It seems the unwritten rule of airports that at some point and time, something will go wrong. Whether your flight gets cancelled, your luggage gets lost or delayed, or your baggage goes off in the security check, there are a million things that can go wrong. Here are ways to make sure that less things go wrong, and that you know how to deal with them when they do.
Pack Everything Ahead of Time
This may not seem like the most relevant thing to surviving an airline, but it can save your sanity. Make a list of everything you absolutely have to pack well ahead of time, then, the night before, have everything packed, and make sure it is as compartmentalized as possible. This way, you can plan for things like fragile items that can be broken in baggage, and can help to ease inspections if your bag goes off at the checkpoints. The better organized things are, the less time they have to spend examining everything.
Make Friends With the Airport Attendants
The people at the desk may not be the most amiable some of the time, but if your attitude is less than pleasant, no matter what the situation, while they should be nice to you, chances are, they'll have less of an inclination to be nice. Get to know who they are ahead of time. Even if you just say hello and ask how their day is, the nicer you are to them, the more likely it is that you can get the information you need without any trouble later.
Be Prepared for The Emergency Overnight Stay
Sometimes you're stuck in the airport or a hotel overnight, depending on the situation. In these cases, make sure that you either have a spare set of clothes and all the essentials for an overnight stay, or that you have enough money to cover the expenses. Nothing is more frustrating than having to stay the night in the same smelly clothes, only to still be in them the next day. Not to mention it can be unpleasant for anyone near you as well. The better prepared you are, the less of a disaster you have.
Have Everything Ready Before You Hit the Checkpoint
If you are traveling with a laptop, go ahead and get it out of the case before you enter the checkpoint, and take the shoes off ahead of time as well. People may look at you a little strangely for walking up to the checkpoint barefoot and with the laptop out, but you'll be able to move along quicker than people that have to stop and unload once they're actually inside. Be sure that all your necessary identification is out as well, so that you can move along without any problems.
Be Optimistic and Cooperative
Most importantly, be optimistic. Accidents happen all the time, but berating someone and getting irritable isn't the way to solve any problem. People are less inclined to give you useful information, and you don't get anywhere nearly as efficiently as if you just be nice and cooperate from the start. Know where you're going and how to get there, and if anything happens, don't make it into a complete disaster, just work through it and know that, chances are, you aren't alone.
In the end, if you keep these tips in mind, and plan ahead according to your destination, your trip should go smoothly and easily, even if a problem comes into the plans.
