Deborah OConnor December 17, 2013

Let’s face it, travel is not much fun anymore. Overcrowding, flaring tempers, and unruly children all add to the problem. Put holiday into the mixand you have a perfect storm for disaster. Let’s take a look at somedo’s and don’ts to make holiday travel bearable.

• Before you leave home, make sure you have all travel documents, pictureidentification, passports, and itineraries ready to go and in aconvenient place. Pack all medications in your carry-on. No one wants to miss their flight because they have to go back for something important.
• If you are traveling with children, you may want to have snacks packed togive them on the plane. Make sure you have a bottle or a pacifier togive your baby during takeoff and landing, because the pressure in their ears is often painful. Try to be patient when babies cry, as theycannot help it. Also, do not change your baby’s diaper at your seat. Goto the bathroom and take care of it.
• Make sure you have extra food, water, and snacks with you. Some airlines donot serve anything on short flights, and turbulence can put a halt tofood and beverage service.
• Many airlines no longer provide blankets or pillows. Often, the plane can be very cold so be sure to have something warm with you.
• Be aware of the food and beverage cart. It is your responsibility to keepyour knees and feet in front of your seat. Many people have beenseriously injured because the cart smashes their kneecap or runs overtheir foot.
• Wear comfortable attire on the plane. Space is limited, seats are cramped, so it behooves you to dress comfortably.
• Print out your boarding passes before leaving home if possible, or beprepared to check in with your phone by downloading the appropriate APP.
• H
  ave your carry-on liquids in a quart bag in containers 4 ounces are less.You will have to take them out as you go through security, so havelaptops and liquids on top so that you have quick access to them.
• Be sure to bring your electronic devices if you will need them on theflight. Once you are airborne you can watch movies on your laptop orlisten to your ipod.
• Be early at the gate. Gate changes are common and you don’t know if yourgate has changed. Know your boarding status. Are you in the first group, group C, whatever it is be aware of it and be ready to board with yourgroup.
• Don’t leave luggage unattended. They really mean it when they sayunaccompanied luggage will be confiscated. It will definitely delay your flight.
• Take care of seat changes early to increase chances of sitting together.
• Stow luggage above your seat. If necessary, go a little forward. Take outthings you will need during the flight so that you don’t have to dragyour carry-on out during the flight
• Always put your armrest down to keep others from encroaching on your space.Armrest etiquette dictates that the two armrests in the middle belong to the middle seat. Perhaps you can negotiate sharing, but remember thatthey do belong to your middle seatmate.
• Before you buckle up, organize your light, air, book, reading devices, pillows, etc.
• Parents, please control your children. Remember, it is your responsibility tomake sure they are not irritating or bothering the people around you.
• If you have a foot odor problem, please do not take off your shoes indeference to your seatmates. If the situation persists, turn on your air vent.
• We all know what it feels like when someone slams their seat back ontoyour tray table, computer, etc. If you must put your seat back, becourteous and tell the person behind you that you are going to reclineyour seat. Try not to put it all the way back.
• If possible, time your trips to the restroom so as not to interfere withfood service. It’s really inconvenient for everyone to have to get outof their seats, hold their food, and leave their seat because someoneisn’t thinking ahead.
• If your seatmate is working, reading, sleeping or obviously does not want to be bothered, limit your conversation.

With a little foresight, common courtesy, and good common sense, holiday air travel can be enjoyable.

Please feel free to send questions to Deborah at: www.successfulimage.biz.
She will answer them in her weekly column.


Deborah O’Connor is a social strategist and founder and president of Successful Image LLC with offices in Columbia and Atlanta. She offers training and seminars on image management, workplace etiquette, and social skillsnecessary to succeed in life professionally and personally. Contactat:  [email protected]        www.successfulimage.biz