What is it that attracts us to travel? Probably an irrepressible curiosity and thirst for new things. However, human memory is very selective and the impressions of interesting places and people we have seen are not always in the foreground. For example, have you ever listened to a story of a friend, who returned from a trip and talked for a long time about how he lost his luggage and barely made it to the plane because of the long line?
So there are special recommendations so that annoying little things do not interfere with a long-awaited vacation. They are especially relevant for those who is flying for the first time.
Necessary procedures before landing are as follows:
- customs control (at the international airport)
- check-in and baggage drop-off
- passport control
- security check
Here you will find a collection of 20 tips for traveling at the airport.
20 AIRPORT TIPS FOR TRAVELERS
How far away is the airport?
It is best to start your travel planning by knowing the location of the airport. You need to find answers to questions such as:
- How far away from home is the airport
- How can you get there?
- What are the conditions for boarding the plane
- how to check in
- where to put your luggage
- whether there is a parking space if you have a car, and much more.
So the passenger, if not able to provide absolutely everything, then to the main moments will be ready and will not be late for boarding.
- Remember the parking space
Large international airports have large parking areas. It is not easy to quickly orient yourself and find the car you left behind. You can take a picture with landmarks, for example, capturing the frame and the gate or a group of trees standing nearby.
Remembering the parking place will save the passenger a lot of time searching for his/her car after the long vacation.
3.
If the flight is international, it is necessary to go through customs control before checking in. Passengers must go through one of the two corridors green or red.
- red sign. Passengers with goods subject to written declaration pass through here.
- green plate. For those who are not carrying goods subject to a declaration.
- Check-in rules.
You can check in in two ways: online or in person at the airport.
- Online check-in
Many airports offer this service. Check-in is done at home by filling in your information, ticket number, etc. Eventually the system will issue a boarding pass. It must be printed out and then presented when boarding the plane. This is convenient because you do not need to stand in long lines. After placing your luggage on the conveyor belt, you can immediately go to the customs and passport control.
- In-person check-in
Check-in begins 2-3 hours before departure and ends half an hour before boarding. All necessary information about the upcoming flights is located on a special board. There, the passenger will find the number of the necessary desk, where to register his flight.
At registration you must present your passport and plane ticket. Baggage must be put on the conveyor. In return, the passenger receives a boarding pass and luggage tags.
- Luggage transportation
At check-in, luggage is placed on the conveyor belt. It is weighed and tagged with the airplane number. By the way, if there are old tags from previous flights, they must be removed. Otherwise airport workers may get confused and lose luggage. Perhaps check and hand luggage, and hang a mini-tag on it.
All belongings should be divided into hand baggage and luggage in advance. Fragile and valuable items should not be placed in the luggage. These include a laptop computer, camera, souvenirs, etc. All equipment must be turned off and ready for inspection.
There are restrictions for hand luggage. Information about this can be found on the official website of the airline. For attempting to carry prohibited items you may receive a fine.
The thing is that the loaders need to fit as much and as tightly as possible things in the luggage compartment. Therefore, valuables may break during loading. Experienced tourists take pictures of luggage, so that in the case of loss it would be easier to find. Also do not interfere with the suitcases own signatures with the name and the point of departure of the owner.
By the way for the excess luggage will have to pay extra.
- Boarding the plane
When the boarding is announced over the loudspeaker you must show your boarding pass and, if necessary, your passport. The airline representative tears off the stub and gives it to the passenger. It is necessary to keep it until you get your luggage.
Then a special bus takes everyone to the ramp. Major airports have telescopic bridges for such cases.
- Queues at the airport
If the season is touristy, there may be long lines at the ticket office. Experienced tourists remind you that those who are about to board will be let through first. So you can not take a queue, and at the right time just walk up to the check-in counter. Do not forget that timely said kind words and a joke help to avoid negative reprimands to the impudent passenger.
- Behavior during document inspection
The speed of going through the control depends on the border guards and the immigration service. The rules of procedure depend on the country of residence. The control may be formal or it may turn into a long exhausting conversation.
Remember that the border guards will not appreciate jokes about drugs or explosives. Most likely, they will invite you to a separate room for further conversation. In the worst case, you may be taken off the flight or charged criminally.
You should unconditionally comply with all requests of controllers to show the bag or remove shoes. All their actions are for the benefit and safety of passengers. When communicating clearly answer questions, remain positive and polite.
- Comfortable Clothing.
Clothing and shoes for travel should be comfortable and not restrict movement. Assemble a light and practical closet is not as easy as it seems at first glance. Of course, you need to take into account the weather conditions, the destination and the desired type of recreation (beach, skiing, etc.).
Long sundresses, dresses and any clothing with many folds cause unnecessary questions from suspicious officers at the control. They have the right to detain a passenger for a search and a more thorough inspection of belongings.
- Keep your change separately.
Experienced travelers advise to save time and nerves to put all useful small things in a separate bag and send immediately on the conveyor belt.
This is necessary so that you don’t have to search for your lighter, cell phone, or keys, delaying your turn.
Be polite!
Positivity and politeness are indispensable companions of any travel. First of all, polite treatment is a common norm of society, which can be understood even without knowledge of the language.
Secondly, the attitude of employees to polite and positive people is more loyal. With a smile it is easier to find pleasant interlocutors or ask the flight attendant to replace an uncomfortable dish.
- Bring a bottle and an empty bag
Sometimes employees ask to pack little things, such as cosmetics in a plastic bag. Just in case, it is better to keep it with you right away.
Also at the airports they strictly inspect containers with various liquids. Bottles should also be hidden in transparent bags. You can not take water bottles with you, but you can take empty ones. After you pass the security check, fill the container with water in the lounge area.
- Leisure activities for children.
As practice shows, more often than not the parents themselves heat up the uneasy situation. They are nervous waiting for the unknown and constantly yelling at their children. In order not to spoil the upcoming vacation for yourself and your children, it is worth thinking in advance about the child’s leisure.
The main thing is not to get nervous over nothing and take the stage of boarding as the start of an exciting adventure.
- Free seats
It often happens that the airplane is not 100% full of passengers. When the boarding command sounds, you may try to change to a seat that is comfortable for you.
In order to avoid misunderstandings, it is better to clarify this possibility with the stewardess in advance.
- Get to know your fellow passengers
New acquaintances can be useful. An easy conversation will allow time to pass more quickly. If your airport neighbors are experienced tourists, that’s a big deal. They always know a lot of interesting secrets and little things about traveling that make life a lot easier.
In some countries, interesting places are located directly at the airport: cinemas, libraries and even museums, as in Amsterdam.
- Taking care of pets in advance
If you can not leave your pet at home, it is worth taking care of the rules of transportation. Detailed rules are listed on the website of each airline. Most of them boil down to the fact that the pet must have documents, vaccination certificates, etc. Birds are transported in cages with covers. The animal must be in a carrier or with a muzzle and leash.
Depending on size, human friends may travel in the cabin or in a special compartment. Experts advise putting your pet in the carrier with your T-shirt.
- Compensation for flight delay
Passengers are entitled to compensation for delay caused by an airline. The longer the flight is delayed, the greater the bonus:
- luggage is stored free of charge
- Mothers with children are given a separate room
- If the delay lasts 2 hours, you are entitled to two calls and a drink.
- if delayed for 4 hours, a hot meal is provided
- if delayed for 8 hours, passengers are accommodated and transported there and back for free
However, if the flight was delayed due to bad weather conditions, no compensation is provided. In case of flight cancellation passengers have the right to count on an alternative flight or a full refund.
- Items needed at the airport and on the plane
Useful small things that can help brighten up your leisure time and distract from unnecessary fuss:
- earplugs
- inflatable pillow for sleeping
- interesting book
- player with soothing music
- sedative drops
- some snack food: yogurt, apple, chocolate bar, etc.
- Exchange offices
Tourists often rush to do as much as possible at once and exchange currency at the airport. However, the exchange rate in such places can be overpriced. You may want to take your time and look for an exchange office with a good rate. Usually change currency in hotels, banks or special exchangers. - After landing at the airport
After landing you must go through the same procedures as when landing. After passing through passport and customs control it is allowed to take your luggage. If your luggage is lost, you must contact an employee without leaving the airport area.