So this spring break was my first experience being on an airplane and in an airport by myself. It was...interesting, to say the least. So now I feel the need to share some tips that I found myself learning.
1. Always check in early
Check in for your flight as soon as you can if you're on a general boarding flight. If you think boarding group C/5 is bad when you're with your friends and family, it's even worse when you're alone. Instead of people moving into the middle seat to make the whole thing easier on you and them, they start a huge boarding traffic jam so they can move their stuff and get out of their aisle seat so you have to sit in the middle. That's if you're lucky, too, I watched one poor woman have to crawl over some crappy college guy.
2. Have lots to do
I usually bring a little something in my carry on/personal item so I can keep myself entertained, but I also get bored pretty easily so I often talk to whomever I'm with, but that doesn't work if you're alone. I had my bullet journal to catch up on, a book, and had even downloaded a couple episodes of each of the series I'm watching on my Netflix app--Hulu is also apparently working on getting this service.
3. Find an exit buddy
It's TSA policy that you can't leave any bags or anything unattended. When you're with friends and family, that's no problem if you've gotta go to the bathroom or get your Starbucks or something. Alone, it becomes a bit of an issue. I usually find something around my age who's also alone and sit near them or at the very least someone who looks friendly enough. On the way home, I actually found a nice man who turned out to be a math professor here at BSU! Make sure you're good to your exit buddy and watch their bag if they need to leave their seat for whatever reason as well!
4. Talk to strangers
I know your parents/guardians told you not to, but you're gonna have to. To find an exit buddy, it's kinda necessary--unless you have a bladder of steel or wanna drag your bags everywhere. It's also kinda nice to complain and joke with the passengers nearby before take off, happened to me both times.
5. Roll with the punches
Flight got delayed? Take a breathe and text your ride to let them know. No Starbucks in airport? Find the next best thing with caffeine. Lost your sunglasses? Buy some new ones when you get where you're going. The guy sitting next to you sleeping on you even though there's a perfectly-good, empty seat on the aisle? Pull out your book and put in your headphones, and hunker down for the flight.
