Retire in Paradise

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An air trip can easily be ruined when something goes wrong. Don’t take the risk - use this list of tips to help plan and execute your air trip without mishaps. This is a useful checklist for any air traveler.

Be sure that your passport is not about to expire. The expiry date needs to be at least six months beyond your return date of travel. Some countries may refuse entry unless the passport has at least six months validity still remaining.

Decide well in advance what you will be taking with you as hand luggage and what you will be sending separately. The luggage restrictions are much tougher for accompanied bags. Do this several days before you plan to travel as it may affect your luggage plans and other travel arrangements.

Check and confirm flight times and dates for all sections of your trip to make sure that it matches up with your travel plans. If the trip involves several modes of transport, prepare a separate itinerary.

Make a photocopy of your air travel itinerary and your passport photo page, and leave copies with your workplace and family members or friends. This is a very useful contingency in case you suffer a mishap or in case you need to be contacted in an emergency. Include phone numbers and addresses of where you can be contacted.

When traveling internationally make sure that you have any visas that may be required. Verify if there are business or tourist visas and which one best suits the purpose of your travel.

Make a master copy of your critical documents (passport, visas, travel itinerary, hotel bookings, etc). Pack this copy in your luggage as a contingency just in case the original information is lost, stolen, or misplaced.

Take a copy of your medical history with you in case of a medical requerement. This simply means listing any medical conditions, blood type, etc. If you are allergic to any medications, or have special medical needs, include this information. When traveling internationally try to have this document translated to the local language of travel.

If you are traveling internationally try to have key phrases written in the local language such as please, thank you, where is, help, and so on. You just need a small slip of paper with a dozen or so key phrases.

Thieves and opportunists also travel by air. Therefore do not assume that the airline cabin is a theft-free zone. Never leave valuables on or near your airline seat - always take them with you when leaving your seat.

Constantly be aware of your surroundings while in the airport. Many thieves go to airport specifically to steal.

Once you’re on board the aircraft you’re still not ‘home and dry’. For tips relating to the air trip itself, see Air Travel Safety Secrets. This free ebook reveals extraordinary safety information that airlines don’t tell you. To get this free ebook see download information below.

Tags: Travel & Leisure