Airport comfort:

Write down where you park. You may think you’ll remember, but jet lagged and exhausted all those parking garages and levels may look exactly alike.

Give yourself plenty of time for check-in. Two hours for domestic and three to four for international. Even if the lines are short you don’t want to risk losing your seat on an overbooked flight.

Pack as light as possible. For weekend trips I try to stay with just carry-on luggage. Remember even carry-on bags may get checked at the gate if they’re on the large side and the plane is full. Have one small bag with your essentials.

Wear comfortable layers. The plane could get really hot or chilly. Be sure you don’t have anything on with metal. Security is tight these days and you don’t want to have to go to the special security check in because you didn’t make it through the metal detectors.
For that reason too run your shoes through the x-ray machine. They’re probably tell you you have to, but it’s the safest way to go regardless.

Also make sure there’s nothing odd in your carry-on luggage. I was pulled aside by security due to strange shapes in my backpack. After searching and searching and running it through the machine no one could figure out what it was. Finally I remembered the replica pirate coins I bought. They were in a flat envelope surrounded by brochures.

Notes on things to take in your carry-on luggage:

Food/snacks/drinks – Now that only ticketed passengers can go through the gates you may find yourself stuck at a gate that has nothing but a vending machine while the gate next to you has all the restaurants. Around you everything is closed and your flight has just been delayed four hours. Also be sure to drink lots of water on the flight. Airplane air is very dry!

Books and magazines you’ve been meaning to get to. Remember to pack enough to read on the way back! Of if you don’t feel like reading take your cd player or even a gameboy. Who says the kids get to have all the fun?

Gum - It helps with the takeoff and landing, but buy the gum before you get to the airport. I found out the hard way that not all airports sell gum. Hard candy is also helpful if you can’t get gum.

Always a good time to catch up on correspondence/thank you cards/Christmas cards/etc.

Any important paperwork such as your passport, reservation information, etc. Not items you want in lost luggage!

Extra notes if traveling with an infant:

Check your stroller/car seat at the gate. That way you have use of it right up till the last minute and it’s waiting for you at the gate as you get off the plane. Being stuck in a new place without your baby’s car seat is a little risky to have it checked with the baggage!

Have a pacifier and a bottle ready for take-off and landing. That’ll help them with the pressure in their ears.

If traveling long distance request the bulkhead seats and the bassinet. Many planes offer a mini bassinet that sits at your feet. It’s not luxury and it doesn’t leave you any leg room, but it’s a great relief to not have to hold them the entire eight hour flight. Parents need rest too! Or you could just buy your baby a seat and use the car seat on the plane, but I’m a budget flyer!

If you need to warm a bottle, the flight attendants will be happy to help by bringing you a cup of very hot water. Or the ready made small instant bottles you can buy now are a complete life saver!

Also, allow for active playtime at the airport. He/She is about to be confined for hours. Let them stretch their legs while there’s time!