 

1. Know Your Airport

Upon arrival, I operated out of assuredness that I didn’t need to be there more than an hour before take-off because I know how short San Diego’s TSA lines typically are, and how effective security moves people through. I also had no bag to check, which saved additional time. Now, if I were flying out of LAX or another larger airport, I would buffer in another hour. Larger airports = more travelers = longer lines. Not rushing and huffing and booking it to my gate informs the remainder of my trip: calm and relaxed.

2. Packing To-Do’s

• Before you leave for the airport, measure your personal item or carry-on bag for peace of mind. It’s worth it.
• Pack as lightly as possible. If you don’t absolutely need to check a bag, don’t. It saves time both pre- and post-flight. It also mitigates potential lost luggage problems. And if your airline charges additional fees, not checking a bag will save you some cash. Backpacks are ideal. Here’s what I used: 

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I took the frame out of my backpack so it could be more malleable and I could squish it down to the appropriate “personal item” size. Avoiding overhead bin tetris is wonderful, especially on a packed flight. Plus, you can keep all of your snacks and entertainment right in front of you!

• It’s easy to run out of room while packing (by the way, I suggest the roll method for clothes; you can cram more in). Consider wearing some of the clothes you’ll need. For instance, I tied two light jackets around my waist and wore my baseball cap. I also opted to wear my blocky Reeboks, stowing my thin sandals in my bag.
• If you’re bring a laptop, carry it outside of your bag before you go through TSA. Otherwise you may find yourself scrambling to pull it out of your stuffed backpack, when you still have to put your other belongings on the conveyor belt and take off your shoes and hat and…it just makes the process smoother.
• For any type of lotion or liquid, put it in a ziploc. Cabin pressure is a thing.

3. Don’t Rush In

My seat was 30A, so why would I rush into line only to wait? You’re better off sitting comfortably in the lounge instead of standing in the cramped aisle as the Johnson Family struggle to Tetris-pack their oversized luggage into the overhead bin. But stay close and pay attention to boarding line: you don’t want to be the person who stops the flow of plane-borders because you’re late. Just be one of the last to board! One consideration: if you have more than a personal item (I didn’t this time) and need to use the overhead bin, you may have to put your luggage in a bin further from your seat. Weigh the pros and cons on this one.

4. Bring These With You

• Comfortable clothes. Your body will thank you. Makes it easier to navigate the airport and alleviates the long-term cramped sitting situation. Fortunately my go-to “fashion” is athleisure. Functional and looks good to me!
• Healthy snacks. As I mentioned in my faux pas, failing to do so makes the trip less pleasant. Trail mix, high-protein low-sugar bars, turkey sticks, veggies, etc. Stay simple and keep it handy. No one wants to feel trapped on a big mechanical vessel in the sky feeling hangry with low-energy.
• Hand sanitizer and/or sanitizer wipes. Airplanes typically have back-to-back trips, with no time for deep cleaning. Trash gets picked up, but that’s about it. (Unless you’re on a more high-end airline. But that’s not where I’m at in life!) So germs are a given. Keep clean while you enjoy your aforementioned packed snacks.
• An eye mask or sunglasses to catch some zzz’s. It’s especially helpful for day travel. Naps will keep you feeling great.
• Elevation got you down? Bring mint gum. Chewing helps your ears pop and mint settles the ol’ tummy.
• A water bottle — but make sure it’s empty before you get to security. Most airports now have water bottle stations near the gate, so you can fill up there. Hydration is always key.
• A book and/or writing materials. I wrote most of this on a plane.

5. Be Kind and Considerate

Thank your seatmates for getting up so you can get to your seat and keep your belongings on your side and don’t kick the seat in front of you. Straight-forward stuff. And if your seatmate initiates conversation, be open and chat with them (Unless they’re creeping you out or giving off a bad vibe or something. Of course you’re not obligated to talk). In my most recent encounter, I sat next to a middle-aged woman and her husband. Her first words to me went something like this: “Aww man, I was hoping we had the row to ourselves.” A little rude. But no harm, no foul. I responded in jest, “Sorry to disappoint you!” And then we proceeded to chat interspersedly, all the way up until we parted ways in the Cleveland airport. We talked about her grown children and their lives, how they’re returning from their first trip to California and what they did there, and jobs and housing investments, etc.

We’re not invested in each other’s lives, and in any other circumstance I don’t know that’d we’d ever speak, but airplanes are funny that way. They provide a way to connect with people we otherwise would never encounter, even if it’s in seemingly small ways. Sitting next to a stranger in close quarters for an extended period of time is a unique position to be in. It can either be an uncomfortable or pleasent experience, and that’s largely influenced by how you choose to respond. Stay kind.

Also, be respectful to the attendants. I can only imagine how many unappealing passengers they deal with on a regular cadence. Don’t be one of them.

Use these tips to have an elevated experience at the airport and on the plane! 

Travel well,

smb

*pun intended