Many people know the experience of missing a flight or standing in endless queues. Since travel has resumed amidst a broken air-travel industry, problems are worse than ever. However,  in the uncertainty of an airport, the only thing you can control is your inner state.

Airports are the best place on the planet to face uncertainty

<ul><li>Stay calm. Most passengers are in the same position. Staying calm can help you keep your sanity.</li><li>Be patient. In a high-stress situation, patience can feel like the hardest state to achieve. Yet, it can help to get you through the impossible moments.</li><li>Be friendly and ask for a miracle. Airline staff often have little control over what they can do, and most problems need creative solutions. Staff find it easier to work a miracle when you show them friendliness.</li></ul>

Travel tips for the weary traveller

<h2 data-selectable-paragraph="">Proven travel tips and real-life stories that work for the hardened and wary traveler</h2><figure><img alt="" src="https://miro.medium.com/max/500/0*DhOVJ1tSqJE" width="692" height="461"><figcaption class="lk bm go gm gn ll lm bn b bo bp co" data-selectable-paragraph="" dir="ltr">Photo by <a class="au ln" href="https://unsplash.com/@jeshoots?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" dir="ltr">JESHOOTS.COM</a> on <a class="au ln" href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" dir="ltr">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure>Many people know the experience of missing a flight. Or arriving at the airport and being faced with a long line you fear will never end.Since travel has resumed amidst a broken air-travel industry, these problems are worse than ever. And the emotional scars of travel have been intensified since the pandemic robbed us of any remaining certainty or control. Especially approaching holidays, travel-anxiety hits new levels.Airports are the best place on the planet — outside of a war zone — to face uncertainty and lack of control.If you ever felt like you needed a lesson in surrender, book yourself a vacation. If you want to up the stakes, add in any number of complicating variables: checked baggage, one or more layovers, a disability requiring a wheelchair, and/or an international destination.If you return home with your luggage and a good story, you’re one of the lucky ones. Many seem to return with promises of their next vacation being a road trip.It isn’t all bad news though. There are ways to prepare emotionally and psychologically for air travel so not to be thrown off by late-minute changes, crowds, or chaos.While the usual “arrive early” advice no doubt still applies, that doesn’t address the lessons one can learn about dealing with their inner state. And here’s the ticket: in the uncertainty of an airport, the only thing you can control is your inner state.<h2 data-selectable-paragraph="">It takes more than surrender</h2>Although surrender is at the heart of this, it takes more than that to survive an airport misadventure.Surrender often feels passive. But when it comes to surrendering in travel, it also includes some other qualities like calmness, patience, and creativity.Here’s three lessons I’ve learned from years of international travel and used repeatedly to good effect. It’s a process I like to think of as creative surrender.<h2 data-selectable-paragraph="">Lesson #1: Stay calm</h2>My partner and I once cut it fine arriving 45 minutes prior to an expected departure at Chicago O’Hare Airport.We stepped into the airport to see a chaotic scene we knew instantly would mean it was unlikely we’d get our flight. This was on us — we should have added at least another hour to our time before departure.Fortunately, we only had carry-on luggage. We stayed the course and joined the line to go through security.Ahead of us, about a dozen places (which equated to ten minutes), was a guy getting increasingly irate. He was trying to push ahead in front of others, explaining he was going to miss his flight. He seemingly (or selfishly) had no awareness we were all in the same position.My partner at the time always had a cool head under stress. We both just breathed and remained calm. To us, this guy seemed rather comical.Naturally, as things moved forward, he unconsciously magnetised the attention of security. Whereas other people flew through the checkpoint, his bag had to be scanned twice and then be swabbed. He was also pulled aside for a pat-down.Despite being ten minutes behind him in the line, we made it through the checkpoint ahead of him, along with our sanity.We swiftly made it to our gate, where the flight had been sufficiently delayed for us to make it on time.We saw this guy frantically try to make his gate, only to discover his flight had left.<h2 data-selectable-paragraph="">Lesson #2: Be patient</h2>Patience sometimes feels like the hardest state to achieve in a high-stress situation, but it becomes a superpower in an airport if you can do it.I was once traveling to Australia from Minneapolis, with layovers in Dallas and Los Angeles. Despite having already learned the lesson of planning long layovers, the flight from MSP was significantly delayed, leaving a very short window to get from one gate to the next in Dallas.Upon deplaning, I ran for my life from one end of the terminal to my connecting gate. “For my life” sounds dramatic, but I knew the complications of not making a connection on an international ticket.I made it to my new gate as the doors had just closed. I was the first there and had to wait for the attendants to start the process of rerouting.While I caught my breath, a horde of people caught up and piled around the desk. They were stressed; demanding the service representatives do things beyond their control.I watched the chaotic scene, already exhausted, and deflated. I joined a line towards the back and ended up being the last person served. Most people had left without getting what they wanted.I explained my position and that I needed to get to LA that night. I was told it would be impossible, and that I would have to route via Phoenix for an overnight and get to LAX the following day. My whole itinerary would be thrown out the window.I patiently asked, “Are there any other creative ways around this?”Beside me, a military serviceman was being helped to get on the next flight. In the United States, most airlines give active military personnel priority over regular passengers.The person who was serving me looked across to this serviceman and then back at me. She silently looked at me as if to suggest, let’s see what I can do.The airline representative upgraded me and got me on the next flight. When I was handed my boarding pass, I was given active-duty status, and told, “Thank for your service, sir.”I have never served in the military a day in my life.<h2 data-selectable-paragraph="">Lesson #3: Be friendly and ask for a miracle</h2>Airline staff often have little control over what they can do. Most solutions need to be creatively worked around, like in my previous story.My friend, Anna, has this masterful technique she uses. Her theory is everyone wants to help with the creation of a miracle.When something isn’t quite going her way, she’ll ask very directly, “I need a miracle today. Would you be willing to help create one?”If you ever met Anna, you’ll find her to be the most friendly and warm person. But her sincere friendliness doesn’t displace her absolute confidence that the universe is on her side and wanting her to succeed.It turns out that people want to be part of creating a miracle. But the other edge is that most airline staff are constantly dealing with angry and irate people. A little friendliness goes a long way.Anna has had “unchangeable” tickets change and “non-refundable” tickets refunded.It turns out airline staff have more creative workarounds than we might be aware.The thing is that these techniques can work in any stressful situation you can think of. Airports are simply like the Harvard for developing one’s inner state, delivering round-the-clock masterclasses on creative surrender.Next time you are in any challenging situation, or indeed traveling, try these techniques — stay calm, patient, and friendly — to see what miracles you land.

Many people know the experience of missing a flight. Or arriving at the airport and being faced with a long line you fear will never end. Since travel has resumed amidst a broken air-travel industry…

travel

Travel

Proven travel tips and real-life stories that work for the hardened and wary traveler

M any people know the experience of missing a flight. Or arriving at the airport and being faced with a long line you fear will never end.

Since travel has resumed amidst a broken air-travel industry, these problems are worse than ever. And the emotional scars of travel have been intensified since the pandemic robbed us of any remaining certainty or control. Especially approaching holidays, travel-anxiety hits new levels.

If you ever felt like you needed a lesson in surrender, book yourself a vacation. If you want to up the stakes, add in any number of complicating variables: checked baggage, one or more layovers, a disability requiring a wheelchair, and/or an international destination.

If you return home with your luggage and a good story, you’re one of the lucky ones. Many seem to return with promises of their next vacation being a road trip.

It isn’t all bad news though. There are ways to prepare emotionally and psychologically for air travel so not to be thrown off by late-minute changes, crowds, or chaos.

While the usual “arrive early” advice no doubt still applies, that doesn’t address the lessons one can learn about dealing with their inner state. And here’s the ticket: in the uncertainty of an airport, the only thing you can control is your inner state.

Although surrender is at the heart of this, it takes more than that to survive an airport misadventure.

Surrender often feels passive. But when it comes to surrendering in travel, it also includes some other qualities like calmness, patience, and creativity.

Here’s three lessons I’ve learned from years of international travel and used repeatedly to good effect. It’s a process I like to think of as creative surrender.

My partner and I once cut it fine arriving 45 minutes prior to an expected departure at Chicago O’Hare Airport.

We stepped into the airport to see a chaotic scene we knew instantly would mean it was unlikely we’d get our flight. This was on us — we should have added at least another hour to our time before departure.

Fortunately, we only had carry-on luggage. We stayed the course and joined the line to go through security.

Ahead of us, about a dozen places (which equated to ten minutes), was a guy getting increasingly irate. He was trying to push ahead in front of others, explaining he was going to miss his flight. He seemingly (or selfishly) had no awareness we were all in the same position.

My partner at the time always had a cool head under stress. We both just breathed and remained calm. To us, this guy seemed rather comical.

Naturally, as things moved forward, he unconsciously magnetised the attention of security. Whereas other people flew through the checkpoint, his bag had to be scanned twice and then be swabbed. He was also pulled aside for a pat-down.

Despite being ten minutes behind him in the line, we made it through the checkpoint ahead of him, along with our sanity.

We swiftly made it to our gate, where the flight had been sufficiently delayed for us to make it on time.

We saw this guy frantically try to make his gate, only to discover his flight had left.

Patience sometimes feels like the hardest state to achieve in a high-stress situation, but it becomes a superpower in an airport if you can do it.

I was once traveling to Australia from Minneapolis, with layovers in Dallas and Los Angeles. Despite having already learned the lesson of planning long layovers, the flight from MSP was significantly delayed, leaving a very short window to get from one gate to the next in Dallas.

Upon deplaning, I ran for my life from one end of the terminal to my connecting gate. “For my life” sounds dramatic, but I knew the complications of not making a connection on an international ticket.

I made it to my new gate as the doors had just closed. I was the first there and had to wait for the attendants to start the process of rerouting.

While I caught my breath, a horde of people caught up and piled around the desk. They were stressed; demanding the service representatives do things beyond their control.

I watched the chaotic scene, already exhausted, and deflated. I joined a line towards the back and ended up being the last person served. Most people had left without getting what they wanted.

I explained my position and that I needed to get to LA that night. I was told it would be impossible, and that I would have to route via Phoenix for an overnight and get to LAX the following day. My whole itinerary would be thrown out the window.

I patiently asked, “Are there any other creative ways around this?”

Beside me, a military serviceman was being helped to get on the next flight. In the United States, most airlines give active military personnel priority over regular passengers.

The person who was serving me looked across to this serviceman and then back at me. She silently looked at me as if to suggest, let’s see what I can do .

The airline representative upgraded me and got me on the next flight. When I was handed my boarding pass, I was given active-duty status, and told, “Thank for your service, sir.”

I have never served in the military a day in my life.

Lesson #3: Be friendly and ask for a miracle

Airline staff often have little control over what they can do. Most solutions need to be creatively worked around, like in my previous story.

My friend, Anna, has this masterful technique she uses. Her theory is everyone wants to help with the creation of a miracle.

When something isn’t quite going her way, she’ll ask very directly,“I need a miracle today. Would you be willing to help create one?”

If you ever met Anna, you’ll find her to be the most friendly and warm person. But her sincere friendliness doesn’t displace her absolute confidence that the universe is on her side and wanting her to succeed.

It turns out that people want to be part of creating a miracle. But the other edge is that most airline staff are constantly dealing with angry and irate people. A little friendliness goes a long way.

Anna has had “unchangeable” tickets change and “non-refundable” tickets refunded.

It turns out airline staff have more creative workarounds than we might be aware.

The thing is that these techniques can work in any stressful situation you can think of. Airports are simply like the Harvard for developing one’s inner state, delivering round-the-clock masterclasses on creative surrender.

Next time you are in any challenging situation, or indeed traveling, try these techniques — stay calm, patient, and friendly — to see what miracles you land.

Survive the Airport and Get to Your Destination Without Losing Your Mind

Airports are the best place on the planet to face uncertainty

Travel tips for the weary traveller

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