Top ten tips for surviving the chaos of today's travels

There is chaos out there for travelers, but there are ways you can prepare. Photo: Jason South

An hour and a half. That’s how long it took me to leave Sydney Airport a few weeks ago. One and a half hour. Ninety minutes. To go. Not to check in and go through security and board the plane. Just to grab my bag and jump in the car and leave.

It was raining, so my plan to escape with my kids from the back row of the plane straight out the back door was thwarted. We were the last to get off. Then we had to wait for our baggage (which, in Virgin Australia’s judgment, finally turned up). And then we step outside to the mother of all traffic jams, absolute traffic jams, which doesn’t move a centimeter for good. Nightmare.

Happy traveling in the post-middle era of this pandemic. It’s wild out there. Difficult. Airlines are struggling, going through a mix of bad luck and bad decisions. Airports are crazy. Luggage is missing. Flight is being cancelled. The queue is ridiculous. Oh, and you could catch COVID-19. And this is happening all over the world.

But we still want to travel. So the question is, how do you reduce the pain?

Use a travel agent

This depends on where you are going and how complicated your travel plans are. However, if you don’t like sitting in some foreign airport trying to deal with the local airline system and overworked staff while desperately trying to rebook those canceled flights, then I recommend having a travel agent around your corner, and on the other end of the line. .

Check performance on time

Not all airlines are created equal, especially in times affected by this pandemic. Some have performed better than others, with fewer canceled flights and better on-time performance. If you fly within the country, you can check these statistics on this Australian government website. You can find information about American airlines here. And similar databases exist all over the world. Worth checking before you place your order.

Avoid flying

Here’s the idea: avoid flying altogether. Avoid all the queues, cancellations, proximity to hundreds of people whose health is in question, and instead use other public transportation (trains, buses, ferries), or your own car. Of course, not all holidays allow this, but it is certainly worth considering.

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Transfer PT to airport

Okay, so you have to fly. My advice, especially for airports like Sydney and Brisbane with decent rail connections, take the train instead of driving or taking a taxi or Uber. I would have been out of Sydney Airport about 20 minutes a few weeks ago, had I taken the train (rather than sitting in a huge traffic jam). If you are traveling at peak times this is definitely the way to go.

Get there early

I’ve seen domestic airports around Australia recently in various states, from completely empty to completely chaotic. The problem is, you don’t really know what you’re going to get, and it’s worth taking the stress out of the air travel experience by just arriving early. Give yourself at least an hour for domestic flights – more if you check-in baggage. Arrived three hours before international flight. There’s no point in making all this more difficult for yourself.

Bring only luggage

You have read horror stories. The airline intentionally leaves baggage; the flight takes off without any baggage; bag lost for days; mishandling of baggage numbers skyrocketed worldwide. The obvious solution is to travel with carry-on baggage only. It’s not always possible, but if there’s a way you can get through your ride in just 7kg of gear, you should absolutely go for it.

Use a baggage tracking tool

Luggage delays are surging around the world. Photo: Getty Images

If you do have to check your baggage on your next flight, then you should get yourself a tracking device for each bag, so you have some sort of idea of ​​where they are at any given time. For Apple users, AirTag is an affordable way. Another option is Tile Pro, which is again very affordable, and works well using Bluetooth technology and QR codes. Read more here

Have an emergency plan

This, again, is great for peace of mind. You just need to know what to do if something goes wrong. One of your flights is delayed and you lose connection – what are your plans? Your luggage didn’t show up for a few days – again, what are your plans? You caught COVID-19 while you were away and were forced to isolate and reschedule some trips – what are your plans? It pays not to have to do this thinking on the spot.

Get a boost, bring drugs

COVID-19 is out there, guys, and you as a traveler stand a greater chance than most people of catching bugs. The first thing to do is to make sure you are up-to-date on vaccinations and boosters, as they are the best protection against serious illness. Then, make a plan of action in case you catch the virus, and take basic medications with you, including painkillers, lozenges, and hydration tablets.

Have good insurance

Buy insurance, and make sure it’s good. Buy early, as soon as you order. Make sure it covers you in case of cancellation or delay. Make sure you are protected from COVID-19 and related disorders. Make sure all valuables in your luggage are included. And then wish yourself luck.

Have you traveled in the last few months? What was your experience like? What are your tips for making the experience as comfortable as possible?

Email: b.groundwater@traveller.com.au

Instagram: Instagram.com/bengroundwater

Twitter: twitter.com/bengroundwater

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