Since I assume lots of people are flying this time of year
Earplugs. Put them in as soon as you scan your boarding pass and are waiting in the jetway to get on the plane. Nothing that is said to you after that point will be important until you’re off the plane; and if it is, you can just take out one earplug and say “say again?” You can avoid most of the annoyance of in-flight announcements and advertisements, screaming babies, and jet engines.
Drugstores. Your destination probably has them. You don’t need to pack any toiletries that you can easily obtain in one. If you are flying to New York City, you do not need to bring toothpaste with you; they have toothpaste in New York City, and you can just buy it in the Duane Reade shop that’s a block from your hotel. They have toothpaste in San Juan and Paris too. In any tropical destination, they have sunscreen there — and the sunscreen they sell there is actually safe for the coral reefs.
Water bottles. Many major airports have stations for refilling water bottles after you clear security. You can take an empty water bottle, fill it up, and carry it on the airplane.
Masks. In the old days before COVID, nobody wore masks in airports, and lots of people got colds or flu when traveling. These days, you can wear a mask and people may think you’re weird but you are less likely to pick up random respiratory diseases. I regularly wear a standard 3M N95 mask in American airports and no longer get the sniffles every time I travel.
I disagree with the toiletries thing. It’s no panic if you forget them, but straight after a long haul flight, you want to refresh which includes brushing teeth.
If you’re flying somewhere hot, you want to apply sunscreen and get straight in the pool at your destination. It really makes it feel like the holiday is started,
The mask thing is not a joke. My cousin came to visit and the moron didn’t get the 2023 vaccination. Came over, and spend 80% of thanksgiving struggling with covid.
300 people in a crowded plane… Circulating the same air, what do you think was going to happen?
The air in an aircraft isn’t really circulated.
The engines constantly pump new air into the cabin, and at the back of the cabin there is a vent to the outside.
No matter how much experience you have as a pilot. You should always use checklists for routine operations and emergencies.
Checklists have proven time and time again to be incredibly effective.
For years, doctors refused to use them because it was an insult to their intelligence. But the results showed, and doctors still refused. Then insurance happened and surprise surprise, doctors now use checklists.
These are stellar tips.
I would add avoid alcohol before and during the flight and noise cancelling headphones.
Also, apply for GOES or the trusted travel program. Nexus for Canadians.
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs
I love traveling with my Nexus card. Never have to wait in line ever.
I do sometimes feels like I’m selling Nexus cards because it’s so amazing, I want everyone to have the same experience.
I once flew into Victoria BC, Canada. Airport is really small so they don’t have a dedicated Nexus line like they do for major airports. I walked up to the guard at the front of the line and asked, ‘where’s the Nexus line?’ and he said to the crowd of people waiting, ‘wait here. I’ll be right back’ and then told me to follow him. He lead me to the front of the line like some movie star or big shot and everyone was eyeballing me like wtf is this guy. They tell people to move back to make room for me, right before the scanners and I just slink my way to the front with all eyes on me. As the guard leaves, I said, ‘I have a Nexus card… $50 for 5 years, it’s totally worth it’.
Prior to having a Nexus, I once nearly missed a flight due to airport issues, not because I was late and the stress alone was worth $50 per flight, let alone $50 for 5 damn years. Even better? Americans pay $100 USD for 5 years and we only pay $50 CAD.
Seriously, apply for one.
If you don’t like flying, then the best thing I can recommend to relieve the stress is that when you get where you’re going, you take off your socks and shoes and then, on the carpet, you make fists with your toes.
Interesting, haven’t heard that before but I’ll keep it in mind :) thanks!
You will be in close quarters with a lot of people. People suck and will be inconsiderate fucks. Airlines are shit and have you by the balls in terms of delays and shitty service.
Go in with low expectations and don’t make yourself more miserable by getting upset about it
