Travel Tips

TIPS TO COMBAT JET LAG

Stay hydrated: Bring an empty water bottle to fill when you reach your gate, and continue to drink water throughout your flight.

Nap wisely: If it’s nighttime or early morning at your destination, try to sleep on the plane. Otherwise, fight the urge to shut your eyes. Once arrive, don’t head to bed unless it’s nighttime.

Work out in the Sun: Combining exposure to sunshine with exercise may help you adjust to your new time zone more quickly. Don’t worry you get plenty of sun, well at lease outside walking.

Plan ahead: Start to tweak your sleep schedule a few days before you depart. Eastbound travelers, that’s us, might try going to bed one hour earlier each night. While those heading west, also us, should stay up one hour later.

HOW TO AVOID THE AIRPORT EXCHANGE GOUGE

No wonder why I, along with just about any other unbiased source, keep saying, “Don’t exchange cash, and particularly don’t exchange cash at an airport.” Even the 3 percent foreign-charge “gouge” on some credit card charges pales by comparison to the typical airport gouge.

Of course, it’s easy to avoid this gouge by not putting yourself in the position to exchange currency at the airport. Even if you have no local currency on arrival, use a credit card to get into town or find an ATM operated by a legitimate bank.

 FLYING WITH GIFTS AND SOUVENIRS

There are some TSA rules you should know before you make that purchase especially if you’re only flying with a carry-on.

AVOID TOYS THAT LOOK LIKE WEAPONS:

Toys resembling guns, swords, and explosives are sure to spook your security screener; but sporting equipment like bats and lacrosse sticks that could be used as a weapon will be snagged as well.

INSTEAD: Your best bet is to check all sporting items, and to avoid packing anything resembling a weapon. “In general, it’s best to avoid packing toy or replica weapons in carry-on luggage,” TSA Spokesman Michael McCarthy told me. “These items should be placed in checked luggage or left at home when possible.”

TREKKING POLES:

May only be carried onto an aircraft if they are needed for mobility purposes.

INSTEAD: Purchase upon arrival. That being said I have carried a broken down trekking pole in my backpack almost every year.

NO ALCOHOL OVER 140 PROOF:

Liquors over 140-proof (70 percent alcohol) like absinthe or 151-proof rum are prohibited from planes by the Federal Aviation Administration. TSA can confiscate it on behalf of the FAA, regardless of which bag you packed it in.

INSTEAD: Your souvenir doesn’t have to be jet-fuel strong try grabbing a less flammable local spirit, or opt for a subscription service to enjoy wine varietals from around the world without having to pack them?

SKIP THE GIFT WRAP:

Anything in paper, like presents or food items like pies (which are allowed, but subject to extra screening) are likely to be unwrapped for inspection if agents can’t tell through the scanner if it violates TSA rules.

INSTEAD: Use gift bags instead of wrapping gifts. Festive, easy-open gift bags are available for many purchases, and won’t violate any TSA rules.

 

MINIMIZE CARRY ON LIQUID.

Bottles of wines and spirits can usually be purchased online or back home if you’re set on having them for your holiday celebrations.

INSTEAD: If you’re not checking a bag but want to purchase a gift bottle of perfume or wine, buying at the duty-free shop beyond airport security is your only option. Make the best of it by getting something you can’t at home, or that’s more affordable when it’s tax-free.

DECLARE ANIMAL PRODUCTS LIKE CHEESES WITH CUSTOMS.

International food souvenirs like meats and cheeses could get tossed per customs and agriculture regulations on animal products if they aren’t declared or if they violate requirements

INSTEAD: To be safe, make sure you declare all animal-derived food items at customs and keep creamy or water-packed cheeses under 3.4 ounces if they’re in your carry-on bag.

 

HOW TO RUIN TRAVEL FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS

Making some of these mistakes can not only make travel miserable for yourself, but also for others. Are you guilty of doing these 12 things that can ruin travel for other people?

FAILING TO PREP FOR SECURITY

Put everything away except your ID and boarding pass and do it before you are anywhere near the front of the line. Take off your watch, empty your pickets, stow your phone, unlace your shoes toss your bottle of water, take off your belt … there’s no reason to hold everyone up at the front of a long security line because you didn’t take care of these things.

NOT FOLLOWING THE BOARDING PROCESS

A study found that 6 percent of people try to board their plane before their group is called. This practice causes congestion and agitation for everyone involved; while it’s fine to queue up near the gate to protect your “spot,” leave enough space for other folks to get through.

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NOT FOLLOWING THE DEBOARDING PROCESS

It is understood the plane empties out from front to back, one row at a time. This is the smoothest and fairest way to do things, so when a few passengers ram themselves forward a few spots, it creates unnecessary confusion that causes slowdowns for everyone else around and behind them. We all learned how to exit a room politely in elementary school, so there’s no excuse not to do it on a flight.

SLAMMING YOUR SEAT BACK ON THE PLANE

Opinions differ over whether it’s acceptable to recline your seat at all, but if you decide to do so, do it slowly and take care not to whack the person behind you, sending their ginger ale flying, crush whatever device they are using to watch a bad movie, or scare the wits out of them. A look over your shoulder, a slow recline, and an appreciation that they are a bit less comfortable are in order.

YAPPING ON YOUR CELL PHONE ON THE PLANE

Recently I’ve seen some folks not only speaking too loudly on their phones once the plane has landed, but also slowing everything down in the process. I couldn’t care less if you’re trying to impress people around you by bellowing about your important meeting or deal, but impinging on their time as a result is unforgivable.