WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE ISSUE 3 2016

SMART TRAVELER 101
the gracious traveler
Etiquette Expert’s 10 Tips to Make Flying More Enjoyable
ith airports and airplanes packed to
capacity, flying isn’t always the most
pleasant way to go. Etiquette expert
Jacqueline Whitmore, founder of The ProtocSchool of
Palm Beach and a former flight attendant, offers these 10
tips to have a more enjoyable flight:
Check in online and arrive early. Most airlines allow you
to check in online within 24 hours of departure. This will
save time at the airport. Give yourself plenty of extra time
in case you encounter airport parking difficulties, long
lines at security checkpoints, or an oversold flight situation.
Arrive at the gate
at least 30 minutes prior
to departure to avoid getting
bumped. Prior planning
helps relieve stress.
Book your travel
during off-peak times.
You’ll avoid the crowds
and save money if you
travel during late night or
early morning hours. You
may have to give up an
extra hour or two of sleep,
but you can always rest
on the plane.
Don’t pack more than
you can lift. The number
one pet peeve of flight
attendants is passengers who bring carry-on luggage too
heavy for them to lift. Don’t expect the flight attendant to
lift your bag into the overhead bin. If you pack it, you stack
it. Or flight attendants will be happy to check it for you. Be
mindful that some airlines also charge for checked luggage.
Check before you recline. Airline seats recline to allow
passengers to sleep and relax, but it may cause discomfort
for the person behind you. If you intend to recline your
seat, do it gently or better yet, turn around and make sure
you don’t inconvenience the person behind you. Raise your
seat during mealtime so the person behind you can enjoy
his or her meal.
Be respectful of those around you. Airplane seating is
tight and interaction with your seatmates is inevitable. Keep
the volume of your headphones at an appropriate level and
lower the light on your electronic devices so you don’t disturb
or distract the person next to you.
Bring your own food. Don’t depend on the airline to offer
food for sale. Many don’t offer more than peanuts or pretzels.
Bring some snacks from home or buy something in the airport
to hold you over until you reach your destination. Stay hydrated
with plenty of bottled water. Steer clear of packing pungent
foods that contain garlic and onions.
Pack the Pepto. To be on
the safe side, tuck some
Pepto-Bismol into your
suitcase, especially when
you travel overseas. Foreign
food and water may
cause an upset stomach,
which can ruin a holiday.
Allow those in front of
you to disembark first.
Rather than grab your luggage
and make a run for
the door, follow protocol.
If you need to make a connection
or know you’ll be
in a rush, try to arrange to
be seated near the front of
the plane.
Hold your tongue. If you have a complaint about another
passenger, don’t take matters into your own hands and don’t
demand that the plane land at the nearest airport. Alert the
flight attendant.
Parents, be prepared. When babies cry uncontrollably in
flight it’s probably because their ears hurt from the air pressure.
It’s a good idea for parents to be prepared with a bottle
or a pacifier or something to make their children swallow and
relieve ear pressure. And remember: smell travels. Parents
should not wait until the plane takes off to change their baby’s
diaper. Change your child’s diaper in the lavatory – not on the
seat beside you.
Cartoonpublished with the permission from AirlineRatings.com
96 Wine Dine & Travel 2016