Author Archives: Travel Writer

In-Flight Sexual Assaults on Airlines

Sexual Assaults on Airplanes

Sexual Assaults on Airlines are on the Rise

Being sexually assaulted in-flight on an airplane is the last thing any traveler would think about. Yet sexual assaults in flight is a crime on the rise. The reporting of sexual assault in the sky has seen an increase in reporting over the last several years. The FBI has recently reported that sexual assaults on airlines have increased by 45% in 2016, over the prior year. Many of these sexual assaults on airlines have occurred on international flights which have caused some air carriers to take action.

Women are the majority of victims in these unique, in-flight crimes. However, children and young teens traveling alone, both girls and boys, have also been targets. Airlines are responding in various ways from training flight personnel to implementing special seating options for women. In January 2017, Air India rolled out “female-only” seating rows on certain flights.

Detective Kevin Coffey was recently interviewed on this subject in BottomLine Personal Magazine. The article “Sexual Assault On Airplanes Is On The Rise” the full Bottomline online article is here. Detective Coffey provides a series of tips and advice that women travelers, as well as parents sending children on flights alone, should read before their next flight.

Several major news publications have been alerting the public about these types of crimes.  In October 2016, the New York Times wrote about the subject in their article “Recent Incidents Put a New Focus on Sexual Assaults on Airplanes“.  Here’s another link to an article in the Huffington Post “Here’s How Airlines Really Handle Sexual Assault.” The media continues to cover the crime of sexual assaults on airplanes to heighten awareness of the crime and major airlines are now providing training to flight attendants on how to handle in-flight assaults.

Here’s What You Can Do to Stop In-Flight Assaults

Book an aisle seat if possible. You’re more visible to flight attendants and fellow passengers on the aisle, making it more difficult for a sexual predator to target you without being seen.

React loudly if you are groped. This typically stops the predator by ­attracting the attention of nearby passengers. Be sure to something like, “stop, touching me is not OK” that is better than just a scream and puts the predator on the defense.

As a passenger, you are in a controlled environment and you can influence what happens around you. No matter how friendly the passenger next to you is be mindful about what you share of your personal life. A detail such as a recent break-up or that you’re on a solo trip is information that someone may interpret as an invitation to be “friendly.” It’s best not to engage in too much personal talk.

If you want to politely end a conversation with someone sitting next to you say you’re tired and close your eyes and then when you “wake-up” catch up on work or reading by taking out a laptop or book. It’s OK to change your normal behavior to avoid any type of sexual assault while on an airline.

You could also put in earbuds which signal you are not interested in talking. Do this even if you’re not listening to anything. It signals you’re not available to talk. Noise-canceling headphones have the same effect plus offer the benefit of reducing the ambient noise in the aircraft cabin.

Many women are hesitant to verbalize a request to stop unwanted behavior. You should practice saying a couple of statements as suggested to become confident and comfortable saying them.

Ask the person to stop the intrusive behavior: “ I don’t like being touched, please take your hand off of my arm/leg.” If the unwanted behavior persists escalate the force of your request to a statement as, “ I really have to insist you stop touching my arm/leg.”

If the unwanted behavior still persists then calmly call for a flight attendant to intervene. Don’t be shy or embarrassed to stand up for yourself, remember you’ve given the person who is making you uncomfortable 2 chances to change his behavior with a couple of warnings, there is no need to be uncomfortable.

Another option is to repeat your command to stop touching you loudly so that others around you will hear and look at you. At this point, it is good to say “I just told you to keep your hands to yourself, stop touching me.” At this point, you can ask for a flight attendant or another passenger will have already called one. In most cases like this, the flight attendant will try to separate you so that you’re not sitting in the same row.

More Articles For YouStop in flight sexual assaults in airlines

Stop in flight sexual assaults on airlines

 

What is the difference between a travel medicine physician and a general practitioner?

While your regular doctor may have knowledge about what diseases you may encounter when you travel, healthcare professionals at travel clinics are specifically educated on the many various health problems you may encounter around the world. Travel clinics specialize in vaccinations for Meningitis, Polio, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever to name only a few plus medications for diarrhea, malaria, tuberculosis and more. The decision to vaccinate in some cases needs to be weighed versus the risks of the vaccination. That is where the value of a travel medicine doctor comes into play.

If you’re visiting somewhere tropical, subtropical or if you have any chronic health condition such as diabetes or kidney disease, a trip to a travel clinic could provide life-saving recommendations that your general practitioner may not be aware of. Beyond medical concerns, the clinic may also counsel on precautions regarding food, beverages, insect bites, and even pickpockets. They can also clarify which over the counter medicines to pack are best according to your destination.  Of course, all this good advice depends on the doctor and clinic you visit. Lastly, depending on your health insurance a trip to a travel medicine doctor is often covered.

To underscore the issue regarding the decision to vaccinate, here’s an enlighting article by Julian Klapowitz, MD illustrating how and why a doctor skilled in travel medicine could be a good health care partner to seek out when it comes to understanding recommended vs. required vaccinations.

_______________________________________________

Should Overseas Travelers Get a Yellow Fever Vaccination?
The Benefit vs. The Risk

Julian Klapowitz, MD

Internal Medicine and Travel Medicine

www.travelsurenyc.com

Professor Martin Gore, a leading UK cancer scientist, died on January 10th, reportedly as a result of a Yellow Fever vaccination he had received.

Unfortunately, all vaccinations may have life-threatening side effects. Severe allergic reactions/death can rarely occur after all shots. In our NYC travel vaccination clinic, we review these risks verbally and with VIS’s.

The issue with the Yellow Fever vaccine, in particular, is that:

  1. A) It can also cause severe neurologic and multi-organ side-effects (in addition to allergic reactions).
  2. B) The actual risk of getting yellow fever disease during travel is not always easy to determine and is sometimes not much higher than the risk of the vaccination.

The Disease: Yellow Fever is a potentially life-threatening mosquito-borne viral illness. An estimated 15% of people infected with Yellow Fever will develop severe illness and up to about half of those people die of complications. The vaccination is nearly 100% effective at protecting against the disease.

The Risk of Getting the Disease: Generally, in West Africa, 50 per 100,000 travelers having a 2-week stay will develop severe illness and, for South America, it is 5 per 100,000. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018). The risk varies significantly, though, with the specific location, length of trip, activities during the trip, and whether or not there is an outbreak of the disease.

The Risk of the Shot: The risk of the severe/life-threatening side effects from the vaccine is approximately 1.1 per 100,000 people vaccinated for age under 60 and 3.4 per 100,000 in ≥60 (Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, 2018).

So, if the risk of the disease is very low (for instance, traveling to a country in S. America for a few days where Yellow Fever is present at low levels), the risk of the vaccine is close to the risk of getting the disease, particularly if a traveler is older.

Other factors that need to be taken under consideration: a traveler’s health, what medications they take (immune suppressants), and whether or not the Yellow Fever vaccination is REQUIRED for the trip (as opposed to RECOMMENDED…I will address this subject in a later post).

Bottom line: The Yellow Fever shot, and all other vaccinations, carry risk. Thoroughly reviewing what is needed on your trip with a Travel Health Care Professional will not eliminate that risk, but it will help ensure you are getting only the shots you need. As with Yellow Fever, in particular, the decision to vaccinate for travel is not as simple as it may sometimes seem.

Doctor Klapowitz has more interesting and important information you can find here:

www.travelsurenyc.com

 

Travel insurance or trip insurance? Insurance is necessary for peace of mind for you and your family when you travel. We’ve tried to make understanding the difference between trip and travel insurance easy.

Insurance is your backpack plan if you encounter problems before or during your travels. Even the best thought-out plans may be interrupted by circumstances out of your control, think political unrest, global or personal financial troubles, health emergencies as well as natural disasters. So when planning your flights, hotels, or cruise be sure to put travel insurance on your planning check-list too. Insurance will help you recover expenses should you be forced to cancel or interrupt your trip. The bigger the trip (both financially and time-wise) the more you need to look into travel and trip insurance.

Travel Insurance — coverage for health-related issues you encounter while out of the country 

Travel medical insurance protects people. This type of insurance protects travelers from unforeseen health issues that may arise while they’re traveling abroad. This includes sickness, injuries, and accidents. Often these plans will cover medical treatment and emergency evacuation, accidental death repatriation, etc. Many companies will assist with finding a hospital via their customer help desk. One key aspect to understand is that you will usually have to pay for the medical costs and the insurance company will then reimburse you. Hint: call your credit card companies and ask for a limit increase before you go.

  • Medical
  • Accidents & Evacuation
  • 24/7 Worldwide Assistance

Medical

Check your health insurance before hitting the road. Many travelers assume that their health insurance will cover them for any medical service, but this is not the case. Many health plans today are based on in-network- only coverage. Does your plan only cover illness and accidents that occur domestically?

Accidents & Evacuation

There is no telling when an accident (physically or geographically) can occur.  With accidents and evacuation insurance, you can receive the quick medical attention you need in the event of a national or life-threatening emergency and evacuation back to your homeland.

Trip Insurance — protects you from financial loss due to trip related issues

Trip insurance protects purchases. This type of insurance usually protects travelers against financial losses due to unexpected situations that might include trip cancellation, interruption, or delay; missed flight connections; or lost baggage. Financial losses typically are transportation costs, hotel costs, etc. Get your trip insurance when you book your flight, don’t wait, if you have to cancel your trip then the money you’ve already paid will be covered according to the terms of the policy you select.

  • Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Damaged, Delayed or Lost Baggage
  • 24/7 Worldwide Assistance

Trip Cancellations

The most common type of travel insurance bought is trip cancellation insurance that can usually be bought for an additional price when booking your upcoming flight or cruise Travel insurance will either fully or partially reimburse you supposing your flight gets canceled or you have an emergency causing you to cancel your trip. Make sure you understand ahead of time how a policy defines a personal emergency.

Trip Interruption

Trip interruption coverage is similar to trip cancellation coverage. However, the policies offer travelers reimbursement of their pre-paid, non-refundable expenses when you unexpectedly need to cut your travels short.

Damaged, Delayed or Lost Baggage

There’s nothing more upsetting than starting off your trip with damaged, delayed or lost baggage. Unfortunately, it is quite a hassle to get together when such situation occurs, but insurance can reimburse you for your personal belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged as well as give you extra money to buy your necessities if your baggage is delayed.

Insurance Package Plans

Most insurance companies that provide travel plans offer different types of “Package Plans.” A package plan is created based on your possible outcomes based on your destination and preference. Package plans are perfect for families, friends traveling together, and groups because they bundle the two types together.

Bundled Coverage Typically Includes

  • Trip cancellations for specific reasons like accidents illnesses, injuries, job loss, military duty, natural disasters, and more.
  • Trip interruptions like delays that could include extra lodging and transportation.
  • Dental and medical expenses due to an accident or illness.
  • Emergency medical/political evacuation coverage in case you cannot obtain proper medical care in your location.
  • Coverage for lost, stolen, delayed and destroyed luggage.
  • Cancellations at any time.
  • Customer service help from a trained travel specialist.

24/7 Assistance

The majority of travel insurances provide their clients with 24/7 assistance in case of all types of emergency and needs.

They can assist you with:

  • Help with any language barriers
  • Lost baggage search and replacement assistance
  • Lost passport or travel documents assistance
  • Medical transportation to and from the hospital
  • Location of the best hospital near you
  • Transportation home
  • Identity Theft

Valuable Tip: Check with your home insurance, health insurance carrier and credit card company you used to purchase your flights, book your hotels, rental car or cruise with about what they cover before buying additional insurance. Doing this could save you money so you don’t buy duplicate coverage.

A couple of the most reputable travel insurance companies are:

Take matters into your hands before it’s too late! You can save a lot of money and time signing up for travel insurance.

 

US citizens travel to Europe ETIAS in 2021

 

Pickpocket proof clothing

 

Anti-Theft Classic Small Convertible Backpack

Anti-Theft Classic Small Convertible Backpack

Pickpocketing and RFID digital ID theft are two ongoing problems affecting tourists around the world. San Francisco shows an increase in the numbers of pickpocketing crimes. Meanwhile, one thief at Coachella allegedly pickpocketed more than 100 phones at the music festival. Thieves have even been caught on video pickpocketing victims, who fall asleep on public transportation or subways. The bottom line is you can be a victim anywhere there are crowds.

When traveling overseas, Independent.co.uk reports pickpocketing is a major issue in the crowded tourist locations of Barcelona, Rome, Prague, Madrid, Paris, Florence, Buenos Aires, Amsterdam, Athens, and Hanoi.

While being pickpocketed is a crisis when you discover your wallet has been stolen, most people don’t report pickpocketing to the local police because there’s nothing they can do to investigate for a lengthy period of time. Most people don’t even bother with filing a police report because it’s a lower priority crime. Instead, the victim cancels his or her credit cards immediately and hopes his or her identity doesn’t end up in the wrong hands. The thieves know this and continue to victimized tourists.

Now, digital identity thieves are using RFID scanners and skimmers in public places to steal your credit card information without you knowing until your identity has been stolen and the financial damage is done. It only takes a few seconds to steal your information with a digital scanner or skimmer held close to your body. Identity fraud hit a record number of Americans in 2016. While your credit card may provide limited protection from fraud, it’s a fact that debit card holders have even less protection against theft because a bank account can be depleted in minutes. Passports now contain all your personal information on a RFID chip, so they can transmit your personal information too. For peace of mind when you travel to popular destinations protect your RFID chipped cards and passport, and protect your identity.

Travel Tips to Prevent Pickpocketing

It’s always important to take precautions to protect your identity, especially when you travel. Here are tips that will help you safeguard your credit cards, wallet, and digital identity from pickpockets.

  1. Protect your passport, credit cards and identity with RFID blocking travel gear.
  2. Only carry zippered purses; better yet upgrade to a handbag with an anti-theft locking zipper.
  3. Limit the number of valuables in your handbag or backpack, dividing them up if you can.
  4. Do not put your wallet into your back pocket, also known as the “sucker pocket” to pickpockets and thieves.
  5. Limit yourself to carry only one credit card in your wallet.
  6. Limit yourself to carry only one ID card or driver’s license in your wallet or handbag.
  7. Limit the amount of cash you carry in your wallet or handbag.
  8. Copy or take photos of your credit cards and passport in case they’re stolen, so you can your cancel credit cards quickly.
  9. When getting cash, check the ATM machine for an illegal skimmer, best to use one found inside a bank.
  10. Hold your belongings in front of you in crowded tourist areas, this includes public transportation and even churches.
  11. Be aware of your surroundings or if someone is following you. Stop, step into a store, or turn around to confirm your suspicions.

Anti-Theft Travel Products to Prevent Pickpocketing or Digital ID Theft

There are also several products that help prevent you from becoming a victim of pickpocketing or ID theft while traveling.

Anti-Theft Hidden Money Travel Belt.Metal Free Travel Money Belt Prevent PickpocketingRFID Blocking Front Pocket Wallet.RFID Blocking Front Pocket Wallet Prevents Pickpocketing

Anti-Theft RFID Hidden Travel Wallet.

RFID Blocking Hidden Travel Pocket Prevents Pickpocketing

RFID Blocking Security Waistpack.anti theft waist pack with water bottle holderAnti-Theft RFID Blocking Wallet.

RFID Blocking Wallet Prevents Digital Theft

Anti-Theft Handbag with RFID Blocking Pockets, Locking Zippers, and Splash-Proof Straps, such as the Anti-Theft Signature 3-Compartment Cross Body Bag.Anti-Theft Signature 3 Compartment Cross Body Bag Prevents PickpocketingAnti-Theft Backpack with RFID Protection.

Anti-Theft Urban Backpack with RFID Protection Prevents Digital Theft

RFID Blocking Credit Card & Passport Sleeves.

RFID Blocking Credit Card & Passport Sleeves Prevents Digital Theft

Scanner Guard Cards protect your credit cards and driver’s license inside your wallet.

RFID Blocking Scanner Guard Cards Prevents Digital Theft

Sign Up for Newsletter

Everyone loves a flight upgrade, especially when embarking on a long flight. While you won’t get to your destination any faster, the extra seat space, legroom, and food can make flying a much more pleasant experience.

Unfortunately for travelers the gate attendants no longer have the same discretionary power they used to, and upgrading a traveler to business or first class, especially on long flights, costs the airline money even though you might not think so.  The cost of business and first-class travel is actually higher than that of economy. The better food and drinks hit the bottom line while now in economy class food has become a revenue source as customers usually have to pay for a snack or meal.

Related: In-flight Essentials to Upgrade Your Flight

Several ways to get that flight upgrade to first or business class

1. Loyalty Flight Upgrade

Loyalty is the best way and our most suggested way to earn a flight upgrade. Many airlines offer complimentary upgrades to their loyal customers who travel often throughout the year. Points can also be accumulated through their credit card and partner rewards programs and which help their loyal customers earn miles. These miles can be used to purchase upgrades.

If a flight is undersold, airlines sometimes upgrade passengers who are enrolled in their rewards programs for free if they’ve accumulated the required mileage during that year.  If you haven’t yet, join the frequent flier programs for the airlines you fly on most.

2. Get an Airline Credit Card

Most airlines offer credit cards that reward you with points based on your purchases. Many also offer a bonus amount just for signing up for the card. Using this type of card helps you accumulate points that you can use for “free” upgrades to business or first class.

3. Pay for The Upgrade

When checking out directly on the airline’s website you will have the opportunity to upgrade to a premium coach seat or first class. You can also ask the gate agent before boarding what the upgrade cost would be. Ask your travel agent because they may have access to preferred seats that aren’t readily available on the airline’s website. 

4. Timing

Oversold flights are a great opportunity to score an upgrade. When a flight is oversold, often, gate agents will announce if anyone would like to give up their seat in exchange for another flight. This is the perfect opportunity to ask for an upgrade on your next flight in exchange for giving up your seat. Early morning or flights during peak times are ideal for this situation.

5. Ask for the Upgrade

Always be honest and if it’s a special occasion like a honeymoon, anniversary, or an emergency, arrive early and let the ticket agent and gate agents know if they can they will help to make y our trip more comfortable. Also, if you’ve been inconvenienced by the airline due to delayed or canceled flights, ask for an upgrade as compensation. Lastly, don’t demand an upgrade or be angry with the people who are there to help you.

6. Dress as if  You Always Fly First Class

As you know, first impressions count so put a little effort into your wardrobe choice if you think you’re going to ask for an upgrade  While you don’t have to wear a suit and tie or suit and heels, you should be dressed as smart casual, that means no torn jeans, dirty flip flops, tank shirts or yoga pants or message T-shirts. Dressing as if you belong in first class gives you an overall more appealing appearance.

7. Arrive Early at the Gate

If there is an empty seat in economy plus, business, or first class still available it may just go to the first one who asks for it. Remember to be courteous and nice to the agent while asking.

Lastly, fly prepared in case you can’t get that last-minute upgrade. Pack a couple of flight comfort items such as your own flight pillow or compact blanket to keep the chill off. A few creature comforts will make your time in economy or coach more pleasant.

More Articles You May Like

Avoid Jet Lag, Get an UpgradeHow to Sleep on a Plane

In Flight Essentials to Upgrade Your Flight (1)

Frequent flyer miles and travel rewards are worth money and just like money can be stolen. Protect your frequent flyer miles from hackers and theft from out of your account or wallet. Most of us just let them accumulate in our frequent flyer or mileage rewards accounts without much thought until it’s time for a flight upgrade, vacation, or redemption for merchandise. Thieves think of loyalty points or frequent flier miles as currency and that is why they target mileage and loyalty accounts for theft because they are valuable. According to Comparitech, hackers have now started infiltrating frequent flyer accounts and are selling stolen reward miles on the dark web.

How Thieves Steal Frequent Flyer Points

Thieves just need access to your account to book flights or hotels with your points or to transfer the points out for cash, gift cards, or merchandise. So how do they get access to your online accounts? The answer is by phishing scams and password theft. Once they have your login credentials they are in your account and your valuable points are at risk. Your personal data is becoming increasingly easy for thieves to steal via data breaches as data breaches are occurring multiple times a day each and every day.

What Hackers Do with Stolen Frequent Flyer Miles

Your frequent flyer miles can actually be sold on the dark web for money. The dark web is a network of black market sites for the selling of personal data including various account information details, credit card numbers, and social security numbers. Typically, redeemed frequent flyer points are valued at one to two cents per point or mile. Consider that an account holding 100,000 miles is then worth between $1000 and $2000. Miles from popular airlines like Delta, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic were listed for sale from $1,000. For 100,000 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles, one dark web seller was asking for $884. Another listing offered 45,000 Delta SkyMiles for $884. So you can see frequent flyer miles are valuable to thieves and hackers. The purchaser can possibly transfer the miles to their account and they can definitely buy many different types of gift cards, which of course, can’t be traced.

How to Protect Your Miles From Hackers and Theft

Follow these actions to mitigate the risk of having your frequent flyer accounts hacked.

  1. Check your account balances regularly so you know how many points you have. Once a month is a good rule of thumb. if you notice any changes not authorized by you report them.
  2. Rip up or shred boarding passes immediately after your flight as they can have your account number plus your name printed on them.
  3. Use a strong and complex username and password, remember you’re guarding valuable points.
  4. If your login suddenly doesn’t work, contact the airline or credit card points, program administrator.
  5. Set up email auto alerts that are sent went points are withdrawn. Look under the “settings” tab to set up auto alerts or contact the site customer service team for advice on how to do so.
  6. Use a points manager program where you consolidate and track all your points and miles. A good one is Awardwallet.com as they will notify you of any withdrawals.
  7. Don’t use free public WiFi to access your frequent flier account.
  8. Don’t put your frequent flier account number on your bag tag.

More Articles You May Like

8 Things Not to Keep in you wallet, Ever! Protect Frequent flyer miles from hackers

The smart traveler should now allow for even more time to move through the TSA security screen process. The TSA now has rules for powders, along with liquids, as to how much you can have in your carry-on when you board a plane. If you have more than is allowed, you’ll be forced to throw it out.

New TSA Rules for Powders in Carry-On

The TSA now says that more than 12 ounces of powder will be subject to additional screening for reference that is approximately the size of a can of soda, for reference. Travelers will be asked to remove the packages containing powders from their carry-on bags. Powders may be dry shampoo, makeup powders, baby powder, protein powder, spices, laundry detergent, etc..  If the TSA officer cannot identify the substance, in TSA parlance, “effectively detect and resolve powders through test protocols- then you may be asked to put it in your checked luggage or throw it out. Your best bet is to place these items in your checked luggage so that you don’t have to throw them out at the TSA checkpoint.

The focus on powders is part of a global security initiative at airports worldwide. Airport security and procedures to better safeguard airplanes and passengers continue to evolve and will no doubt change as screening equipment improves and in response to the demand for faster and safer screening procedures.

The TSA’s new rule is in response to an attempted plot to blow up a passenger plane in Australia last July, said a TSA official, though powders have long been a concern as a way to smuggle improvised explosives, fentanyl, and pepper spray.  As of June 30th, the TSA is asking foreign airports with non-stop U.S. flights to implement similar security measures. The rule already applies to domestic flights.

Read the latest TSA regulations about what is allowed to carry on.

More Articles You May Like

Stop Theft of Frequent Flyer Miles

Will your State ID Fly, TSA powder rules for carry on

It’s exciting to plan a trip to somewhere you’ve never visited before. However, it can be also a little bit scary and overwhelming if you haven’t flown in a very long time. Times change and so do airports and TSA screening regulations. Read further for a few tips on how to negotiate the airport experience more calmly and easier. Here are ten useful tips that will guarantee you a smooth trip on your way to your next destination!

Preparing for Your Trip

  1. If you’re traveling alone, it’s ideal to pick the seat on the aisle. Sure it’s nice to be seated by the window, but you can skip that whole awkward getting up to go to the bathroom encounter with the passenger next to you if you’re already sitting on the aisle seat.
    Experts say the safest seating on-board is the exit aisle in the back of the airplane. It’s the farthest from impact and explosive fuel. (Just in case you were wondering.)
  2.  Airlines typically send out check-in reminders 24 hours before your flight departs. It’s important to confirm as soon as possible so that you may get priority in boarding or be put in one of the first passenger boarding groups. This will help to store your carry-on bag closer to your seat. The benefit here is you keep an eye on your belongings and it will be easier to grab your bag when you deplane.
  3. Before traveling email yourself your important bank and credit card contact information. In case you lose your wallet or have your items stolen, you have the bank contact numbers handy.
  4. Make a checklist ahead of time of all the items you need to pack in your carry-on and checked bag. Emphasis on the little things like a portable charger, earphones, and glasses, etc.  These are the convenience things you’ll use daily and don’t want to be without. (You’d be surprised how many people forget these small items at home.)
  5. Check the TSA website for regulations regarding what can be carried onboard in your carry-on bag. Do you know the 3-1-1 rule for liquids? And what about shoes and belts? You may have to remove them to go through screening so choose your travel wardrobe wisely like shoes you can slip off and on quickly, pack your lace-ups. So step one check the TSA website for the latest rules before you pack.

At the Airport

  1. Research your destination airport, especially if you’ve never been there. Airports like Dallas, LAX, or JFK can be confusing, and if you’re in a rush to get to a connecting flight, you might be able to get on a Skylink (bus or rail) to your next gate quicker.
  2. No matter what you do make sure you get to the airport at least one hour before your departure time for domestic flights. You never know what kind of delays (like long TSA lines) there could be, so it’s better to be early than late and miss your flight. Contact the airline for their recommendation on what time to arrive.
  3. If you are running late, don’t bother using a kiosk or seeing a check-in agent to get a boarding pass use your smartphone! Check your check-in emails for a scanner code. You can easily show your phone with the scan code and use it as a boarding pass. If you have an iPhone, you can save your boarding pass information into the Passbook/Wallet. If you have an Android, you can save your boarding pass as a photo.
    ***However it is highly recommended to always have a backup print out of all your travel documents and keep them together in a travel document organizer. What if you lose your phone, or have a dead battery?
  4. When putting your carry-on baggage on the x-ray belt, put your laptop last so that it comes out behind your other items, and with luck, about the same time you walk through the metal detector to pick it.  Better yet, have a travel companion clear security first then put your valuables on the belt, and they can keep an eye on your laptop until you have cleared security.
  5. If taking a connecting flight, alert the flight attendant. Long delays can occur in-between flights, and they will usually give passengers with connecting flights priority to get off the plane. This is especially valuable if your seat is towards the back of the plane.

Bonus Tip

*** Most airlines offer a wifi plan! You can research and buy credit before boarding the plane so that you may catch up on emails or entertain yourself during your flight!