Also, although I don’t usually ask for an upgraded hotel room, my ideal room is top floor, away from elevator, away from ice/vending machines, and not connecting. Obviously you can’t always achieve that, but it’s the ideal.

For long flights, I prefer to sit further back, because it’s usually less crowded, and there’s a better chance of not having someone right next to you. I require an aisle seat (all that drinking of water…).

The ability to ‘zone out’ in a crowded and sometimes chaotic place is what helps me with all the travel. I adopt an air of invisibility in the airport and I just sit and people watch (one of my favorite things to do and very helpful for my line of work). My brain is on automatic and I roboticly move through the boarding line, take the first available seat, eat my peanuts, slurp my seltzer water with lemon, and avoid interacting with anybody by placing a magazine or book very close to my face and sometimes even reading it. If things get tough and I have trouble zoning out, I mentally add up all my airline miles/hotel points and plan for the time when I can do this for fun (?!?).

A few other tips-most hotels have toiletries either in the room or at the front desk, so don’t pack a lot of that. Drink gallons of water. Always ask for a free room upgrade. Carry extra napkins in your briefcase or handbag-the airline attendants are never fast enough if there is a spill. Additional tip: if there is any child sitting next to you always suggest to flight atttendant that they put a top on their beverage! If you have to make a flight change at the airport, don’t go to the ticket counter-call on your cell instead for faster service. DO NOT stress about any of it, soon you will be used to it and you will get that totally blank look on your face that all of us frequent travelers have.

I board first and I never check luggage. If you board first, you have no problems getting overhead bins. This may depend on how much contraband expensive toiletries you need, but if you are gone for more than a day or two, buy new ones at your destination and check your luggage on the way home.

And Deborah and I talked - she sits in the closest seat to the front, regardless of whether it is middle or not - which is why she flies Southwest. I would never do that.

Jen, thank you for those ideas! I know you’re out there flying around all the time. I’m amazed at all you get done despite being on the road so much.

Patrick, that post is excellent. You’ll see I’ve updated my own post to link to it. Thanks a lot for putting it all in writing.

Judy, good luck in Germany! Those international flights are so not friendly to the body. Hope you get/got some sleep!

Vivian, great idea about ordering the custom meal. I’ll try that. But boy, I wish you did have the solution to the person kicking your seat. Grrrr. . .

Put an colorful identifying tag, label, ribbons, or whatever you think looks okay on your luggage so you can see it quickly…especially if you have the standard black or dark blue luggage everyone else has. No need for someone else to grab your bag and leave with it by mistake. That would truly bite.

Squeeze in clothes, underwear and other important essentials you may need in your carry on bag. Just in case your luggage is lost.

Confirm your seat ahead of time. Board the plane after everyone else does, so you don’t have to sit around forever. Order a custom meal, if possible, it will most likely be better than the standard fare.

The thing I’ve never been able to perfect though is the person who keeps kicking the back of my chair or squishes me in by reclining their chair.

Good luck!

Anyway, am glad you did this today…I will use much of the advice TOMORROW on my very long flight to Germany. Especially the hydration part…good thing to remember.

Also, if you have trouble sleeping when you travel (I mean, not because you stay up playing cards, but because you can’t sleep in a hotel room), sleeping pills can be a big help. Get the prescription one, and your doctor should nag you sufficiently about not taking them too often.

I just invested in noise-canceling headphones, after resisting having something else to carry. I finally sat next to one too many loud couples, such that I couldn’t concentrate to read, and my headset is on order.

Hope that helps!! I know that you can do it.