Flying Tips You Need To Know
I’ve been fortunate enough to travel throughout my entire life and after 100s of flights, I have come up with a list of tips and suggestions in the hopes to help make your journey smoother. This is only based on my experience up to now. I am sure in a few more years I will have other tips to add to this list.
Carry On Only
The first and most obvious suggestion is to travel carry on only. Almost all airlines allow you to bring a carry on bag as well as a personal item. Although the specific sizes can vary between airlines, I have personally found that a 40L duffel serves as a great carry on and a 16-24 litre backpack is a great personal item. I have not come across any issues yet with this. In total you are looking at 55-65 litres of capacity. For context this is enough for me to travel to almost any climate for an unlimited duration while also carrying a bunch of camera gear, laptop, iPad, accessories and still have about 15% room to spare.
By avoiding checking your bag you avoid the risk of damage and loss. You avoid extra costs and most importantly you save time either end. As for liquids, I bring a tiny quantity of toiletries enough for about 5 days and always buy something bigger as soon as I land.
Large Cabinet Bag
If you have a large cabin bag that must go in the overhead storage then I suggest getting speedy or priority boarding. If you don’t want to do that, then I suggest sitting towards the back of the plane. This is because if you get to your seat and the overhead cabins are full, you will most likely have to keep going back and find room. From experience there is rarely ever more room towards the front. This means that once you landed, you have to either push past everyone or wait till everyone behind you has left before being able to go back and get your bag. Finally I know it might seem paranoid but if you have anything expensive there, you want to at least see if anyone else is going into the same overhead bin.
Removable Camera Cube
I used to travel with a Peak Design 20L Zip. For those who don’t know, it has an internal divider system that can separate all your lenses. The issue is that it is only secure as long as the bag is shut. Last summer I was going through Paris airport when a very rude security guard demanded the bag goes through again. He then insisted on opening the bag himself and when I clearly explained that the lenses will fall out, he ignored and continued. Thankfully nothing fell out but it was close. He then left the bag sitting open for ages with people walking past.
This made me go back to a separate camera cube. If I go through this again, I can simply remove the cube from the bag, open it and not worry about lenses falling out. Also if for whatever reason I have to check the bag in, I can just remove the cube and I am good to go. Depending on the cube, it can also double up as a sling like the Bellroy Venture 10L one I use. Finally this allows you to use a non dedicated camera bag which looks better and attracts less attention.
Sling With Essentials
I use to keep all the essentials in my pockets however soon realised it is not a smart idea. Now I always wear a small 2L sling across my chest. This sling doesn’t come off until I am on the plane and then I can simply hang it in front of me or place it in the seat pocket. Inside I keep my passport, wallet, battery charger and any essential documents. I keep my phone there, keys and something to clean my hands such as tissues or wipes.
One could argue that if someone steals it, you have lost everything in one go. However I would argue that there is more chance of something falling out of your pocket or you being distracted by trying to find your passport in one of your bags. As long as the sling is secure, close to your chest and doesn’t stand out, I feel this risk is not as great. I personally use a Bellroy Venture 2.5L sling.
Not All Bags Are Equal
Even though some bags are advertised to hold X amount of litres, it doesn’t always mean they do. Equally a 40L bag by one company can hold less while looking more bulky than the same capacity by a different company. For an example my 40L Bellroy duffel holds at least 20% more than a regular 55cm suitcase. Yet it looks much smaller and can fit in more places due to actually being a little smaller. Equally my 40L hiking bag takes 20% less than the Bellroy yet looks at least 20% bigger. Of course a duffel on a hiking trip is useless but you get the point. Another example is when boarding a long distance bus, all suitcases need to go in the hold. Yet a duffel or backpack are easy to bring on board. Either way when you’re shopping for your next travel bag, this is something to keep in mind.
Black Bags Look Smaller
Make sure all your travel bags are black. They stick out less but more importantly they look smaller. Going for light or vibrant colours will only attract attention and make the bag look bigger than it is. This risks having a bored airport employee check if your bag fits into their dimensions.
Hydration
Stay hydrated and you will minimise jet lag, headaches and generally feeling crappy during travel. Sure you would need to pee more which is a pain however I have always felt better after a long flight if I am hydrated.
Avoid Over Eating
Avoid eating too much and stop at around 60% full. It will make your flight and general moving around way more comfortable.
Avoid Junk Food
I’d like to think that most people have a brain and wont destroy an extra large McDonald’s before a flight but having gone through enough airports, I don’t think that’s the case. Junk food is full of sugar, salt and zero nutrients. Flying and travelling is already stressing your body. No need to make it worse with that shit. Stick to healthy whole foods. I usually pack some Huel with me for scenarios where there are no healthy options. It doesn’t replace a proper healthy meal but it’s better than junk food.
Dress Comfortably
Some people like to dress up for travel. I tried it once and it was the most uncomfortable flight of my life. So now I prioritise comfort over looking smart or trendy. Especially on a long flight.
Avoid Large Laptops
I remember when the new MacBook’s with the M1 chips came out, not long after there was a story published where a guy was working on his brand new 16” laptop and the person in front abruptly reclined their seat. This resulted in the seat catching the top of the screen, shattering it in the process. This has never happened to me thankfully but even on my 14” mac, there were times where I was worried and moved the laptop while the person in front seemed to be having a fight with their seat. Now I use my small 11” iPad which is perfect especially for cramped European budget flights.
Everything Needs Extra Time
If you think it will take you an hour to get to the airport based on google maps, double it. If it says 20 minutes to clear security, double it. Whatever you do and however long you think it would take, double it. Maybe some people love to rush. Personally I like to move and do things slowly by giving myself double the time. If there is an unexpected delay, it’s fine. If no delay and you get to the airport with an extra hour to spare, grab a coffee and read a book 5 minutes from the gate. It’s easier to be late in that situation compared to stuck in motorway traffic.