10 Signs You're Ready to Board Like a Pro (and 3 You’re Not)
"Traveling isn’t just about
getting to your destination—it’s about surviving the journey without becoming
an airport horror story."
Is boarding a plane a skill or
just luck?
Have you ever seen someone walk through airport security as
if they were actually going to fly? While you are trying to balance your shoes,
boarding pass, and sanity, wondering how others can make it look so easy. The
reality is, flying on a plane is not just about getting there it's an art form.
Some travelers move with the smoothness of a flight attendant on autopilot,
while others make a mess, blocking aisles and inquiring about seat numbers.
If you're not sure if you're a seasoned traveler, don't
worry. This checklist will tell you if you're ready to travel like a pro or if
you are one lost passport away from catastrophe. Based on Airport Etiquette by Victoria
Lynn Granade, this guide will take you through the journey of appreciating
your strengths, laughing at your weaknesses, and getting ready to fly like a
seasoned traveler.
1. You Know When to Arrive (Not Too Early, Not Too Late)
Showing up five hours before a domestic flight? Amateur
hour. Showing up 20 minutes prior to boarding? You're playing with danger. A
seasoned traveler knows just the right
time: two hours domestic, three hours international, the time to spend in
security, but not so much that you begin to consider taking up residence in the
terminal.
2. Your Documents Are Organized, Not Buried in a Black Hole
You see the new travelers. They are quickly digging through
their bags at the check-in counter as if they are looking for treasure. A
seasoned traveler has their passport, ID, and boarding pass all within easy
access, so check-in is a snap.
3. You Mastered the Art of Carry-On Packing
If your carry-on resembles the ones you see on TV's Airport
Hoarders, you're not ready. Savvy travelers travel savvy a neat bag with staples
such as chargers, snacks, and documents readily accessible. Extra credit if you
can easily hoist it into the overhead bin by yourself.
4. You Conquered Security Like a Champion
If you consistently forget to remove your belt, shoes, or
laptop at TSA, you must practice. An experienced traveler knows what to do.
Easy-to-remove shoes and a smooth passage through security are the secrets. As the
author in her book humorously states, "The security line is not the place
for surprises. TSA is not here for your plot twists."
5. You Pick the Right Boarding Strategy (And No, Standing Too Early Isn’t One)
Getting jammed at the gate ahead of your group being called?
That's what newbies do. Seasoned travelers wait patiently and board when it's
actually their turn rather than creating a disorganized crowd.
6. You Know Your Seat Before You Even Step on the Plane
Nothing slows boarding down more than a person reading their
boarding pass down the center of the aisle, holding up others while attempting
to find their row number. A seasoned traveler? They know where they're sitting,
head directly there, and sit down without complaint.
7. You Don’t Hold Up the Aisle While Settling In
We have all witnessed traveler who has occupied the aisle
for ages, slowly digging out their things from their bag as if they were
relocating. If you actually want to board like a pro, you stuff your bag away
quickly, grab what you need, and sit down without holding everyone up.
8. You Keep Personal Space… Personal
Aisle armrests are not owned, like prime land, but shared.
Seasoned travelers know how to maintain personal space, avoiding elbow space
fights or learning to recline in their seats.
9. You Understand the Overhead Bin Rules
The overhead bin is not for your own use. One bag per
passenger, wheels first, and you can't cram your entire winter wardrobe into
it. As the book states: "If your bag needs its own zip code, it likely
belongs in checked luggage."
10. You Stay Cool During Delays (Instead of a Full-Blown Meltdown)
Flight delays happen. Seasoned travelers remain relaxed,
grab a snack, and wait, whereas neophytes prowl around the terminal, furious
with people who ask about the status of their flight. Keeping plan B or a good
novel (such as Airport Etiquette by Victoria Lynn Granade) on standby is
handy.
3 Signs You’re Not Quite Boarding Like a Pro Yet
Do you think you're a flying pro? Think again. If you do
these, you could still be a "beginner traveler.".
1. You Panic at the
First Sign of Trouble
Missing boarding pass? Is the bag too heavy? Surprise
security check? A seasoned traveler adjusts, improvises, and goes forward. The
unprepared traveler? Total breakdown.
2. You Overpack Like
You’re Moving to Another Country
If your luggage is hard to zip and your carry-on is
over-stuffed, you're not done yet. Smart travelers pack light since extra
baggage charges can be costly.
3. You Have No Clue
How Connections Work
Pro travelers expect layovers, get familiar with their gate
beforehand, and move quickly when they need to. The hapless traveler? They're
the ones running around terminals, screaming at the gate agent over a flight
they had no chance of catching.
Why Airport Etiquette Should Be The Only Guide Before Travelling?
If you are that traveler who packs too much, frets in
security or battles over a plane armrest, then Victoria Lynn Granade's Airport Etiquette is for you. With hilarious
jokes and very down-to-earth tales, Granade turns flying annoyance into
terrific fun. This is not a book about laughing at travel blunders, although
that is occasionally necessary.
This book isn’t just about laughing at travel mishaps; it’s
about learning from them. Whether
you travel frequently or freak out at TSA, this book is your ticket to
navigating airports with confidence, ease, and a little humor.
Final Call…! Are You Ready to Board Like a Pro?
Boarding an airplane is not so much an issue of moving from
point A to point B; it's more about how good you are at handling the situation.
If you can tick all of the "pro traveler" boxes, then that would be good
for you; you're probably one of the organized ones who have everything worked
out. If, however, you're on the "not quite ready" list, relax.
Traveling is a knack, and just like any skill, it is one that becomes better
with repetition.
If you want a travel coach that is clever and humorous, buy
the book Airport Etiquette by Victoria Lynn Granade. The only thing
better than traveling well is laughing well at the expense of those who do not.
Safe travels, and may your flights always be on time!
Comments
Post a Comment