Flight 004: Tips to Make Your Flight

I have done a fair amount of scrambling in the last year to make flights. From that I've learned a few essential tips to share.

1. Pack Light
Good = Never check any luggage in. The last thing you want to do is miss your flight because you were waiting in line to check in luggage.
Better = Use a backpack instead of a carry-on roller. Yes, everybody might think you're going back to school instead of a meeting, but are you really going to care when you're huffing and puffing your way through an airport? I have had to sprint with both, and it is infinitely easier to barrel through crowds when everything you have is securely on your body instead of weaving its own dangerous course behind you.

2. Get a Security Line Routine
It really helps to know exactly where you put your driver's license, credit card & boarding pass each time. For me, it's my back pocket. I also know that my laptop and toiletry zip-loc go together in one bin, shoes & jacket in the other. There's only so much you can speed up and automate in the security line, but getting a routine helps.

3. Get Directions
A couple days ago when I was flying back from San Diego to Oakland, I cut it just a little bit too close. My flight was at 9pm and I returned my car to Hertz at around 8:35pm. I forgot that Hertz is not on-site at the airport so then I had to take the shuttle to my terminal. The shuttle really takes its sweet time making its way through the commuter terminal first. When it finally stopped at Terminal 1, I jumped out and started sprinting in the direction of the terminal. However, little did I know that San Diego airport has a Skybridge to cross the street, so I wasted a lot of energy running in the wrong direction. This was a crucial mistake because I had a limited amount of energy for running to begin with. Therefore I had to then walk a good distance to catch my breath and get my boarding pass. I then had to do the "excuse me, my flight's in 10 minutes, could I go ahead of you" routine through about a line of 20 people. No bueno. The good news is that I made my flight although I felt like I wanted to vomit from running for the first 20 minutes up in the air.