Generic flying tips

[sam_gordon]

OK, I don't fly often but just got back from a business trip and wanted to give some tips (feel free to add your own).

If you have a black "generic" carryon, find some cheap colored electrical tape (dollar store) and wrap the handles. I had yellow tape on my handles which made it very distinctive since I had to gate check on all flights (small planes). We do this for our checked luggage too... you can see it well at baggage claim.

For those of you traveling w/GPSs... I borrowed one from a friend for this trip and just for the heck of it, turned it on on the last leg of my flight (when we were allowed to turn on electronic devices). It was pretty cool to see it registering 560mph! I could also zoom out far enough that I had a good map view of where we were. I know some planes include this in seat back, but not all of them.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

We always get the premade gift ribbons and tie around our luggage handle for easy identifing at baggage claim.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

For those of you traveling w/GPSs... I borrowed one from a friend for this trip and just for the heck of it, turned it on on the last leg of my flight (when we were allowed to turn on electronic devices).

Keep in mind all airlines do not allow GPS use:

http://gpsinformation.net/airgps/airgps.htm

 

[sam_gordon]

Keep in mind all airlines do not allow GPS use:

http://gpsinformation.net/airgps/airgps.htm

Didn't know that. I didn't ask. I just turned it on when they said you could use your electronics. I turned it off when they said to turn off electronics. I held it to the window until it found the satellites (didn't know if I needed to or not), then put it on the tray.

Still think it was cool.

I was on Delta, so that's an "allowed".

 

[Missytara]

On using yellow tape, believe or not, lots of people use yellow tape - it is available very cheaply in any hardware store and is used quite frequently in construction (and easily obtainable), especially in electrical work.

Next time, you go to the baggage carousel, check out how many people have black/dark navy bags that have used yellow tape.

I tend to use a more putrid and less desirable color such as "pink" or "lilac"; colors people find less desirable to use.

 

[pamjb]

I just started doing this with our checked bags for a cruise. I used lime green duct tape (my sons would not allow me to use pink). I made it so easy for us to find our luggage amongst the 1000 + bags that all looked alike.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

One of my pre-flight rituals is to empty my pockets of everything before I go through the security check point and remove everything that might set off the metal detector. Wallet, loose change, watch, belt, keys all go in a zippered compartment of my carry on. Seems obvious, right? But every time I fly, inevitably somebody in front of me will walk through the metal detector with a gigantic metal belt buckle, or walk through with a big keyring full of keys still in their pocket. I don't want to give them any reason to pull me out of line for a more "thorough" inspection...

On a completely different note, while on the plane, I've started using saline nasal mists like Ocean during the flight. I used to always get sick after a flight, but since I've started keeping my nasal passages moist with a saline spray, I've not picked up any cold bugs. I have no scientific proof, but the theory is that by periodically flushing out the nasal cavity with a saline mist, it washes away the germs before they have a chance to set up house in my sinuses. Plus it helps keep my nose and sinuses from getting all dry and stuffy during the flight.

 

[NJBILL]

Always check and monitor the weather at your destination. I use a great free site that shows flight delays and detailed travel weather. Great source of information in one place:

www.travelweather.weebly.com

 

[Inkmahm]

OK, I don't fly often but just got back from a business trip and wanted to give some tips (feel free to add your own).

If you have a black "generic" carryon, find some cheap colored electrical tape (dollar store) and wrap the handles. I had yellow tape on my handles which made it very distinctive since I had to gate check on all flights (small planes). We do this for our checked luggage too... you can see it well at baggage claim.

For those of you traveling w/GPSs... I borrowed one from a friend for this trip and just for the heck of it, turned it on on the last leg of my flight (when we were allowed to turn on electronic devices). It was pretty cool to see it registering 560mph! I could also zoom out far enough that I had a good map view of where we were. I know some planes include this in seat back, but not all of them.

I LOVE the GPS idea! We bring it in our carryon but never thought to turn it on. My DH is always looking out the window and trying to figue out where we are based on any landmark he can identify. We'll turn on the GPS on our next trip!

We also mark our bags with luggage straps from WDW or Alaska. Makes them really easy to spot and gives a little extra security if any of tha latches would open.

My travel tip would be to wear CROCS on travel days as it is so easy to take them off to get through security at the airports.

 

[Inkmahm]

Keep in mind all airlines do not allow GPS use:

http://gpsinformation.net/airgps/airgps.htm

Ah, crap. We try to fly Airtran as much as possible but we do end up on Northwest as our alternative. I guess I'll have to wait until a Northwest flight to try the GPS idea.

 

[1tufgt]

Yeah, we put wired patterned ribbon on our luggage to help identify them esaiser at baggage claim.

 

[Cynthiagayle01]

I was planning on wearing jeans and (new balance) sneakers to the airport. Is the metal button and zipper going to be a problem? We're going to be flying in November so I didn't really want to wear crocs, in case it is actually cold. This is our first time to fly I don't really want any problems.

Just 76 days till we're going to the World!

 

[maxiesmom]

I was planning on wearing jeans and (new balance) sneakers to the airport. Is the metal button and zipper going to be a problem? We're going to be flying in November so I didn't really want to wear crocs, in case it is actually cold. This is our first time to fly I don't really want any problems.

Just 76 days till we're going to the World!

Your clothes should be fine. If you wear a belt with your jeans you may want to take it off though. Keep in mind too that you have to remove your shoes and place them on the belt to be scanned. So you may want to make sure you can get your sneakers on and off fast.

Have fun flying for the first time!

 

[1tufgt]

Yeah shoes that are easy to get on and off are the best.

That brings up a question, I assume that kids with shoes have to go through the scanner also, correct?

 

[Inkmahm]

I was planning on wearing jeans and (new balance) sneakers to the airport. Is the metal button and zipper going to be a problem? We're going to be flying in November so I didn't really want to wear crocs, in case it is actually cold. This is our first time to fly I don't really want any problems.

Just 76 days till we're going to the World!

I"m coming from WI and I still wear CROCS on the plane, even in winter.

 

[Dis_Dreamin]

...That brings up a question, I assume that kids with shoes have to go through the scanner also, correct?

I think only the shoes will go through the scanner...the kids can walk through the security line. I couldn't resist.

If I recall correctly, last time we flew all shoes on kids and adults had to be put in bins that went through the x-ray machines.

 

[1tufgt]

LOL, I should of worded it better.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

Yeah shoes that are easy to get on and off are the best.

That brings up a question, I assume that kids with shoes have to go through the scanner also, correct?

Yup even toddlers shoes...ugh

I was planning on wearing jeans and (new balance) sneakers to the airport. Is the metal button and zipper going to be a problem? We're going to be flying in November so I didn't really want to wear crocs, in case it is actually cold. This is our first time to fly I don't really want any problems.

Just 76 days till we're going to the World!

I've never had a problem with my cloths, but what about some type of clog? Target has really cute fleece lined clogs for $15 I think

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

I've never had a problem with my cloths, but what about some type of clog? Target has really cute fleece lined clogs for $15 I think

Should be fine. The TSA doesn't really have any restrictions on footwear (other than gel insoles) because you'll have to remove them anyway and send them through the x-ray machine.

 

[NJFireman22]

After flying around the country many , many, many times,for my business the
absolute number #1 thing that passangers need to remember is:
THE TSA IS ALWAYS RIGHT! Dont try to argue, dont question, do as you are told, dont try to hide things in carry ons like water bottles.
By doing all this, it helps the rest of the flying public get thru the lines, quickly and with out delay.