Plane Tips and Other Travel Lessons Learned the Hard Way

It's an interesting moment when you realize you may miss a flight. It made sense the night before – leave at this time, arrive at this time, check in, go through security, get a coffee, head to the waiting area.

Then the ferry arrives late. Or there's a traffic jam. Or a passport is left at home. Suddenly, that easy travel day shatters, and beads of sweat form on your brow. Here are a few tips to avoid this situation.

1. Add at least one hour to the time you think you need to arrive at the airport. Sure, sitting around airports sucks, but missing a flight, especially the first flight of two or a series, sucks worse.

2. Travel in the morning. There is less traffic, fewer knock-on effects from other delays in the travel system, and usually fewer people on a given flight. Sleep on the plane.

3. Use public transportation. Now, this one is not unconditional. Taking a taxi may be convenient, but it isn't always fast. Public transportation – in this case, a rail system, not a bus – is not absolutely faster, but it is more precise. Sure, trains break down and there can be delays, but more often than not, a subway/airport express/train leaves on time and arrives on time and isn't subject to traffic. Beijing's Airport Express can be a hassle because it may require a fair bit of handling heavy luggage, but you will chuckle at the people stuck on the Airport Expressway as you sail by. Just make sure you allot time for the train to move to Terminal 2 if you're not flying out of Terminal 3.

Another travel hassle is luggage and its weight. Here are a couple of things that can squeeze some kilos out of your bag.

1. Pack everything, then take out one of each. Unless you're going somewhere remote where nothing in your bag could be replaced, take one of everything out. You can always get one more at your destination.

2. Take old stuff and leave it there. If your destination is Milan, this may not apply. However, if you're cleaning out your closet, and especially if you're going somewhere casual, take old stuff, and then leave it there. It makes room for purchases and gifts when coming back.

3. Dry wet items with a towel. Water weight is killer in luggage. If you went for a final swim the morning of your departure, wring out your swimwear as best you can, then roll it in a towel. It may still be damp but most of the water weight will have been removed.

4. Make packing choices based on weight. Books are wonderful travel companions, but can be bulky and heavy. An iPad or Kindle often weights less than a single book but can hold many titles. Take only toiletries you know your hotel won't provide, like sunscreen. Especially in winter, most items can be worn an extra day, so taking less reduces bulk and weight when packing.

One road flat safe 'til Tuesday.

Photo: Boston Luggage Shipping