Travel Article:

Organising your family on the night prior to flying

By: Laine Yates

Planning for a holiday is very much like planning for Christmas - everyone is excited and there is so much to organise and pack away (either in suit cases or up high in a cupboard away from little eyes!). There are quite a few things that cannot be done until the night before, so here is a travel checklist of things to organise on the night prior to your big day of flying!

• If you prefer to pack on the night before a flight, a good family travel tip is to mix up your packing! Make sure each suitcase that you are packing has some clothes for everyone travelling. That way, if one bag goes missing, everyone will still have something to wear for a few days whilst you are locating your luggage.
  
  
• Organise name tags on all your luggage (including your hand luggage) with your address and contact details of your destination. It is important to put down phone numbers just on the off chance your bag goes missing!
  
  
• Remember to put ribbons on your bags (especially if yours is black like everyone else's!). This is important to be able to identify them when they are going around on the baggage conveyor belts. Remember, the more unique the ribbon, the better it will stand out.
  
  
• Pack your last minute items in your hand luggage i.e. snacks for the kids, low sugar sweets for take-off and landing, medicine, etc.
  
  
• Remember the restrictions on liquids, aerosols and gels - double check this on the Airline's website before packing them into zip lock bags for your hand luggage.
  
  
• Once all the bags are packed, weigh them to check that you are within your baggage allowance. The weight restrictions for your hand luggage and your luggage to be checked in should be on your ticket. Now is a good time to double check this.
  
  
• Confirm your taxi or lift to the airport. Depending on whether you are flying domestically or internationally - you will need to be at the airport either 2 or 3 hours before your take off time. Check with your airlines.
  
  
• Leave your travelling clothes in a pile ready for the big day. I find the trick to dressing on flights is to layer your clothes. Also remember to pack a spare set of clothes for everyone (adults included) in your hand luggage. It is best to be prepared for accidents, delay in airports etc.
  
  
• Get your passports out from their hiding place and put them in your handbag that you will take on your flight. Triple check that all the details on your passports are current and that you have everyone's passport!
  
  
• If travelling to another country, ensure your foreign currency is stashed some somewhere safe but different to where you are carrying your passports. If you are travelling with your partner, one could look after passports whilst the other looks after cash.
  
  
• Write a list for the morning of your flight, of things to turn off - TV, heating/cooling, toaster, kettle, washing machine etc.
  
  
• Write another list of last minute things you can only pack in the morning eg. your child's favourite blanky/toy/teddy, milk bottles, dummy etc.
  
  
• Last but not least, try and have an early night!

We hope that these travel tips will help you organise your family before your flight.

Happy Travels!

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