10 Flying Tips

Here are 10 flying tips to make your flight more enjoyable and less frustrating. Whether you are on an all-day flight to Australia or going upstate, it's important to follow some important steps to make traveling a fun experience.

1. Pack sensibly. If you are not delayed at the gate, your flying experience will be much easier. Here's one of the more important flying tips: things that will delay you include bringing along any sharp objects (fingernail clippers and mustache scissors are often confiscated); simply bite the bullet, and buy $1 nail clippers in your destination city if they're a crucial part of your journey.
2. Purchase inexpensive three oz. bottles and storage containers from the store. These are readily available now due to consumer demand. Rather than paying extra money for travel-size editions of your favorite products, you can simply pour three oz. of each product into a three oz. container. Another flying tip: get enough for all of your essentials. If you carry a regular-sized tube of toothpaste on a flight, you're asking to have it confiscated.
3. Skip sleep the night before an early morning flight. Well, unless you are a deep sleeper who might drift off and miss your flight. If you have a long flight, you may sleep through the entire flight if you're really tired. When it comes to flying tips, this is preferable for many travelers who like to wake up in their destination city.
4. Bring along an airplane pillow. They're specially contoured to assist you in getting more comfortable in the uncomfortable space given to you on most mainstream flights. If you plan on sleeping or simply closing your eyes, this is an essential.
5. For another flight tip, request a seat when you book your flight. If you don't, you'll likely get the middle seat, the most dreaded and uncomfortable seat. Request an aisle seat if you get claustrophobic, like to get up often, or have to go to the restroom frequently. If you prefer to look at the scenery and have a wall to rest upon, request a window seat.
6. Get proper nutrition, rest and plenty of vitamins the week--and especially the day--before your flight. Flight tips include bringing along multivitamins on the plane. They'll help you feel better and you want your immune system to be working as efficiently as possible when you are on a plane with so many people.
7. Feel free to ask for a change in seat if it's boarded. Different airlines have different policies, but you never know when you might get bumped to first class. Among flight tips, this is optional, yet important.
8. If you are bringing children, make sure that they are ready to rest and be still. Play that involves running around and releasing energy prior to the flight is recommended. Children often get restless on long flights. While long flights often have their own movies, consider bringing along a portable DVD player with headphones for the kids. Also, coloring books and games that can be played quietly are recommended.
9. Bring along a book if you do not want to spend the flight making small talk with a stranger. While you do want to be polite to who sits beside you--and you just may meet a lifelong friend if you take the time to get to know her--you have every right to want to be left alone on your flight. As such, bringing along a  book that you look immersed in may give a strong, subtle hint that you have other plans for your trip than conversation.
10. Be polite to flight attendants. It's important to remember that kindness and respect to all you meet along the way are some of the most important things in life. Thank the pilot personally as you leave and thank the flight attendants who have made your trip comfortable. Flight etiquette is important, too.

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TSA: Prohibited Items