Normally during vacations and holidays you watch a huge series of stories on TV about people going to great lengths to travel by plane.
In many cases, travelers are frustrated and/or anxious about the situation they face.
These are usually your first business trips, vacations or family meetings, which end up completely frustrated, or at least postponed due to various situations.
Having traveled to over 50 countries, I have experienced my own share of delays, long lines and passenger meltdowns.
After events such as 9/11, pandemics, wars and terrorism, we have to remember the procedures and adjust to the new requirements.
On my last trip to the Balkan countries by bus, I saw a big change in baggage transportation procedures and costs.
To avoid or at least lessen these stressful situations and save time, here are some useful common sense tricks that all travelers should follow.
1. Do your homework.
Before heading to the airport, make sure you are familiar with the most up-to-date documentation requirements (passport, visa, vaccinations and health), first for the country you are departing from and then for the location you are traveling to.
Every country has boarding rules, but the time it takes to check in, (checking in online helps and reduce time) go through customs, etc. must also be considered.
The method and time to get to the airport is also essential, as this will affect your stress and affect the quality of your trip.
Nothing worse than arriving late and often missing your flight for not following the rules.
Make sure you research the entry rules of the country you are traveling to, following my blog will give you more information, but the most current ones will always be provided by the embassy of the destination country.
See here an overview provided by Guarulhos airport.
Checking my travel guides will give you the main rules.
NOTE: For the most up-to-date information, please consult the embassy of the country to be visited
2. Check the status and entry requirements a few days before flying.
Not just rules, entry into another country is conditioned.
Between strikes, weather situations, wars, I have seen conditions change very quickly.
I spent time in Egypt and Jordan, alongside the conflict between Israel and Hamas, a few days before the war broke out. The only reason I wasn’t in Israel was because of my choice not to go to places with conflict.
And many other situations show how quickly things can change, most often without warning.
Therefore, it is not efficient to review the country’s entry requirements just a few weeks before your trip.
It is imperative that you check again a couple of days before traveling.
See the conditions for Brazilians to travel to Italy, in my Italy guide.
3. Have a copy of your documents and tickets, reservation, etc.
Today, with the ease of having everything electronic such as tickets, boarding passes, hotel reservations, applications, everything on a cell phone, we are dependent on the device and internet access.
But on many occasions you will not have access to your cell phone, either in places that are prohibited from using it, when the battery simply runs out, you lose it or even it is stolen.
So having a printed copy of your documents is actually faster and safer.
I always keep documents, reservations, tickets, itinerary printed, as it serves as an alternative and can make it easier to search for information, especially when migrating from the destination country. Today, with the ease of having everything electronic like tickets, boarding pass, hotel reservations, applications, everything on the cell phone, we are dependent on the device and internet access.
But on many occasions you will not have access to your cell phone, either in places that are prohibited from using it, when the battery simply runs out, you lose it or even it is stolen.
So having a printed copy of your documents is actually faster and safer.
I always keep documents, reservations, tickets and itinerary printed, as it serves as an alternative and can make it easier to search for information, especially when migrating from the destination country.
4. Pack your bags wisely.
One of the biggest difficulties of traveling is how to pack your bags.
We always want to take everything, so as not to miss anything. Furthermore, today the cost of carrying suitcases is very high and there are many restrictions.
Furthermore, there is also the issue that you will have to carry them all the way.
Observe the rules of what can and cannot be in the lines both in hand and in those that are going to be sent.
There are many products that are prohibited, such as explosives, firearms, natural foods, etc.
5. Know your airline's carry-on baggage allowance and stick to it
Mainly due to costs and the fear of a suitcase being lost, many want to travel with hand luggage only.
This is where people tend to have the biggest problems. Often, someone buys a bag that meets the airline’s carry-on allowance, but overfills it.
If the suitcase becomes bloated, it will not fit into the size gauges and will inevitably have to be checked in.
As each company has its own rules, each plane has different luggage compartment dimensions, many passengers are caught by surprise.
Check the company’s policies and pack carefully and check your allowance to minimize stress.
It’s important to have a scale to be sure when you’re thinking about your luggage, as putting on clothes has one weight and equipment has another.
This avoids extra costs and reduces your frustration at the check-in counter and boarding gate.
Portable Digital Luggage Scale 50 kg, easy to weigh any product and only weighs 350 grams, which doesn’t get in the way of your luggage.
Follow my blog and I will give you tips on how to pack your bags.
6. Pre-order liquids to be collected at duty-free.
If you only travel with hand luggage and know that your shampoos and creams won’t last the trip, it’s worth booking at duty-free stores that offer delivery after you’ve cleared customs.
Just be careful not to buy more than you will spend, otherwise you won’t have a problem when you return.
If you are going to a place you know or have easy access to the product you use, you can also place an order for delivery to your hotel or simply go shopping when you arrive.
7. Dress comfortably for the trip.
Before, traveling by plane was elegant, but nowadays, in addition to being much more common, there are many safety rules.
In many airports you have to take off your belts, watch, shoes, etc.
So, having very elaborate clothes with strappy boots that take a long time to unbutton, clothes with lots of metallic accessories, will definitely get in the way and make it difficult to get through security.
When I travel I wear comfortable sneakers and layered clothing. This way, not only is it easy to put on and take off to make going through security quick and easy, but it is also comfortable depending on the temperature in the terminal, on board.
8. Be prepared to comply with security requirements.
Since you’ve already done your homework, you already know what you need to do to get through airport security.
The best thing is to anticipate and arrive at your turn with everything already ready.
- Take everything out of your pockets and leave them in your carry-on luggage.
- Take off your watch, belt, documents and leave them in your hand luggage.
- If you are taking a computer, remove it from your luggage and keep it in your hand.
- If you have liquids, leave them all in a “bag” inside your carry-on luggage.
When it’s your turn, take the trays and place them as follows.
Tray 1 – Computer, cables, battery and electronic equipment.
Tray 2 – Your carry-on luggage. If there is more than one, place one on each tray.
Tray 3 – Anything liquid.
Tray 4 – Shoes, belt, watch, blouses and whatever else you have.
Important: Pay attention to the agents’ instructions even before it is your turn.
As you normally do not speak the agent’s language, your observation will make it easier for you to follow the correct procedures, and this will make your passage easier.
Better to learn from other people’s mistakes.
9. Pack your bags knowing that there may be delays, cancellations or losses.
One of the most certain things about traveling by plane is that there will be a wait time.
The question is how long the wait will be, and you can’t estimate it, as the flight could be delayed, canceled, diverted to another airport, etc.
So, preparing to stay busy is essential to avoid greater stress.
I really like having a good book to read, also something to eat.
On my trip to Las Vegas, I had a stopover in Toronto.
My connection was a 4-hour wait, but after landing the airport closed due to bad weather and I only left after 15 hours of waiting.
On my trip to the Dolomites, Italy, my bags were lost and only arrived 10 days later. I can only survive, as I always have the essentials in my hand luggage.
10. Bring a portable charger and universal plug adapter.
Today we are very dependent on our electronic devices and our lives seem meaningless if we don’t have online.
When traveling, we use electronic tickets, GPS, and a variety of apps.
That’s why it’s essential to have a portable charger and, as each country may have its own type of socket, also have a universal adapter.
There’s nothing worse than the discomfort you feel when your phone’s battery runs low – especially when you rely on it to access all your tickets and certifications.
I use this portable charger because, in addition to charging several times, it has the option of being charged via solar energy.
I use this type of universal adapter, capable of connecting in any country in the world, including Brazil.
11. Organize your clothes into packages.
There are many luggage organizers, cubes, bags, etc.
I prefer waterproof bags, as in addition to being malleable and adapting to any suitcase, backpack, duffel, they also protect the contents of the unit.
As I also separate the clothes by use, it is very practical, as I only open what I need, so you don’t have to unpack and pack your suitcase every time.
In addition to compressing the content, helping to fit more things.
It is also easy to separate dirty clothes from clean ones.
12. Bring a travel pillow.
There’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination with a sore neck.
And we know that both on planes and in airport chairs are not at all comfortable or anatomical.
So, bringing a travel pillow will at least allow you to nap at the airport while you wait for your new flight time.
Also use the alarm clock on your cell phone, so you don’t miss your boarding time.
Here are the best, tried-and-true options you should consider investing in, from the best for neck support to the best for side sleepers.
See travel pillow bestsellers on Amazon.
13. Bring some simple headphones and one with noise canceling headphones.
On the plane it is inevitable to be disturbed by noisy children or people who don’t respect others.
Access to on-board entertainment also requires a headset. Taking yours lessens the use of a disposable. The planet thanks you.
But even more frustrating are airport delays surrounded by people who are eager to let everyone else at the airport know how angry they are.
I have good concentration and most of the time just listening to music or watching movies, with headphones on, I can stay calm.
But if you need it, the ideal is to have a noise-canceling headset.
Your sanity is worth the investment.
14. Don't forget your water bottle.
To avoid wasting money on multiple bottles of water at the airport (and at your destination), be sure to bring your water bottle when you travel.
It’s better for your wallet and the environment, don’t forget to have it empty when you go through security.
The best airports have filtered water fountains available (there’s usually a water station near the bathrooms), so you can fill up your bottle before boarding your flight.
My friend bottle is Nalgene, as it not only lasts a lifetime but is also very functional.
For trips I also have my water purifier kit, which you can see here.
On my last trip through the Balkan countries I saved US 180.00 and 220 1 liter plastic bottles, in addition to having ice cold water for the whole day in 30 degree heat.
15. Pre-book special assistance.
For passengers with disabilities, the elderly, or other passengers who require special assistance, it is important to check the airport website for information about facilities, services and accessibility options, and try to book assistance in advance to ensure help is available to you. you and your journey, and as smoothly as possible. The same applies to your airline – try to contact the airline you are flying with at least 48 hours before your flight.
Always plan for your ‘worst day’ when booking Special Assistance, and if you don’t need as much help as you expected when you arrive, simply let the supplier know on the day.
16. Think ahead when packing.
When traveling over the festive period, it’s easy to pack so many gifts and extra things into your luggage without thinking about it. But planning can avoid many problems.
Following some simple instructions can save you a lot of headaches.
1 – Do not put wrapped gifts in hand luggage. Security regulations require that all items in your carry-on luggage be easily inspected.
2 – Do not take food such as pies, Christmas puddings and even frozen turkeys.
Depending on where you go, you could lose everything. There will certainly be many problems with security, or with agricultural inspection bodies.
3 – Products that are industrially packaged have a greater chance of passing through, but avoid any type of meat, sausages, etc.
4 – If you are bringing something back, make sure you leave enough space in your luggage to safely bring all the gifts, which were within the product and weight restrictions, as per airline and customs regulations.
17. Be kind.
It can be difficult when we are stressed, but it makes the travel experience much more enjoyable when we are helpful and patient with our fellow travelers and with the people who are under immense pressure to get us away safely, comfortably and on time.
Also, try to be kind to yourself and don’t let a delay or small mistake ruin your overall experience.
Most of the time, delays and cancellations are the result of genuine safety and security concerns, so remember that the people working behind the scenes are dedicated to ensuring you have the best experience possible.
Especially during the security and customs process, and nothing will help you from being nervous and stressed, in reality it only harms you.
Bonus Strategy:
Even with all the actions, you can still face situations where you simply have nothing to do, you can face weather situations, strikes, airline bankruptcy, etc.
That’s why it’s always good to have a plan B, that is, if the initial trip isn’t possible or even if you’re already at your destination and can’t get back.
At the same time, for plan B you must have insurance that covers all possibilities such as cancellation, delays, lost luggage, etc.
Insurance may not solve the travel problem, but it will certainly reduce your financial loss.
I have been using WorldNomads for my adventure trips, as it has much more coverage than the national ones.
For city trips, I have used the assitcard.
