8 Tips on Dealing With Airports and Flights

Preparing for your flight these days means more than just making sure you have travel insurance and packing your suitcase. With increased airport security and measures, are you taking a long time to get past immigration from when you check-in? Why is it some people just seem to glide by and others don’t? Here are some real and interesting tips to make the process at the airport that much easier from someone who has done and does a lot of flying.

• Low profile. With increased security measures you might be surprised how much you are being monitored. Behavioural monitoring techniques are being taught to all airport staff from cleaners, through check-in staff and not just security and immigration personnel. This must be the number one thing to think about at the airport. Remember where ever you are in the airport, keeping relaxed and behaving casual is extremely important. Do not make jokes that could be taken wrong even by a toilet cleaning staff as this may draw unwanted and unnecessary attention to you. A fear of flying is a genuine concern for some people and as they may look nervous and agitated this can cause them a great deal of trouble. If you are one of these types of people even taking a mild sedative to calm you down so that you don’t get drawn into embarrassing and unwanted situations may be a practical solution. Dressing in either smart business attire if you are on business or comfortable casual clothing is just good sense for anyone on long flights. The more the norm you look, the less chance of trouble. Sometimes just going along with the ‘game,’ can save you hassle. Comb down that mo-hawk for the day.
• Check in early. This just makes good sense. There is nothing cool about having to wait in line or missing your flight. Time at airports will actually speed by and you can take your time to use free internet and other facilities. Get there early and beat the line-up. You will also get a better chance of selecting your seat. If online check in is available take advantage of that. Keep up-to-date with your flights with online alerts.
• Weigh and measure your bags. Standard weights and hand luggage sizes are readily available. It is well worth checking with a good digital scale the weight of your luggage. Carefully check or purchase hand sized luggage. A centimetre or half a kilogram could cause you unwanted trouble or cost.
• Laptops. Always carry your laptop in an easy to get at place. Storing in your check-in luggage is not an option unless you want it to go missing or broken. Don’t believe that your luggage will not be tampered with or will always end up where you are going. You will have to be getting it out regularly for scanning and so have it handy.
• Liquids and other objects. If any object looks anything like it could be used as a weapon even if it is harmless, don’t bother with it. If you have any liquid, gel or cream, the best thing to do is just not bother with it. There are prescribed amounts that can be carried in resealable plastic bags. Different airports have different rules despite what you may think. Use throw-away necessities where you are and go, where possible.
• Security check. Prepare for this by thinking about your clothing and what you are carrying. This is another reason why casual clothing is the best. Avoid belts and use slip on shoes. I wear clothing without anything that will trip-off detectors. Always wear freshly washed clothing, as some residual chemicals may trigger off electronic sniffing devices. Although they are for good purpose, under-body safety devices such as hidden passport wallets may cause your trouble with a pat down or the newly installed full-body external scanners, so think twice. It is a good idea to have a small bag that contains everything you need so that you can just scan this item without having to go through your pockets.
• Take advantage of memberships. Memberships aid your profile to anyone you must deal with at airports. Membership in some airlines may mean you can use faster business class check-in on an economy airfare. Do some research an minimise the time you deal with people and processes where possible.
• Update your passport. Newer passports with the central chip often means passing through immigration is not a person to person exercise. With a modern passport and boarding pass, you can often go through without meeting an official. A great way to avoid annoying questioning.
• Know your rights and obligations. Know what is required of you. No matter the case never get angry, it can be an immediate loss of your rights in an airport. Also know what airports and staff must do if they wish to interrogate you further. Allowing yourself to be subjected to an intrusive search without making the airport staff to follow strict legal requirements such as having to arrange a doctor and getting the legal approval which can take so much time they will choose not too, as they may not be allowed to risk you missing your flight, is a perfect example. Make sure you clearly know.
• Use electronics and internet tools where possible. This is just the best way to buy and prepare for your flight. Printouts come in standard formats easily understood, or saving copies in your smart-phone is a great way to reduce clutter. Keeping your documents and copies online is also an easy way to deal with the trouble of losing them. Using the internet to book is a great way to get deals on cheaper flights and cheap travel insurance because they are no more reliable if bought in person.

What do you think? How do you “manage” in airports?

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Tagged as: Airport, Airport security, Travel