How to Make Flying Easier: Tips for Baby Boomers

Are you a baby boomer who does not fly very often?  If so,  every experience at the airport and on the airplane can seem  like the first time. Here are some tips that might help ease your way. Most of them are just common sense but it pays to be reminded of them.

One of the first recommendations I have is that you put all your travel papers in a folder that you take with you to the airport. For just a few dollars, you can buy a cardboard folder at Office Max or Office Depot.  If you prefer, you can also get one in leather or vinyl depending upon your style and budget. I prefer the ones that are self-closing.

As you are getting ready for your trip, put all of the papers you will need for the trip in the folder.  This will include your boarding pass, itinerary, hotel and rental car confirmations and if you are leaving the country, your passport and any othere papers you may need during your trip.  By the way, you need to remember that you now need a passport to enter into Canada. Having all these papers in one place will save a lot of aggravation and time at the airport and on your trip.

The day of your trip, you may also want to add to the folder your driver's license or other picture ID that you will need to go through security at the airport. One important point about the travel folder: keep the folder with you at all times.  It does you no good if it is in your checked baggage or in your carry on bag if you have to surrender it at the door of the plane if it is too large or there is no room in the overhead bins.

I also recommend you take as little additional clothing on the plane with you.  Overcoats, hats, scarves, etc, either become lost or crushed by someone's luggage in the overhead bin.  I always try to put those items either in my checked bag or carry-on. Speaking of carryons I happen to think the Delsey carryons are the most useful.  They fit a lot of clothing, but are lightweight and easy to put in the overhead.

I find it useful to wear slip-on shoes when traveling by plane. Not only is it easy to take them off on the plane, which is particularly important on long flights where you want to get comfortable, you will spend less time at the security gate since you will not have to unlace and lace up tie shoes.When you are seated, I recommend doing some basic stretches, particularly on long flights.  Just raising your arms in the air or leaning forward in your seat and touching the floor with your hands can do wonders for your circulation.  Compression stockings also may make sense on long flights. These cost about $10 and you can get them at Dick's Sporting Goods stores.

As the title of this post states, these little tips can make your flight just a little easier.

For information on some cool destinations, please take a look at my earlier posts and those yet to come.