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I have a routine since I travel so much and try to stay with it as much as possible to reduce stress, hassle, time and improve the entire experience.  Here are 7 things I try to always do:

1. Wear slip off shoes and a “detector safe” belt.  No tie up shoes if I can help it.
2. Have one pocket in my carry on for change, phone, and anything else I need to take out of my pocket prior to going through security.
3. Get to airport 2 hours before flight.  There is nothing worse than running for the gate.
4. Bring a good book, mp3 player, or magazine for the flight or in case of a delay.  It makes the time go by quicker and I may just learn something along the way.
5. Bring the planner.  I find the best time to plan and make “to do” lists are at the airport or on the flight.
6. In Nashville, the C gate security line can be crazy.  If so I will check out the A & B security line and sometimes I find there is no wait at all.  I will then go through A/B security and walk over to the C gates.  A little more walking, but well worth it.  Just don’t tell anyone else!
7. I place something on my suitcase, especially if it black like most, so I can easily identify it on the carosel at baggage claim.  I prefer to use my burgundy case, which is an even better option.  Buy a case with color!

Here is Brian Regan talking about air travel.  My favorite comedian.

I love Southwest Airlines for a number of reasons.  They outperform every other airline I have traveled on except for maybe Frontier or other small specialty jet companies. 

One of the reasons is because I like being able to determine my own seat.  My preferences change depending on the day and flight, so having that option is great.  For instance if I am flying from Nashville to, let’s say, Chicago in the early morning, I will find a window seat on the left side of the aircraft.  First, since I prefer window seats and second because the sun will blind me rising into the sky from the east on the right side of the plane.  Making that adjustment also helps with being able to see the ground better on a clear day and I enjoy looking out onto the world.

So if you fly Southwest and like window seats, think about where the sun is in the sky in relation to the direction you’ll by flying.  Also consider this if you are booking flights and pre-selecting reserved seats on other airlines too.

I might add regarding Southwest, it is also nice to be able to change seats in an instant if someone loud (or potentially annoying) sits down close by.

……without reading about the dilemmas of the music industry.  On two separate flights (American & Northwest), in two different flight magazines.  The first is an American Way article on the problematic future of the music business.  The second is from NEA World Travler on how former artists are taking their personal experience into the ever changing music business world.  Both good reads.  Without the peanuts though.

When planning to fly, do not spray yourself with five times the normal cologne or perfume you would normally wear.  Wait till you make it to your destination, because I will likely have to sit next to you. 

Something else that happened on my latest trip:  I learned more about the person sitting behind me on a flight, who was talking to a complete stranger (loudly I might add), than I know about my own family.   The oversharing buzzer went off so much I needed to put down the book and break out the ipod. 

Undoubtedly there is something I will notice, good or bad, during each of my trips.  Some others are also noted by my favorite comedian Brian Regan: