My hack is that if I’m being picked up by friend or family at home, to get picked up at departures. Some airports split arrivals and departures on different levels (SAN) and for whatever reason, departures is so much less crowded!
Yes, just did this at SFO and it was great - my husband encountered no traffic at all vs. the scrum downstairs. It’s particularly a good idea if you’re arriving on a large international flight!
Getting picked up at departures is rude and inconsiderate. You are just adding to the chaos of the cars dropping people off for flights just so you can save five minutes. I cannot believe that the author of this article liked your hack. Do you fake a disability to get early boarding too?
Oh my such sassy pants you wear. Also, tell me how often you fly out of SAN, because I’m guessing it’s never or you would know how ridiculous this sounds.
I didn't think the travel hack suggestions were only for SAN. I thought that they should work at any airport. You're correct. I don't fly out of SAN so perhaps their departure drop lanes are always clear. I regularly fly from DTW, ORD, SFO, PDX and LAS, and their departure lanes are frequently congested. To me, a good travel hack is one that doesn't have the potential to cause difficulty for another travelers.
Love these! I always tell people to get to the airport early. There is plenty to do at airports these days which doesn’t mean wasted time.. it’s worth your peace of mind
This is such a good reminder that travel stress is usually death by a thousand tiny cuts — and most of them are preventable. The “designated passport spot” and photo of the parking location have saved me more times than I care to admit.
One small add that’s been huge for us: a standing pre-trip checklist we run the night before (passport, meds, chargers, power bank charged, house basics set). It’s boring — and that’s exactly why it works.
Had not heard of that either. Consistently, if I need to pick up a family member or friend at an airport, I simply go to “ Flight Status” on that airline’s app and set “push notifications” for the flight. I’m then notified of any delays impacting their arrival time.
A bit old school but I always type up a full itinerary with flights, hotels, & emergency contacts (since I often travel alone) to print & place inside luggage, to share pdf with family and folded up in my wallet in case it gets lost or there is a real emergency. Easy peace of mind and no excuses for airline if bag is lost or left behind.
Regarding taking an empty water bottle through security and then filling it up after you get to the gate—-I do that, but I fill it with ice before I leave home so then I can have ice water for my trip after security.
It never is a problem to take the bottle through with ice in it just no water.
Don't make the mistake of going later than originally planned to the airport when you hear that your flight is delayed. The airline may decide to swap planes or the reason for the delay may disappear. If that happens, the flight will leave at or close to its originally scheduled time. If you're not there you will miss it.
These are great and I’ve been using these suggestions for many years. I would also add creating a Google doc to share with a non-traveling loved one that contains your itinerary, a copy of your passport, and anything that might be helpful if they had to access your home during your absence. By creating a Google doc, it’s fluid and can be easily updated and for subsequent trips.
Since then our main suitcase has a Roku that lives in it.
Not only does that avoid our forgetting it, but it also means there's one less chore to do as we come and go.
Getting home and unpacking takes enough out of me, so not having to find and hook up the Roku has been priceless. And the Roku unit price has come down over the years.
I’ve been an international flight attendant for over 30 years. You definitely had some strong points that I have followed. I started a chat on Facebook with a woman’s travel group. Included several of yours, but also included how to make your traveling abroad more simple more comfortable, and less stressful. Things I always do.
Thanks for reminding me about the Starbucks order…I don’t drink coffee only hot chocolate and Starbucks is usually the only one to have it…so I’ve also been sad not getting it before my flight…it’s comforting…it’s the little things 🩶
These are excellent tips! I will add one more that I just experienced a week ago. Another approach to avoiding that LONG Starbucks line is to go to one of the other nearby vendors...no line. The coffee may not be that sugar-infused Caramel Macchiato, but many have the flavored creamers and you can just pretend for a few minutes. It still has caffeine! And will be cheaper!
My hack is that if I’m being picked up by friend or family at home, to get picked up at departures. Some airports split arrivals and departures on different levels (SAN) and for whatever reason, departures is so much less crowded!
SAME!
Yes, just did this at SFO and it was great - my husband encountered no traffic at all vs. the scrum downstairs. It’s particularly a good idea if you’re arriving on a large international flight!
🤯
Getting picked up at departures is rude and inconsiderate. You are just adding to the chaos of the cars dropping people off for flights just so you can save five minutes. I cannot believe that the author of this article liked your hack. Do you fake a disability to get early boarding too?
Oh my such sassy pants you wear. Also, tell me how often you fly out of SAN, because I’m guessing it’s never or you would know how ridiculous this sounds.
I didn't think the travel hack suggestions were only for SAN. I thought that they should work at any airport. You're correct. I don't fly out of SAN so perhaps their departure drop lanes are always clear. I regularly fly from DTW, ORD, SFO, PDX and LAS, and their departure lanes are frequently congested. To me, a good travel hack is one that doesn't have the potential to cause difficulty for another travelers.
NOT!
Love these! I always tell people to get to the airport early. There is plenty to do at airports these days which doesn’t mean wasted time.. it’s worth your peace of mind
I'm still working on that one! :)
This is such a good reminder that travel stress is usually death by a thousand tiny cuts — and most of them are preventable. The “designated passport spot” and photo of the parking location have saved me more times than I care to admit.
One small add that’s been huge for us: a standing pre-trip checklist we run the night before (passport, meds, chargers, power bank charged, house basics set). It’s boring — and that’s exactly why it works.
Tiny systems, disproportionate calm. 💛Kelly
So smart!
Yes to Starbucks tip. I learned this the hard way. Did not know you could just text your flight number and iPhone friends/family can track flight 😱.
Had not heard of that either. Consistently, if I need to pick up a family member or friend at an airport, I simply go to “ Flight Status” on that airline’s app and set “push notifications” for the flight. I’m then notified of any delays impacting their arrival time.
A bit old school but I always type up a full itinerary with flights, hotels, & emergency contacts (since I often travel alone) to print & place inside luggage, to share pdf with family and folded up in my wallet in case it gets lost or there is a real emergency. Easy peace of mind and no excuses for airline if bag is lost or left behind.
Smart!
The parking one - especially this time of year. The WORST to realize there's nowhere for you to try and park. Thx, Tarah!
Regarding taking an empty water bottle through security and then filling it up after you get to the gate—-I do that, but I fill it with ice before I leave home so then I can have ice water for my trip after security.
It never is a problem to take the bottle through with ice in it just no water.
Excellent advice.
Don't make the mistake of going later than originally planned to the airport when you hear that your flight is delayed. The airline may decide to swap planes or the reason for the delay may disappear. If that happens, the flight will leave at or close to its originally scheduled time. If you're not there you will miss it.
Yes! I kind of hate that this is true because I would rather wait at home, but I always just head to the airport and wait it out there.
These are great and I’ve been using these suggestions for many years. I would also add creating a Google doc to share with a non-traveling loved one that contains your itinerary, a copy of your passport, and anything that might be helpful if they had to access your home during your absence. By creating a Google doc, it’s fluid and can be easily updated and for subsequent trips.
I love that idea!
We used to take our home Roku on trips.
Then we forgot it once.
Since then our main suitcase has a Roku that lives in it.
Not only does that avoid our forgetting it, but it also means there's one less chore to do as we come and go.
Getting home and unpacking takes enough out of me, so not having to find and hook up the Roku has been priceless. And the Roku unit price has come down over the years.
I haven’t heard that one…so smart!
I’ve been an international flight attendant for over 30 years. You definitely had some strong points that I have followed. I started a chat on Facebook with a woman’s travel group. Included several of yours, but also included how to make your traveling abroad more simple more comfortable, and less stressful. Things I always do.
Perhaps you'd like to share the FB Woman's Travel group tips or that group's link?
Thanks for reminding me about the Starbucks order…I don’t drink coffee only hot chocolate and Starbucks is usually the only one to have it…so I’ve also been sad not getting it before my flight…it’s comforting…it’s the little things 🩶
Anything to make a travel day feel a little more “fun!”
These are excellent tips! I will add one more that I just experienced a week ago. Another approach to avoiding that LONG Starbucks line is to go to one of the other nearby vendors...no line. The coffee may not be that sugar-infused Caramel Macchiato, but many have the flavored creamers and you can just pretend for a few minutes. It still has caffeine! And will be cheaper!
Oh, trust me, I only go to Starbucks when there is no other option. Haha.
A number of airlines are now banning the use of power banks while in flight. https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/26/travel/airline-power-bank-rules-explainer-intl-hnk