When most people think of airplane travel, they imagine the airport, the crowds of people, and the general discomfort of it all. Since I get on a plane about once a month now, I’ve had a lot of time to figure out what items I need to bring with me to make my trip a little more comfortable.
I always, always, always have a water bottle with me. One of the things I’ve noticed is that if I don’t, I dehydrate and get a wicked headache. See, travel, even routine travel, puts stress on the body. Combine that with the way air is handled on planes, and well, it’s a recipe for disaster. Having the water bottle and using it heads those off.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to sit near small children in airplanes. I’m not sure if their ears just don’t pop or if the parents aren’t aware that they can help their children pop their ears, but usually one is screaming its head off. Earbuds help block some of those sounds and help me focus on something else. They also have the bonus of amusement during those long walks through Denver International Airport.
There have been several times where I’ve been waiting for a flight or running to a flight, and my phone battery isn’t where I need it to be. Sound familiar? When I finally caved and bought a battery pack, traveling with electronics got easier. Now I don’t have to sit on the floor and hope the outlet works.
There are other items that I bring with me always. Things like a jacket, snacks, etc. also help my travel experience. However, they don’t play quite the same role in making sure I get where I’m going with the least stress possible. That makes for the best starts and ends to my trips as is possible.