• Safety & Security
• Delays & Cancellations
  
• Seating & Comfort
  
• Baggage

SAFETY & SECURITY

How to avoid accidents? What to do when incidents occur? Paying attention....

• Fly Nonstop:
  Most of the incidents involving aircraft take place during the take-off or landing phases of the flight. Therefore it stands to reason that - statistically - you have less chance of accidents if you stick to nonstop flights as much as possible.
  
  
• Watch the inflight security briefing:
  It's boring, isn't it? Watching the same security briefing over and over again. How to put on the life-jacket, where the emergency exits are, correct use of the oxygen masks, yakety-yakety... But, believe it or not, these briefings save lives. Studies have shown that passengers who pay attention to the briefing and read the airline's security card (in the pouch in front of you) have a higher survival rate in aircraft incidents.
  
  
• Overhead storage:
  What goes up may come down! Every year airlines report a number of incidents where passengers are struck by heavy objects falling from the overhead compartments during take-off, landing or in turbulent weather conditions. In some cases this leads to serious and/or permanent injuries. So, as a rule-of-thumb, store heavy objects under the seat and put lighter gear in the overhead compartment. When in doubt, ask the flight attendants.
  
  
• Keep your seatbelt fastened when seated:
  Keeping the seatbelt on provides extra protection during the flight whenever the aircraft hits turbulence. You will not, for instance, run the risk of bouncing off the aircraft's ceiling when it hits an air pocket. Don't laugh: it happens every year to unsuspecting passengers and can lead to serious head, neck or back trauma.
  
  
• Hazardous materials:
  Most airlines have a long list of hazardous items and materials you cannot bring on the flight. These mostly include gasoline (e.g. lighter fuel), corrosives, poisonous gases or fluids, fireworks... and are absolutely prohibited unless you have prior consent of the airlines and the materials are shipped in proper containers. If you need to take items of this nature with you, please check with the airline or your travel agent before you leave.
  
  
• Electronic equipment:
  On most flights the use of laptop computers, a discman or walkman and other electronic equipment is restricted or prohibited. Airlines view this as a necessary safety precaution. There is the possibility that electronic equipment, when activated, can interfere with the airplane's electronic systems. Again, if you really need to use that equipment in-flight, check with the flight attendant first.
  
  
• Humour:
  Luggage is checked on all airlines, but US airlines and El Al have special extended security checks to counter any terrorist threats, etc. Whenever a security agent (for any airline) inspects your luggage, points to an item and asks: "what is this?", please don't joke and say it's a bomb/gun/... You may think you are funny at the moment, but you will have reconsidered after spending a night (or more) in jail. Security officers don't joke!

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DELAYS & CANCELLATIONS

They seem to be unavoidable these days: delays & cancellations. Be it because of equipment failure, strikes, foul weather... the experience is always unpleasant for the traveller. But there are a couple of ways of reducing the risk of getting stuck at the airport.

• Airlines do not guarantee their schedules. When planning your trip, you are wise to allow for some delays.
  
  
• If your flight is delayed and you see a long line at the airline's counter, stop by a payphone and call the airlines' reservation number (or your travel agent) and request to be booked on the next flight.
  
  
• Every airline has its own policy concerning the handling of passengers on delayed/cancelled flights. Always ask the gate agent what compensation could possibly be made.
  
  
• If your flight is late and you have a connecting flight to catch, always inform the flight attendant (in flight) or the gate agent (if you're still at the airport). This allows for the airline to make arrangements on your behalf. Some airlines have staff handling these request and auto-checking which passengers will run into difficulties catching their transfer flight. But still, check with the airline staff.
  
  
• If you're transferring to another flight, you might do well to check out the diagram of the airport you're transferring in. You can find this in the airline's inflight magazine. That way you know where to go and you won't waste time during your transfer.
  
  
• If you have to spend the night because of a delayed/cancelled flight and the airline does not award you a hotel room you can still ask them to call a hotel and request a Distressed Passenger Rate. Airlines usually have deals with one or more local hotels for such cases.
  
  
• ....and whatever happens: stay polite ! Whatever you think about the airline and it's service, the gate or check-in agent is not to blame. His/her only concern is to get you to your destination as quickly and comfortably as possible.

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SEATING & COMFORT

Here are some tips on seating and general comfort when travelling by air.

• the longer you wait to book your flight, the more chance you have that the best seats will already be taken. Usually, aisle seats are the first to go, followed by window seats.
  
  
• Exit row seats are great if you need extra leg room. But....you need to be in fit physical condition to get one of those seats and you cannot book them in advance. The best thing to do if you want an exit row seat is to arrive early at the airport and request it at check-in.
  
  
• If your flight is heavily booked and you want good seating, you might consider calling the airline just after midnight. That is the time when unpaid reservations are released and seat selections become available.
  
  
• On long flights - or if you need to do some work on the aircraft - try to request seating next to an empty seat.
  
  
• If possible, avoid business traveller's peak times (6-9 am and 4-7pm monday through friday)
  
  
• It's always a good idea to bring some reading material, food and drink on the plane. You'll never be bored, hungry or thirsty during the flight or in case of delays.
  
  
• Earplugs can be helpful if you are planning on having a quiet flight. Just plug them in and screaming kids or blabbering fellow passengers won't disturb you in the least.
  

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BAGGAGE

• If you are out to buy new luggage, you might consider buying a different color than black. Most suitcases are black and any other color will stick out and make it easier to find your luggage.
  
  
• Always put a strap around your luggage. It will hold luggage together in case something happens to the suitcase, it will make the suitcase stand out and it is an added protection against in-airport theft (in some countries baggage handlers have been known to remove items from luggage. A luggage strap means more work to open up your suitcase so they'll be more inclined to leave it be)
  
  
• Always make sure to remove old destination and check-in tags from your luggage. If you leave them on, they might confuse the (automated) baggage handling systems and your luggage could get lost.
  
  
• When you check in your luggage, make sure they tag it through to your final destination. If you have to transfer to another flight, you might not have the time to collect your luggage, check it in again, etc.
  
  
• Always put a luggage tag on your suitcase and another one inside. Whenever you can, don't mention your home address on the tag. Mention your business address instead.

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