If there’s a downside to being a working nomad, it’s the dearth of teleport technology. I turn into a paranoid, neurotic control freak every time I have a plane to catch (just ask my extremely patient husband). If I had a dollar for every time I’ve obsessively checked to see if I have my passport/wallet/keys after packing them, I’d be…well, I’d have a lot of dollars.
Sandra McKenna over at Midlife Road Trip shared 5 awesome tips for zipping through security and making the plane ride itself as comfy as possible. Here they are:
- Pack everything in clear, ziplock plastic bags. “This way if I have to empty out my carry on in security I can put it all back easily without my undies flying all over the place,” says Sandra.
So true! Ziplock bags work fine, but I’ve recently fallen in love with vacuum seal space-saver bags. My sister gave me some as a Christmas gift and they work great for larger pieces of clothing. Plus, I love the satisfying “sssssssss” when you squeeze all the air out! (Even more fun than stomping on bubble wrap.)
- Wear the bare essentials. That means no jewelry, hair accessories or metal-buckle belts. “I wear shoes (Skechers slip on sneakers work well) that are easy to get on and off,” Sandra advises. Yup. Last time I flew out of the US, there was a foot of snow on the ground and I stumbled through security pulling my fuzzy boots on and off. In retrospect, I could have simply traded the boots for slip-ons as soon as I got to the airport and threw my boots into my checked luggage. Duh.
- Enjoy portable silence. “I wear Bose noise reduction headphones on every flight,” Sandra says. “The less noise I hear the less convinced that every sound is the one that’s bringing down the plane.” Ahhhh…Bose headphones! My husband has been salivating over these for the past year. Next time we fly, we’re definitely getting some! Here’s the pair that’s on our wishlist: Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones
.
- Sleep well. Sandra says she doesn’t sleep well in strange surroundings, but she’s started taking melatonin recently and has had good results. I can vouch for this too: I have insomnia, so I got in the habit of taking melatonin
regularly. I take 3mg about a half hour before I want to sleep. Fantastic for on the plane and for when you get to your destination and need to adjust your body clock.
- Load up your iPod. Sandra swears by audiobooks
, and I’m addicted to TED videos. Movies
Check out Sandra’s website at midliferoadtripshow.com.
Any tips to share? Leave a comment below.
I want to help you find your calm center and experience travel with courage, curiosity and compassion.
[...] recently shared some of my MidLife Road Trip Air Travel Tips and Tricks with Antonia at ”A Nomads Lot, Do What you Love Where You [...]
Super-Duper site! I am loving it!! Will come back again – taking you feeds also, Thanks.
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Amazing! It’s too bad more people haven’t heard about this place, this covered exactly what I needed to know
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[...] recently shared some of my MidLife Road Trip Air Travel Tips and Tricks with Antonia at ”A Nomads Lot, Do What you Love Where You [...]