For quite a few people, flying can be a stressful
experience. Even folks who’ve been doing it for years
will tell you that. Not only do you need to be savvy passenger
that organizes everything in advance, you also need to be prepared for the unexpected. Some people even follow a strict schedule
in order to be one step ahead. However, this method isn’t always enough;
there are certain things we tend to forget. For example, are you aware of the things you
should never do before flying? (Like filing your taxes or robbing a bank? Just kidding. ) Well, for those of you who have no clue
what I’m talking about, here are a few pointers about what you should avoid. #1. Putting your documents in a small bag. Having your passport, plane ticket and some
cash in a small bag might seem like a practical idea. However, there are several issues with that. Let’s assume you already have a backpack
and a carry-on bag that you’re taking with you on the plane. If you also have a small pouch with all your
important documents, not only is it hard to keep an eye on them, it’s also very easy
to lose. Think of it this way: If you lose your backpack
at the airport, you have a good chance of finding it because it’s large. A smaller bag will be more difficult to spot,
and if an opportunistic thief spots it, it’ll be easy for them to hide. #2. Not checking-in online
We see the process of checking-in online as a minor obligation that we don’t want to
deal with…just yet. However, it’s more important than it seems. It’s no secret that most airlines overbook
their flights, and sometimes passengers are denied boarding. But, with the online check-in options, you
somehow guarantee your arrival at the airport for your flight. So, the sooner you do it, the better. Another reason why this little nuisance is
important is because you get to pick the seat you want, and you’re sometimes guaranteed
speedy boarding. Of course, we shouldn’t forget about the
minimalist travelers who like to pack light. When you only have a carry-on, there’s no
reason for you to go through the check-in desk. So, the online check-in will allow you to
go straight to the security check-point. It’s a win-win for everyone. #3. Paying for over-weight luggage
While we’re still on the subject of carry-on and luggage, let’s talk about your baggage
weight. It’s common for travelers to pack an overweight
bag and assume that they’re within the weight limits. But when they put their suitcase on the check-in
scale, they’re in for a big shock. Then, the dilemma begins: “To be, or not
to be” oh, sorry, not this one! “To pay or get rid of?” To avoid being in such an embarrassing situation;
you can always weigh your luggage at home, or you can restrict yourself from packing
some necessities that are already available at the airport. Let’s say you packed a bottle of shampoo,
shaving gel and deodorant. Depending on their size, they might weigh
up to 2.5 pounds. If you were to pay for that extra weight,
you’d be charged 3 times the amount it would cost to purchase new ones. So, save yourself the trouble, and start shopping. #4. Not looking up the seat plan
It might not seem very important for many people, but you don’t want to be stuck in
a confined space for several hours without even being able to stretch your legs. So, right before your long-awaited journey,
make sure you check some websites that show you the secret. For example, which seats have more leg room,
which ones are closer to the exits, which ones are away from smelly toilets, and which
ones are close to a power port. #5. Wrapping your suitcase
Many passengers cover their suitcases in plastic wrap to add one extra layer of protection. Either to stop baggage handlers from opening
it, or to protect it from scratches and general damage. But, not only is this method bad for the environment,
it’s also inconvenient for the passengers themselves. Let’s say you’re all ready to check in,
but you realize that your passport is in your tightly wrapped suitcase. Unfortunately, you have no other option but
to cut the plastic film off, get your documents, and get rid of it. It’s better to invest in a good quality
lock for security, or try a reusable cover that can keep your luggage nice and clean. #6. Going to the first security check-points
Right after passport control, the most stressful part of your journey begins, and that is:
the security check. Many people automatically go to the first
check-points that tend to be overcrowded. They stand waiting in line for ages, while
paradoxically, other checkpoints are empty. This can happen for a couple of reasons. The main one is that the last checkpoints
don’t have a queue, and passengers assume that they’re closed. Then, some other passengers prefer not to
walk all the way to the last point to go through the security, resulting in some delays. So, next time you’re at the airport, remember:
Don’t follow the crowd! #7. Keeping liquids in their carry-on
Since we’re still in the security check, (Yawn) Let’s not forget the strict rule
about carrying liquids on a plane. Every person and their grandmother knows that
you can’t bring more than 3 Fl oz in your carry on. The problem isn’t that people don’t remember
this law, but that they forget what they’ve packed. For example, things like perfumes, shampoos
and hair products, somehow manage to make it into the carry-on bags because they’re
too heavy for our suitcases. And security personnel tend to toss them away. Other times, people assume that they can transport
less than 3 Fl oz in a larger container, but that’s not allowed either. Since there’s no quick way to measure how
much liquid is in that container; security prefers to get rid of it. So, next time you travel, make sure you double
check the amount of liquids you’re taking, and place them in a transparent pack to speed-up
the process. And that’s where the next point comes in:
#8. Relaxing after going through security
Right after that daunting security check, you can treat yourself to some gifts from
duty free. Well, this is a problem – and I’m not
talking about consumerism. You see, most airports have ginormous duty
frees; in fact, some of them are so large, that even if you have two hours to spare,
you won’t be able to go through them. So that means losing track of time. Many flights get delayed because passengers
are still wandering around thinking they have plenty of time. #9. Trying unusual dishes
I know the feeling. Right when you’re about to start your new
journey, a voice in your head is telling you “hey, since I’m in the mood, why not be
adventurous with my food?”. Don’t listen to that voice yet. When trying a new cuisine or a new food, you
don’t know how your stomach will react to it, and doing that right before a flight is
a huge no-no. But it doesn’t end there. When you’re on a plane, you’re twice more
likely to develop indigestion. This happens because the air pressure in the
cabin falls lower than it is at sea levels, and the gas begins to expand. So, not only might you experience the discomforts
of indigestion, but also feeling bloated is inevitable. The good thing is, there are some foods that
can help you out with that. You can try potatoes, turmeric, or for all
you fruit-lovers, pineapple. #10. Forgetting about turbulence
Everyone responds to flying differently. For example, some people can’t tolerate
turbulence and it upsets their stomach. Not only that, they go through the whole flight
feeling dizzy, nauseated and unsettled. If you’re one of those people, don’t worry,
because there are a couple solutions for that. The best time for turbulence sensitive passengers
to fly is during the winter, in the morning or late at night. And if you’re wondering why turbulence has
the luxury to pick it’s time to shine, let’s get into some sciency stuff. Turbulence is caused by air parcels, or bubbles
of air. When it’s warm, these air parcels rise in
the air until they reach a height where the temperature is the same or cooler than the
air around them. While they rise, they create pockets of air,
which we all know as turbulence. So, in the morning before the sun shines,
and late in the evening, you’re less likely to experience it on a large scale. #11. Ditching the anti-bacterial wipes
I get it, not everyone is a germophobe. But the airport is one of the most infectious
places you can be in. Even the trays you use when going through
security check have more germs than a public toilet. So, having some anti-bacterial wipes and sanitizer
to protect yourself is literally life-saving. #12. Not thinking about jet lag
93% of flyers experience jet lag. So, the best way to avoid this is by adjusting
your watch, and maybe the time on your phone, to the time of your destination. You can also prevent it by sleeping on the
plane half-way through the flight and then staying awake for the rest of it. You should also remember to stay hydrated. And, if you want to take it one step further,
remember to snack on water rich fruits such as watermelons, celery, cucumbers and strawberries. What about you? Do you have any tips on what passengers should
remember right before their flight? Please let me know in the comments. If you learned something new today, then give
this video a like and share it with a friend. But – hey! – don’t fly anywhere just
yet! We have over 2,000 cool videos for you to
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video, click on it, and enjoy! Stay on the Bright Side of life!
