air travel novice

ucsd_ucla_dad
Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:58:50 +0000

I avoid checking bags as much as possible - checking bags adds delay and there’s always the possibility that they’ll be ‘temporarily misplaced’ (although rarely are they actually lost permanently).

Being realistic - the 4" knife on your keyring will be useless under most conditions under which you’d think about using it. A 9mm handgun might be effective - but not a 4" keyring knife. That’s not a good reason to have the hassles of checking a bag IMO - you’re better off removing the knife. Instead (or even if you bring it), do your best to avoid areas where you’d be more exposed to violence and travel with others and you’ll likely be okay.

I don’t like redeye flights but I’m a lousy sleeper in general and a really lousy one on flights. Most people do better to keep their normal sleep rhythm as much as possible so consider that when choosing a flight. I could scare you further and talk about how well the pilots are able to manage the disruption to their sleep cycles when piloting redeye flights but I won’t ;). Given that, I’ve known some people who prefer the redeyes but these people can usually sleep okay on planes.

Once you’re on a flight, just like when you’re on a bus, in a taxi, or a passenger in someone’s car, you just need to resign yourself that you’re now in the care of the other person for your safety. The advantage you have in the plane is that it’s on a machine that has extensive engineering, redundant systems, multiple safety systems, a wide support network, and is being operated by professionals who generally love to do what they’re doing. All of that’s not necessarily the case for other modes of transportation. Regardless, since once you’re aboard there’s nothing you can do about it, it’s best to put it out of your mind and focus on a book, a video, music, or take a nap if you can.