I find that helps as much as anything. Sounds like you are aware of the rules and regs so that's a good start.

Take a modest amount, and all your troubles will just fade away.

Well not until you take them, but when you do it is amazing how helpful.

Any dr. will be willing to prescribe given the situation., just tell her or him it is for flying

buy what you need. It's cheaper than the fees, waiting, and the general hassle.

I took a carry on and a backpack. They took my carry on each leg and put it in the luggage department and gave it back when I immediately got off the plane. Loved it saved time and money but especially time. I hate waiting for the bags at the end of a trip. At security, they did take my toothpaste and listerine... To large! Ugh! Quick stop to get appropriate size was fine. I slept through most of all the flight 4 (2each way). But I popped a niquel. Good luck.

You can get detailed information about what you can and can't check or carry on.

I can't guarantee how much that will reduce your stress. You still may end up feeling like carrion.

You can look up your airline requirements for carry-on size here: http://travel-made-simple.com/carry-on-size-chart/

Use one quart-size zip bag and whatever liquids or gels you feel you want to carry on board should all fit in that one bag. Each container within the quart bag should be 3.4 oz or less.

If you're nervous, get to the airport earlier than you should. Go through security, find your gate and get your bearings. Then go get a drink and relax

I didn't like flying before all the terrorism concerns.

Good luck. The Xanax is a good suggestion.

seat type but there isn't much room and in coach by no means try to put your seat back. No food either on most coach seats.
I flew from Atlanta to LAX on a 767 and I was sore for a couple of days. Could not sleep, could not put seat back and every once in a while a commercial came on, on the screen in front of my face. I was a captive audience.

Some kind of neck pillow and headphones are great. Also not sitting in the middle unless the other two people are smaller than you. And don't mind the TSA people, if you can.................

That gives you a cushion if something pops up and results in a delay.

since smoke made me sick. Use a patch or gum for the duration, thanks, it'll keep us both from suffering.

The person behind you will thank you if you don't recline your seat. Take your medications in a carry on and check your big bag. The 5 minutes you wait for your luggage at the claim station is good time to decompress from being packed in like sardines in a metal tube 30,000 feet up in the air.

won't be able to fit all their drug bottles, LOL!

Ask for something for the plane. Any doctor will help you out.

Getting to the plane isn't stressful. It's boring lines and humiliating interactions. That's the easy part.

Just a little helps me mellow out.

nt

Or at least that's what the old timers around Woodstock say.

the stock holders who make this so unpleasant lounge in pampered comfort . yikes sorry .

whose family owns a winery...but who is the black sheep of the family and is sort of bum??

That was hysterical...if that's the movie of her reaction to gorging on cheese on that train ride....LOL!

I always ask for a patdown instead of the fancy x-ray. I don't want to make Chertoff any richer.

and looking at the seats on Southwest and how people were complaining of numbness in their legs,
I'd be worried about that, since I have had back surgery and battle stenois related numbness all the time!

Not to mention I take amino acids in a white powder form that might upset a few people....

UGH

But, these days I mostly stress about the computers failing...avoiding an Airbus, or making sure SW really HAS checked those rudders on the 737's....you know, those things and if a mechanic had a bad night...

I think it's the hassle...and not wanting to be physically uncomfortable standing around for a long time, lugging stuff, and sitting in very cramped spaces..

or private charter.

so that by the time my flight was taking off I was very relaxed.

Not that I am actually suggesting an illegal activity to you or anyone else here. Just trying to open up a new line of thought.

Even in elevators.

I've flown five times this year with no issues.

DL retiree here that lives in Ecuador. So I fly back and forth constantly. I try to plan for flights that are not terribly full. But even when I do get that center seat I just a couple cocktails and chill.

It's 5 hours from ATL to UIO. Time for dinner a movie and a lot of watching the moving map.

What I do not particularly enjoy is the actual getting to the airplane part. Security etc.

Take a SMALL carry on. Something like this:http://www.luggagefactory.com/travelpro-crew-9/travelpro-crew-9-rolling-tote-4071213

and check the rest.

Take a breath. It really is only a few hours out of your life.

now, I may not even BE flying as VIKING RIVER CRUISE cancelled my trip-at what I consider the 'last minute'.
Trying to be understanding, but I'm not succeeding. This was to be a 60th birthday-retirement-25th wedding anniversary trip of a lifetime. Now, it will not happen. I'm not at all happy with VRC.

Did they offer to put you on another cruise?

Or get a refund (and a $1000 voucher for another cruise-like I'll ever book with them again).

If you are all set to go--and don't have your heart set on a particular cruise--and will
get your refund in time to apply to another cruise, then I would suggest you contact
The Cruise Authority and see if they'll find you something else for the same price at about
the same time frame.

They are excellent. My husband and I did one of The Nation (the magazine) cruises a couple
of years ago and The Cruise Authority handles all the arrangements for their annual cruises.

http://www.the-cruise-authority.com/

a big way; read the fine print in your original reservation and don't let them off the hook for anything they owe you.

Also, maybe a visit to their social media contacts, being sure to put words like crappy, VIKING RIVER CRUISES, sleazy, VIKING RIVER CRUISES, bait-and-switch, VIKING RIVER CRUISES, dishonest, VIKING RIVER CRUISES, disappointing, etc, in close proximity...

doesn't use 'social media' but I do. And I will take your advice.

We had to get Euros, get our wills in order, buy new luggage, etc. Hey, I'm a public school teacher in WI-I worked for 32 years for this. And they blithely cancel!.

supposed to pick up the cruise. Check into a hotel. See the local sights. Visit a museum. Sit in a cafe and people watch. Get on a train and explore the countryside. Don't let Viking River Cruises wreck your vacation. I would be mad as hell, but under no circumstances would I cancel the trip I planned for and looked forward to. You earned it. Go!!

so she's 'on it'. We will probably go to Paris (which is where we would have ended our cruise) so even if we go a few days later, it will still be fun. You are right, I am not going to let Viking River Cruise wreck my trip. I just wanted this news to get out there!

A musician saw United's baggage handlers throw his guitar case, and they broke his instrument. United wouldn't pay for it. So the guy made a music video, humorous, called "United Breaks Guitars" and put it on youtube. After it got 3 million hits they called and offered him money to take it down.

He refused, since by then Taylor Guitar had given him a new guitar and signed him as a Taylor recording artist, so he had the last laugh and last I checked, the video was still up there!

I am seroiusly thinking of trying something similar to get money out of American. Our flight to Costa Rica was delayed a full day each way. We were stuck paying a hotel for a night we weren't there. Coming back to San Diego, they routed us to Miami and then Charlotte North Carolina after 3 different planes broke down! If anyone knows how to do a music video and call it "American breaks planes" perhaps we can collaborate.

We were in Barbados in February. Got back to Miami, fine. Then American
cancelled our flight home to Raleigh. Claimed they couldn't get us any closer
than Charlotte (2 1/2 hour drive) so we finally accepted...except our tickets
had been business class to Raleigh and they could only give us middle seats--not
together--in coach. I was stuck between two giant guys, one who was sick and
snorfling/coughing the whole flight.

When we got to Charlotte, train was booked. Unless we stayed overnight to take
early morning train, we had to rent a car. Rental companies were in on it--three
different agencies quoted us $320. for a car for one day to drop off at Raleigh airport.
By the time we paid for gas it was $350.

I wrote to American and got NOTHING in return from them. Not only did it cost us more
$$, but also hassle, to get home and they wouldn't even credit us the difference between
business class and coach.

They claimed it was weather. BS. Lots of other flights from Miami were going to Raleigh that day.

Trains are EXCELLENT in Europe. You could still see some of the cities that were
on the itinerary. You can also take night trains in Europe and get small
cabins to sleep on the train. Our oldest son and his friend took the night
train from Venice to Paris and Paris to Berlin a year ago. They had a great time.

You can buy train tickets (look in to times/costs) ahead on the internet here: http://www.raileurope.com/index.html?gclid=CKqA7vfGlsYCFUyPHwodI6EAIg&WT.term=rail+europe&WT.mc_id=google.Brand+Sitelinks.cpc&mkw=rail+europe&WT.medium=cpc&tid=sIikNFAD&WT.srch=1&WT.content=text&WT.source=google&cshift_ck=3ac8437f-658e-4585-baec-002d973c7742cssIikNFAD

If you do travel by train, get your own food/bottle of wine to bring on train with
you and have a nice picnic.

Daughter and her boyfriend did Costa Rica and Nicaragua last year -- had such an amazing time, hubby and I went this year. There are some destinations where you can get all-included deals - airfare, lodging, even some meals.

As for Costa Rica, we did the Monkey Tours and stayed some amazing places, like the world's biggest hot springs resort, lots of adventures included from whitewater rafting to ziplining, though I have a bad neck, couldn't do some of that and they were very accommodating. The exchange rate is very favorable to Americans so you get a lot for your money, too. Costa Rica promotes ecotourism to save its rain forests, great place to go, Americans are totally welcome. Just don't fly American Airlines - the flights were the worst!

Expect no better. Hunker down. Get to your destination.

Put most liquids in the check in bag and use two oz bottles for the carry on.
Get accustomed to having people touch you at airports.
I don't travel often anymore - I'm too old for it.

I don't drink the free wine with dinner and take a mild sleeping pill after they serve dinner so I'll get some sleep on the flight. Works well. I get in early morning in Europe and get to my hotel room and take a brief rest. That works well, too.

It wasn't that big of a deal.

I did some research online ahead of time to check out the latest rules. Bought an overpriced kit with a quart size plastic bag thing and some tiny bottles for shampoo and mouth rinse and stuff, and packed anything iffy in my checked luggage - like my Swiss Army knife, metal nail file, nail clippers and such. Didn't wear jewelry, didn't carry anything metal in my pockets, smiled a lot and remained polite at all times.

Also gave myself plenty of extra time before my flight departures so I wouldn't be stressed. It was all quite survivable.

The baggie rule is quite possibly one of the stupidest things they've ever come up with, and it's been heavily disputed and debunked.

If they look bored, you should be bored.

If they look freaked out, it's time to freak out.

Many airports still require you to remove your shoes before going through security. Untying and tying lace-ups is a pain.

If you need to recline at all during the trip, don't sit in the last row, or a row in front of an exit row. Those seats don't recline.

required little vials for hygiene and you will be fine.

Do not smile at the people at the airport, especially when you are checking in, just kidding!

you check in and put it in your jeans pocket, it shows up when you go through. I know this is real. Went through that leaving Omaha in early May this year. Then I said to the person viewing the walk through thing, I have a candy in my pocket and she said, just take it out and hold it in your hand. Wallah, all was good.

The moral is - never even keep a candy in your pocket whilst going through those scanners at the airport!

blindfold. Hydrate before flight, don't drink coffee or sodas to reduce fluid retention, which, in France, eating lots of cheese, can be a real PIA. Allow yourself plenty of time to get through security and to board. Just relax, it's just letting someone else do the driving.

GO TO PARIS. Simply a wonderful tourist destination and just truly one of the loveliest cities on the planet. You can take the Bateau Mouche dinner cruise under the stars...

Don't bring too much STUFF. Metal nail file? No, bring a paper one. Nail clippers? Seriously? Buy a pair if you really need to. Lay out all the clothes you're planning to pack, then get rid of a 3rd of them. The hotels always provide shampoo & soap. You'll need toothpaste though! Hotel will have a hair dryer, just ask at reception if one's not in the room. What liquids could you possibly need? Or food? You need clothes, You"re not camping, you're staying in a civilized city!

How to do Paris like a Pro

Please don't wear a ball cap or tee shirt and shorts and tennis shoes in Paris. Or a fanny pack. Or a backpack. Or on the plane. Dress nicely. Learn a few words of French. At least Bonjour, Merci, Sil vous plais. The better you dress, the better you're treated by everyone. Wear your suit jacket, it looks great with jeans.

Don't eat at any restaurants on the Champs Elysee. Don't book a table or expect to eat before 8pm. It's just not done. You will not find an American breakfast in Paris and why would you want to? Have coffee, juice & croissant for breakfast, or avail yourself to the breakfast buffet the hotel should have. BTW, best deal EVER in Paris for a lovely, affordable hotel is the Hotel Paris New Orient.

There are LOTS of stairs in Paris. And you will walk your feet to the nubs, it's a walking city. Don't be ashamed to splash out on a cab.

You MUST visit Versailles. Get there as early as possible, by 8:30 am and book your tickets before you go, you'll avoid that ticket line. There is a security line that gets quite long... Take about an hour and a half to tour the palace then run down and rent a golf cart to head over to Trianon, trust me, your feet will thank you. The golf carts are expensive, it'll cost about 150 euros, but worth every penny. It could be possible to pair up with another couple to save money. The gardens are very pretty, it's true, but you've seen one hedge, you've seen em all. There are no treasures to be seen. Trianon is to be seen, and better yet, continue on foot over to the English Hamlet, which is truly the treasure of Versailles. On your return stop in to Angelina's cafe in the Palace (after you've dropped off the golf cart) and have the carafe of hot chocolate and a wonderful dessert or late lunch. Trust me.

Get the week long Metro Pass, worth every penny. Line 1 runs through the heart of Paris and it's remarkably efficient. Just watch for pickpockets! Keep your wallet in your front pocket. Make sure you have copies of your passport & credit cards in your suitcase and scanned/emailed to yourself. You won't need your passport whilst out and about unless you're picking up tickets for something. Don't sign any petitions, they're all pickpockets. You can kick them. Use caution at the ATMS.

If you're coming in the summer, book your Eiffel Tower tickets from home as soon as you have your dates. Eat in the Jules Verne Restaurant (book that now too) for your romantic Anniversary dinner. You will remember this for the rest of your life.

1. Neck pillow and lap blanket a most - airlines don't give out pillows or blankets anymore! Also handy if you're stuck overnight in a terminal - since most airports have now stuck armrests between chairs to discourage homeless people so only place to lay down is on the floor.
2. Ask for a seat in the emergency exit row - you have more leg room, and still can put things under seats (unlike front or bulkhead seats that have legroom but no place for bags under a seat)
3. Airlines break down a lot (my last trip had THREE planes break down, all American) - be prepared. Bring extra cash in case you are stranded. My worst mistake was not having bug spray - stuck overnight in Miami, got munched alive waiting for a taxi.
4. Bags with wheels you can pull, not carry.
5. Bag a lightweight dufflel empty in a bigger bag, so if you buy souvenirs you can check it through on return flight. OR to avoid the extra bag charge, buy the biggest shopping bag you can find and stuff all the small carry on stuff plus souvenirs in it.
6. If flight is delayed, ask for vouchers for meals and hotel. But be prepared with cash as needed - the meal vouchers are not enough to cover even the cheapest items on most menus.
7. Stash cash several places in case you're robbed - in purse, pocket, carryone, and a little bit well hidden in checked bag (stuff a dirty sock in a toe of a shoe, with cash inside, or in a tampon box - somewhere the crooks aren't too likely to find)
8. For international travel, keep passport on you at all times.
9. Bring snacks - airlines don't provide meals anymore and some don't even do snacks. Fortunately airports now have lots of food you can buy and bring on board.
10. Remove anything sharp so it doesn't get seized including pocket knives, cork screws, etc.
11. I have a bad back so like to look for airport stores that offer free samples of massage gizmos.
12. Emergen-C: take it before flight to ward off colds and other viruses.
13, Chewing gum - for takeoffs and especially landings to keep ears from popping/closing up. Yawning helps too but not as much.
14. I like aisle seats - you can put feet in aisle to stretch out more, and you don't have to climb over people to go to the restroom.
15. Stay hydrated - drink extra fluids in flight. Don't drink alcohol only, it's dehydrating, though a glass of wine in flight is fine if you drink plenty of water or other fluids too.
16. Speak up if there's a problem. Last flight I insisted on being moved when a man next to me was sneezing and coughing all over, feverish, shouldn't have been flying in my opinion. I'm allergic to antiobiotics and thus paranoid about catching a bacterial linfection, but just said I'm immune compromised as that's easier to explain. If flight is not full, no need to be exposed to a germ factory.
17. I'm a very nervous flyer having had several very bad experiences including being booked on a flight that I rescheduled at last second and it crashed, and another that hit clear air turbulence and dropped a thousand feet. I always bring novels to read, easy-read escapist stuff, to take my mind off the flight issues. Don't try stuff like valium unless you've taken it safely before - for some people including me it has the opposite effect and makes you hyper and panicky.
18. Always check the day before and same day to make sure flight is ontime and that they haven't changed flight numbers, gates, etc. Get your boarding pass printed out the night before.
19. IMPORTANT! IF you have vital carryon items ask to be in the first or second boarding group when you get your ticket. If you are in group 4 or five, you may be forced to check your bag which is a nightmare if you have a computer, camera gear, breakable souvenirs etc. Some airline personnel are cooperative and some not when it comes to this request. I was ready to deck one last trip when she was refusing this request despite the fact that hubby and I had a bag full of pottery from Costa Rica, a computer AND a backpack full of professional camera equipment. She kept saying you can take breakable stuff out and carry it on without the bag -- obviously impossible with so much of it. But a supervisor finally allowed us to change.
20. Relax...and remember despite some problems airlines are still statistically way safer than driving on the freeway.

they will tell you in a non-threatening manner and you can simply discard it - no big deal at all.

As to the carry-on - check it . . . or have a bag small enough to fit under the seat ahead of you . . . . or look for space as you work your way to your seat . . . . and if those fail, the cabin attendants will help you deal with it.

Both of this things happen with regularity. The staff know exactly how to deal with each without putting any additional stress on the passengers.

Relax - you are in good hands.

book your hotel for the night BEFORE you arrive (most flights to Europe are overnight from US)
so you can go to hotel, check in, take a nap before venturing out for late lunch and sightseeing.

I can never sleep on planes, and even when I was a lot younger--like 30 years ago--it
was difficult to arrive in Europe at 8 a.m. and hit the road running. Most hotels will
refuse to check you in until at least 2 or 3pm and in summer they are booked, anyway,
so if you pay the extra $$ for the night before, they will check you right in to your room
when you get there.

I love traveling. Getting through security is the worst part, but TSA folks are generally friendly if you at least make an effort to be polite. I travel once a month or so.
It's safe and quick. Have fun!

There are lots of sites with tips to help you make the most of the trip. Have fun!

My sis (the STELLAR travel agent) did get us on a flight to Paris and booked a good hotel for us. We will be traveling two days (one there, one back) and staying five nights.

We bought new luggage (with wheels!!! Hooray!) and my carry-on is small. I will try to be polite as I am sure that TSA folks just need the job too. I have a headband/arm sling dealie from Grommet. I am not sure if I can get a small pillow in my carry-on, but I can roll up my jacket if need be...
I will definitely bring snacks and water which I will buy AFTER security.