Travel Checklists

Before making reservations:
____ Check the safety and reliability records of the airlines you're considering flying on

Determine which airlines:
____ Offer discounts for seats for young children
____ Carry heart defibrillators

When deciding whether to use a travel agent and, if so, which travel agent:
____ Ask the travel agent if they deal with consolidators and if they have a good one they deal with (watch out for consolidators who are not honest and/or reliable) - to save money

When deciding when to fly:
____ Fly as early in the day as feasible - to reduce chances of flight delays

If considering using a charter airline:
____ Be aware that charter airlines tend to be less reliable (more likely than major airlines to be late or cancelled)

When selecting an airline and a type of aircraft:
____ Ensure the aircraft will have adequate medical equipment on board - many U.S. airlines don't carry adequate first aid equipment on the planes

When selecting specific flights:
____ Avoid flights which originate or stop at airports with poor security - to reduce chances of a terrorist attack
____ Avoid flights which have a short turnaround - to reduce chances of a terrorist attack - reduces time available to ensure security procedures are followed
____ Avoid stops at airports which might experience bad weather, e.g., choose warmer locations - to reduce chances of flight delays
____ Minimize the number of airlines and flights you fly on - to reduce risk of losing luggage

If you can't find a cheap fare to your desired destination airport:
____Consider flying to another airport near your desired destination, then driving or riding public transportation to your destination

Paying for your tickets:
____ Use a credit card - makes it much easier to get your money back if there's a problem with your reservations

When getting your seat assignments:
____ Request seats over the wing or towards the front - for a more comfortable ride
____ Request aisle seats or seats right behind a bulkhead - to get more leg room to help prevent potentially fatal blood clot resulting from sitting in seat for long period
____ Request seats which recline fully - seats at very rear and seats in front of an emergency exit usually don't recline
____ Request seats which aren't close to the galley (kitchen) and lavatories (usually in the rear) - for a quieter ride
____ Request a seat near the front - away from the engines - for a quieter ride

After making reservations:
____ Consider obtaining travel insurance which protects you in the event the flights are cancelled or delayed excessively (read the policy very carefully for exclusions, etc.)

If you see the same flight advertised for less than you paid:
____ Ask to be re-ticketed at the lower fare

After getting your ticket(s)/itinerary:
____ Check them carefully to ensure they are for the flight, time and airport you ordered
____ Safeguard the ticket(s) - they are highly pilferable and should be treated as if they were cash
____ Write/type and make copies of your itinerary
____ Provide itinerary to neighbors, friends and/or family
____ Make plans to leave for the airport in plenty of time (anticipate unexpected delays, e.g., traffic, long check-in lines, security checks) - your flight may be overbooked and you could lose your seat if you show up later than approx. 15 minutes before departure time
____ Arrange for transportation to airport, e.g.:
- Ask someone to drive you
- Taxi/shuttle
- Drive your own vehicle (ensure adequate parking available for reasonable price)

If you are not satisfied with your travel arrangements (e.g., flights cancelled):
____ Complain to the airline or charter company

If you're still not satisfied:
____ Call the Department of Transportation: (202) 366-2220

DAY BEFORE FLYING:
____ Check the weather forecast for the origination, intermediate and destination airports for your flight
If weather is not forecast to be good for flying:
____ Change your reservations

____ Plan to wear loose clothing (e.g., no girdle-type articles, tight elastic) for the flight(s) - to help prevent potentially-fatal blood clot from sitting in seat for long period
____ Pack (see Packing)
____ Place your name, addresses (home and/or destination), phone numbers (home and/or destination) and itinerary inside your luggage
____ Lock your luggage
____ Take (swallow) an aspirin - to help prevent potentially fatal blood clot from sitting in seat for long period

Once you've packed your bags:
____ Don't let any strangers have access to your bags - a terrorist could place a bomb in your bags �

SHORTLY BEFORE FLYING:
____ Avoid drinking alcohol or carbonated beverages, and, avoid drinks with caffeine (can cause dehydration), until after the flight(s) - to help prevent potentially-fatal blood clot from sitting in seat for long period
____ Drink lots of water and/or fruit juices - to help prevent potentially-fatal blood clot resulting from sitting in seat for long period

UPON ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT:
____ Don't accept anything from a stranger to carry onto the airplane - a terrorist could have placed a bomb, etc. in the item
____ Request a seat next to an empty seat (avoid the seats directly in front of emergency exit rows - the seat backs usually do not recline fully)

If you would like more legroom and are physically able to open the emergency exit:
____Ask for a seat in an emergency exit row

If you are bumped because the airline oversold the flight:
____ Understand what you are entitled to - in most cases, approx. $400 in denied boarding compensation plus a seat on the next available flight
____ Consider negotiating for more than just what you are entitled to

AFTER BOARDING THE AIRCRAFT:
____ Avoid putting a lot of stuff under the seat in front of you - so you will have room to move your feet and keep blood circulating in your legs to avoid possible blood clot
____ Take off your shoes - to help avoid blood clots

If you have children with you:
____ Consider giving them a small dose of an antihistamine to help them sleep during the flight - it's probably best for them to be awake for the landing - so they will notice ear discomfort during descent and can drink from a bottle, cry, chew, etc. to relieve the discomfort

INFLIGHT:
____ Spend as much of the flight as feasible in your seat with your seat belt securely fastened - sudden turbulence can cause serious injury
____ Get out of seat and walk around occasionally (but be prepared for turbulence) - to help prevent potentially fatal blood clot from sitting in seat for long period

Regularly:
____ Move and flex your ankles and toes - to help avoid blood clots
At least every hour:
____ Get up, walk around and stretch - to help avoid blood clots

If you lose feeling in a leg:
____ Be aware that you might have a blood clot in your leg which could travel to your lung, heart, etc. - people with heart disease, cancer and/or varicose veins, and, smokers are especially at risk of developing a blood clot

BEFORE DESCENT:
____ Be prepared to chew gum, yawn, etc. to relieve ear discomfort
If you're travelling with an infant:
____ Give him/her a bottle to suck on - to help relieve ear discomfort

Source:Checklists.com