Airport Tips: Five Mistakes That People Make At the Airport
Greetings from Reykjavik, Iceland! This is a really cool place to visit, and getting to be very popular with stopover visits between the U.S. and Europe, but well worth visiting. On our way here, we noticed quite a few mistakes made by travelers at the airports, so today we’re sharing the top five mistakes that people make at the airport.
Airport Tip #1: Allow Plenty of Time
It’s pretty widely communicated that travelers need to arrive at the airport two to three hours ahead of a flight, yet still people don’t give themselves enough time. The plane will not wait because a passenger got stuck in traffic, or if the TSA lines are too long. The gate will close about five minutes before the departure time, whether every passenger has arrived or not. Allowing plenty of extra time makes the travel day much less stressful.
Airport Tip #2: Be TSA Ready and Know the Rules
TSA rules haven’t changed much in the last 15 years, yet travelers still stroll up to the security line unprepared for what they need to do. Key things to pay attention to: having coats/outer layer removed, shoes removed, pockets emptied, wearing shoes easy to remove and put back on, and having laptops and other electronics ready to go in a separate bin. When it comes to liquids, it has to be 3 ounces or less, and separated into one one-quart clear bag. (Think 3-1-1) People who have this all sorted out ahead of time can breeze through security, while others get glares from the passengers they are holding up behind them. Keep the TSA rules in mind when you pack your bag, so the things that need to be separated are easily pulled out and thrown into their own bin.
Airport Tip #3: Don’t Screw Around at Security Checkpoints
Waiting in line for TSA or customs is not the time to be joking around. They have a serious job of keeping us all safe, so it’s best if travelers take it seriously as well. This also applies to checking in at the gate, or shopping in duty free. Some duty-free purchases have to be delivered to the flight, so it’s not always possible to just buy something five minutes before boarding.
Airport Tip #4: Pay Attention to Gate Information
Another frequent travel mistake is not paying attention to gate information and departure screens. Gates can and do change frequently, so just because the ticket says one thing, it’s not always correct. Changes aren’t always announced over the PA system so it’s up to the passengers to pay attention to the screens to make sure they’re in the right place. Sometimes, downloading the airline app is also a good way to stay on top of gate changes, although the departure screens are always the most accurate.
Airport Tip #5: Don’t Yell at Airport Personnel
Yelling at gate agents, check-in desk attendants or security agents doesn’t solve any travel problems. If a traveler is late to the airport, or a flight is delayed or canceled due to weather, it’s not their fault. Generally, they will do whatever they can to alleviate a situation, but yelling at them never works out in the travelers favor. They’re more likely to offer solutions to travelers who can remain calm and personable.
These are just some of the most common travel mistakes we see at the airport, and avoiding them is guaranteed to make your travel day go smoother! If you want more travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos:
