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Air Travel Tips

Summer Air Travel Tips
By Christine Columbus, Inc. Co-founder, Robert G. Brost

If you have traveled by air this summer, I probably don’t have to tell you that this is the most frustrating travel season ever!! Air travel statistics prove the point – delays, late flights, late arrivals, missed connections are all way up. And although we can hash over all the “whys?”, there is little we can do to fix it. The key question is, if we must fly, what do we do to mitigate the suffering. Here are some ideas on how to deal with one of the worst periods in air travel history:

  • Don’t fly after 2 p.m.Summer thunderstorms often hit in the late afternoon, snarling air traffic.
  • Fly early in the morning The earlier you fly, the less you’ll be affected by that day’s backlog of delayed flights.
  • Sunday, Monday, and Friday are busy air-travel days. Saturday is lighter.
  • Check our link to the TSA Security for the latest Carry-on Do's & Don'ts. No cheese this month! Threat Level is at Yellow for domestic travel and at Orange for UK & International Air Travel.
  • Take food and water on board in case of a lengthy takeoff delay. Remember the food and beverages must be purchased after you've gone thru airport security.
  • Also keep a change of clothes and any daily dose medicine in your carry-on baggage.
  • Keep your cell phone and charger handy.
  • When stuck on the tarmac, pull down the window shades and take off your shoes. Feet tend to swell in the heat, and the light and heat outside can make the cabin unbearably warm.
  • Bring Ear plugs and Eye shade to block out ambient noise and light.
  • Get airport club membership. Sometimes you can buy a day's pass into the Airline Club of the airline you're flying. Check if they offer reciprocal links with clubs which you belong. Trade-in frequent flyer miles if possible. While others mill around the terminal during a delay, you’ll have a comfortable place to read, work, or grab a drink.
  • If you think the flight is going to be delayed, call an airport hotel immediately since they fill up so quickly.
  • Expect delays. If you’re arriving at 10 a.m., don’t schedule a 10:30 a.m. meeting.

After reading our summer air travel tips, Anne V., wrote in to inform us with her experience: Not sure if this was in a previous newsletter...but if you are in transit through London (you) can only have one bag and they will not allow you through security with anything else---they send (you) to check it...particularly difficult on trips where (you) may have done some shopping and are carrying breakables that cannot be checked or with a laptop that cannot be checked...apparently it's fine if you originate in London...its not an airline rule but an airport rule so there are no breaks if you are flying business class and if the airline let you through with 2 bags there is no recourse to discuss with them...you must check one. Submitted by, Anne V. Christine Columbus Newsletter Reader.

Special note: from the President...of Christine Columbus, Inc.
After an especially exhausting out-of-the office day of dealing with some of the most lame, brain-dead, and totally clueless people, (Please note: None were customers, or vendors!) I've come to the conclusion that sometime during the last few months I've been kidnapped and dropped on a planet that resembles Earth, however, after today I'm certain it isn't! Because this planet that I'm on has way too many human forms that lack the gene which created "common sense!"

So those of you still on Earth and you're planning on traveling this summer by Air, Train, Cruise Ship, Car, and/or Bus... I implore you please - USE YOUR "DNA ENCODED" COMMON SENSE!!! Be smart, be safe and enjoy your summer travels!

Sign up on our E-mail list list to be notified of other new travel tips. Meanwhile, I hope you'll share your travel tales, experiences, likes and dislikes with us at: travel stories and travel tips.

Please let me know how I can assist you with your travel needs.

Cheers,

Annette Zientek,President-Co-founder

Annette
President & Co-founder



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