Flying Issues—How To Deal With Them

Stuck on a crowded airplane for a long trip? Kids around you screaming, an obese person next to you enveloping you and your seat, and with no way for you to get up to reach your “stuff” in the overhead compartment, let alone to make a trip to the restroom? Feeling trapped and claustrophobic because you are in a window or middle seat on a packed plane?

A Not Too Crowded Flight, Author, Charlie Brewer Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

Let’s face it; this and many other things have happened to a lot of us. Lately, due to airline cutbacks, canceling flights, and cost-control measures, more flights are flying that are completely booked. This means we’re often traveling in what amounts to an almost cattle-car-like situation. And to be honest, sometimes, we do get seats next to overweight passengers who overflow their own, taking up some of ours. I mention this specifically, because of the recent news media flap over Director Kevin Smith being refused a right to fly for being overweight. I have no real opinion on that incident, but I do understand that both sides have some valid points regarding this matter. But sometimes, sitting next to such a person can be worse than just uncomfortable. It can be downright painful.

Case in point; I flew from Tampa to San Diego, about a seven-hour flight, all told. I was in a three-row seat, in the middle (window seat on my right). A heavy-set gentleman had the aisle seat. Now, mind you, he was a friendly fellow, and I enjoyed his company, but he did overlap his seat into mine—a lot! He literally and completely enveloped the armrest between us with his body, and his large arm and thigh were well into “my territory” (meaning he was absorbing about a good third of my seat). And unfortunately, he wore only a tee-shirt and so did I, because it was hot on that plane! With so many people on the flight, no matter how high we put our air-conditioning, it was still hot! His flesh pressed against my entire side in such an intimate way for those seven hours as to make me wonder about the morality of it all. I think you get the picture.

Director Kevin Smith, Author, Nehrams2020 Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

For seven hours I had to endure leaning to the far right of my seat. My traveling companion pressed herself against the window to give me a little more space. We were, to use an old saying, “packed like sardines in a tin” and sideways at that, in this case. It wasn’t just uncomfortable—it was painful, at times almost unendurably so. Before the end of the trip, I had a stiff and sore neck, and this lasted another two days. I was much too hot the entire trip. I couldn’t get up to go to the bathroom, because, frankly, it was such an effort for the poor man to get out of his seat that I just didn’t wish to disturb him, although he was very good-natured about it when I absolutely had to do this. And eating meals was a nightmare! I couldn’t lower my tray to place my food on it. There was no room!

Now, am I attacking overweight people, not wanting them to be on planes? Absolutely not! He was a pleasant man, a good conversationalist, and I think he had every bit as much right to be on the plane just as much as anybody else did. I feel it is up to the airlines and/or the FAA to establish rules and/or procedures for this problem, but with the rights of all travelers being thoroughly protected in the process. How they resolve the issue is for all of them to decide and not me. I’m no expert on such matters.

My only concern was that I paid for a ticket for a seat, and I felt I should have gotten the entire seat, not one-half to two-thirds of it! I can barely afford my own flights, without subsidizing other people’s flights in such a way. And if you think I’m exaggerating this episode, let me just say this; when we landed in San Diego and went to collect our baggage, I was waiting a long time for my luggage to appear. So was an Asian gentleman. He asked me if I was on the flight from Tampa. I nodded. And he said; “Oh, that’s right. You were the one having to sit sideways next to that obese guy! We all felt so sorry for you.” See? It wasn’t just my imagination. So my feelings on this whole issue, just to mention them in passing, is that everyone who pays for a seat, should be entitled to the whole seat or seats for which they’ve paid. It’s that simple, and regardless of anyone’s size, all of our rights need to be respected.

But even though this issue is much in the news right now, it is just one possible problem we face when flying. Above, I’ve mentioned others. And all those, combined with the airport terminals themselves, finding parking, finding your correct terminal, locating our flight gates, etc., it can get very stressful to fly these days, indeed.

So here are some tips to make taking a flight a little better, a little easier:

Portland International Airport Security, Author, Aboutmovies Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

First and we say this many times here, because it is so important; get to the airport well before your flight time. This way, if you make mistakes, take wrong turns, end up at the wrong terminal, or have trouble finding your parking location, you will have time to correct the situation without the chance of missing your flight. This helps relieve a lot of stress. And call the airline before leaving home to confirm you flight, that it is still flying at the same time. You don’t want to get to the airport to find your flight’s been moved up an hour and is now about to leave. That would be very stressful!

Secondly, when you arrive, check in as soon as possible. Remember, if you arrive late, your chances of getting bumped off your flight increases some, so get there early! And security is taking ever longer these days to pass through, so it helps to arrive early. To speed your ability to get through security, avoid wearing belts with metal, metal jewelry, or anything with metal (watches, etc.) for that matter. This will keep you from having to repeat trips through the detector. This can be nerve wracking and embarrassing for some, because inevitably, it starts to hold up the line behind you. Also, try to wear shoes without metal in them for the same reason. Slip-ons or loafers are a good way to go, because they do make you remove your shoes these days. It’s best to wear shoes that are easy-on, and easy-off. Again, watch out for metal bits.

Make sure your carry-on luggage has the right things in it. If you take medications and need to take them during the flight, you will need them with you. And, make sure you have those other things you know you will want. Whether pills, a book, or whatever, if you have them with you, rather than in the overhead compartment, it will save you having to hop up and down, blocking the aisles, and discommoding other passengers in the process.

Baggage Check In, Author, Mattes Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

Finally, settle in and enjoy the flight. With headphones for music or a movie, and/or your own ear plugs, you can block out most sounds around you, including those of screaming kids. A sleep mask will do wonders, too. Virgin Atlantic, at this time, issues a small free gift bag on its international flights. This includes a pen (for signing those destination country’s passport info cards, slip-on socks (for strolling about the plane in—a great idea), a sleeping mask, and several other items. I heartily recommend you bringing something like this with you. It will make your trip that much more comfortable. As for the flight being crowded, or having obnoxious neighbors who won’t stop talking—well, some things we just have to live with in this world, unless, of course, we can afford to travel first class.

But remember, flying is only a relatively short part of your travel experience. So, calm down. Try to relax and do those things mentioned above that may help you to do so. I even take along a safe, over-the-counter, sleeping aid on overnight flights. These help me to get some rest. Truth is, I have a very hard time sleeping on planes even if I manage to have my entire seat to myself.

Finally, when traveling internationally, arriving at a foreign country without local currency can be very stressing. How do you pay for anything you might need? Well, do a little checking on the Internet before you leave. You will find most airport terminals now have ATM cash machines where you can get local currency. However, beware of something else they also have, Change Bureaus. Where withdrawing cash with your debit or credit card is a relatively cheap transaction, the “Bureaus de Change” are not! They charge a higher exchange rate; often it is a much higher one to exchange money.

The best way to not fall for this, and end up with that stressful feeling of having been “robbed” by such a transaction, is to know the current exchange rates for the countries that are your destination. Check out Currate.com to find the current exchange rates for any currencies, because they have regularly and so reliably updated exchange rates for over 180 of the world’s currencies, so it’s almost a sure bet you will find the rate for the money you need. And Currate.com has an online currency conversion calculator, so you can figure out what things will cost you in your own money. No stressful surprises there! And with its “point-and-click” earth map, all you have to do is click on your destination to see it. Don’t forget that Currate.com can also be used by mobile phones with Internet Browser capability. Just go to http://currate.com/m.php or http://currate.com/e.php, if your phone is capable of utilizing more features.

Take all this advice and you will help to reduce your travel stress when flying. And remember, short, tall, thin, or heavy, we are all fellow travelers embarking on adventures. So concentrate on this aspect of things, rather than any negatives, and you will have a much better, less stressful flight.

Rob Shelsky, Currate.com Contributing Editor
Robert Rademacher, Currate.com Editor-in-Chief

References:

Getting Through Security
http://www.magellans.com/store/article/451?Args=

Flight Delays—What You Need To Know
http://www.magellans.com/store/article/438?Args=

Fly Next To A Fat Person, Get $250
http://www.bigfatblog.com/fly-next-fat-person-get-250

Travel Tips For Making Airline Travel Less Stressful
http://www.travelpost.com/articles/airline-travel-tips.aspx

Kevin Smith “Too Fat” To Fly Southwest
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20344142,00.html