Nighty night, sleep tight.

Are you one of those individuals who boards an airplane, props your head against the window and then promptly falls asleep, not waking until the flight attendants make their landing announcements? I hate you!  Okay, maybe hate is strong, but I AM jealous.

A good night’s sleep and air travel may be a wishful dream for many (pun intended), but even a few winks on an overnight flight can make a huge impact. Here are seven, non-medicinal tips for catching a few zzz’s to start your vacation reasonably refreshed.

Wear pajamas. OK – not literally. But clothing should be loose and comfortable, not tight or binding. And dress in layers to accommodate fluctuation in temperatures.

Remember your tootsies. You’ll probably want to remove your shoes for the overnight, so bring an extra pair of socks or slippers in case your feet get cold. And clear as much foot space as you can. Remove items you’ll need from your under-seat bag, so you can stow it above, temporarily, to make more room to stretch your feet out.

Bring your own blanket. The airlines are spotty about providing in economy class, and if they do, they’re small. An extra blanket can give you more coverage if the cabin is cool, wedged between the window and seat as an extra pillow, or propped as a makeshift barricade from your neighbor.

Use a neck pillow. There are many variations beyond the traditional horseshoe shape. You might need to do some trialing to find one that comfortably supports your head. And if the one that works for you looks a little weird – so what? Do you want to snooze or look chic? Because we all look so good after an eight, ten, or twelve-hour flight.

Replicate your bedtime routine. Remove your glasses or contacts, read, rub on hand lotion, drink a little water – whatever you do at home as part of your bedtime ritual, try and repeat to signal your body it’s sleep time.

Eye mask. First, it’s never completely dark in the cabin. And second, this is a life saver if your seat mate wants to stay up all night watching movies or reading.

Ear plugs or noise canceling headphones. If you use headphones use silence or white noise. Even soft music can distract. Personally, I use earplugs because I inevitably turn my head to a position that causes the headphones to dig in.

Have a great flight. Goodnight!

Breezing Through Airport Security

 Is there a special sauce to get through airport security faster? While some of the process is out of your control, such as length of lines or how many security personnel are on point, there are many things you can do to speed yourself along and mitigate delays. And, if you are in a hurry, skip to Tip #7 – it’s the fastest!

1) Have your ID and boarding pass out and ready to hand to the TSA agent. If you use your cell phone, take a screen shot of the boarding pass to avoid internet connection disruption.

2) Wear slip-on shoes. Unless you are under 12 or over 75, you must remove shoes to go through the screening machines. Wear shoes that don’t require lacing, buckling, or boots that are difficult to get on/off. And on that note, I recommend a pair of socks (sans holes!). Change into your flip-flops or sandals after you’re finished at the checkpoint.

3) Don’t invite secondary screening. Take a moment before going thru the scanner to insure you’ve removed your belt, watch, jewelry, keys and loose change from pockets, etc. Put these in your bag or one of the small baskets provided.

4) When packing, place your 3-1-1 liquids in an accessible compartment such as an outside pocket. There’s enough going on without rooting through your bags trying to find the little baggie. You can always relocate the liquids after you’ve cleared the checkpoint.

5) Purchase a TSA approved carrying case for your laptop. If you don’t have a TSA case, place the laptop in the same bin as your shoes. You’ll be less likely to walk away without it. Laptops and small electronics are the most frequently left behind items.

6) Many airports have more than one screening area within a terminal. Check the airport’s app. More than once I’ve seen lengthy lines at one checkpoint and no waiting at another just a few gates away.

7) Get TSA Pre-Check. This is the number one way to speed through security! TSA Pre-Check allows you to leave your shoes and jacket on, your toiletries and laptop snug in your bag, and you get a separate line that is usually shorter and always speedier. $85 for five years. A bargain. And if you fly internationally, even once a year, consider Global Entry. It’s only $15 additional and you get express customs lines when you return to the US. Bonus - you can wait in the bar while your friends, who didn’t sign up, are putting their shoes back on.

Have a great trip!

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Holiday Travel Survival Guide

Can you name the three busiest travel days of the year, in order? (Answers are below)

It’s that most wonderful time of the year. Sleigh rides, mistletoe, pumpkin pie, roasting turkey, family reunions, and….. holiday travel. Gulp.

Thanksgiving to New Year is the busiest travel stretch of the year. And the week of Thanksgiving is unrivaled for the number of people taking to the skies. But, holiday travel doesn’t have to turn you into a Scrooge. With a little planning and the right attitude, you can survive any crowded airport or travel delay the season brings your way.

Early, early, early to the airport. There is no such thing as too early for holiday travel. If all is seamless, you’ll enjoy a croissant and coffee as you watch fellow passengers stress out. If the security line is longer than expected or you run into a traffic delay en-route to the airport, you’ll have a safety cushion built in.

Take advantage of all possible shortcuts. Check in on line – and make sure your cell number is in your ticketing record. Print your boarding pass or download it to your phone. Avoid parking at the airport – taxi, Uber, or have a friend drop you off. Pre-program necessary numbers into your phone so they are handy - airline, car rental, hotels, family/friends. Download the airlines’ app - there isn’t a faster way to get updates if you are delayed.

Pack light. Ship the gifts ahead; don’t bring them with you. If you only have a carry-on, you’ll save the time and cost of luggage check and collection. You’ll avoid the stress of a misplaced bag. And, you won’t worry about what the luggage handlers broke when they dropped a bowling ball on your bag.

Stay well-fed. Low blood sugar will make you cranky and stress you even more. Bring some nutritious snacks (no – gummies and goldfish crackers do not qualify) to munch on. Enjoy a meal during that long layover I recommended you build into your holiday flight schedule!

Keep your sense of humor. It’s crowded, flights are full, delays are inevitable, tempers are short. But, hey, it’s the holidays. Smile. Take a deep breath. Relax. Enjoy.

Answers, in order:

1. Sunday after Thanksgiving (Nov 26)
2. Wednesday before Thanksgiving (Nov 22)
3. Friday before Thanksgiving (Nov 17)

Are you planning to travel during the holiday season this year?

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Is It Christmas Yet? - tips for reserving holiday flights

Holiday travel can be one of those love/hate experiences. You love to connect with friends and family; you hate that everyone else is trying to do it at the same time. Here are a few tips to save money and have the most enjoyable experience during the holiday travel season. Although I specifically refer to Thanksgiving and Christmas, these tips apply to any holiday travel.

Flexibility rules for the holidays. Because so many travelers can’t or won’t be flexible, those who can will score the best airfares while avoiding some of the crowds.

1) Historically, the best booking window for holiday air is between 10 and 12 weeks out. Utilize some of the flight search websites for comparison shopping, but NOT for booking. See #2.

2) Book directly with the airline. Utilizing a third party such as Expedia or Orbitz adds a non-human “middle-man” and can hamper you significantly if you experience problems such as flight delays or cancellations. I’ve heard some customer service horror stories of passengers being batted back and forth between the airline and the booking site when a problem arises. And good luck getting a live person on the phone from one of those booking engines. Additionally, any savings will probably be eaten up in hidden fees or inconveniences.

3) Avoid the popular travel days, if possible. Wednesday before and Sunday after Thanksgiving are the busiest travel days of the YEAR in the US. Can you leave on Tuesday or return on Saturday? And, if it works for you, traveling on Thanksgiving Day is the cheapest.

Christmas and New Year’s Day are on Monday this year. Two long weekends to challenge you! Try to avoid Friday/Saturday before and Tuesday after. And, as with Thanksgiving, flying on the actual holidays can save you a lot of money.

4) Alternative airports. Are you traveling to or from an area with multiple airports? There can be some significant fare differences within the same market at different airports, so it’s always worth checking. Just make sure you factor in any additional ground transportation costs, if applicable.

As a bonus, smaller or alternative airports are usually much less crowded making security lines shorter and the airport experience more pleasant.

5) Try to book first flight out. If weather or mechanical issues pop up, you’ll stand a better chance of getting to your destination the same day on a later flight. And, if you don’t care what time you arrive, you may be able to score some free vouchers or extra miles if the airline needs volunteers for overbooked flights.

Have a wonderful time. Yes, it’s crowded and yes, holiday travel can be trying, but it can also be a lot of fun. Airports are the best for people watching. And folks, overall, are in a good mood. Friends and families reuniting, military personnel returning home, business travelers taking a much-needed break. It’s all good.

Will you be flying this year during the holidays? I'd love to know!

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Six Tips to Sleep on a Plane

Slumbering for several hours on an overnight flight is the ultimate way to travel. The flight passes quickly and you’re fresh and ready to roll upon arrival. Better focus for navigating a strange airport and getting through immigration, not to mention starting a vacation feeling like a human being.

As airlines continue to reduce the width of seats and distance between rows (pitch) in coach, it has become more difficult to truly sleep on long haul flights. Even if you’re fortunate enough to be in business or first class, the noise, lighting, temperature, and time zone changes can wreak havoc on your sleep cycle.

A good night’s sleep and air travel may be a wishful dream for many (pun intended), but even a few snatches of sleep on an overnight flight can make a huge impact. Here are seven, non-medicinal tips for catching a few zzz’s to start your vacation reasonably refreshed.

1. Wear pajamas. OK – not literally. But clothing should be loose and comfortable, not tight or binding. And dress in layers to accommodate fluctuation in temperatures.
2. Remember your tootsies. You’ll probably want to remove your shoes for the overnight, so bring an extra pair of socks or slippers in case your feet get cold. And clear as much foot space as you can. Remove items you’ll need from your under-seat bag so you can stow it above, temporarily, to make more room to stretch your feet out.
3. Bring your own blanket. Even if the airline provides you with one (and for overnight flights, they frequently will), they’re small. An extra blanket can give you more coverage if the cabin is cool, wedged between the window and seat as an extra pillow, or propped as a makeshift barricade from your neighbor.
4. Replicate your routine. Remove your glasses or contacts, read, rub on hand lotion, drink a little water – whatever you do at home as part of your bedtime ritual, try and repeat to let your body know it’s sleep time.
5. Eye mask. First, it’s never completely dark in the cabin. And second, this is a life saver if your seat mate wants to stay up all night watching movies or reading.
6. Ear plugs or noise canceling headphones. If you use headphones use silence or white noise. Even soft music can distract. Personally, I use earplugs because I inevitably turn my head to a position that causes the headphones to dig in.

Have a great flight. Goodnight!

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