How To Become An Airport Pro

Everyone looks forward to their holiday… until they’re reminded of the chaos that comes with air travel. Airports are busy, hectic and anxiety inducing, and not many people get through them mentally and emotionally unscathed. In fact, it’s gotten so bad even therapy dogs have been brought in to calm people down – employees and passengers alike!

But what if there were a few seldom known tips to help you become one of the fortunate few who breeze through the airport? Consequently, here’s your quick guide to help you become an airport pro.

Plan well ahead

If you leave everything until the last minute, then you certainly will be one of those people rushing through the airport, panting, sweating and red-faced. Ensure your dignity is intact by pulling yourself together and getting organised well ahead of time. Only then do you stand a chance of mastering the airport.

For example, you can ensure you get to the airport very easily with some affordable carnet train tickets, which’ll be particularly useful if you make frequent liaison between London Victoria Station and Gatwick Airport. Get your taxis sorted, have a single wallet for all your passport and boarding passes, and ensure suitcases are packed well ahead of time – not as you’re rushing out the door!

Forgotten essentials

Of course, no matter how early you pack or plan, sometimes you understandably forget the odd thing or two. Well, here’s a list of them for you to remember if this ends up happening to you. Depending on where you go, you could need scarves, coats, gloves, hats, sunglasses, sun cream and any other essentials you can think of.

You’ll certainly need things like portable chargers, razers, shampoos and toothbrushes, so do remember to pack them regardless of your destination. It might seem obvious, but in the end, it’s often the smaller essentials that get forgotten about. Once you know you have everything with a clear certainty, a lot of the anxiety is removed from the whole airport situation!

Luggage requirements

Some things can go in your hand luggage and other things need to go in the cargo hold. Unfortunately, if you get things wrong here, you can be detained if you appear to be suspicious, or at best be forced to have certain items disposed of or confiscated pre-flight.

If you’re carrying fragrances, foods or drinks in your hand luggage before you reach the terminals, they’ll be taken from you and you may have to wait for them to get to your bag for their own search procedures once they’ve been detected. Fragrances can however go in your suitcase, but you’ll also need to ensure your suitcase meets the weight restrictions – if you overpack, you can’t fly! Electronics are also allowed when on the plane when in flight mode.

When you’re being screened, you’ll also want to remove anything metal on your persons. Keys, belts, shoes and anything else featuring any kind or quantity of metal should be put in the trays provided to you. This way, you won’t be beeped at when you go through their security screening equipment, and you won’t be subject to a humiliating pat down.

Conclusion

Clearly, there’s a lot to think about when it comes to being an airport pro. Still, so long as you stay calm and collected and plan things well in advance, the experience will be easy enough. Read all the rules and regulations arrival, and you’re good to go!