I went to visit one of my dearest friends in Virginia this week
and- I’m proud to report- I got there and back without a single airport
meltdown! I met some incredibly sweet people on the plane and had a lovely
time in Lynchburg. There are so many things to share, and I’ll be back with
more details from the trip, recipes, and stories, but for now- here’s what I learned
about flying.
10 Tips to Help you Maintain your Sanity in Airports
(and Win the Hearts and Minds of Fellow
Passengers)
1.
Get to
the airport about two hours early. You probably don’t need that long, but
it will give you a good amount of time to call and inform all your family members
that you have survived check in and security. This also gives you plenty of time
to savor how responsible and capable you are. Buy a coffee. You’ve got
time! Try to look like Sandra Bullock from The Proposal while you drink it. People-watching encouraged.
2.
Pack
yummy cough drops. Use them to barter favor with the people around you.
Mine were Warm Apple Pie flavored. Everyone just collectively coughs on
airplanes, so share the cough drops. I shared them with one woman and she
exclaimed, “Aren’t you a dream boat?!” I blushed shyly, Yes, Mary. Yes I am.
3.
Admit
that you’re a beginner. This is the only way for people to know that they
need to take care of you. I kept dropping the fact that I had never flown alone
and the lady I sat next to on my connecting flight literally walked me to my
next gate. I love being surprised by the kindness of strangers.
4.
Talk to
the person you’re sitting next to, even if they scare you a little. If the
plane should begin to crash you will want to hold someone’s hand and there
aren’t that many options. Safe topic? Food. I have a new list of food blogs to
check out, and a trusty guide to the best Indian food in Austin. Win.
5.
Pack
motion sickness medicine in your carry-on, even if you don’t get motion
sickness. Because the person next to you might, and it will be doing both of
you a favor if you have the prescription. *I gotta fever, and the only prescription
is more cow bell*
6.
Ignore
the people who tell you that you have a better chance of getting in a car
wreck on the way to the airport than getting in a plane crash. I don’t know why
they think that would make us feel any better.
7.
Identify
what makes you feel “able.” I love having paperwork with me, especially all
clipped together with one of those official black butterfly clips. It kind of
says, "I mean business." I printed maps of all the airports I would be stopping
in and highlighted things. Having paperwork makes me feel professional, and I
also feel that I might get some special preference with any airport staff
because I can show them that I value their airport and want to do really well
in it. Lovely architecture in here. I looked it up online before I came.
Heard wonderful things about the staff, too. Would you like a Warm Apple Pie
cough drop?
8.
Follow
Bob Goff on Instagram. He posts inspiring quotes and generally makes me
feel very brave.
9.
Pack
funny paperbacks- Funny because laughter is great, and paperback because it
will keep your shoulder from pulling out of socket. I packed hardbacks. Lesson learned.
Recommendations? Is Everyone Hanging Out
Without Me (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling, Through Painted Deserts, by Donald Miller, and The Crowd, The
Critic, and The Muse by Michael Gungor. The only downside is you may laugh
so hard you snort, and that may make your neighbor uncomfortable. Don’t
apologize, don’t try to explain, laugh on.
10.
Memorize
this verse: “Now in putting everything in subjection to Him, He left nothing outside His control.”
Hebrews 2:8
And that's why I married him.
xo,
Cate
So glad you made it to and from safely!! Love you!!
ReplyDeleteYou did it!! So proud of you. Robin you are a smart man! Love you both
ReplyDelete