Air Travel mishaps and how to avoid them
Here is a great list of tips for trouble-free air travel. An air trip can easily be ruined from just one small thing going wrong. Use these tips as a useful checklist whether you fly frequently or just occasionally.
Check your passport expiry date. Ideally it needs to be valid for at least six months beyond your travel return date. Some countries actually require that your passport be valid for at least six months into the future.
Decide what you will be taking onboard as hand luggage and what you will be consigning separately. Do this several days before you plan to travel as it may affect your luggage plans and even the method of booking your flight. Make sure you know what luggage restrictions may apply.
Confirm the flight dates and times for all parts of your trip to make sure that it matches up with your ticket information, hotel bookings and so on.
Make a photocopy of your air travel itinerary and your passport photo page, and leave copies with your workplace and family members or friends. This is a very useful contingency in case you suffer a mishap or in case you need to be contacted in an emergency. Include phone numbers and addresses of where you can be contacted.
If traveling internationally make sure that you have the correct visas that may apply. Check whether you need a business or tourist visa and apply accordingly.
Make photocopies of your passport, visas and any other pertinent travel documents. Pack copies in your luggage as a contingency in case your original documents are lost or stolen.
Take a copy of your medical history with you in case of a medical requerement. This simply means listing any medical conditions, blood type, etc. If you are allergic to any medications, or have special medical needs, include this information. When traveling internationally try to have this document translated to the local language of travel.
When you travel abroad, if you are not familiar with the local language it’s a good idea to know some key phrases. Simply prepare a short list of words such as: yes, no, please, thank you, where is, help, and so on. All you need is a small slip of paper showing the translations of a dozen or so words that you may have to use.
Thieves and opportunists also travel by air. Therefore do not assume that the airline cabin is a theft-free zone. Never leave valuables on or near your airline seat – always take them with you when leaving your seat.
Always be aware of your surroundings while at the airport. Thieves go to airport specifically to steal.
Once you’re on board the aircraft you’re still not ‘home and dry’. For tips relating to the air trip itself, see Air Travel Safety Secrets. This free ebook reveals extraordinary safety information that airlines don’t tell you. To get this free ebook see download information below.
