Traveling alone? Follow these tips to survive.
1. Get to the airport early.
If this is your first time flying, you should get to the airport about an hour and a half before your boarding time. This way, you don't have to panic if you get lost, have a delay at security or anything else. It's better to be bored waiting for the plane than to be that person who holds everyone else up because you didn't make enough time for yourself.
2. Dress as minimally as possible.
When I say this, I am not recommending you wear a mini skirt and crop top. I'm talking leggings, slip on sneakers, sports bra, tank top and a sweatshirt. That's it. The sensors are really, really sensitive, and if you think that your sequined top will be hunky-dory, think again. I walked in and out of the scanner three times because my shirt had a metallic decal. They mean business there, and it's their duty to keep things running smoothly -- so just make everyone's life easier and don't wear every Alex and Ani bracelet that you own.
3. Don't bring two carry-ons.
Yes, there are places to put your suitcase that you swear will fit in the overhead compartment. Yes, everyone wants to shove you up there with it when you hold up the line because you can't find a spot for it. Just bring a backpack that you can tuck under the seat in front of yours. That way you don't have to climb over the sleeping old man to get to your luggage in the aisle when you need something.
4. Bring a snack.
If your flight is less than five hours, you're probably not going to get fed. You're totally allowed to bring a bag of chips, pretzels or a granola bar with you on the plane. I suggest a fruit and granola bar. I tend to get really hungry while flying and there is next to no time on layovers for food. There's no way I would be willing to fill up on tiny bags of peanuts and pretzels.
5. Learn calming breaths.
There are usually two reasons why I will need to take deep, soothing breaths. It is either because I am sad to leave home and need to stop crying so the TSA agent won't think I'm crazy, or because I get anxious taking off and don't want to have a panic attack. Yoga fire breaths are best for both issues. This was a particular favorite of mine whilst flying from city to city in Peru in an airplane that looked like maybe it was made of old pieces of tin laying around a junk yard.
6. Don't let go of your ticket.
Keep it with you when you walk through security, take it into your bathroom stall and hold it in line for boarding. As soon as it is handed to you, it shouldn't leave your sight.
7. Keep your things near you.
Thieves are everywhere, so don't be easy prey.
8. Be weary of the people around you.
Of course there are going to be people who are genuinely friendly and just want to chat about life. Those people are great. But then there are people who have questionable intentions. There will be constant announcements made warning you not to take anything from strangers. I personally don't have an experience with that, but I can imagine that it's not a fun one.
9. Be creative when talking to people.
There will always be people who are willing to strike up a conversation with you. As a child of parents who understood the terrors of kidnappings, I was always told not to talk to strangers. As an adult who understands that kidnappings doesn't just mean children, I don't like to give out real information about myself. Yet, I still like to interact with people. The solution to this is to create an identity. Don't think of it as lying -- think of it as acting practice. On my recent travels, I have pretended to be a high school gym teacher named Margaret who was traveling back home to the Adirondacks to visit my niece.
10. Prepare things to do on the plane.
If you are one of the blessed people who are capable of sleeping on planes, feel free to skip on over to the next tip. For those of us who are insomniacs, find things that will keep you busy in the air. Not all planes have personal TVs. On an eight hour overnight flight home from Hawaii, all of my friends fell asleep, and I was the only person awake on the plane with no TV and a dead phone. So I sat there staring at my shoe laces pondering life in painful, miserable boredom. Which leads me to my next pointer.
11. Be prepared for delays and cancellations.
Sleeping overnight in an airport is a real thing that happens and it sucks. Be ready to go and compromise with the travel agents to find a flight as soon as possible. If you have to sleep at the airport, keep all of your things physically attached to your body. Put your backpack on your stomach, tuck your money in your sock and lay your head on your carry on. Make it nearly impossible for someone to take something from you without waking you up.
12. Keep a charged phone.
Some planes even have little plugs for your phone. I know there was a time before phones when people flew planes and were fine, but in an era of instant replies and "text me when you land" messages, having a charged phone is essential.
13. Bring some warm clothes.
If you weren't aware, the air that planes fly through is like minus 40 degrees and the walls of the plane feel like ice. Planes get really cold, especially when the woman next to you has the cold air blasting. It is helpful to throw a thick pair of socks, maybe a hat, a sweater and a small blanket in case of cold-related emergencies.
14. Bring a notepad and pen.
Traveling can be one of the most incredible things in the world. Peaking out the plane's window and seeing the Grand Canyon or a thunderstorm over Mexico can be so incredibly inspiring. You'll have so many things, small and big, that you'll want to remember from traveling alone.
