I’ve flown several times so far this summer, and it’s been better than I expected. But I have a couple advantages, including a Nexus card that gets me in a faster lineup at security and a MUCH faster lineup at U.S. Customs when I’m flying from Canada.
Still, there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re flying any time soon. Here a few thoughts.
- Do NOT check your bag unless you absolutely have to. You’ll probably save money (unless you’re a frequent flyer program member with status, most airlines will make you pay for a checked bag), and you won’t have to worry about your bag being shipped to Cincinnati instead of Calgary.
- Buy a flexible ticket. Yes, you’ll pay more money but it’s worth it given the number of cancelled flights these days. Because you’re paying more, you also might early boarding privileges. That’s definitely worth it, because almost EVERYONE is doing the carry-on thing these days, which means everyone is trying to cram their bags into insanely crowded overhead compartments. There’s often no room, so they end up giving their bag to a flight attendant, who has it stored below.
- Many airlines are downsizing their planes on certain routes, so keep that carry-on bag to a reasonable size.
- Give yourself LOTS of time at the airport, both before a flight and if you have a connection. I’d say a minimum of two hours for a connection, just to be safe. And I’d arrive three hours before your flight is slated to leave.
- Travel mid-week if you can. Flights on Fridays, Mondays and weekends tend to be more crowded, while Wednesdays are great.
- Travel mid-day versus early morning or late day. Early mornings are especially bad at Toronto Pearson Airport these days, with tons of flights heading out. It’s a zoo most days, but flight attendants tell me it’s usually fine by 9 a.m. My Dad was in Toronto for a few days last week and flew home to California on Wednesday. His flight was at 12:55 p.m. and we arrived at 9:50 a.m. to an almost empty airport. He zipped through security and U.S. customs in no time, and had a couple hours to spend reading and relaxing. No mess, no stress.
- My friend Meena Thiruvengadam makes another good point: If your flight is canceled, search for alternatives yourself and lobby for the flights that are best for you. Be persistent about what you want, but be polite and sympathetic to the airline workers who are trying to help you out. They’ve got an impossible job these days, and they’re not going to help passengers who are sharp or snarky.
- If you’re worried about a flight, try a train holiday (especially viable in eastern Canada and the northeast U.S.) or a road trip. At least gas prices have come down lately, right?
