Month: September 2014

We all know flying can be stressful. We also know taking a trip requires some planning. Check out these easy-to-do tips as you plan your next trip. Plan ahead and make your trip enjoyable.

Pack your essentials in your carry on bag. In case your checked luggage is delayed…you will have what you need with you.

Make sure your quart size bag with your liquids in it is within easy reach. You don’t want to be the one standing, holding up the line in security, looking for your bag that has somehow found its way to the depths of your carry on. Keep it handy.

Keep your hotel information handy. If your bag is lost and airline wants to deliver it to you…you need to know the address. Or when you rent a car or give a taxi driver your hotel…be sure to give the correct one.

Keep your boarding pass until you return from your trip. You can use it to make sure you receive the correct air miles on your frequent flyer plan.

Make sure you can recognize your bag on the sea of black bags going around and around the baggage carousel. Put a colored piece of tape on the handles or use a sticker from an attraction on the back side of your bag. You can see it much easier and much quicker as it makes its way onto the carousel.

Remember your flight number. Looking at the departure sign with dozens of flights to San Diego or multiple flights to Paris…if you know your number, it makes things easier. If the sign appears in another language first and then your language…knowing your flight number is definitely quicker.

Leave a little extra time to get to the airport. It may be only 30 minutes away…but leave some extra time for that unexpected accident blocking your highway or the downpour you just encountered or the slow moving traffic. There’s no point in making yourself all stressed out before you get on that plane. This is vacation…right?

Once you’re at the airport parking lot and have your luggage sitting beside you, double check your car. Do you have all your luggage? Who wants to run back for that small piece still sitting in the back seat? Are all the interior lights in your car off? No sense coming back to a dead battery. Did you lock it? Check.

New travel products and apps seem to be developed faster and faster all the time. I’m always reading about a new app to help plan your trip or a new travel product to make your travel life easier. Do they work, are they better than what I’m already using, are they worth the money, would I tell my travel friends, can I wait to try them out on my next trip…

Here at Travels and Escapes, I am adding a new feature. I will start reviewing products. This means I will actually use them. I’ll install a new app and try it around here. If it’s worth it, I tell you about it. As for new products, I will look carefully at them and might buy them. If that product is an improvement over what I’m using…I’ll let you know. If it isn’t, I will tell you that as well.

Then, when I go on a trip, I’ll report back on using the new app or the new product. You will get a genuinely tested review.

If you know of a product or app that is new, or is being developed, or one you absolutely love…let me know. I would love to give it a try.

Did you know that passengers leave a variety of items behind once they go through the TSA screening process?

TSA tries to reconnect those passengers with their items, but sometimes they can’t find them. So, the items go to lost and found. Keys, laptops, jewelry, belts, large items, stuffed animals, bags, money clips, eyeglasses, pens, wallets, and so much more.

One thing you may want to do is keep your valuables in a small bag in your carry on bag. Put anything that you may have to remove in the bag ahead of time. That way you won’t have to put it in the bowl or bin to go through the security scanner by itself.

If you have a large bracelet that you need to remove at the last minute, you don’t want to place it in a bowl that might not make it through the scanner until after you’re already gone from the screening area. Or, maybe you think you need to remove all jewelry. If it’s already in your carry on bag…no worries.

Less danger of forgetting to grab everything.

If you do forget something, contact lost and found immediately. The web page tsa.gov has phone numbers for every airport.

I know you don’t plan on being in a disaster when you travel. But, things happen.

FEMA has a free app with tips on how to prepare and deal with disasters, including earthquakes, severe weather, terrorism, volcanoes, hurricanes, and wildfires. Check your smart phone to install it.

Disasters can come at any time, as was evident in the recent earthquake in northern California. Here are some things that may be worth packing when you travel. Even if you don’t plan on being in an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, or fire…these items don’t take up much room. And, you just never know when they might come in handy.

Whistle: Get a whistle without the cork pea in int as it is more durable. If need be, rescuers can find you easier. Plus, it’s a good idea to have when walking in a strange city.

Space blanket: This light, stowable blanket can be used to keep warm or can be used at the beach to keep sand out of your lunch.

First aid kit: Good to have for blister repair, bug bites, and so much more.

Flashlight: Small ones that fit on a key chain are easy to pack. LED ones have long battery life.

Dust mask: Just a basic, easy to pack one can come in handy.

Food and Water: Pack a couple of protein or high energy bars and some extra water.

Solar charger: If there’s no electricity, a solar charger will save the day for your phone or tablet.