Many things improve with age; airline travel is not one of them. After a challenging romp through an airport, I boarded the plane and was overcome with a wave of nostalgia for the good old days of airline travel when the airlines competed for business in wonderfully creative ways. \u00a0Planes were painted in playful patterns designed by famous artists; flight attendants wore designer uniforms and were devoted to customer comfort; four star restauants prepared the food.\u00a0 Flying was entertainment in the air and getting there really was half the fun.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n These days, frequent flyers just grit their teeth and bear it as best they can.\u00a0 Since I spend part of every month traveling by air, I try to make my flights an exercise in creative time management.\u00a0 I don\u2019t always succeed in arriving at my destination as cool and relaxed as I might wish, but I have noticed that I survive better than many of my fellow passengers who stagger off the plane looking as if they had just endured an ordeal from which they might never recover. \u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n How can you avoid an exhausting flight? \u00a0Here are some simple things that can make a big difference in lowering the stress and hassles of airline travel.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \u221a Be considerate of your fellow passengers.<\/strong>\u00a0 Sounds obvious to me, but considering the number of folks I see who seem oblivious to others, this one needs mentioning. Cramped airplanes, indifferent service and bad food are annoyances enough.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be part of the problem, if you can help it. Your fellow passengers are not your adversaries, after all.\u00a0 Think of your flight as a perfect place to practice putting the Golden Rule into action.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \u221a Come prepared to amuse yourself.\u00a0<\/strong> I\u2019m often surprised by the tacky books I see my flying companions reading, books hastily purchased at the airport gift shop. If you know you have a couple of hours that would be ideal for reading, why not be selective and use it to read something worthwhile?\u00a0 Don\u2019t depend on airplane magazine selection or in-flight movies to keep you occupied, either. Many airlines have eliminated both.<\/p>\n <\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n Some people, of course, use their time in the air to work. In some instances, this appears to add to the stress of travel, but, I assume, has other rewards.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \u221a Carry a snack.<\/strong>\u00a0 Even on short flights, you may be overcome with hunger.\u00a0 Depending on the airport to provide food can be dicey. It\u2019s worth the extra trouble to bring something healthy along.\u00a0 With all the other stresses you\u2019re going to encounter on a trip, it makes sense to take control of your eating so hunger or bad nutrition don\u2019t add to the strain.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \u221a Simplify, simplify.<\/strong>\u00a0 It\u2019s astonishing to see the amount of stuff people drag along when they travel.\u00a0 I\u2019ve seen folks that I\u2019m certain were moving all their worldly possessions via the airlines.\u00a0 If you travel regularly, keep a toiletry bag stocked.\u00a0 You might also have underwear, nightwear, a hairdryer and an umbrella stowed in your suitcase ready to go. Pare your travel wardrobe to the bare minimum and refuse to pack anything \u201cjust in case\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \u221a Be more than a traveler.<\/strong>\u00a0 Having something exciting to look forward to can lower the irritation encountered getting there.\u00a0 If your trip is primarily for business, try to leave some time for sampling local attractions. If you are wild about railroad memorabilia or Victorian architecture or Japanese gardens, add to your knowledge in the places you visit.\u00a0 Not only will it heighten your expertise, customizing trips around your unique interests will make any locale more fascinating. \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0While it\u2019s not always possible to indulge yourself on every trip, anticipating at least one special pleasure at trip\u2019s end will have a positive impact on your attitude\u2014which is the most important weapon you have for combating whatever unpleasant surprises you encounter on the way.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Many things improve with age; airline travel is not one of them. After a challenging romp through an airport, I boarded the plane and was overcome with a wave of nostalgia for the good old days of airline travel when the airlines competed for business in wonderfully creative ways. \u00a0Planes were painted in playful patterns…<\/p>\n