Before Your Next Flight

I am off galavanting in Chicago this week. As I look out at the little sailboats on the lake this morning, I am reminded of some of the things I saw on my flight here...particularly the guy next to me who kept clicking his seatbelt clasp...I couldn't tell if he was nervous or obsessive compulsive! Anyway, before your next flight, be sure to think of some of these lesser known tips.

In addition to bringing things to keep you busy and writing up a checklist before you head out that door (I start writing mine a week before I head out by putting everything I think I may need on paper, and then crossing things out that may be overkill). You end up with a nice list of things to take along.

• If you insist on wearing those fancy or clodhopper shoes, bring a pair of socks with you and put them in the outside of your carry-on bag. Well before your turn to go thru security, change into your socks and just move along.

• The TSA security guidelines are still in effect. You must put all your liquids into a 1 quart Ziploc bag and each container cannot be more than 3 oz in size. Put this in an outside pocket of your carry-on, and remove it before sending your stuff through the machine. You can't bring your almost squeezed out regular size of toothpaste...even if it only has a few ounces in it...the sizes have to state less than 3 oz. The last time I flew out of Washington Dulles, my carry-on had so many pockets, I forgot and THEY forgot about my bright red 10 oz container of hair gel...so I guess they still don't catch everything.

• Bring snacks in individual packets (or put in Ziploc bags yourself). I don't care what time of day you travel, air travel makes you hungry and those little peanut packs don't cut it. Don't bother with water or liquids, as you'll have to give those up at security. Either bring an empty water container and fill up at the water fountain, or bite the bullet and buy a bottle of water in the terminal.

• If someone disturbs you on the plane, it's okay to ask nicely to have them stop what they are doing. I've found most times, a fellow passenger will comply. If you just can't do it, go back and tell the flight attendant what the problem is. They are trained to handle this kind of thing. My seatmate did stop clicking his seatbelt after a firm request accompanied by a smile.

• Carry exact change. I had to get a Metro card from the machine...no real person around to be found...and if I had not had the exact change, I would've had to walk half a mile back to the airport to the change booth. You also don't want to wave around big bills so people see what a high roller you are.

• Keep those small bills in an outer front pocket. You don't want to be standing anywhere, whipping out your wallet...especially in a big city where people watch to see what is in there (yes, they use binoculars sometimes). They also look to see what pocket you return your billfold to, so they can discreetly get it out from under your nose later.

• When you get off the plane, we all know we want to use a "real" restroom. Don't go to the first restroom off the plane, especially if you're a woman. There's going to be a long line. Just walk on to the next one, and if there are not a dozen flights coming in at once, there will be no line to contend with.

• In that restroom, don't hang your purse on any hooks near the top of the stall. Thieves have gotten pretty good about the "grab and go" to get your stuff. Just put your bag in your lap. It takes a little practice but can be done.

Do you have any flying tips you'd like to share?