Whether the international flight being planned is a first class, business class or a low cost coach flight with a discount airline, the preparations should be the same. The one item that is different is the preparation and information that may be necessary because it is an international flight. Rules and guidelines can be quite different for domestic flights, as compared to airline travel overseas.

First of all, it is important for both types of travel that tickets, lodging and other factors are accounted for before ever departing for the airport. The wise traveler leaves plenty of time to make travel arrangements before the departure date. If problems or issues come up, there will be time to straighten them out.

Among the items that should be on the travel plans priority list are: airline reservations, hotel accommodations, travel between airports, train stations, and connecting flights etc., special arrangements for health or physical limitations. With these items in place, time should be free for attention to details, such as identification and required documents, packing luggage and securing this luggage. Of course, requirements for identification will be different with domestic travel, as a passport is not required. But with all airline travel, passengers should be prepared to show photo identification and try to comply with any other requests made by airline or government personnel.

Well before the departure date, the experienced traveler will talk to airport or airline personnel, or read information online that will tell if driver’s license, government ID card, certificate of citizenship, passport etc. are necessary. Those who wish to remain in another country for an extended period, or who will be working or studying there, will probably need a particular type of visa. This too should be secured well before the planned departure date.

One of the most important steps in international travel is the packing and securing of luggage. If the trip is underway and the luggage is in transit, it is too late to begin worrying about contents, locks or other details. These items should be given attention during the trip-planning process.

During the planning stage, the experienced traveler make sure to understand what items are allowed and what items are prohibited in the airport and on the plane. Some liquids and containers must now be in a plastic bag of a certain size, for instance, and must be available for inspection separate from luggage. There are still restrictions on certain sharp objects and metal objects. Tip; Find out what the guidelines are and follow them to the letter.

Security screening and questioning may be different at each international airport, depending on local and national laws, local law enforcement and so on. It would be best to become as familiar as possible with these rules and guidelines before entering the foreign airport or another country. If this is not possible, be sure to comply with requests from staff and personnel who are trying to follow their own rules and orders.

Whether the flight is with a smaller, low-cost airline or one of the larger airlines, international passengers should arrive at the airport at least two hours before flight time. This allows for getting through check-in, screening and for taking care of any minor issues that may arise. Working with this limited information may be enough to make the overseas trip more enjoyable. But there is no such thing as too much information when traveling internationally.

Peter Wilson usually makes news on problems relating to Costa Dorada. His articles on airport in costa blanca are found on his website .

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By: lar

Packing

You can pack to avoid problems. Some items should never be put into a bag you plan to check into the cargo compartment:

* Small valuables: cash, credit cards, jewelry, cameras.
* Critical items: medicine, keys, passport, tour vouchers, business papers.
* Irreplaceable items: manuscript, heirlooms.
* Fragile items: eyeglasses, glass containers, liquids.

Things like this should be carried on your person or packed in a carry-on bag that will fit under the seat. Remember, the only way to be sure your valuables are not damaged or lost is to keep them with you. Even if your bag is not lost, it could be delayed for a day or two. Don’t put perishables in a checked bag; they may spoil if it is delayed. It is wise to put items that you will need during the first 24 hours in a carry-on bag (e.g. toiletries, a change of underwear).

Check with the airline for its limits on the size, weight, or number of carry-on pieces. (There is no single federal standard.) If you are using more than one airline, check on all of them. Inquire about your flight; different airplanes can have different limits. Don’t assume that the flight will have unlimited closet space for carry-on garment bags; some may have to be checked.

If you plan to go shopping at your destination and bring your purchases aboard as carry-on, keep the limits in mind. If you check these purchases, however, carry the receipts separately; they may be necessary for a claim if the merchandise is lost or damaged. Don’t put anything into a carry-on bag that could be considered a weapon (e.g. scissors, pen knife).

Checked baggage is also subject to limits. On most domestic and international flights, it’s two checked bags (three if you don’t have any carry-on luggage). There can be an extra charge if you bring more, or if you exceed the airline’s limits on the size of the bags. On some flights between two foreign cities, your allowance may be based on the weight of the bags rather than the number of pieces.

The same two bags that cost you nothing to check when you started your trip could result in expensive excess-baggage charges under a weight system. Ask the airlines about the limit for every segment of your international trip before you leave home, especially if you have a stopover of a day or two or if you are changing carriers. The bags you check should be labeled- inside and out-with your name, address and phone number. Add the name and address of a person to contact at your destination if it’s practical to do so. Almost all of the bags that are misplaced by airlines do turn up sooner or later.

With proper labeling, the bag and its owner can usually be reunited within a few hours. Don’t over-pack a bag. This puts pressure on the latches, making it easier for them to pop open. Also, lock your bags. The locks aren’t very effective against pilferage, but they help to keep the latches from springing. If you plan to check any electrical equipment, glassware, small appliances, pottery, typewriters, musical instruments or other fragile items, they should be packed in a container specifically designed to survive rough handling

Check with the TSA web site to see what the latest rules and regulations are for carry-on luggage. Rules change like the wind.

Article Source: http://www.articlebankonline.com

Larry Westfall is a frequent Thailand visitor and owner of Resort Krabi
Submitted by: Free Article Marketer

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