How to Fly Like a Pro
Three frequent flier pros reveal their air rituals–and share some secrets:
> Best Flying Tip
Heather PooleHeather PooleHeather Poole, flight attendant and best selling author of Cruising Attitude: Tales of Crashpads, Crew Drama, and Crazy Passengers at 35,000 Feet: I wear headphones in case I end up sitting next to someone who likes to talk. I don’t even turn on the music.
Patrick Smith, pilot and author of Cockpit Confidential: Everything You Need to Know AboutAir Travel: My secret weapon against loud airport TVs has long been a little TV-be-gone device, which snaps onto a key chain and turns off TVs it’s aimed at (alas, many public TVs now shield against such tools).
Bob Albert, founder and CEO of flight review site Routehappy.com: People say not to drink because it dehydrates you. I say, of course I’ll have a glass of wine; it makes me feel good.
> Carry-On Essentials
Poole: Cold or allergy medicine to fend off blocked ears.
Smith: I bring an old pair of socks to wear over the ones I’m wearing on the plane, since I try to get up and walk around periodically.
Albert: Hotel-size moisturizer for hands and face. I use it a few times in-flight and walk off the plane feeling normal.
> Favorite Flying App
Poole: FAA Wait–one tap shows which airports are experiencing delays (and why), and how long those delays are averaging. I get more accurate information using this app than I do relaying on the gate agent.
Smith: A white noise app helps me sleep through loud talkers and other distractions.
Albert: Passbook stores digital boarding passes. It changed my life.
This piece, written by Contributing Editor Margaret Loftus, appeared as part of the “Perfect Layover” package that appeared in the November 2013 issue of Traveler magazine.
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
- Animals
- Feature
Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them? - This biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the AndesThis biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the Andes
- An octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret worldAn octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret world
- Peace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thoughtPeace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thought
Environment
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
- Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security, Video Story
- Paid Content
Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security - Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?
History & Culture
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
- How technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrollsHow technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrolls
- Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?
Science
- The unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and MounjaroThe unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and Mounjaro
- Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.
- Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of yearsJupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of years
- This 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its timeThis 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its time
Travel
- How to plan an epic summer trip to a national parkHow to plan an epic summer trip to a national park
- This town is the Alps' first European Capital of CultureThis town is the Alps' first European Capital of Culture
- This royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala LumpurThis royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala Lumpur
- This author tells the story of crypto-trading Mongolian nomadsThis author tells the story of crypto-trading Mongolian nomads