How To Fly (and Travel)

American’s approach to airports and travel is almost spot on the same from passenger to passenger and consistently done wrong. Over time, I’ve developed an approach and strategy for navigating airports and journeys that aligns seamlessly with my personality.

Early flights

No, no, no, no. I live 35 min from the Sacramento International Airport. This means a 5:30am flight to Nashville would require me to get to the airport at 4:00am which means I would have to wake no later than 3:00am to get there on time. Why the hell would I want to do this and risk sleeping through my alarm (3am is quite an irregular time to wake up if it’s not routine for you) and be tired for the day? No, take a flight no earlier than 9am. If your rebuttal is “but I want to get there earlier to have more time” — not to worry…simply adjust your departure to a later time on the trip back. And if you absolutely have to get your destination that day, for goodness sake, fly in the night before. Problem solved. If you’re an early flier and coerced some poor soul to drive and drop you off at the airport, it’s a pretty sour move to expect them to be up that early to take you. If you are going to fly early, schedule a Lyft and let your family and friends sleep.

Make A New Music Playlist

This one is important to me. Music encapsulates the experience and enhances memory. It allows us to draw upon our experiences through memory by locking it away and together in the mind. Every time I travel, I put together a playlist of new music and listen to it the entire time on my trip. Your awesome new playlist will lock in the experiences and places you visited straight into that beautiful brain of yours. So no matter how far in the future….each time you pull that playlist, it will take you back to the experience.

Getting on the plane

Most airlines have assigned seating as a perceived luxury for the passenger. Believe it or not, but unassigned seating fills the plane quicker which allows for a faster readiness for departure which means $$ savings for the airline. Unassigned seating creates a herd perspective when boarding the aircraft as passengers quickly shuffle to fill the nearest seat. Passengers think they need to fill the empty space closest to the front of the plane. The most strategic place to sit is in the back of the aircraft. Even if you have preset seating, always choose the back of the aircraft. You have easy access to the restroom, the flight attendants, and typically you have the greatest chance to have the row to yourself. This almost makes you feel exclusive. I’m a backseat flier. But you get off the plane later? Barely. For a full 737 to deplane it takes roughly 8–10 minutes. Meaning that if you sat in the middle of the aircraft, you are saving 4–5 minutes. Big deal. Many feel the front of the plane or seated on the wing is the “safest” part of the plane. This simply isn’t true. It all depends on how the plane crashes in an aviation incident, which is impossible to predict. Plus by statistical measure, planes never crash. So why are you so concerned to sit in “safest” place on the aircraft?

Using Twitter To Communicate

Sometimes we get into quick jams before our flight that require a reach out to the airlines customer service. Most people don’t realize this…the Direct Message feature on Twitter is a great way to facilitate and convey an issue with representatives from an airline (or any company for that matter). Companies want to reduce any negative press on social media sites and typically have a strong customer service work force to quell and solve any problems their customers face. They want to deescalate any negative feedback that otherwise could manifest and fan out online. This is why the Direct Message feature is a quick communication tool to correspond with any airline. Most airlines are fast to respond.

Get On Your Flight Early

When you get on your plane early (and sit in the back) you have the opportunity to strike up a great conversation with the flight attendants. Showing them appreciation and a good attitude can result in free drinks, amenities, and a good flight. 80% of the time, I get free stuff and make new friends. (Edit: 100% of the time)

Don’t Complain

I’m not sure what it is about airports that causes stress and anger in people. Don’t complain. You’re insanely fortunate to live in an era where airplanes exist and are safe. I was watching the show 1883 recently….more than half of them died traveling from Texas to Oregon. And don’t get me started on the Donner Party…

Pick A Newer Plane

When you book your flight online, every airline gives you the option to view the make and model of the aircraft for your flight (This usually isn’t the case on the mobile version). I always try to get on an aircraft that is newer and a favorable like the A350, B787, A321neo, etc. I love being on a newer plane, they are usually more roomier than their predecessor to due competition between airplane manufactures. For example, if Boeing makes a new 737 that is 2 inches wider than its competitors, Airbus will match that and raise them an inch on their next model (or add another amenity) …which if you choose the newer model aircraft….it always results in a more comfortable flight (Boeing737-MAX not applicable)

Enjoy The Time In Your Seat

Captive time is focused time… and focused time can be productive time. Use this time wisely to catch up on important work, read a good book, etc. I find this type of environment mixed with the excitement of travel can lead to some innovative ideas…..so make sure to have a pen and paper handy.

Fly Non Peak

Sometimes we don’t have a choice due to our demanding schedules. However, if you can, book your flight mid day on a Tuesday and experience the freedom of a less rushed environment. Nothing sets the tone for a good trip like an emptied out airport with easy access to everything. I always try to schedule trips around easy airport times. Sometimes this includes the last flight out of Los Angeles on a Thursday night. Less people on the plane, more comfortable, easy.

Stop Being In A Rush

Got to get to the airport early. Have to sit in the front of the plane. Stand up right when the plane lands and rush to get off. Run to your bags and get out of the airport as quick as you can. Sound like you? STOP IT…chill out. Why be in such a rush and miss all the excitement at the airport? Stop into a localized shop and pick up a souvenir or a new laptop charger because you forgot yours at home. Plus, it’s not good for your blood pressure. Do you realize the difference between sitting in the front of plane and the back is only saving you 8–10 min (as I previously mentioned in case you weren’t paying attention) …8–10 min that’s it! Deplaning should be the least stressful part of your journey. Yet why does everyone make it so complicated? Enjoy you landed safely. Enjoy the surrounding. Walk off the plane at a slower pace, stop off and grab a drink. If you’re on vacation…be on vacation.

Can’t Get The Time Off

Yes you can.

Travel Destination

Now this section is going to upset a few people, however it needs to be said. Americans. What’s the deal? Why do Americans only visit France, Italy, Greece and sometimes England? In addition Mexico? I don’t get it. Well actually I do. Americans have slipped themselves into a veil of comfortability in their day to day lifestyle that it only makes sense it would bleed into their travel habits. Americans love to pick places with an American tourist presence and then booze cruise their way through their vacation. Maybe this is from working long hours back home? Who knows? But Americans should focus on one word when traveling: CULTURE. Visit countries like Estonia, Japan, India, Czech Republic, Turkey, or South Africa. Countries that do not have a MASSIVE American tourist presence. Get a sense of the people, the places around you, how the country was founded….do you even know their favorite pastime? Stop and ask. Questions are free. What are their top exports? Get out of your comfort zone.

Fly More, Stay Less

I talk to many people about travel and they’ll say “If I’m going to go to the Caribbean, I’m going for two weeks!”. Yes, that would be nice to go anywhere for two weeks or longer. Planning to plan can cause much stress and decision fatigue. Trying to shoot for a two week long vacation amidst a busy life can be incredibly challenging. What ends up happening is they do nothing. No trip. They effectively cancel out any opportunity for travel experience by attempting to plan this grand long trip. I love short and more frequent trips. Of course I want them to be longer, but realistically that is challenging. I’d rather visit more places with less time in each than one place devoted to all my vacation time. One year I visited many cities in the US by taking flights on weekends to cities without using any vacation time. 2 days was worth it to run around the city for a bit. Even international, just a few days in a country, is worth the trip. Each day you cut down on your trip plans, saves you money for another trip somewhere else. Extras days of food, hotel etc can add up quick.

Follow The Eagles and Take It Easy

Let your mind and soul wander when you get to a new destination. Don’t make all these plans and have this tight schedule when traveling. You are there to relax, not be in a stressful rush. First thing I do, find the art museums, the coffee houses, and the main public areas. I want to get a sense of the culture, the people. What do they do? What is their life like? Their history is reflected in their art. I love visiting their museums to learn about their past, how their society was formed. Take your time and listen. Listen to how the locals talk, what are their interests? Be enthusiastic about their country- tell the locals how much you appreciate it. Get their insight, this is a great opportunity to ask questions. Pro tip: they don’t care that you are an American and they likely don’t want to talk about America.

Some of your biggest inspirations can surface in a new surrounding — take notes.

Biggest thing of all- close your opinions, open your mind and don’t be a typical American when you travel.