Travel doesn’t always go smoothly. Lots of problems can come up while traveling. It’s important to understand these problems.
Being familiar with travel delays helps you stay prepared. You need to know how to react and adapt to each situation.
Here are five things that commonly hold up travel plans.
1. Long Lines
Airports and train stations get crowded.
Crowds usually congregate on Fridays and Sundays.
Everyone wants to get away for the weekend. The day before a holiday is not a good time to travel. Everyone else has the same idea.
Arrive at the airport with enough time to make it through security.
You should allow more time for international flights.
Make sure your connecting flight has enough time for a change.
There’s nothing you can do to make a line move faster.
Be prepared for boredom. Carry a book with you.
You won’t always have a good internet connection. You might not be able to use your phone in the airport. Customs and security areas don’t always allow cell phones.
Strike up a conversation with the person next to you.
You might make a new best friend.
2. Carrying Contraband
Don’t fly with things you aren’t allowed to carry.
You’d be surprised by the things you can and can’t take on a plane.
For example, in certain situations, flying with medical marijuana could be allowed. Here’s information from Veriheal about how that works.
There is usually a limit on the amount of alcohol and tobacco you can travel with. You can’t carry liquids onto the plane. You’ll have to keep them in your checked bag.
Lithium batteries and lighters aren’t allowed in your checked bag.
Most camera batteries are lithium batteries. Check before you pack.
You don’t want to be the annoying person who holds up the line.
Your objects will probably be confiscated if they aren’t allowed.
In most cases, the object will be thrown away.
You might never get your pocket knife or bottle of wine back.
Not all cosmetics are allowed to be carried on the plane.
Rules vary from country to country. Make sure you’re allowed to bring your objects in. Double-check the airline’s rules.
Don’t try to bring on a bag that won’t fit in the overhead compartment.
Don’t argue with flight attendants or airport staff.
3. Security Issues
There are sometimes real security threats.
You won’t always know when this is the case. Airports don’t want to create panic. Creating panic only makes situations more dangerous.
It’s best to stay quiet and listen to the announcements.
Always listen to the security staff.
It could be that the security issue is somewhere else.
Airports will take extra precautions when this happens. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Keep your eye out for issues.
Report left bags and don’t leave your luggage anywhere.
If you see something suspicious, tell the airport security.
It might be nothing. But it’s better to be safe.
4. Flight Delays
Hundreds of flights are delayed every day.
There are many reasons for flight delays. Depending on the issue, you might be entitled to a refund. Here’s information on that from Sky Refund.
If the delay is not the airline’s fault, they usually aren’t required to reimburse you. Reimbursement policies vary from airline to airline. They can even vary depending on the country.
Be familiar with refund policies. You could end up saving thousands of dollars.
There’s not much you can do about delays themselves.
There’s no reason to argue with the flight crew.
They want to get to the destination just as much as you do.
5. Health Problems
Don’t overexert yourself.
You don’t want to get sick right before a holiday.
Stay on top of your health and avoid places where you could get sick.
Canceling a trip because of a cold or Covid is no fun.
Re-consider traveling if you have health problems. Travel is stressful.
You will be putting your body under a lot of strain.
Inform the flight staff of any health problems if you’re concerned.
Check out the fine print of your travel insurance.
Conclusion
Travel is wonderful. In the best of circumstances, it can change your life. It’s important to be prepared for when things go wrong.
