More than Just Planes : Fleet Maintenance at HIA

On any given day at Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) there are more than airplanes, ticket agents, and baggage handlers operating to make sure passengers get to their final destination. There are large numbers of people and machines required to make an airport work. If you take pause for a moment you will find everything from trucks and heavy equipment to tractors and lawn mowers to police cars and fire apparatus working hard on airport property. The trucks transport airport maintenance staff, and support equipment around the property to make sure the airfield and facilities are in working order, the snow removal equipment clear the snow from the airfield during winter storms so aircraft can land safely and efficiently, the tractors and lawn mowers keep the landscape around the terminal manicured and grass near the runway neatly clipped so that aircraft crews have a clear view of the runway. Police vehicles patrol the property to keep safety and security a top priority at HIA and shuttle buses get you from the parking lot to the terminal front door in a timely fashion. There are approximately 220 various pieces of equipment and vehicles in the airport fleet that require periodic maintenance or repair. This fleet does not include the aircraft, luggage tugs, and other miscellaneous equipment used by the airlines.

With such a large fleet of equipment and vehicles working hard all year long, parts and pieces are

bound to require upkeep and maintenance. HIA has a staff of 3 qualified technicians in our fleet maintenance department that are well-trained to keep those 220 fleet members in working order. The technicians include Bill, Joe and Bob combined the guys have approximately 90 years of combined mechanical experience in fleet and vehicle maintenance. They share knowledge of vehicle emissions testing and repair, vehicle maintenance inspections, hydraulics, diagnostics, engine electronics, vehicle safety inspections, vehicle restoration and routine maintenance, metal fabrication and welding, air conditioning testing and repair, and many other areas of expertise. All of these skills and certifications allow the team to maintain a piece of equipment as small as a weed whacker and as large as the aircraft fire fighting vehicles owned by HIA.

The HIA owned equipment is maintained almost exclusively on site by our fleet maintenance department. The maintenance team pride themselves in doing as much as they physically can in the maintenance facility located on airport property. Team manager, Bob, indicated that they rarely send work out, but if they must it’s usually a job requiring specialized knowledge and equipment, for example, heavy engine work or an automatic transmission rebuild. The guys are routinely up for a challenge though; they have a myriad of training courses available to them from vehicle and equipment manufacturers. These training courses assist the department in staying technically and technologically up-to-date. Bob pointed out, that while you cannot always upgrade to brand new equipment and vehicles, you can add to and modify the existing fleet. The team’s ability to remain creative and proactive is a standard operating procedure everyday.

The ultimate goal of fleet and vehicle maintenance is to maintain all equipment in a continuously safe state of operational readiness in order to keep the airfield and facility operations supported. Did you know in the winter months that HIA has a fleet of specialized snow removal equipment that, at times, needs to work around the clock to keep the airfield clear of snow, sleet and ice? If one of these vehicles breaks down, it’s up to Bill, Joe, and Bob to get it back in working order. Many of the snow removal vehicles are custom built and require highly specialized parts in a timely fashion. By design, the guys are prepared and keep an inventory of parts in stock, and can get a vehicle back into the snow removal rotation in a snap! For example, the brushes on the high-speed runway brooms machines that are used in snow removal wear out from continuous use in heavy snow. The truck can be pulled into the shop, brushes changed out, and the truck returned to the rotation in less than 90 minutes. How’s that for efficient? That kind of quick turnaround in vehicle maintenance lends itself to your flight landing safely and on-time at HIA in winter weather. The department continuously plans for efficiency of operations regardless of the weather conditions.

When asked what were some of the more unusual vehicles they’ve worked on as a department, Bob indicated that the specialized snow removal equipment is pretty unique in it’s size and sophistication, but that the most unique items we have worked on were the Segway Human Transporters that HIA police formerly employed to patrol the interior of buildings. He also pointed out that the air traveling public might not realize that the jet bridges used to board an aircraft are also part of the equipment maintenance responsibilities. Someone needs to make sure that the wheels and other features of the jet bridges work properly!

Does this sound like a career that would be interesting to you? Bob said that specialized training, certifications and on-the-job experiences the team has learned along the way does not normally come from a traditional college education. With the technology exploding in the industry, ongoing training and accrued knowledge is never ending. Their team has a great culture; they all have differing strengths and weaknesses, but they all care about the equipment in the fleet to the point of knowing the individual character of each piece. Their mutual respect for the equipment combined with their differing expertise allows them to cooperatively take on nearly any task with great success!

“Individually we are limited but together we are limitless!”

What unusual pieces of equipment or vehicles have you seen on the airfield when you've flown to/from HIA? Which of the types of equipment or vehicles mentioned would you like to know more about?

Beat the Heat: Summer Travel Tips

This time of year is known for abundant sunshine, high temperatures and depending on where you are, very dry or very humid days. We've put together recommendations for your consideration for when you're throwing things into your suitcase, when you're on the plane, or at your sunny final destination!

• Pack light: If you're heading to a sunny destination, be sure to pack clothing that is light colored and light weight. Darker colors attract more of the suns rays and heavier materials will keep your body heat trapped in longer. So avoid the these types of clothing if you can!
  
  
• Defend your skin: Don't hesitate to bring your sun screen and remember to apply, apply, and reapply. Even if a sunscreen self-advertises as waterproof, it will eventually wear off after multiple dips in the ocean or pool, and you can sweat it off too! It's better to safe than sorry, so keep your dermis safe and sunburn-free.
  
  
• Protect your eyes: Sunglasses or a hat with a brim are both great ways to keep the sun out of your eyes. The added benefit of a brimmed hat? An additional way, in combination with sunscreen, to keep the sun off your face!
  
  
• Drink up: Keep yourself hydrated! Water is a good option, but if you're sweating profusely you may wish to consider drink options that are rich in electrolytes to replenish the sodium and potassium your body's lost. Sport drinks, like Gatorade or Powerade, are a good option for electrolyte replenishment.
  
  
• Respect your limits: Yes, you want to see everything that you possibly can when traveling, but your body will tire out quicker in the heat. If you're feeling sluggish, flushed, or warmer than usual, take a break, find some shade or a cool indoor environment, and hydrate!
  
  
• Keep kiddies cool: All of the aforementioned tips apply to the littlest of travelers also!
  
  
• Mind Fido too: Don't forget that heat is hard on animals. If you're traveling with a pet, keep it hydrated and don't work/play/run it too hard. Dark-coated animals mind the heat more as their fur will absorb more of the suns rays.

Do you have tips to add that we've missed? Do you have recommendations for those traveling with small children and/or pets that you've found to make the trip more tolerable?

Facebook Fan Page Giveaway

Hey fans, followers, friends, subscribers, tweeps, and social media community! We've put together a giveaway just for you! What's the scoop you ask? Our Facebook fan page has been seeing weekly increases in folks joining the HIA community and "liking" what we're doing and we're super appreciative.

To show just how much we appreciate our fans we're giving away a $250 airfare gift certificate when we reach 1,500 fans. At that point out, our fans* become eligible for the giveaway. The gift certificate is good toward airfare on an airline of your choice. The trip must originate or end at HIA. So if you live out of the area, but are planning on flying into HIA you could employ the gift certificate toward your trip!

But, it doesn't stop there... if we reach 2,000 fans we'll do a 2nd giveaway of another $250 airfare gift certificate! This is one of the ways we'd like to thank you for your continued support of our social networking community and the airlines serving HIA!

Did you know that you can connect with our social networking community from our website? Be sure to let us know what you think of the new integration!

*If you are an employee of Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority or an airline serving SARAA/HIA, you and your immediate family members are not eligible for these giveaways.

Smaller Hub, Less Hassle

A few video thoughts on HIA's advantages as a smaller hub!

While we are a smaller hub, you can connect to anywhere in the world with one of the seven airlines serving HIA. Nearly one out of every ten passengers at HIA is flying internationally. That's 200 people a day! Our top international destinations, you ask? A variety of cities in Canada, Europe and Asia! So the next time you're planning that Caribbean vacation or thinking of heading to Europe or Asia on business, check the fares at HIA, you might just be pleasantly surprised!

Did you know that the average security line wait is 5 minutes or less? Yes, you heard us right, on average 5 minutes or less! When are the lines the longest you ask? Weekday mornings before 8 AM! However, we have a customer appreciation program that helps you beat those longer AM morning waits at the checkpoint. Check out HIA Flyer Rewards for more information on how you can shorten your wait at the security checkpoint!

Traffic problems? Not a problem, getting here is simple! There's no Beltway to deal with! Did you know that we recommend a 75-90 minute pre-flight arrival, not 3 hours? That means you have more time at home or in the office before you have to come to the airport! And, while you're here, if you've still got work to do or emails to send to family, you can use our free in-terminal WiFi while you wait! If you don't have a WiFi-enables or internet-ready device, we've a few internet kiosks you can use for a small fee!

If you're here and have a question, it's not too hard to find someone to help you out! There are airline and airport staff in the building at all times and they're willing to help. If you've got a question that you think you can answer by surfing, than check out our info center from your internet-ready device or by visiting the kiosk located our Customer Information in bag claim!

Did we miss anything that you think sets a smaller hub apart from the large? Are there any areas of your airport experience you'd like to see us improve upon?

Don't miss our airport updates on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube!

MDT Extras: Freebies & Discounts

We know that everyone loves freebies and discounts! HIA and our partners have a few offers that you don't want to miss.

Save 10% on your next American Eagle flight to Chicago!
If you plan to book a flight between now and July 21, 2010 on American Eagle to Chicago from HIA, contact info@SARAA.org for a discount code to save 10% off the cost of your flight.

Get a free day of parking for booking an Atlanta flight on AirTran Airways!
Book a flight from HIA to ATL on AirTran Airways between now and July 31, 2010 and you'll receive a free day of parking in HIA's long-term lot. Visit flyHIA.com for more information.

Receive $1 off your Frappuccino if you become the Mayor of Starbucks on Foursquare!
If you become the Mayor of the HIA Starbucks location on Fourquare between now and June 28, 2010 you will receive $1 off your Frappuccino.

Do you have ideas for freebies and discounts that you'd love to see from the vendors and airlines serving HIA? Or directly from HIA? Let us know, we love to hear your ideas!

Air Travel with Tiny Tots

Recently one of our Twitter followers, @Tleaving, asked for insight on making traveling with an infant less stressful. While we cannot guarantee a hassle-free trip when traveling under any circumstances, not just when flying with a little one, we advocate educating yourself as much as possible prior to departure. Knowledge is power when traveling.

But, back to the subject at hand, flying with baby. How do you make it easier? With this question in mind we forraged through the interweb and found a whole host of tips, tricks and secrets that are intended to help you, the parents!

We started with the new website, ByeByeWithBaby.com. This robust site compiles a comprehensive listing of places where mothers can nurse, change diapers and other family friendly locations. They contacted all of the airports in the country, including HIA, and logged locations of nursing rooms, changing tables and play areas for children.

Before you arrive at any airport for a trip, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the Transporation Security Administration's (TSA) policies for clearing the security checkpoint efficiently with your children and their carry-on belongings. A full run-down of what we're about to paraphrase is available online.

When packing a your children's carry-on please note that medications, formula, juice and breast milk are permitted in reasonable quantities and are not required to be in the zip lock baggy with your gels, aerosols and other liquids. The TSA recommends only carrying liquids and gels that are needed for you and your child's immediate comfort.

When queing at the security checkpoint begin by collapsing and folding up strollers and other child-related equipment as all kiddie items, including diaper bags, toys, blankets, strollers, car seats, backpacks, baby slings, etc must go through the x-ray machine; there no exeptions. If these items will not fit on the conveyor belt to go through the machine, please be prepared for a TSA employee to hand inspect that item.

You and your munchkin need to walk through the metal detector after all of your items are on the conveyor belt. You are permitted to carry your child through and will not be separated from your child at any point during this process. If you need an extra hand gathering your items from the x-ray machine once you've cleared security, feel free to ask a TSA employee for assistance.

Oh, and another quick security checkpoint tip, as this question is frequently asked, if your child is under 18 and flying with you, you do NOT need ID for them.

FlyingwithKids.com had much to say about what to do once you've arrived at the airport and after security, so we pulled out what we found to be the most helpful of their tips:

• When you've checked in for your flight, ask the attendant if the flight is full. If it's not an overly full flight some airlines will allow you to move your seat next to a vacant one which affords you more room for you and your child.
  
• Keep a small bag with a diaper, wipes, and rash cream readily available for those unexpected "uh ohs" that happen!


• If you have a larger, squirmier child that requires a diaper change once you're on the plane, as the flight crew if they have a space you can use to change the diaper, as the changing tables in some aircraft bathrooms are quite small.


• ALWAYS test the temperature of in-flight meals before sharing them with your children, often the foods are quite hot.


• Disposable bibs are a great must-have for in-flight meals.


• If you have formula that needs warmed, you are often able to ask the flight crew to warm it for you with enough notice.


• Most strollers do not fit in the overhead bins of smaller aircraft, research the bin restrictions of the aircraft you're flying on before you get there.


• An infant front-pack is often helpful for carrying your baby when you're also trying to haul luggage with you through a terminal.


• If you don't purchase a seat for your child (under the age of 2) you will be expected to hold the child during the flight.


• Print out a copy of the Federal Aviation Administration's Childproof your Flight brochure, you won't regret it!

One final tip that we'd recommend is bringing along items that you know are familiar and comforting to your children: a favorite, toy, blanket or book. And, if your child is of an age that you can explain to them a basic understanding of what it's like to fly on a plane, prepare them for what to expect.

There are many, many resources online for increasing the success of your air travel experience with your children. We recommend additionally perusing:

• 5Ts to Happy Travel with Tots


• Before You Travel by Air with Baby

Have we missed anything you think is pertinent to traveling with your children? What tips and tricks can you offer to parents of young children for air travel?

Lady Travel Talk: My Must-haves When Traveling Internationally

We are pleased to introduce our 8th guest blogger of the Lady Travel Talk, a mini-series tailor made for female travelers. This series covers a host of topics related to the travel experiences of each of the ladies contributing to the series.

Today's guest blogger Benet J. Wilson is a reporter for Aviation Week. She oversees the Aviation Week business aviation channel at aviationweek.com/biz. You can read more from Benet on her personal travel blog as well.

Today Benet describes what she's not willing to travel without when flying internationally.

Before I had my daughter four years ago, I was a regular world traveler. But after she was born, I cut back – drastically – because I hate being away from her for too long.

But it was back in the saddle for me recently when I was sent to Geneva, Switzerland, to cover the 2010 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, the industry show of record for this region of the world. I was going to be there for a week, and I was excited to be leaving the country again after more than two years from my last trip.

So it was time to take out the suitcase and start packing. I have the I Heart Travel-Packing app on my iPod Touch, because my memory isn’t what it used to be, so I need all the help I can get. Believe me, it is NOT fun to realize you've reached your destination and forgotten to pack underwear. This app has sample lists for men and women; it also allows you to create your own list and create a master catalog where you can drag items for new lists. Plus if the worst happens – lost luggage – you have a list of what you packed.

I usually choose a neutral color theme – blue, black or taupe/beige – and pack accordingly. It’s amazing how an outfit can look different with a different jacket, sweater, scarf or accessories, and I chose black for this trip. I also take an extra pair of shoes.

There are also things I refuse to leave home without. One is a roll of toilet paper. Yes. TP. No offense, but European toilet paper is pretty harsh, and after a day I am not happy. I bring my own wash cloths. Again, European hotels don’t tend to have them in restrooms, and I like having my own. I also bring a vial of Dr. Brommer’s liquid Peppermint soap for its myriad uses – body wash, clothing wash and soothing foot wash after a long day of hoofing it at shows.

In my purse, I keep the following: hand sanitizer, Ibuprofen, Claratin allergy medicine, Tylenol PM, Neosporin, Cortisone, Band-Aids, hand lotion and cough drops. I also keep baby wipes from when my daughter was younger. They serve myriad purposes, including hand cleaner, facial refresher and seatback tray table and lav cleaner.

I have a back pack that holds all my work equipment (laptop computer, iPod, digital camera, video camera, chargers, notebooks, pens, etc.). I love the Bijoux Terner $10 dollar stores at airports across the U.S., and I love their pashima scarves. They can serve as a pillow, a blanket and a stylish wrap year round. I also keep portable snacks and a small emergency kit with vitals in case my luggage gets lost (and it has happened several times).

I hope my tips have helped. I’d love to know: what items are must-take for you on trips? What do you keep in your carry-on bag? What are some of your packing tips?

You're in Good Hands with HIA's ARFF

Have you sat in a plane on the tarmac at Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) and witnessed a large bright green truck driving by you? “What the heck was that,” you may ask your neighbor. What you saw was one of the fire fighting vehicles in the HIA Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) department. There are seven vehicles in the total fleet; three frontline fire fighting vehicles, a rescue truck, a medical quick response unit, an attack vehicle, and a rescue boat. Each piece of equipment in the fleet, when not in active use, is stored at HIA’s on site fire house/station.

Along with housing the vehicles, the fire house is home to 14 full time fire fighters when they are on duty. The team includes a chief and four platoons comprised of a captain and two firefighters. There is one firefighter which floats from shift to shift filling in for fire fighters on vacation. The majority of the guys that make up the team have prior military and aircraft rescue backgrounds. Each of them is trained in fire fighting, emergency medical treatment, hazardous materials, and basic water rescue. The HIA ARFF department is one of 37 fire departments in the state that has received recognition for 100% participation in the Pennsylvania Fire Service Certification program with personnel certified in the following specialties: airport fire fighter, hazardous materials responder, fire inspector, fire instructor, and fire officer. There are no buts about it, these guys know what they’re doing!

The platoons start each day the same way, with role call and updates with the chief followed by equipment and vehicle checks. They pay special attention to all of the details of the equipment and vehicles they use in a given day to insure everything is operational, clean, and ready to respond when needed. After their checks the platoon on duty will complete any necessary training for the day, and then head off for fire inspections, verification of the fire suppression equipment in the terminal, perimeter, fuel farm and fuel equipment checks. Platoons also respond to medical calls and standbys throughout their day. A standby is when a ARFF vehicle is needed on site while a plane is being refueled with passengers are on board the aircraft.

The fire fighters have a lot of responsibilities when they are on duty and these responsibilities require a number of specializations to be held by the platoons. They are qualified in structural and aircraft rescue fire fighting, medical emergencies, HAZMAT, and water rescue. While these duties are similar to that of a municipal fire fighter, the environments in which these duties are performed vary. A municipal fire fighter responds to emergencies in the community, whereas the ARFF platoons work to prevent unique hazards in a customer-oriented environment. Their's is a very centralized operation with a focus on prevention and inspections.

So, the next time you’re sitting on the plane waiting to take-off and a large green vehicle crosses your path remember that Chief Frank Wirth promises that ‘you are in good hands’ with the HIA ARFF. He oversees a team of thirteen fire fighters who focus on your safety, fire and incident prevention and teamwork. Chief Wirth, a life-long fire fighter, emphasizes that the ARFF department is a team of responsible fire fighters who are well trained and work well together.

Have you seen any of these fire fighting vehicles during your trips to/from HIA? Did you tour a fire house/station as a kid? What impressed you the most about the experience?

Lady Travel Talk: Travel by Preference

We are pleased to introduce our 7th guest blogger of the Lady Travel Talk, a mini-series tailor made for female travelers. This series covers a host of topics related to the travel experiences of each of the ladies contributing to the series.

Today's guest blogger is Wendy Edsall-Kerwin is a jewelry artist and metalsmith living and working out of her home in Elizabethtown, PA. She received a BFA from Tyler School of Art in 1998.Currently her work can be found at Radius Gallery in Harrisburg, PA; Veleska Jewelers in Lancaster, PA; and at Luke & Eloy Gallery in Pittsburgh, PA. She attends several craft shows a year, as well as participating in local, regional, and national exhibitions. When she isn't in the studio pounding away at metal, you can usually find her online at her blog or her website.

Today Wendy recommends how to best travel based upon your personality and preferences.


While I haven’t traveled much in the few years since my husband and I bought our first house, I have been a traveler my whole life. I was two years old the first time I flew on a plane and I’ve loved to travel ever since. I’ve even worked as a travel reservationist for three different companies. I’ve stayed at luxury hotels, b & bs, hostels, camped, and even had to stay at places with moldy showers, dirty sheets, and roaches. And you know what? Regardless of the experience at the time, the memories are all good ones.

How do you make sure you’ll have a good experience while traveling? You need to travel on your terms. Are you someone who wants to make friends while traveling and hate the hassle of worrying about where to go, how to get there, and booking hotels? Think about group travel. A lot of companies (including one of my former employers) offer a variety of tours all over the world. Keep in mind that many of these trips are filled with older travelers, but there are group tours through universities and other special interest groups that have a more diverse age group.

Want a longer, more immersed experience? Travel as a student. I did two summers abroad during college, four weeks in Ireland and six weeks in Japan, and this is by far my favorite way to travel. You get more of a feel for a place, the locals get to know you, and you have plenty of time to get out and explore. But I graduated years ago, you might be thinking. Take a workshop or learn a language overseas. I also spent a month in Berlin in a German immersion course at the Goethe Institut. I met other students, participated in all the cultural programs the school offered, and my German improved noticeably.

What if you hate rigidly planned itineraries and want some adventure? Get a guide listing hostels or b & bs, buy a plane ticket, and just go! Make sure that you’re aware in advance if you’re going during high season or not. It’s easier to find spur of the moment accommodations in low or shoulder seasons. Try taking the bus and train instead of renting a car. It’s safer to travel this way with someone else, but as long as you are careful, do some research on the area, and stay aware of your surroundings, you can do this alone also. Some of my best travel experiences stemmed from spur of the moment decisions.

So don’t choose a group tour if you like to explore on your own and make sure to plan your trip in advance if you don’t like to make decisions on the fly. Knowing your personality and traveling accordingly will make your trip more enjoyable and full of pleasant memories.

Have you tried traveling the way Wendy's recommended to us? What have you found to be the best means of travel for your personality type?

Lady Travel Talk: Travel Niceties & Niceness

We are pleased to introduce our 6th guest blogger of the Lady Travel Talk, a mini-series tailor made for female travelers. This series covers a host of topics related to the travel experiences of each of the ladies contributing to the series. Today's guest blogger is Maggie Lang, she is a Marketing Manager for a major airline, a former Marketing Manager for Walgreens, and a worldwide traveler. Maggie self identifies as a "international citizen," having grown up and lived in 10 different countries.

Today Maggie encourages to understand travel niceties and practicing the art of niceness.

I’m an airline employee. I’m married to an airline pilot. The first words out of my kids mouths (no joke) was airplane. I started flying internationally by myself at the tender age 5 and never stopped. Yes, one can say that travel by air is more than just a job; it’s a way of life.

As a woman in business, I travel a great deal for work. New cities and strange places are common place and I find myself energized and fascinated by new experiences. Does that sound like I jump on a plane and embrace the “adventure”? No. Not so much. In addition to being a world traveler I’m also a complete control freak. While some of my colleagues throw themselves into the experience without as much as a hotel reservation prior to arrival, the thought alone makes my planner self break into cold sweat.

Over the years I have compiled a top ten list that has helped make my life as a female solo traveler a breeze and as with most things, it starts with Google:

For even the shortest of business trips, I look up the airport map, ground transportation and the neighborhood of my hotel. Having a sense of where I’m going once I arrive (yes, that even means taking a right or left out of the airport gate) makes me feel more confident, and thus, I don’t have that concerned “where am I going” look as I exit the airplane.

I have finally gotten the science (forget art) of ‘packing light’ down. Wear one black or neutral color pant suit on the plane that you can mix and match different knit tops with; knits take less space, don’t wrinkle easily and are much more versatile than woven tops. My zip lock bag with travel size toiletries is always stocked, and I have an extra set of makeup standing by for any trip.

Heavy books were replaced with the Kindle; my new best friend. Enough said. If you don’t have one yet, go buy one. You will never look back.

There are three things that always go in my purse; my concealer, mascara and cell phone charger. Everything else you can get in any given drugstore in any given country, should the airline (gasp!) happen to lose your luggage or some other luggage mishap happen. Why concealer and mascara? Anyone in need of either on a regular basis know that there are a million bad ones that make you look like a scared raccoon but that ONE good one can only be found in that one certain counter in that rarely found department store. You would have no luck in your everyday Walgreens. As for the cell phone charger; have you ever tried to find a charger for your specific (either archaic or so new nobody carries it) Blackberry model when you really need one?

Check in online. I don’t like lines and get anxiety if I have to stand in a two mile long line to check in. While we’re on the airport topic, it is a little known fact that there is always a less busy TSA security checkpoint in large airports. Find them. They’re usually located on the fringes of the terminals. However, most people go with the flow and thus, all file into the same TSA checkpoint in the middle of the terminal. Counteract this by following tip # 1; do your airport research. It can save you hours.

I realize that a two hour delay might make you miss your meeting with the most important SVP ever. However, yelling at gate agents accomplishes nothing. Absolutely nothing. Except for the possibility that your seat assignment got “lost” and you may now be stuck in the middle seat in the last row.

Be extra nice to flight attendants. No matter how rude they may be (which as we all know, never happens but just in case). There may not be an immediate reward, but take my word for it, this group deserves kindness. And just once in a while, your kindness will pay off with a complimentary glass of wine or an extra snack box.

Unless you have a bulky and large roll-on-board (see tip # 2; avoid the roll on board at all cost and opt for a nice duffel bag which is much more pliable), there is no reason for you to waste your precious 15-20 minutes standing in a line to board. You already have your seat assignment, you have your flexible bag that can go under a seat or in the last ten inches remaining in the overheard compartment. You’re good. Sit back, finish your coffee and enjoy boarding without the line.

Walk into hotels with a confident swagger that smacks of your importance in the world, followed by a mega watt smile as you approach the check in agent. Never ever forget to ASK about an upgrade, even if you are a general peon member. My husband is always mortified when I ask, yet he’s the first to squeal of delight at the palatial bathroom in the suites we usually get upgraded to. Hotels, restaurants, and yes, sometimes even airlines … have excess premium inventory that the agents have at their discretion. You may not always get it, but if you smile, appear deeply grateful for whatever you get and just ask – it’s amazing how something as simple as a smile, a question and appreciation can translate into a luxe experience.

Sorry, I don’t do the adventurous solo dining. When I travel solo I am anti-social. Just like I don’t like chatty seat mates, I don’t see the “adventure” in solo dining. There must be some travel tips for that somewhere else but I wouldn’t know. I’m a busy mom and manager; the whole concept of ROOM SERVICE is heaven!

As a female traveler and airline employee, I have learned good air travel through trial and error. I now know everything from which tiny airports I can connect through in the case of bad weather to which terminal in any of the thousands of airports around the world you can get really good fish tacos (SEA is one!). I have beautiful children, a loving family and a solid career – a rich rewarding life that keeps me very busy. That said, when my travel begins, from my first visit to Google to delighting in the room service menu, none of those roles matter. For a few days, I become the female version of George Clooney in “Up in the Air” (not the girlfriend mind you!) and I feel completely free as I soar 37,000 feet above life as usual.

That is what solo travel is to me; freedom.

Have you made a habit of practicing niceness as Maggie recommends? What trials and errors have you experienced in perfecting good air travel habits?