Travel Tips 101
Maybe this is your first time travelling by plane, or perhaps you have travelled many times; whatever the case, some tips can always be helpful. Most of these I have either learned firsthand or by researching.
Things TO Do:If you are going to buy your ticket online, I suggest to buy it at least 21 days in advance . There are a lot of factors in price and timing, but if you buy it in advance you are more likely to get a better deal. The online world makes travelling easier on many levels. Most airlines/flights will offer E-ticket which takes away the need of receiving a paper ticket (which takes some time to arrive by mail). You can also check in online (if you don't have checked in baggage) and go right to the security gate. Arrive to the airport early . Most airlines say 45 minutes to two hours before the flight. If you check in online and/or don't have checked baggage you can go straight to the security gate, which would mean you need to be there at least 30 minutes before boarding time. If you arrive early and they know you are there you have better chances of not getting bumped if they have too many passengers. If they do not know you are there, they may give your seat to someone else. Two hours early is a good estimation. Reconfirm your flight 24 hours before the flight by calling the departing airline. I'm not sure that this is absolutely required but I have read online that it is requirement. The last time I travelled I did not reconfirm and had no problems, but better be safe than sorry.
Pack your bags neatly . It will make it easier for the TSA to check what is in your checked baggage and to do a thorough search (where they actually open up your luggage and look through everything) if necessary. This also makes it easier for carry on baggage as well.
Be courteous to the TSA when you are going through the security check. Take off your shoes, belts, heavy coats/jackets. Empty your change from your pockets. If you have a laptop take it out of its case. In some situations they may ask to look through your carry on after it goes through the machine. Its okay, let them.
If you need things like toothpaste, deodorant, mouthwash, purchase the small 3 ounce bottles and put them in a special plastic travel bag. You can find them at places like Wal-Mart for cheap.
Things NOT To Do:
Buy the ticket the night before, or day of. This is mainly for online booking. Although you may still be able to find a flight that works, it will probably be more expensive. You can book flights by phone easily, but they will be more expensive whether it is ahead of time or not because you won't get special online deals. If you search for cheap flights online there are many sites that will give you fair deals.
Don't make jokes around the TSA, they take things seriously even if you are just joking around. You may lose your seat, or be detained.
Don't take food or drinks on the plane. The flight attendant(s) will bring a cart around with drinks and snacks. On some flights you can even purchase alcohol. More flights charge for food and drinks now, but you are still able to purchase them on most flights.
Don't pack things that are illegal or dangerous. That is a pretty simple concept but some things you can't be sure whether they would be acceptable or not. TSA is the last say at what can make it through and if they don't think something is safe they will throw it out.
If you aren't sure if something is okay to pack either ask the airline/TSA or simply do not pack it.
