E-Huh? How To Survive A Flight With A Stop-over

Traveling can be an exciting, adventurous and life altering journey. Seeing the world can change a life. But what about that first step?

No I don't mean choosing the destination- too fun!
And no I don't mean raising the money- apparently people can travel with very little funds (If this is you, please email me and explain how.) [I might steal that idea for my next "How To," for example, "How To Travel Cheaply," if you don't mind.] {But if you do mind, don't email me and then get all upset suing me, claiming I stole your intellectual property, because I will cite precedence regarding that Da Vinci Code lawsuit, so relax!}

What I mean is, you have the ticket and to your dismay you have a stop-over!
From my experience a stop-over seems like a drag, but it can be a journey within itself.
First How: How long is the stop-over?
If it's under two hours, I'm sorry but you've missed your flight. Refer to my other "How To" guide- " How Not to Cry In Public."

If the stop-over is over three hours, hurry the hell up. ALWAYS check if your bags are going to your final destination when you are checking in at you original departure. Ask twice. Then three times. You will be surprised at how unhelpful the woman or man at the counter will be, so be sure to get a firm answer.


Once your baggage issue has been settled, don't relax just yet- is your connection happening anywhere in North America? Congratulations you get to wait in line for customs. I know you're thinking, " But wait I haven't travelled anywhere yet. Just from point A to Point B to try to eventually get to Point C." No worries though, this thought can be answered by my other "How To" guide, "How To Skip Ahead in Line." (Hint, be a little girl.)

After that ordeal, you get to go another counter and print out your plane tickets for your actual destination. I'm sure you're wondering why the airline worker didn't just print that ticket at your departure time, when you arrived at the airport with the proper time allotment. But why should they, you have some time now and if you're travelling with small children, the energy to wait in another line. (Note: If you are not the small child, my "How To Skip Ahead In Line" guide is most likely of no use and yes your passport is at the very bottom of the diaper bag, probably inside of a diaper.)

Yes, you've made it... Oh my, wrong again it's security, but by this time you're in a complete sweat so your clothes have already been removed for proper inspection.

Now you're all done except for that last little treat of getting to your gate. Oops, wait where do you think your going the gates in another terminal, take the train that's up to the stairs and right, stage right so really your left.

Hurray you made it and the plane has just started boarding, all right everything can settle. You can ease into your economy class seating between the coughing gentleman with the shakes and a woman who has to pee.

After all that rushing your mind is at ease and you will now arrive at you choice destination (and most likely your bags. Possibly, perhaps. Ok don't worry they'll be there.) Now take a breath and enjoy the three hour wait on the tarmac. If the wait seems slightly frustrating, refer to my most recent "How To" "How to Not Bother Flight Attendants."



Thanks for your time and Bon Voyage!

-Classic-Al

Don't worry to switch planes, you have to land first!