Flying the Friendly Skies Wisely

I travel a lot, but I certainly have sympathy for those who don't and who may not necessarily have TSA policies at the forefront of their brain.  However, savvy and less-savvy travelers alike hate that person in line at airport security who is surprised that she can't wear a parka and boots through or who is shocked he can't bring his 2-liter of Diet Coke with him.  I'm that person behind you with shoes/scarf/jacket off, sighing obviously, while holding my laptop and regulation-sized baggie of liquids.  Get it together!

Recently, I posted on how to pack for your travels.  Now, we're talking about how to be an efficient, stress-free, and smart traveler when flying to your destination of choice.

Checking In for a Flight
If your airline allows it, check in online before heading to the airport.  You can also pay for any checked baggage at that time.  If you're unable to check in before arrival, the self-service kiosk is your best bet.  The full-service desk with an attendant is the worst possible choice if you're in a hurry.

Checking Your Luggage...Or Not
Checking luggage is great for lots of reasons - no dragging anything around the airport, no fighting for overhead compartments, and much more.  However, there is some headache involved in checking luggage.  First, many airlines charge for checking baggage on domestic flights.  Often, there is no charge for international flights, but make sure to verify that ahead of time. Many airlines also have a 50 lb weight limit for checked bags.  There will often be an overage fee for bags over the limit.

The benefit to doing carry-on for all luggage is that you don't have to wait at the baggage carousel, there's no fee (usually, see Frontier's awful new policy), and there's little chance of losing your bags.  One of my favorite tricks for carry on luggage is to volunteer to check your bag at the gate before boarding.  Airlines will frequently do this for full flights.  It's almost always free!

TSA/Airport Security
The best advice possible for TSA is to PLAN AHEAD.  TSA takes forever to get through - always.  Whether it's confused people or slow staff, you'll always want to plan for far more time than you think you need to get through security.  Most of all, don't be a jerk.  When you get in line for security, take off your scarf/jacket/cardigan/shoes, get your laptop out, get your baggie of liquids out, and take off anything that will set off the metal detectors.  You'd think this would be common sense, but every airport visit shows it isn't. 

Click here for TSA's packing tips for making going through security easier.

In-Flight Comfort
When you get on the plane, take out your items you'll want during the flight when you sit down.  Even if everything you need is in the bag under the seat, it's still a pain to you and to your seat mates if you keep pulling the bag out to get things during the flight. 

More Advanced In-Flight Comfort
I just got back from Korea last night, so I've tested and fully validated your need for the following extra items for international travel (or if you're just a princess on domestic travel):

• a seat pad to relieve pressure on your tailbone
• a blanket - or a Snuggie if you're feeling particularly audacious
• an eye mask for sleeping or undisturbed daydreaming (like my panda one)
• socks
• eye drops to prevent dry eyes
• lip balm

Be smart, be prepared, and make the flight easy on yourself and others.  Happy travels to you all!

(Passport Image Credit)

How To Pack

I'm off to Korea for a week for the Osong Beauty and Cosmetics Expo this coming Saturday, so I've had packing and traveling on the brain.  It should come as no surprise that my mom is a champion packer, and that I've been channeling her expertise while getting my things together.  This post will tell you about some of my favorite tips and packing methods.

Packing List
First, no matter the length of the trip or the destination, you'll need a packing list.  This will help you (1) think of everything beforehand instead of while packing, (2) check off items so they are not forgotten, and (3) have a "packing out" checklist to ensure that everything you brought finds its way back home. Check your hotel(s)' amenities before completing your packing list.  For example, you may be able to leave your hairdryer at home or there may be a fabulous fitness center or a tennis court that you'll want your workout clothes for.  Here's a great pre-made packing list from Pinterest that can be a starting point for your own list.

Clothes 
For your clothes that require ironing, save yourself the trouble of ironing on vacation.  Iron the clothes beforehand and put them in cleaner's bags.  This will provide a shield for the clothes while they are traveling and also a slippery surface that will reduce the chances of your clothes wrinkling.

If you're going on a road trip, leave the cleaner's bags of clothes out of your luggage.  After filling your trunk, lay the clothes flat across the baggage. If you are flying, going by train, cruise ship, or whatever else, save those bags of clothes for the last stage of your packing.  Gently fold the bags of clothes and secure them across your other items in the bag.

For clothes that do not need ironing, like gym clothes, PJs, bathing suits, underwear, etc. or materials like denim, rayon, lyrca, and polyester, you should roll them before packing.  Rolling saves space and also, counter-intuitively, crunches the clothes up less than traditional folding.  Small items like socks, underwear, bras, tights, etc. should be made as small as possible and put into extra spaces found within other items, like shoes and purses.

Don't forget to pack an extra plastic bag or two for wet bathing suits, hair towels, or dirty laundry for the trip home.

Toiletries
Shampoos that strip your hair, conditioners that are pretty worthless - hotel toiletry quality is often the luck of the draw.  If you're looking for quality, but aren't necessarily wed to your everyday products, try luxury brand sample sizes, like from Birchbox or from some of your local beauty supply stores, so that you don't have to sacrifice great products for small sizes.  Go through your daily routine (morning and evening) to be sure you account for everything you'll need to get ready for the day and for bed.

Food
If you have special dietary needs that you are unsure will be met where you're traveling, pack some emergency snacks like Larabars, trail mix, or other items that will suit your needs without being perishable in your bags.

Using Space Wisely
The basic principle I use when packing is to use every single inch of space wisely.  This means phone charger, camera, and laptop charger in a purse; underwear and tights in shoes; anything TSA doesn't need to scan in my makeup bag or flat iron case.  USA Today published a good article on how to make to most of your space, TSA's policies, and amenities on the road.  Real Simple also had a helpful article for dealing with clothing-heavy packing.

In the end, don't stress too much about remembering everything.  Unless you're going on a safari or ice fishing in Antarctica, the place you're traveling to will likely have stores where you can get what you need.  Bon voyage!