Flights that arrive on time make for boring television and terrible soundbites on twitter. Context is often missing from many statistics and stories I see about travel (i.e. are the delays/cancellations 50% or likely under 10% of all flights scheduled).  However, this summer context isn’t needed as it seems everyone is affected in some part of the journey.  There are staffing shortages, canceled/delayed flights, strikes in Europe, walkouts, pay disputes, piles of luggage and weather disruptions. During the pandemic, the travel and hospitality industry shed the majority of their staffs as travel plummeted by over 70% in some segments.  Hotels closed for months or went out of business altogether.  Staff found other jobs when they couldn’t wait to be recalled by the airlines, hotels or restaurants.  Airlines cut schedules, moved equipment (i.e. planes) out of service, furloughed pilots or early retired them when demand was so low.  But now, demand is at an all-time high as folks want (or in my case need) to get away on vacation. We are all also dealing with covid outbreaks and sick time for staffs. There’s also all the third party providers that service the airports and airlines that are having staffing shortages too.  This is all the more noticeable as we continue to increase the demand for travel as the supply plays catch up.  In short, this summer, travel is a cluster****.

So what can you do this summer to preserve your sanity and budget when traveling?  Here are a few of my travel tips.

Trip Planning Tips

• Do the research, prepare backup plans and be ready to pivot as needed.
• Outsource your travel stress to a travel agent – let them handle the research and deal with changes.
• Add all your reservations to TripIt or other itinerary management app
• Add travel vendor contact information (i.e. toll free numbers, international numbers, social media handles for twitter and Facebook and necessary emails) in your phone as well as your email “drafts” folder.
• Carry extra days of medicine in case of delays or disruption. This is especially true if on a cruise and you are quarantined on the ship and the trip is extended due to government/port restrictions.

Airline Flights Planning Tips

• Know how many flights per day from your airport to the destination are there?
  • Can you book the first flight of the day to avoid system delays later in the day?
  • What day is the busiest at the airport – can you avoid that?
  • If the flight is once a day or a few times a week, know there’s a bigger risk if canceled.
• Alternative airports.
  • Cruise Port Fort Lauderdale: What if your flight to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) is delayed/canceled and you have a cruise to board? See if you can fly to Miami (more frequent service) and take a cab to Fort Lauderdale.
  • East Coast? Philadelphia and Newark are easily reached by car or Amtrak so search both airport options.
• Can you take the train? In Europe, the longer train ride might be the same travel time as a shorter flight. US: East Coast and West Coast folks have Amtrak options.
• Can you drive? Gas, tolls, rental car or your car – the costs add up but might be better option if you are a good road tripper.

Airport Tips

• Visit the airport websites to familiarize yourself with the departure and arrival terminals as well as the services and food offered.  Are there pay for use lounges? What about breastfeeding pods?  Animal areas?
• Arrive 3 hours early at a minimum so you don’t miss your flight.
• Arrange car service to/from airport
• Book a parking spot at the airport or off airport parking facility. Don’t leave it last minute to find out there’s no space and now you are in search mode with less time to get to the airport.
• Pack your patience and don’t get mad at those who showed up to work. They are often doing the work of two or more people. The gate agent often knows after your travel app tells you of a delay.
• Pack a snack bag and bring magazines/book/power block for phone. No need to get hangry (hungry + angry) if plane is delayed on tarmac to/fro. Since the airlines already charge for snacks, save money and bring your own. Remember an empty water bottle to fill after security unless you like paying $5 for a bottle of water.
• Do you have access to an airport lounge? Should you buy a lounge day pass?

  

 

Airport Security Tips

• Know what’s allowed and banned. Read TSA FAQ or relevant country/airport security information before you go.
• Yes you can carry an empty water bottle to fill on the other side.  No you can’t carry a full water bottle.  Also Skippy peanut butter is a liquid as I learned years ago when confiscated on its way to my london friend.
• Pack all the items that need to be removed (i.e. liquids, medicines, sanitizer) in one place so you don’t hold up the line trying to open each and every pocket.
• Wear easy to remove shoes and if you are wearing sandals, bring socks to put on so you don’t walk barefoot through security (yuck!).
• Personal experience – I will beep even when wearing a sports bra, no shoes and yoga pants (nothing metal) and be told “its random”.  I get “randomly selected” a lot so your mileage may vary when it comes to secondary checks.

Airport at the Gate Tips

• Boarding often starts an hour prior to departure for international flights so be at the gate by the boarding time.
• Have your boarding pass (electronic or paper) and license/passport, if applicable, ready to show.
• Make note of your boarding group and please if you are group 7 don’t crowd the gate until your group is called. Boarding is so much nicer when we aren’t blocking the flow of people.
• Be prepared to check your carryon if the flight is full and your boarding group is toward the end. Remove all items you need (bring grocery reusable bag) and make sure your carry on has your contact information on it.

Airline Wants Volunteers to Bump

Tricky one – with flights full, the U.S. airlines are offering more money to have you fly later.  You might get offer via email in advance but more likely day of.

• You are entitled to CASH payment, don’t take voucher as they come with lots of terms/conditions.
• If you choose to volunteer, get offer in writing, get confirmed flight boarding pass in hand for same day. You’ve already planned out alternative flights so should know options before accepting offer. For example, if there are five flights after yours, chances are high you get a seat but if the next flight is in 12 hours, it’s riskier and what will you do for 12 hours in the airport? Will you leave and come back?
• Ask for lounge access (probably a no but worth a try).
• If next day, have airline pay for hotel and food. You can actually win in this scenario if you have time to spare on the way to the destination.

Flight Delay Tips

If weather, can’t do much there as I’ve had my share of weather delays including the infamous “but it’s sunny in Philadelphia why can’t we leave for Seattle”.

Checking the FAA website can be helpful to see what ground stops or delays the air traffic folks have put in place. For Seattle, the weather was in the middle of the country so west coast flights delayed for hours despite the sun in Philly.

If equipment related, you will either wait for the fix and all good or be moved to a new plane (easy fix).  If they need to cancel and rebook you, then be prepared for some discomfort along with the other hundred or so passengers while the lonely gate agent works their magic. If you have chocolate to share with them, please do so.

Flight Cancellation Tips

• Take two minutes to freak out, curse the world, yell at the universe, etc. then breathe and get in line or to work.
• Did you research alternative flights and times?
• Are you in line to rebook with airline at the gate while simultaneously reaching out to twitter team and calling – whichever solves problem wins! Much easier when you can ask “can I move to x flight at y time going to the destination or alternative z destination” Everyone likes it when they can be fed the information. 1^st choice not available, no worries, you have a 2^nd (and 3^rd) ready to go.
• Are you entitled to hotel provided food voucher and/or hotel room? Every airline differs so don’t depend on this
• What does your credit card travel insurance cover?
• If flying in EU, there are laws which state explicitly what is covered and compensation rules.  The “Passenger Rights” app is chock full of information.
• Where will you sleep tonight? Open up the “Hotel Tonight” app to find a room.

On the Plane Tips

• Again, know your seat number and use the overhead bin for your carryon and under seat for purse or snack bag.
• If you have the window, the shade is yours to control.
• If you have the middle seat, you get both arm rests.
• If you are on the aisle like me, be mindful of your legs and the beverage cart.
• If you want to recline your seat, please ask the person behind you first before you push back. You might pin my legs if I don’t move them sideways first, or spill someone’s coffee or affect their work on laptop if the table is down.  I’d say “don’t recline at all” as the few inches don’t make a huge difference but that’s an argument for another day.
• If you need the restroom and are not on the aisle, give a bit of notice especially if seat mates are working on laptops and need to close them and put the tray up.
• Wear a mask or don’t wear a mask – it’s your call. Don’t mock others for their choices. Note that on flights to/from Spain, masks are required.
• Use the restroom 30 minutes before arrival just because you can.

Other Travel Tips when Flying

Airport Arrival

Run like hell off the plane!  Ok, kidding because we all know it takes forever to get off the plane.  Front rows go first then other rows in sequence.  The flow is often blocked by those who can’t get their bags from overhead (if too heavy) or prefer to seat until their row is ready and then block aisle to get out of seats and open overhead for luggage. Your patience is definitely required if you are seated in rows 10 and above.

Navigating Immigration

This can be a quick e-gates at Heathrow situation or more than an hour at Madrid.  If you’ve been there before you know the routine, however, if new then be prepared to wait and have all documents, visas and QR codes required.  Suggest everyone visits the bathroom prior to immigration lines and bring water/snacks for the folks in your group that will need them.  If you are a US Citizen, consider Global Entry membership which also gives you US Pre-Check domestically.

Baggage Claim Tips

Your luggage likely isn’t there yet so no need to push at people.  Take a leisurely stroll, use the restroom, fill your water bottle and then go start the “wait and watch….is that my black luggage” exercise. Your bag won’t be the first off, it’s likely last just for kicks.  Using Apple Airtags can help you manage your bags and see when they are on and off the plane and in the terminal.

Taxi Queue at the Airport

If you booked a car service to meet you at the airport, look for the signs to find private car pickup.  If using a local taxi, you may encounter a wait depending on the airport (my wait in Madrid was nearly an hour in line despite a plethora of taxis available whereas JFK Terminal 7 arrival, no line so I could jump in the first of four cabs available).  After baggage claim, use the restroom and have water and a snack ready if you have a long wait outside.

Now that you are in a car or taxi to the destination, congratulate yourself for all the obstacles you had to clear to get here.  Let those stories and stress go and be ready to enjoy your vacation.

Enjoy the Vacation

 

 

This summer more than any travel season before you need to do your research and be prepared for disruptions.  The more prepared you are, the better the journey will be. Remember to pack your patience, thank those who showed up to work, share your chocolate/snacks and have a chat with a few new folks along the way. The only way to avoid all the travel stress is to stay home but we’ve done that the past two years and now its time to get back to discovering the world.  I hope the year round travel tips are helpful as you navigate the world again.