Life Skills LFS107
Tips about
Airports and Flying
Save time by starting
your application online and print it for
lodgement. Alternatively, call our helpline on 131 232 to discuss
your application requirements.
Are you applying online? Check out our Online application quick guide.
Note: Always take a
doctors certificate list of all your medications, carry any certificates with
you and carry your passport and visas in your hand luggage.
Check and
double-check your baggage allowance before you pack, you donÕt want to get
stung with massive excess baggage fees.
Each
airline is different and most will state what youÕre allowed, if anything, with
the fare type you buy. As a general rule, youÕre not allowed more than 7kg as
hand luggage or 23kg as checked luggage. Bags over 32kg may be refused on
health and safety grounds.
If you
want to zip through security, pre-pack your less-than-100mL liquids and gels in
a clear plastic zip-lock bag before you travel. Have these (as well as metallic
and electronic devices like laptops) out of your luggage when you put them on
the conveyor belts for scanning.
Make sure
you plan your journey. Check any traffic jams, road works, events or other
factors which could slow you down.
Most of
the major airports
in Australia have apps to help keep you on track and Skyscanner has a
free-to-download app that gives updates on flight departures.
You
should arrive at the airport 3 hours before international flights and at least
1 hour before domestic flights. While you may be able to breeze through before
this, if you face any delays or long lines it can be the difference between
making your flight and having to rebook for a later departure.
Even if
you rarely fly, frequent flyer programs are often free, with benefits like
extra baggage allowance and free access to lounges. Some airlines offer cheaper
flights to members as well.
One of
the biggest airport mistakes is to wait in unnecessary queues. Checking in
online is incredibly easy. For domestic flights without checked luggage, you
can waltz straight through to security as soon as you arrive, allowing you to
skip a queue and claim the best seat by the departure gate.
For
international flights, keep a pen handy and have all your documents ready when
you get to customs. You may be lucky and find one at the airport or a friendly
traveler willing to lend you a pen, but you shouldnÕt count on this.
Always
take headphones, sound canceling are better in flight but you do not need to
disturb other passengers with music blasting from your iphone or ipad.
Airport
mistakes continue once youÕve gone through security. Airlines often announce
gate changes over the airport PA system – donÕt get too engrossed in that
YouTube video as you could miss your flight!
We donÕt
want to sound like your mum here, but keeping hydrated is so important!
Drinking enough water will keep you feeling comfortable, especially on
long-haul flights.
Okay, we
all know plastic water bottles are bad for the environment, and at the airport
theyÕre also bad for your wallet. Take an empty bottle and fill it at a bubbler
once you get through security.
Almost
all airports and planes offer free charging points. Keep your charger in your
hand luggage for easy access, especially if youÕre planning to pass away time
by playing games or watching videos on your own device. (If you forget
your charger but have the lead you can plug your phone into any laptop or TV
USB socket and the phone will re-charge),
Next time
you have a stopover, donÕt just plonk yourself down in your gate lounge. Your
next leg will be much better after a shower, a massage or even
a nap.
A big,
light-weight fabric scarf is your best friend in an airport. Airports can be
like cinemas – way colder than youÕre expecting. Scarves can also double
as blankets on chilly flights.
Jeans and
other restrictive clothes make flying unnecessarily uncomfortable – think
loose and floaty. Despite the runway, an airport is not a fashion show so make
comfort your priority.
You can
also commit airport mistakes at the other end of your journey. WeÕve all
had that moment of Òis that my bag..?Ó at the baggage carousel, especially if
you have a dark case. Make your bag standout with a bright sticker, belt or
ribbon.
Purchasing a iphone or android mini hard drive(32gb or 64gb) will give you lots of extra space for movies or music.