Try To Make It To The Airport And We'll Guess How Long It Took
- by Dylan Dembrow
- – on
- in Lifestyle
There’s nothing more exciting than having some vacation time to look forward to, especially if that means heading to the airport and taking off for someplace tropical or new. But before one can actually reap the benefits of a vacation, they need to prepare for their trip to the airport, which is far less fun than sipping ice cold beverages on a sunny beach.
There’s no way around it, traveling can be a huge headache. There’s no good equation for knowing exactly what to pack and how much is going to be needed, and making it to the airport for a flight on time can often be a nightmare. After all, missing a flight could end up costing someone hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
So when it comes to making it to the airport, the more preparation the better. Of course, that could leave someone with well over an hour of sitting at their terminal before take off, but that’s far better than the alternative of sprinting to the gate and discovering it’s already been sealed off.
So let's see if we can separate the type A from the type B personalities and figure out who's better prepared for a trip to the airport!
What’s the dream destination?
It’s hard to know how long it will take to get to the airport if one doesn’t even know where they’re going in the first place. So in this instance, let’s just pretend the destination is whatever a person so desires. So is there something tropical on the horizon? Or maybe it’s an exploration of Europe’s most beautiful cities.
How far in advance was the flight booked?
Not only does booking a flight well in advance save someone money, it also gives them plenty of time to pack and prepare for their trip. Not that there’s anything wrong with the last minute vacation. But when someone books the night before, they’re bound to be a little more crunched for time.
Remember to check in for the flight?
Most airlines now require the flyer to check in within 24 hours of their flight time. This is often when the flyer finds out what terminal they’ll be at, what seat number they’ve been given, or what boarding group they’ll get on the plane with. So don’t forget to check in!
Preferred flight time?
Some people absolutely can’t stand to fly first thing in the morning. It’s like waking up to a nightmare where everything is a race to the finish line. However, others have no problem waking up before dawn so they can beat the morning rush, only to get boarded on the plane and fall immediately back to sleep.
Flying first class or coach?
Flying first class sure comes with its fair share of perks, including getting to board before everyone else and enjoying some extra leg room. But the price of most first class tickets is ridiculously higher than anything in coach, and most people would rather suck it up for the flight and spend that extra money at their destination.
Tickets printed or on phone?
While electronic tickets are becoming much more commonplace, there’s always the fear that someone’s phone may break or malfunction and they won’t be able to pull up the tickets when they need them most. Whereas printed tickets aren’t going anywhere so long as the person isn’t prone to losing things.
Would a bag need to be checked?
If someone is going to need to check a bag, they’re definitely going to want to get to the airport more in advance than if they just had a carry-on. After all, that’s another additional line the person is going to have to stand in, and one can never predict line wait times until they're actually at the airport.
Preferred means of transportation to get to the airport?
Unless someone is going to be paying for parking, they’re going to have to rely on someone else to drive them. This is just another thing to worry about, as many flights are at inconvenient times. So is it wise to put one’s trip into the hands of something as unpredictable as Uber or a taxi service?
Traveling with children?
Throwing kids into the mix can completely alter the amount of time need to prepare for a flight. Now parents not only have to worry about getting themselves ready on time, but they have an entire other human being who needs their assistance. As if traveling wasn't already stressful enough.
How many pairs of socks should be packed for a week long vacation?
Some people massively overestimate the number of clothes they’re going to need to go on vacation, which can often lead to additional costs if they end up having to check a bag. But one thing that a person can really not have enough of is socks and underwear, which can’t be reused as easily as shorts and shirts.
How many outfits total are needed for the week?
Even just one outfit can take up a lot of room in a piece of luggage, which is why effective traveling is all about consolidation. Certain clothes can easily be worn a couple of days in a row, and many can comfortably get by on far less than they previously thought.
Prefer to pack toiletries or buy them at the destination?
Admittedly, toiletries can be a bit of a hassle to pack, as airlines have strict restriction about the amount of liquid that can be brought on a plane. So unless someone specifically goes out and buys travel size shampoos and toothpaste, it might just be better to wait until they land.
Any snacks packed for the flight?
Most flights will treat the passengers to a beverage and snack service. But often, these snacks aren’t enough to satisfy some people’s appetites. Of course, a person could always buy something from the airport before they board. But airport food prices are often way more than a local grocery store.
Got a water bottle?
While someone may not be able to bring a bottle full of liquid through security, they can still bring an empty water bottle of their own and fill it up at a water fountain prior to take-off. Not only will this save time by avoiding lines, but it will also save a few bucks in the process.
How far in advance does one actually need to be at the airport for a domestic flight?
They recommend getting to the airport about 90 minutes before a domestic flight. And if it’s a holiday weekend or a person has bags to check, they recommend adding even more time to that equation. But is that simply a waste of time? Surely, someone could make the flight by arriving later, right?
How about an international one?
Flying international can certainly add a lot more time to the travel equation, and they recommend getting to the airport a full two hours before the flight. That’s a lot of time out of a day, not to mention the long flight that may end up following. So is this full two hours really necessary, or just a precaution?
How many bags total are needed?
The more bags a person needs to travel with, the longer the travel time is going to be. Even if they don’t necessarily have to check a bag, juggling a couple of carry-ons can eat up time trying to get to the airport and making their way through security. Not to mention that the more someone brings the more they could potentially lose.
Packing a laptop or tablet for the plane?
If someone is going to bring their laptop or tablet as a means of entertainment on the plane, they’ll have to remember that these items have to be taken out while going through security. Therefore, they’ll want to be packed with an ease of access so they don’t end up holding up the line in the airport.
Preferred form of entertainment during the flight?
Someone who knows how to prepare for a lengthy flight is also someone who probably knows how to prepare for traveling in general. While many airlines have a form of in-flight entertainment, it might be a more reliable option to bring one’s own laptop or book along for the ride, just incase they start getting restless.
How far away is the closest airport?
If someone lives a few blocks away from the airport, that’s going to make their travel day far easier than someone who lives hours away. In fact, even just the idea of having to drive across half the state to get catch a plane might dissuade some people from long distance travel altogether.
Check traffic before leaving the house?
If someone lives in a city or heavy populated area, it’s definitely not a bad idea to check the traffic the day of the flight. For instance, just one shut down bridge or closed tunnel could easily add another half hour to the amount of time it takes to get to the airport.
Phone 100% charged?
Someone having their phone 100% charged — or at least close enough — is never a bad idea upon leaving the house. Especially if it’s going to be a travel day. Because while airports have they’re fair share of outlets, they’re often taken up by fellow travelers who also need a charge.
Prefer to travel alone or with others?
Some people are terrified of trying to navigate an airport by themselves. They don’t understand how to get from one terminal to the next or how to even obtain the correct boarding pass. These are surely people who would rather travel alongside someone. Meanwhile, others like to worry about no one but themselves while going to the airport.
Pick something to wear
If someone is going to be sitting on a plane for hours on end, chances are they’re going to want to be comfortable, and there is certainly a fair share of people who travel in their PJs. But while comfort may be paramount, some people still have a higher standard than going out in public in their flannel pants.
Preferred travel footwear?
Since they’re going to have to take off their footwear at security, a person probably wants to avoid footwear with a ton of laces while traveling. Something that can slide on and off with ease is probably the best bet. But at the same time, exposing one’s feet to fellow passengers all day might be a bit distasteful.
Remember I.D.?
Some people get themselves so preoccupied with their luggage and keeping track of their boarding pass that they forget to bring their I.D. with them to the airport. While most people always have a driver’s license on them, sometimes it’s hard to forget to bring something like a Passport, which is necessary for international flights.
Form of carry-on?
The bigger the carry-on the less likely that a person will have to check a bag. But then there are those that bring way too many carry-ons than they’re allowed, which holds up the line at security and takes up way too much room in the overhead compartments. So don’t overdo it with the carry-ons.
When did the bags get packed?
Someone who’s meticulous enough to pack their bags weeks before the flight is schedule is not the type of person who would typically be late to the airport. Meanwhile, someone who’s prone to more spur of the moment trips is bound to be more forgetful, simply because they have less time to think of things they’re going to need.
Have a planed route to the airport beforehand?
Getting to the airport in heavily populated areas during a holiday week can mean massive traffic jams. That’s why it’s not a bad idea to have a few different routes in mind should bad traffic seriously throw a wrench into one’s plans. But at the same time, the shortest route may be a person’s only real option regardless of traffic.
Ever missed a flight before?
We hate to say it, but people who've missed flights before are probably more likely to miss a flight again. Provided they didn’t learn from their past experiences. Of course, certain instances — like getting sick or having a family emergency — can’t be avoided no matter how organized a person may be.
