Airport Survival

I don't know anyone who thinks that flying is the best part of their trip. "Ooh, I get to waste time in an airport today!"

There are a few things that you can do to make your airport stay a little better than crappy.

Before you ever go to the airport, call the airline the day before to see if your flight is on schedule. It's easier to change things at home from the comfort of your couch (and without 300 other mad travelers fighting for time). Keep an eye on things like weather before-hand, because many airlines can re-route you through another city if given enough advance notice (and if it's weather-related, without a change fee.)

Arrive the required 2 hours ahead of time. Bleck, I know, it's a pain in the ass. But it will give you enough time to stand in line and check in, get through the security cattle lines, etc.

Pack light. I know, I know. Hey, I'm a woman, we want to pack the kitchen sink. But you have to lift those bags, drag them behind you through 4 terminals, etc. I've mentioned Space Bags before - life-savers that they are.

Bring a snack. All that fatty airport food is tempting (can you say Cinnabon?) But you'll feel better if you stick to a sandwich or a snack bar.

If you don't bring a snack, get food before you get on the plane. We all know that airplane food is right up there with slop, so if you get a bagel or sandwich or muffin before you get on the plane, you'll be enjoying meal time while everyone else is picking through their food with plastic forks.

Get one of those neck pillows, or bring your own small pillows. Don't use the ones on the airlines. Do you know how often they wash those drooly things? Not enough.

Bring toilet seat covers. Charmin sells them in travel size. Use them on the airplane and the airport. A good match with a small bottle of anti-bacterial wash. They make paper soap now, too. Just add water.

And with that, a happy Hump day to all of you.

Oh Bag, Where Art Thou?

I heard a fairly disturbing fact last week, that because of the restrictions on what you can bring on board a flight there are many more checked bags (duh, and thank you again, terrorists. I just hope that one day I can kick your as... I mean, return the favor.) Because there are an increased number of checked bags, the number of lost bags by the airlines is up 30 percent.

Since I've already been on two trips where my luggage didn't come on vacation with me, this number is startling. It also makes me want to bang my head against my wall. (The photo is of me hugging my bag after it arrived 2 days late in Venice, just before I was supposed to get on the train to go to Florence.)

However, I have developed, over time, some packing strategies to help counteract the stupidity by the airlines. It may not mean that your bag meets you at your destination, but it can get you through.

1. Your carry-on is your best friend.

• Let me introduce you to SPACE BAGS. These are the best travel invention since rollers on your suitcases. Stuff them full, roll them up to get the air out, and voila! You can get at least two outfits in the space of a half an outfit. I often use them for organization purposes as well. For example, I put all my swimsuits and swim accessories in one bag, so I can pack them while wet, if needed.


• Use all available space. I find that the insides of shoes make a good place to store underwear and socks.


• ALWAYS pack all your undies in your carry-on. Nothing is worse than being in Egypt without underwear. Trust me, I know. And ladies, make sure you pack some emergency "products" if you get my drift. European "products" are not like American "products." My friend found this out the hard way when her "aunt came to visit" while we were in Italy and our luggage was still on the runway.


• If you take medicine, make sure it goes with you at all times. Either put it in the carry-on or in your "personal item."


• You're going to need at least one, if not two outfits in your carry-on.

2. Use your partner like the mule they are.

• For checked bags, have your travel partner pack some of their things in your suitcase and pack some of your things in their suitcase and do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around. But seriously, if one bag gets lost, you have at least some items in your partner's bag.


• Use that "personal item" loophole. For example, the BF doesn't carry a purse (thank goodness) but he only takes his carry-on bag on the airplane. THIS time, I'm going to make him take a backpack. If he doesn't want to fill it, I will. :)

3. When your bag goes AWOL:

• First, go in the bathroom and have a good fit. Get it out of your system, cuz now you have to catch flies with honey.


• Report it at lost luggage. And be nice. Most major airlines will at least give you some supplies, like a t-shirt and a toothbrush. Get the process started to get your bag back sooner.


• When you get to your hotel, let the concierge/front desk know what happened. They can help you by calling the airlines while you at least try to enjoy your destination. They'll also be expecting the bag when it arrives and can bring it to your room.

The strategy that I'm still unsure about is to mail your checked bag to your destination. It's pricey (expect about $40 each way for each bag.) The benefit is that your bag actually arrives, and if it doesn't, it's insured. Plus, the ability to not have to drag several bags through a busy airport may be worth the price of admission. Not having to wait at the carousel might be the biggest bonus in my book for this. I haven't tried it yet, and not sure when I will. Think I can talk my frugal BF into trying it for our Vegas trip?