Traveling To and From

It has come to my attention that not everyone travels as often as I do. My travel mostly consists of my parents’ work trips and family get togethers, while I view it as very sparse, my friends seem to think I am the travel authority.

Let’s cover road trips first. If you are driving across any distance longer than 2 hours, make sure to get gas refilled before your tank is low. There are often long stretches where you are far from a gas station. If you refill your tank when it only has a quarter left, then you will be pretty safe. If you are traveling more than 5 hours, consider stopping for sleep because a tired driver is a dangerous driver.

I do 3.5 hour road trips with just my cat often. I usually make a single stop and time it so I can have some free time before I need to be anywhere. Never drive expecting to get somewhere exactly on time because that is just naive optimism.

If you are stopping somewhere for rest, make sure you make eye contact with the person who runs the motel or hotel. Introduce yourself. And trust your gut, if things feel creepy or seem unclean, then leave. If you know there will be stops, you can easily buy some cheap gadgets to keep hotel doors locked and check for hidden cameras. I hate that I have to say that but this is the world we live in.

Planes up next. If you are booking a flight, do so on a Tuesday morning from a private browser that doesn’t track your cookie use. Feel free to use a public library computer. This can help lower the costs of your tickets. Early morning flights are often the cheapest but suck to get to. I can always suffer through an early flight but if mornings are a bad time for you, avoid them. It is okay.

Depending on your airline, you will have 1 to 2 free carry ons. I fly cheap (unless it is an overseas flight) so I am normally on Southwest or Spirit. Both let me have a carry on, this bag goes in an overhead compartment, and a personal bag, that goes under the seat in front of you.

There ARE size requirements, CHECK THEM and MEASURE your bags. Label them with either a weird sticker, a luggage tag with your name on it, or a piece of specific ribbon. I also usually add a note card with my name and address into the bag.

A checked bag means a large suitcase that gets stored in the bottom of the plane. I can’t think of a single airline that gives everyone free checked bags. Most make you pay for each checked bag, they will weigh them, or pay for a special ticket that allows you a checked bag.

Get to the airport early so you have time to check bags and suffer through TSA. American TSA has gotten more complicated since 2020. I have had airports that have 3 different kinds of TSA machines, and each has its own protocol for what to do with your things.

Some will ask you remove your shoes and belt. They may also ask you to put all devices flat and alone. Any liquid that is in your personal or carry ons needs to be less than 3.4 oz, and don’t carry more than 1 or 3 of those. No sharp objects, not even a hair stick. No mace or pepper spray either. Take an empty water bottle and snacks though, airport food is way too expensive.

Now as you are going through TSA you will be asked to show your ID. American airports are switching to accepting only a Real ID (stupid name) or passport. Passengers under 18 need an adult or their own identification of some kind.

Whatever ID you use, keep it in your hands no matter what. Do not put it in a bucket to go through the machine. Do not put it back in your bag or pocket. If anything happens you are going to need that ID on you.

Everything after that is dependent on your airline. I am always happy to let a plane bump me to a different flight, they offer extra credits. Sometimes they will ask you to check bags last minute for free to help weigh the bottom of the plane down, if you do this take any electronics out of the bag you send down.

My favorite travel option is trains. This is because trains are cost efficient and while they are slow, you have more leg room and options. Usually you have more options for luggage, you can take a bike or animals easily. The bathrooms are bigger, but oh so cold. Since trains are not popular, I usually take up two or three seats for myself. I will warn you, even if a train offers WiFi, it will be slow and awful.

Trains have low security. Some may look through your luggage or ask you to walk through a metal detector. Just don’t take a huge knife or weapon, be smart people. When you climb onto the train, they will have a luggage storage option near the doors or maybe overhead bins. If you are more comfortable keeping your bags with you, go ahead. Unless the train is full, they won’t ask you to move anything.

They will also not be checking your ticket till after you are seated most of the time. Have your ticket ready before getting on the train but don’t be surprised if they wave you off.

Train food is basically concession stand food, overpriced for what it is and not very good.

I hope this helps you feel ready to go wherever you need to go.