Planning on Doing Some International Travel Over the Holidays?

[shudder]. No really, a little EQ - managing the attitude, andusing the ole noggin' can make it almost pleasant!1. Pack your patience and your Emotional Intelligence.Turn down the emotions, turn up the forethought. Example -research your destination on the Internet prior for websiteswhere individuals (not paid interests) can tell you what you can^anticipate^.2. Pre-arrange everything you possibly can - air, hotel, car,restaurant, attractions, plays. 3. Make copies of your passport,traveler's checques, credit cards, itinerary, and airlinetickets. Carry one copy with you and leave one copy with your designatedemergency-contact.4. Carry with you the address and phone number of your country'sembassy (consulate) for each country you'll visit.5. Take any regular medication in your hand luggage and be sureyou have more than enough for your trip. (Remember needles andscissors can't be in hand luggage.)6. Check the US State Dept. advisories, www.travelstate.gov,before your go for immunizations, hazards and other pertinentinformation; the Overseas Security Advisory Council,www.ds-osac.org, and the Transportation Security Administrationsite, www.tsatraveltips.us.7. You'll know you'll be waiting, so use your EQ and figure outhow to make it A Good Thing. Use e-ticket and online checkin when you can. Bring alongthat book you've been meaning to read Bring a pre-paid phonecall and catch up with buddies Bring a neck pillow and plan tocatch up on your rest Dress appropriately for sitting or lyingaround an airport for a long time - loose clothing that can beabused8. Use your neocortex when you pack, not your brain-stem. (YouKNOW the rules, abide by them! Exorcize from the brain-stemanother time, another place.) Pack carry-ons lightly so they can be checked more easily Check the checked baggage allowance and be sure your name andcontact details are on the outside of each bag Avoid packinganything that looks like a weapon (guide - anything you wouldn'tgive a toddler free access to - nail file, letter opener,knitting needle, and the more obvious hand grenades) Whentraveling to and from North America, TSA recommends not lockingchecked baggage Check here www.tsa.dot.gov for common itemswhich become hazardous in flight due to temperature changes andpressure, and don't pack them.9. Be sure you have a valid passport and any required Visas andbe prepared to show them at any point along the way.10. Know the rules of security checkpoints and abide by them. Only ticketed passengers can proceed beyond it Allelectronic items will be screened - laptops and cells. Removelaptop from travel case. Keep ticket and boarding pass and IDwithin easy reach - like on neck chain Wear shoes easy toremove and as little jewelry as possibleP.S. Here's a tip from a seasoned traveler. You KNOW you'regoing to be buying things, and possibly taking home gifts, sopack some clothes that are ready for Goodwill and that you candeposit in another country's "Goodwill" to leave space in yourbags for the return trip.