A Traveler's Guide to the Airport

Be Organized
From the moment you start planning your trip, you need to create a system of organizing tickets, receipts, itineraries, passports and the like. While it sounds like we're stating the obvious, you would be surprised at the amount of people who don't do this, as well as the time it wastes rummaging for these items once you're at the airport. If, by chance, things do not go as planned on your day of travel (i.e. flight delays or cancellations), organizing your documents will provide you quick access to necessary information.

Early Check In
Many airlines now allow you the ability to check-in early, even pick your seat, as much as 24 hours in advance of your plane flight. This process can be done via the airline's website, and in some cases by way of free applications that can be downloaded to your smart phone. If possible, take advantage of these options. Doing so buys you peace of mind, and possibly a lot of time.

Packing
Be sure to check your airline's restrictions for both carry-on and stowed baggage. For carry-on baggage most restrictions have to do with size. Simply put, you cannot bring anything into the airplane's cabin that is too large to fit in the overhead compartments.
Dress Code
The clothes you wear to the airport can save you a lot of time while moving through lines.

Dress comfortably and weather appropriately, but forgo wearing any unnecessary accessories. Items such as belts, watches, wallets and jewelry will have to be removed when passing through airport screening.

The shoes you wear are important, as you will be asked to remove them as well. We suggest wearing loafers or any type of shoe that can be easily slipped off and on.

Checking Bags
You have several options when it comes to checking bags. The first is utilizing the skycaps. Normally located just outside your airline's departure terminal, skycaps can check in your bags, and check you in as well. Skycap lines can vary in size, but many times they are much shorter than those inside the terminal. It's important to know that while most airlines offer free skycap check-in, a few do charge, usually a couple of dollars per bag. No matter if your airline charges for this service, it is customary to tip your skycap two dollars (or more) for every bag you check.