these are little tidbits one picks up while traveling [alone].
before you arrive at the airport... minimize the amount of metal on your person, belts, keys, coins, lighters[you can't bring those on planes anymore], etc. Put all of it in your carry-on or laptop bag or purse or whatever... don't wear a jacket or coat if you can help it, and make sure your shoes slide on and off quickly. And put your ticket and your license in an easily accessible pocket.
at the airport. there is usually more than one entrance into a terminal... if you see a line, find a different one. FYI... usually there is no line at the security checkpoint near the NWA international counter entrance in DTW...
at the checkpoint. keep your boarding pass out, because they need to make sure you're not on their red flag list. At the x-ray - I personally load my articles into the machine as follows: roll-away, laptop bag, laptop, shoes. This allows me to pull the roll away off first (if it is last, it usually plows through everything still on the belt)... then it I can grab the laptop bag and mount it on the roll away, then I can quickly open the bag and drop the laptop in it, and it takes an instant to slide my shoes back on, and I'm moving without skipping more than a beat... usually... but there have been instances where I have been stopped for one reason or another to have my luggage examined.
at the gate. find a seat relatively close to the gate. this will allow you to remain seated for as long as possible until they call your row/section to board. it is strange to me, but everyone likes to crowd around the gate like a pack of ravenous dogs waiting for food.
I don't get that.
it's not going to get them on any faster, and the plane won't take off any sooner.
it just seems silly to me.
when boarding, try get on the plane first, whether you go first class or sit in the back of the plane - get on first if possible. [this is a matter of seating, not where are you are in line at the gate] of course this only remains true if you are carrying something that require overhead compartment space. if you do not require over head space, then it doesn't matter when you board - so try to get as close to the front of the plane as possible.
do not check luggage. this is an extreme waste of time, added to the fact that there is always the possibility that your luggage could get lost at a number of different points along the way. carry-on in a single roll-away if possible - but a roll away required overhead space, so please note previous tidbit. Also, most roll-aways will stow lengthwise wheels out and up, which opens up oodles of space for everyone else. of course, my carry-on is designed with the traveling part in mind, not the stowing, so I am unable to stow lengthwise wheels out and up... but that's just me...
always call "not-bitch".When possible, check in online as soon as possible. Pick either the aisle or the window, depending on your preference. The aisle is good for easy access to the overhead bins or to the bathrooms, the window is good for a view, but mostly great for sleeping, since views can be greatly overrated and most people sleep on the plane when possible. The middle seat is practically the worst seat on the plane, (just behind the middle seat in front of an exit row or the middle seat at the very back of the plane - these seats are by far the worst seats given that they are middle seats and they do not recline.) The reason for the diminutive status of the middle seat is the fact that you must share both armrests and you must potentially suffer two people with less than exemplary personal hygiene.
which leads in to...
establish elbow authority.part of getting on the plane first is to sit first, which allows you to lay claim to the majority of the armrest. The usualy advice is to take more that you need, and then give back what you don't need as you see you don't need it. usually, one must pick either the front or the back of the armrest, as armrests are (typically) shared. If you firmly establish dominance, then it is quite possible that you can acquire the entire armrest, leaving your fellow passesnger in a lurch. But, although you probably can relax a bit, be wary of armrest claim jumpers, because an uncomfortable person will take the first chance given to grab real estate.
proper posture and neck support. If you plan on sleeping through the flight, then if must be noted that proper posture and neck support are essential for decent shut-eye. Although reclining the seat does add some comfort, it is quite possible that you can lose 10-15 minutes of sleep if a flight attendant wakes you during landing. So by properly sitting and supporting your neck, one can achieve maximum sleeptime with minimum discomfort. So, don't slouch, and grab a blanket, roll it up and stick it behind your neck, and make sure your seat belt is snug. configure your arms to your own personal comfort and commence passing-out. this will significantly reduce back and neck aches. be careful, though - if you are in the aisle, make sure to tuck in your elbow, as to avoid any unwanted bumps from the drink cart.
frequent flyer status is a myth - unless, of course, you fly everyday and have attained the highest of all possible statuses, because most people who travel for business have some kind of status with the airline on which you are flying. [Only the people at the top of the frequent flyer status food chain are given anything of real significance] there are an extraordinary number of people with minimal status which effectively negates the point of having any kind of status. It is only good for upgrading to first class and to rub the ego's of those individuals who fly so often that they need any kind of positive reinforcement they can possibly get - the thinking being, maybe if you are given status then you will forget how ridiculous your travel patterns are... [my last flight having 85% of the passengers with minimum status]
books, magazines, games, music, snacks... very important on longer flights, especially if you are not planning on sleeping.
always get something to drink. although the cabin is pressurized, the cabin pressure is the same that would be found at 8000 ft above sea level, so it is easier to get dehydrated, because, at cruising altitudes, there is little moisture in the air... but this is probably only noticeable over longer flights... but it is possible for you to hydrate yourself too much and then have to let off the excess... which means you hope that you have an aisle seat.
but...
avoid going to the loo when the drink carts are out or coming out, because it will be a pain in the ass to get back to your seat ... unless you stay in the bathroom the entire time they are serving... but that's just silly.
and please...
when deplaning, do not stand up the instant the seat belt sign turns off, especially if you are nowhere near the front of the plane. All the other idiots are trying to stand up too, which means that no one is going anywhere. all you are doing is making it harder for the people who are in front of you to get their carry-on's which ultimately means that you have to wait longer... standing... in an unmoving line.
that's pretty much it for now. next time I will give you tips on how to super-compress a week+ into a roll away (shoes and all) - assuming you are not a female that requires a separate luggage for toiletries, makeup, and hair styling tools and products, and a separate luggage for shoes...