Air Travel mishaps and how to avoid them
Here is a list of tips to help you plan and execute your air trip without mishaps. These tips are a useful checklist for anybody traveling by air.
Make sure your passport is not about to expire. Most people never think of this until it’s too late. It needs to be valid for at least six months beyond your return dates of travel. Some countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months or you may be refused entry.
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.
When traveling internationally make sure that you have any visas that may be required. Verify if there are business or tourist visas and which one best suits the purpose of your travel.
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.
If traveling abroad here is a great tip: prepare a list of key phrases written in the local language such as thank you, please, where is, help, how much, and so on. You just need a small piece of paper showing a dozen or so key phrases.
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.
