Tips for an Easier Flight {especially the first few times}

I have been flying a lot this year and each experience is different. Some are smooth with no problems and others keep you hopping and guessing. Either way, it is a little stressful. Flying can be intimidating, especially your first few times. I get lots of questions about this so thought I would answer here.

I have written about preparing for mom to go on a trip with some tips before you leave home here.

Before you fly or travel, make sure you get some good rest and take care of yourself:

• Get plenty of sleep {this is one component that I usually don’t do well with and I feel it!}
• Keep yourself hydrated ~ before the trip, during the trip, after the trip…always!
• Eat healthy ~ avoid much sugar, soft drinks, junk food. Eat quality foods
• Take your supplements to build your immune system~ I concentrate on my essential oils, Sulfurzyme, Vitamins B & C, Mineral Essence and Ningxia Red before and during a trip.
• Try not to stress! Leaving your family can be hard, as well as traveling with your family. Try to enjoy it all and let the stress go.

 

Here are some tips that I have found to make it a little easier that I wish I would have known before I flew the first couple of times:

Make a list of all that you need to take. It is easy to overlook things in the midst of last minute packing.

Pack a couple days ahead so you can  see if you are missing anything and it will give you time to rearrange your things.

Check your airline’s guidelines for carry-ons, as well as TSA requirements.

You can take a personal item (purse, backpack, computer bag) plus a carry-on. You may be asked to check your carry-on at the gate if it is a smaller plane or if the flight is full. You will have to wait to pick that up as you exit the plane. Try to avoid having to check your carry-on if you have a tight connection, but sometimes you have no choice. Your carry-on will go overhead and the personal bag must fit under the seat in front of you. If you are in the first seats of First Class or Coach, then both bags must be stored overhead. You can get your personal bag out during the flight, but you must put it back before you land. Or they might send it on for your to your destination. Just ask.

In your carry-on, try to have all you will need for a couple of days in case your checked bag gets lost (change of clothes, underwear, makeup, toiletries, shoes, etc…) I have always done this…except one time. I am on a new eating plan for my health and my carry-on was my travel cooler for my prepared meals and snacks that I was going to store in the refrigerator in my room. My flight was delayed and I was bumped from my connecting flight. My luggage went to one airport and I went to another. So, I had nothing that I needed. My luggage arrived the next night. Lesson learned. I am keeping my needed things with me from now on.

I prefer not to check a bag, but if I have a longer trip or need extra essential oils and liquid supplements/homeopaths, then I do. If you do have to check a bag, I have found it is a good idea to put some of your clothing in a trash bag. Here is why: one of my trips it rained and my checked bag was soaked…everything was soaked. Thankfully it was on the return home flight. Since then, I have started putting clothing and things that could need protection from rain in a bag. Because what a pain to have your stuff soaking wet at the beginning of your trip and all you have is a hair dryer in the room.

Be sure to label your bag ~ have your info on the bag in a label holder, as well as inside your suitcase.

Plan to wear comfortable shoes for the long walk or run through the airport!

 

Packing:

For on the plane:

Take a light jacket or sweater. You may get cool in the airport or plane.

Have your phone charger/computer charger with you. There are places in the airport where you can charge them. I always like to keep a portable charger with me as well on the plane and for at events that I attend.

Bring your Kindle or some books… I love real books so I always have a couple with me.

I always keep my journal and a pen for ideas that I may get while flying.

Some people bring an inflatable neck pillow. I always forget to bring that for longer flights, but they look comfy! A light blanket, especially for a longer flight, can be nice.

Earplugs if you aren’t going to be using you earbuds and maybe an eye mask will help you sleep better.

Snacks are always good to have with you for while you are waiting or on the flight. You can’t take a water bottle through security, but you can purchase one before you get on the plane or most flights have a drink/snack service. Think healthy…fruit, cut up vegetables, granola, healthy energy bars, sandwiches…you may just want to pack something from home.

Ear-buds are nice so you can listen to music or watch a movie. Some planes are equipped with Wi-Fi (that you can pay for) so you can work, check Facebook or watch a movie.

Gum is great for taking off and landing to help with the pressure change.

Essential oils ~ I am never without these. I made a video to show you how to use one that is great for flying. My top choices are: Thieves, Peace & Calming, Valor, Stress Away, and Peppermint. I also like Thieves Lozenges for going through the airport and as I get on the flight. Ningxia Red packets and Nitro ~ keep my energy up. These are great nutrition, as well as a much needed boost when you have to run through the airport to catch another flight.

I also like to keep a small purse with me that I can carry through the airport, stuff in my personal bag, and then have to carry with me on my trip.

Your carry on can hold a lot! Shoes, outfits rolled up help with wrinkles and take up less space, pajamas, underwear, needed toiletries not in your 3-1-1 bag.

Liquids: You can carry liquid items in one quart size bag...3 ounces each or less… on the plane. I generally keep my essential oils there because I am never without them. Some people just keep them in their purse and have never had any issues. My oils are too important for me to risk them getting thrown away, so I always keep them in the quart bag. I have forgotten a couple in my purse one time and didn’t have any trouble, but you never know. Then when I am on the plane or while waiting, I put my oils in my nice little carrying case.

A way to save room on toiletries is to use contact cases if you are traveling alone! I tried this last time and it worked. I squeezed my Aromabright toothpaste into one case. My ART moisturizers went into another. Don’t forget to label them so you know what you are using!  I put my facial wash or coconut oil in a small trial size bottle. I really love my natural personal care products so I either put shampoo and conditioner in trial size bottles or dump out some travel bottles that I have and refill them.

Keep in mind that you can always use the travel sizes from the hotel, so it depends on how important the brand is to you that you use whether you take them with you or not.

So, in my clear quart bag, I have mostly my essential oils, Thieves hand sanitizer and spray, contact cases with moisturizers & toothpastes and whatever else will fit. I carry Thieves cleaner with me too (just add a little cleaner and fill it up with water in the hotel). I used to take a travel size Lysol and spray down areas in the room. Now I use my Thieves spray or cleaner, as well as have a small diffuser with me in my suitcase.

I always take too much. I always like to have things “just in case”. Because there might not be a store nearby or something like that, lol…I may have issues. So I always regret having too much to lug around and unpack, but never can quite figure out what to leave at home. But I have found that my “under packing” friends usually appreciate my over packing because I always have something they need.

It is always nice to have extra ziplock bags ~ large and small with you.

If you are flying with children, bring extra snacks and things to keep them occupied. Books, coloring books, your phone, iPad or a portable DVD player is good for that. Don’t forget that oils will help with calming them as well.

Don’t forget to bring any supplements or medication that you normally use with your on your trip.

 

At the airport:

Check your airports recommended time to arrive before your flight. I usually allow 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours. If you are fortunate enough to have a smaller airport, then you won’t need as much time.

You can check in online 24 hours before and print your ticket. I always like a printed copy in case my phone messes up. You will also get one if you have a checked bag or you can print one at a kiosk.

Tip: Download your airline’s phone app so you can keep up to date with your flight and any changes that may take place.

Before you get there, oil up!! My last flight, I did not apply my essential oils first and I noticed! No matter how smooth the process goes, it is still stressful trying to check your bag, go through security and get to your gate on time. I apply Peace & Calming, Stress Away, Valor and White Angelica before going.

If you have a checked bag, make sure you are not over the weight limit…check before you leave home…it is a pain to be unpacking and stuffing things or have to throw things away.

Go to your airline’s counter and check your bag. If you don’t have to check a bag and you have already checked in online, then you can go straight through security. Keep your luggage ticket with you. You will need it if your luggage is lost.

At security, have your ticket and license ready. The line moves fast and agents aren’t there to chat…they mean business and keep things moving.

As you go through, you will have to remove your shoes and jacket and place them in a bin, along with your quart bag, laptop, phone, anything in your pockets and bags and if you are wearing a belt.

I may be an oddball, but I always request a pat down. I say it is for health reasons that I choose not to walk through the machine. I say it politely and keep a smile. This usually takes me a little longer so I have to allow more time for the pat down and inspection and the obligatory speech about why the machine is perfectly safe.

Once you go through security and get all your things, head to your gate listed on your ticket or phone app. You may have quite a walk {or run}. Hopefully you will have time to catch your breath before boarding, have a chance to use the restroom and get a snack, eat something or apply some oils.

Most flights board 30 minutes before the flight, but some do 45 minutes before. You get to board according to your class or seating zone. I used to sit in the back of the plane for very illogical reasons, like in the event of a crash, lol…now I get as close to the front as I can. Especially if there are plane changes.

 

On the plane:

Once you get to your seat, place your carry on above you. You may have to look around your seat to find a spot. Your personal bag will go under the seat. I take this time to use some of my oils and get out my water, snacks, a book, earbuds and get situated. I wait to turn on my air vent to get fresh air circulating. I read that tip somewhere so it may or may not be accurate, but it seems logical. If your area seems especially nasty…I have been in seats that I wasn’t sure WHAT took place…then I really use my Thieves to sprinkle on my seat or just inhale. I have never been questioned about the “curious smells”. If anything, it opens the door for conversations about the essential oils.

Sit back, turn on some music, read or sleep!  Chew a piece of gum to help with air pressure and enjoy the flight.

Drink plenty of water during the flight.

If you have a longer flight, get up and stretch and walk a little. Do some lymphatic pumps with your feet to keep your lymphatic system functioning well.

If you have a connection to catch, be ready to move fast, especially if you don’t have much time of your first flight was delayed. Check the magazine in the seat pocket to find the layout of the airport so you know where to find your connecting flight. If you are using the mobile app, you should be able to find the gate information there.

If you do not have a connection to catch and the flight has been delayed, stay seated so others that are on a tight schedule can get out first.

If you have a question, ask the attendant. They are there to help you. Also, check the airline magazine in the seat pocket in front of you if you want to get a good view of the gates at the airport you are landing ~ especially if you have connecting flight.

 

At Your Destination:

You made it! Once you have landed, you will have a few minutes or a long wait until it is time to get off. You are supposed to leave your personal bag under the seat until you have parked.

They will let you know when you can turn on your phone again and start making calls or you can check your next flight.

When you park, everybody pops out of their seat and then gets their luggage out of the overhead bins before heading out the door.

Once out, look for the signs for Baggage Claim. It is usually a nice little walk to get there. You may have a little wait to before the luggage starts coming around and there are lots of people waiting to get their bags. Some people put something colorful on their bag to easily identify it. If your luggage is lost, go to your airline’s luggage center and file a claim before you leave the airport.

Outside the baggage claim will be taxis, shuttles and the place to be picked up and be on your way. You can always call ahead to get a shuttle lined up or a private car. Otherwise, there are plenty of taxis waiting.

I hope that your flight is smooth and your experience is better than you think!

What are your favorite tips to make flying easier?

 

You might enjoy:

Preparing for Mom to Go on a Trip

Flying with Essential Oils