Traveling through airports can be challenging these days. Here are a few tips to keep your personal stress-o-meter way down.

Most carriers allow electronic check-in via the web 24 hours in advance. Print your boarding pass before you leave home.

Plan to arrive at the airport terminal early. It takes time to check bags, go through security, and walk to your gate. Ninety minutes is a good rule of thumb for busy airports.

This is especially important for flights early in the morning, late in the afternoon, or early evening that are packed with business travelers. Nothing is more frustrating than cutting it too close only to be faced with long lines at the bag check or in security.

Tag your bags accordingly and make sure to put all contact information inside your luggage. Over the years my luggage has arrived with missing or damaged tags on many occasions. The luggage tags from previous UOR conferences are great. They are sturdy and easy to see from a distance.

Double-check the checked bag stickers to make sure your luggage is going to the same destination as you are. I spent one very cold winter weekend in Wisconsin when my bag tags got mislabeled and never got farther than Detroit!

Make sure you carry any valuables like cameras, computers or jewelry in your carry-on luggage. This also goes for medications, basic toiletries, and spare glasses or contact lenses. It’s also smart to have a change of underwear, just in case your luggage gets delayed.
posted by Anne Nugent Guignon, RDH, MPH @ 5/21/2007 09:36:00 AM

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