Holiday Travel Made Sane

By Deborah O’Connor

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 mix and you have a perfect storm for disaster. Let’s take a look at some do’s and don’ts to make holiday travel bearable.

• Before you leave home, make sure you have all travel documents, picture identification, passports, and itineraries ready to go and in a convenient 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 to give them on the plane. Make sure you have a bottle or a pacifier to give your baby during takeoff and landing, because the pressure in their ears is often painful. Try to be patient when babies cry, as they cannot help it. Also, do not change your baby’s diaper at your seat. Go to the bathroom and take care of it.
• Make sure you have extra food, water, and snacks with you. Some airlines do not serve anything on short flights, and turbulence can put a halt to food 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 keep your knees and feet in front of your seat. Many people have been seriously injured because the cart smashes their kneecap or runs over their foot.
• Wear comfortable attire on the plane. Space is limited, seats are cramped, and it is very difficult to move around.
• Print out your boarding passes before leaving home if possible, or be prepared to check in with your phone by downloading the appropriate APP.
• Have your carry-on liquids in a quart bag in containers 4 ounces or less. You will have to take them out as you go through security, so have laptops 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 the flight. Once you are airborne you can watch movies on your laptop or tablet.
• Get to your gate as early as possible. There are often gate changes and running from one terminal to another can be disconcerting and you can miss your flight.
• Earlier is better: arrive early, check in, and have some down time at your gate.
• You can legally be bumped from your flight 15 minutes before departure. Travel is difficult enough, so leave yourself enough time to comfortably make your flight.
• Don’t leave luggage unattended. They really mean it and there could be serious consequences if you do.
• Stow luggage above your seat. Do not store your bags behind you unless absolutely necessary, because it will make deplaning more difficult. Take out things you will need so that you do not have to drag your 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 that they do belong to your middle seatmate.
• If you have a foot odor problem, please do not take off your shoes in deference 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 onto your tray table, computer, etc. If you must put your seat back, be courteous and tell the person behind you that you are going to recline your seat. Try not to put it all the way back.
• If possible, time your trips to the restroom so as not to interfere with food service. It’s really inconvenient for everyone to have to get out of their seats, hold their food, and leave their seat because someone isn’t thinking ahead.
• If your seatmate is working, reading, sleeping or obviously does not want to be bothered, limit your conversation.

Holiday travel can be enjoyable if you make the effort. Think of it as an adventure and a way to see loved ones at this special time of year.

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 skills necessary to succeed in life professionally and personally. Contact at:  [email protected]        www.successfulimage.biz