{"id":9336,"date":"2019-05-20T16:21:21","date_gmt":"2019-05-20T20:21:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/au-pairs\/?p=9336"},"modified":"2021-11-16T10:27:53","modified_gmt":"2021-11-16T15:27:53","slug":"airport-survival-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/au-pairs\/au-pair-advice\/airport-survival-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Airport Survival Tips to Keep Your Sanity This Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n
\"\"
What are your airport survival strategies?
Image courtesy of Unsplash<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As an American expat living in Asia, I find myself on flights at least four times per month. Whether it\u2019s a 90-minute hop or a 13-hour long haul across the Pacific, through trial and error I\u2019ve created my travel routine to maintain my sanity throughout the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summer is the season of family vacations and lots of exchange program travel, and I thought I\u2019d share my go-to air travel survival tips with you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Check your documents twice.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before you leave the house, make sure you have your necessary travel documents including a government-issued photo ID and proof of your flight. I like to check my documents again once I\u2019m in the car on the way to the airport\u2026 it gives me extra peace of mind!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Be aware of baggage restrictions.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nothing makes my stomach sink faster than realizing my carry-on or checked bag is too heavy! Fortunately, this is an avoidable situation. Check your airline\u2019s baggage policy, then pack accordingly. Weigh your bags at home to give you total confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Dress in layers.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Airport and airplane temperatures can range from Antarctica to the Sahara Desert, making it wise to dress in layers. You may be sitting down for hours on end, so anticipate what will make you the most comfortable. I always carry a large but lightweight scarf because it can double as a blanket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Pack snacks and a water bottle.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bring a few small snacks to avoid getting hangry<\/a> and to dodge crazy airport prices. If you\u2019re traveling internationally, it\u2019s best to finish all of your food before you land so that you don\u2019t get hung up at customs. Another thing I always have is an empty water bottle, which I fill up after going through security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Download your entertainment.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s nothing worse than starting a long trip only to be told the in-flight entertainment or wifi system is down. With today\u2019s tech, it\u2019s easy to come prepared by downloading your favorite movies to your tablet and phone before you leave home. E-readers are another option, as is having podcasts and music available offline. Don\u2019t forget to store your chargers in your carry-on in case long delays wear down your batteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Keep cash and cards on hand.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some airlines only accept cash while others only take cards, and you never know which one you\u2019re going to get. Make it a point to have both cash and a credit or debit card available to ensure you can buy whatever snacks your heart desires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Keep an eye on the time!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve got time to spare while waiting for your flight, make a plan for exactly when you\u2019re going to head to your gate. I like to find my gate first, then explore the terminal. You can even set an alarm (or two!) on your phone in case you get caught up in the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. White noise is golden.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Airports and airplanes can be loud and hectic, especially if you\u2019re trying to catch some z\u2019s. One way to combat this stressful environment? Have a \u2018sleep\u2019 playlist that\u2019s saved offline on your device. Mine includes a few versions of white noise as well as meditation music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Use scented hand sanitizer.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The reason to use hand sanitizer while traveling is obvious, but why make it scented? When food is served at 35,000 feet, the smell can be overwhelming. If you\u2019re feeling a little green, put on your scented hand sanitizer and breath deep. I recommend this instead of lotions or perfumes, as you don\u2019t want to overwhelm your fellow travelers in case they\u2019re sensitive to scents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Be patient and go with the flow.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Travel can be stressful, but it can also be enjoyable if you let it. Being patient with your fellow sojourners and airline staff will improve your own experience. Remember that in the scheme of things a 15-minute delay is no big deal! If you\u2019ve got a noisy patron nearby, put on your meditation playlist, and you\u2019re good to go. And if a gate changes at the last minute, go with the flow and move on. There\u2019s nothing you can do about it anyway!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope you enjoyed reading my go-to travel tips! I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll come up with your own as you embark on your many adventures. Bon voyage!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As an American expat living in Asia, I find myself on flights at least four times per month. Whether it\u2019s a 90-minute hop or a 13-hour long haul across the Pacific, through trial and error I\u2019ve created my travel routine to maintain my sanity throughout…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":9337,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9336","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-au-pair-advice"],"yoast_head":"\n10 Airport Survival Tips to Keep Your Sanity This Summer<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Summer is the season of family vacations and lots of exchange program travel, and I thought I\u2019d share my go-to air travel survival tips with you!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/au-pairs\/au-pair-advice\/airport-survival-tips\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"10 Airport Survival Tips to Keep Your Sanity This Summer\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Summer is the season of family vacations and lots of exchange program travel, and I thought I\u2019d share my go-to air travel survival tips with you!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/au-pairs\/au-pair-advice\/airport-survival-tips\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Au Pair USA Life - 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