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FINDING A DEAL
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- ask if your airline offers discount seats for children
- look for airline agents who work with "consolidators"
- check several nearby cities for the best fare
- flying farther away and renting a car can save money
- if lower advertised fare, ask to be re-ticketed at lower price
- shop for internet discounts and web-only fares
- be flexible on flight time and day to get a better the deal
- plan for a Saturday stay-over for a better rate
- travel mid-week and return mid-week for good fares
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MAKING RESERVATIONS
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- schedule your flight early in the day to reduce potential delays
- avoid stops in areas that regularly experience bad weather
- avoid sitting by lavatories or kitchen for quieter trip
- request seats near the front for easy disembarking
- ask for an aisle seat or one behind a bulkhead for more leg room
- seats at rear or in front of emergency exit don't recline fully
- emergency exit seats have more room but more responsibility
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NOT TO BE TAKEN ON A PLANE
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- knives, box cutters, straight razors, or blades of any kind
- sharp point metal scissors or nail files
- knitting needles, ice picks, corkscrews, or other sharp items
- guns
- explosive or flammable items
- pressurized containers
- household cleaners or toxic chemicals
- when in doubt, transport items in your checked baggage
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PROTECTING YOUR INTERESTS
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- buy your ticket with a credit card in case you have problems
- travel insurance will protect you if flight cancelled or delayed
- read travel insurance policies carefully for exclusions
- check your tickets for errors as soon as you receive them
- put your tickets in a safe place
- give someone your itinerary -- arrival, departure, flight
- place your name, contact info, and itinerary in your luggage
- minimize the number of plane changes to avoid lost luggage
- try not to check your bags if you don't have to
- lock your luggage before checking your bags
- bumped flight owes you compensation and a seat on next flight
- if you are unhappy, complain to the airline
- you may also complain to the Dept. Of Transportation
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TO DO BEFORE YOU FLY
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- plan to leave so you arrive at the airport at least 1 hour early
- plan for transportation to and from airport
- check the weather at all airports along your route
- double check your departure time and flight number
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TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN
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- bring snacks in pre-packed ziploc bags
- give your infant a bottle to suck to reduce ear pressure
- bring a bag of toys, coloring books, etc. to keep kids occupied
- bring wet wipes, a rag, and a change of clothes for your kid
- request an aisle seat for easy access to the bathroom
- try not to sit in a middle or window seat with a fidgety child
Copyright Ramona Creel, all rights reserved-- you are welcome to reprint any article, but you MUST include this resource box.
Ramona Creel is a modern Renaissance woman and guru of simplicity -- traveling the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of radically downsizing, and inspiring others to regain control of their own lives. As a Professional Organizer and Accountability Coach, Ramona will help you create the time and space to focus on your true priorities -- clearing away the clutter other obstacles and standing in the way of that life you've always wanted to be living. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a travel writer, social commentator, and blogger, she shares her experiences and insights about the world as we know it. You can see all these sides of Ramona -- read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order -- at www.RamonaCreel.com. And be sure to follow her on Twitter and on Facebook.
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