When you show up at the airport a couple of hours early and still end up being late for the last boarding call for your flight, you begin to realize that there must be something that you can do to make sure that you do not miss any more flights.  After all, new tickets have to be purchased, then the refund nightmare can begin for the tickets for the plane that you just missed because someone had a bottle of clear liquid in a jar with no label.  It usually turns out that the label just fell off of some extra-virgin olive oil or something, but with worldwide happenings of late, you really can not blame the airport authority and security measures for you not making your plane on time.

Other than knowing that you have to be at the airport terminal with your tickets handed in at the counter and your baggage checked in at least three hours prior to your plane’s scheduled departure time, using common sense for flying safety will make your trip through the friendly skies a lot more fun and stress free.  Nobody wants to be the person that all the security guards run to, and everybody in line points at and heaves heavy sighs about, knowing that you will be the cause of at least another half hour’s wait for them to get through the screening process.

Common sense will tell you that you should never joke with airport security.  When they ask if you packed your own luggage, do not, for example, say that some nice Iraqi fellow helped you out at your hotel.  And, when on the plane, if you see an old friend named Jack sitting ahead of you on the plane, don’t just stand up and yell “Hi, Jackl”  All joking aside, be pleasant and forthright with all airport security and airline agents, and make sure that you follow all baggage packing procedures and limitations to the letter.

When flying, common sense travel tips would also include not overdoing it on the free alcohol when in first class, or trying to bring your own alcohol on board with you in your carry-on luggage.  Knowing that you will be at the airport for an extended stay, bringing your own snacks, meal and drinks for the wait can save you a lot of money, but spending that time in the airport bar could be disastrous.

Any valuables that you have, like your passport, cash and credit cards, which are not checked in with your luggage when you check in with your airliner, should either be held onto, tightly and securely, or deposited into a locker until you hear the pre-boarding call for your flight.  If you are going to hold onto your valuables, make sure that you stay alert and awake, or stay with your travel group at all times.

Having to file a police report for having your wallet or purse stolen while you were sleeping on the bench will take a lot of time, making you possibly miss your flight and have to take a later plane, if seats are available.  And if you are a large group or a big family, getting all of your seats together on a second flight could be a problem, as would replacing the credit cards and cash for your vacation.

Airport security measures that are in place are there to protect the planes, passengers and crew, not the people in the waiting areas.  Assuming that your belongings are safe because you are in an airport is a big mistake, as many large crime rings make most of their money off of people who think just like that.

Fly safe.  Fly informed.