Skip to main content

10 Tips to reduce Flight Travel Anxiety

I love to fly and after being an Aircraft Mechanic in the Navy,I can assure you it is much safer than driving.




Here are a couple of my tips for nervous fliers or anyone who wants to have a smooth trip. 
 


1. Make a list of what to pack in advance and edit it for each trip so you aren't worried you forgot something. You can Google lists and edit them.  I did this our first couple trips to Disney and the first time I went with a baby, it was super helpful.  If you are traveling for work, be sure to check with your boss or co-worker as dress can vary by region and


function.








2. Get to the airport early.  You need to budget time to park, get through security, return a


rental car, etc.  There will be lines so be mentally prepared to wait and wait. 




3.  Check the TSA website to read their travel tips and information about the current screening process. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips




3. Register for TSA Pre-Check or Clear or another service so speed you through security lines. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/how-do-i-apply-tsa-precheck




4. Tell the flight crew and the gate agent that you are a 'nervous' flier, they will check on you and answer any concerns.




5. Pick seats near the front of the plane and the aisle, they get the most attention from the staff and have more room.  The plan also unloads from the front to the back so you can be one of the first people off.  This is important if you have a tight connection. 








6. Breath deeply and take Airborne or vitamin C so you don't get sick (or are less likely). I chew gum when I fly because it helps me clear my ears plus




7. Book longer layovers to reduce stress from tight connections or direct flights, if possible.




8. Airports have maps of the terminal(s) online so they can help you find your gate. Late flights happen and so do delays, these are great times to call a friend or your significant other and chat it out, get a cup of tea or visit the airline lounge.







9.  If you have a tight layover try and sit as close to the front of the plan as possible and on the aisle.  DO NOT GATE check your bag. They unload these bags first but your tight connection is not the baggage handler's priority, this is why I would check my stroller and carry my baby on me. Plus they unload these bags in different locations based on the airport structure so they can make you nervous not knowing where to wait.




10.  Have something to do during your flight.  Watch a movie on your device, listen to music or a book (before sure to download first so you can avoid in-flight Wi-Fi $$$), read an exciting book or magazine, knit or craft or bring a coloring book and colors.  I love to color and colored pencils travel well.  This is also one of the only times I will pay for a movie, I love action/adventure for flights because the move quickly. 


What are you best travel tips? 














Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Strollers and Wheelchairs in Disney

I had a friend tell me once that her son (4) didn't do strollers.  They were about to do a 3-day trip to Disneyland and this was her first trip as a parent.  I recommended she still get a stroller and here's why.  Maybe your kid doesn't use a stroller when you are doing normally daily stuff but does your kid log 10 or more miles a day normally?  Does your kiddo need a mid-day nap?  Imagine a trip to the park, what do you carry with you?  Do you want to carry that all day long?  So my friend did ended up renting a stroller and they used it.  There were times when their kid wasn't super happy about it but he was over tired and they just didn't want to carry him, so he rode.  He took one stroller nap and otherwise the stroller carried my friend's backpack/diaper bag most of the time so she didn't have to and that was ok, too.  Sydnee (5) in our garage sale stroller On the other hand, my kiddo LOVES riding in a stroller.  We h...

When extra isn't really extra

Today, I walked into a local sportswear store to check for a sale on winter coats for my little one.  As I looked at sale jackets in the children's the clerk asked me if I was interested in anything for me.   "Sure, do you have any shorts in an XL?" "Yes, a couple pairs." She handed me two pairs.  The first pair was a size 10 and the second was a 12.  I looked slightly confused and then she apologized.  She didn't apologize for bringing me the wrong size, she apologized because they didn't carry anything 'big' enough for me.  Right, because I'm plus sized (I wear a size 16) and you won't find many brand name of athletic clothes in anything bigger than a size 14.  But this was crazy, a size 10 is not an extra large, in my memory that was medium.  I've always been a bigger girl, but still athletic.  I run, not fast but I still run.  I run at least 1 1/2 marathon every year and average about 10-15 miles per week.  I lift weights, I rid...