This is our Passenger/ Traveler Etiquette episode where we talk about when and how to travel based on our experiences. With the help of our friend Chaz, who is a former flight attendant, we give you all the information you need to travel smoothly to your destination.

Thanks to our friend Chaz for helping and guesting on this episode!

Here is what we talked about:

Booking

Book 2 weeks to 2 months out
Book on a Tuesday (preferred) or a Saturday
Book directly on the airline website or app.

Booking third party limits how airline customer service representatives can help on the day of travel

If booking ultra-low-cost (ULC) carrier, pay for bags at the time of booking

Pay attention to bag size

Request meals with dietary/allergy requirements early
Get the app for the airline, add your booking, and enable notifications

Airlines put notifications through app first before emails, texts, or departure/arrival boards

Packing

Personal bag

Passport and/or driver’s license
Medication
Cash/Credit cards
Ear buds
Book/Entertainment during flight
Tissues
Phone charger
Water bottle (not filled)
Hair ties/clips

Carry On Bag (the smaller rolling bag, the better)
NOTE: Some airlines are starting to weight-restrict carry ons
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all

At least one set of clothes in case checked bag doesn’t make it
Any items with lithium batteries
PJs if overnight flight
Liquids (if not using checked bag), each item must be 3.4oz or 100mL or less
Overnight flight toiletries

Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, face cleanser, lip balm, deodorant

Checked Bag
Check each airline for weight limit

Large liquids
Shoes
Majority of clothes
Jacket/coat
Return flight: souvenirs (pack well if fragile)

Before You Leave for the Airport

Check in on the app 24 hours prior to departure
Empty water bottles
Check for delays
Check security wait times
Take screenshots of boarding passes or save to Apple/Google Wallet
Outfit

Jacket (airplanes are cold)
Long pants (in case you need to evacuate out slide)
Secure, comfortable shoes (in case of evacuation)

DO NOT wear flip flops, heels, etc.

Airport Arrival

Arrive 1.5 hours prior to departure for domestic flights
Arrive 3 hours prior to departure for international flights
Check bags. Utilize self-service kiosks if available.

Airport Etiquette

When using an escalator or moving walkway, move away when you get to the end so you aren’t blocking people behind you.
When using an escalator or moving walkway, stand to the right to allow people to walk past on the left

Except in Japan; it’s reversed except in Osaka

Security

Regular Security (subject to change by airport)

Remove any electronic devices larger than a cell phone
Remove liquids bag IF REQUESTED
Remove shoes
Remove any jackets with a zipper (hoodies can stay on)
Remove belt
All items must go in a bin (including suitcase unless told otherwise)
EMPTY YOUR POCKETS
Stay with your bins until they pass into the machine

TSA Pre-check

DO NOT remove shoes, jacket, or electronics

International

All security

Remove liquids bag (absolutely must be 1 quart size bag)
Everything else varies depending on country, pay attention to signage while in line
Expect to take everything out

Boarding

Gate

If in US, use the departures board to find your gate; don’t rely on the app
If international, you may have to wait to have a gate assigned. Wait in communal area until gate is posted

Gate check your bag if flight is to final destination

Remove any items with lithium batteries

In hand

Boarding pass (paper or on phone)
Passport if international, turned to page with photo

If wide-body

Figure out ahead of time which aisle you should go down based on your seat

Put suitcase in overhead bin quickly; you are holding up the line

On the Plane

READ THE SAFETY INFORMATION CARD. ASSUME THE EXIT ROW PEOPLE ARE INEPT.

Pay special attention to which exits can be used in a water landing and where the rafts are stored

Listen to the safety briefing without your headphones on. I’m serious.
Drink water, easy to get dehydrated on board
Wear ya damn seatbelt
Do not go barefoot in the lavatories.
Don’t touch flight attendants or poke them for attention.
Don’t bring gross smelling food onboard
Don’t always expect hot food nowadays
Use external batteries to recharge devices as a lot aircrafts still do no have outlets and if they do, they’re usually not all working at once as it rotates to conserve energy
IF THE FRONT LAVATORY IS BEING BLOCKED BY A CART AND FLIGHT ATTENDANT, SIT DOWN AND WAIT! Use common sense.
Flight attendants will touch your bag in the overhead bin, get over it.
READ PLACARDS

In Case of Emergency

Remain calm.

If you are someone who can remain calm under pressure, you will definitely be asked to help flight crew either prepare for or after a crash landing/ditching.

If usage of oxygen masks is required, put yours on first and give a sharp tug to the tubing otherwise oxygen will not start. After your oxygen has started, help others.
Assess yourself and neighbors for injuries.
Listen for instructions from flight attendants.

Watch flight attendant actions/body language as they are there to do the job of safety first.

Locate your nearest safe exit

If you are the first to reach it, look outside before opening. Check for debris, fire, or other possible dangers.

DO NOT TAKE YOUR FUCKING LUGGAGE WITH YOU. If it’s within reach and not a hindrance, a small bag with your passport/ID and medication may be taken with you, but only if it does not take extra time (i.e. crossbody bag, fanny pack, etc.)

Deplaning

If flight attendants come on to announce that other passengers need to deplane first to make their connections, LET THEM.
Clean up your area and leave any remaining trash on your seat so it’s easier for cleaning crews to remove.
Deplane row by row. If you are in the aisle, you can get your bag out of the bin prior to your row deplaning; otherwise, wait.
Thank your cabin crew!

Irregular Operations (IROPS)

Weather happens. It causes delays and cancellations, and the airlines are not required to compensate as much because it’s an act of God.

Hotel and meal vouchers are not required to be given but the airline may out of good faith IF YOU’RE NICE.

Any delays, cancellations, etc. due to something within an airline’s control do require such things depending on the length of delay.

This varies by country, so we will not give specific requirements.
This can include meal vouchers, hotel vouchers, airline credit, or cash depending on the circumstances.

Regardless of circumstance, you are protected through to your destination. The airline is required to get you there…it just might take a while and be convoluted.
Irregular operations suck. Everyone is unhappy. Be nice3

Flying with Pets

Remember to check country requirements both for your destination and your return country.
In Cargo

Not allowed by most airlines anymore. There are a few exceptions (including but not limited to Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa).
Check the requirements for departure, arrival, and any stopovers.
Check the requirements for kennel size and documentation.

In Cabin

Call it in advance. Verify with the airline.
Check requirements for departure, arrival, and any stopovers.
Do not put them in the overhead bin!

Flying with Disabilities

If you experience any difficulties with airline or airport personnel, request a Conflict Resolution Officer (CRO). They are more properly trained to address your disability needs and concerns.

Invisible Disabilities

Most (if not all) airports recognize the sunflower lanyard as a symbol of having an invisible disability and potentially needing help. This can help expedite and get you through disability/restricted lines without unnecessary/invasive questions.

Visit an information desk to find out where to get a lanyard if you don’t already have one. They are also available online.

Airports are loud. Invest in good noise-cancelling headphones if you can to help reduce overstimulation.

Service Dogs

Fill out the DOT form and have it both on your phone and on your person. It must be filled out anew every year.
Most if not all airlines have a way to submit the DOT form ahead of time. Do that.
Check the SD requirements for any country you are flying to; some have requirements to be trained by a professional program such as Assistance Dogs International (ADI). Coordinate with someone from your state/foreign ministry department if it’s too much for you; they are required to help you.

Wheelchairs

Coordinate wheelchair services on your reservation at least 48 hours in advance.
Manual

If they are foldable, the airline is supposed to try to accommodate within reason in the cabin.
If they are not foldable, they must be checked.

Any power assist devices must go with you in your carry on.

There’s an onboard wheel/aisle chair to utilize once boarding begins*

*At least one mainline aircraft 737 and bigger

Motorized

Verify with the airline minimum 48 hours in advance. All airlines have their own department to address your needs.
Before handing off the device to the airline to check, explain anything about how the brakes release, about how the battery disconnects. Some batteries can go beneath, some cannot. Explain how the controls work. Explain what is foldable and what isn’t.

Ambulatory devices:

If crutches or canes in use, book a window seat or ask the the window seat person if you can place your device up against the fuselage wall; otherwise, they usually fit in the overhead bin

If the device is awkward, you may ask a flight attendant if there is room in a closet or elsewhere

FAA/FAR’s:

Flight crew have to do certain things that the general public doesn’t need to know about.

This includes knowing who and where LEO’s, FAM’s, and other passengers like returning migrants are located. Keep in mind, flight crew may look pleasant on the surface, but there’s a million things going on all at once

Once the threshold of that aircraft is crossed by you, anything flight crew tells you to do is the law - you must follow instruction

If you don’t, you are at risk for getting arrested or fined

Example Packing List