Journeywoman - Flight Attendants' Top Travel Tips

Evelyn Hannon

Coffee, tea, or...travel tips? Practical travel tips from international flight attendants -- what fun it was to compile this material!

The idea was born when I contacted Sharon Wingler, author of Travel Alone and Love It, a flight attendant�s guide to solo travel. I asked what she thought about travel tip networking with some of her flight attendant friends at Delta Airlines. Sharon immediately e-mailed me a message that read � would love to act on your request... will contact eight other flight attendants who fly internationally and ask about their favorite restaurants, places to shop, travel tips, etc." Then I called Anne Matthews, Toronto media relations manager at Canadian Airlines. Her response was equally as enthusiastic. Soon Teena Hughes in Australia introduced her Qantas "hostie� friend, Ruth Wilson and we were all set. hearts

Many, many thanks for the terrific networking, ladies. We appreciate!

Unusual shoe bags...

airplane My travel tip is for the women and some men who have small feet. At the end of the flight when I go through the business class cabin to clean up, I notice a lot of people just leave behind the booties (slippers) that the airlines hand out. I always advise them to take these slippers home and use them as their shoe bags the next time they travel. With these (bootie covers) shoes won't soil the other things in the suitcase. Passengers just love the idea and then (with a smile) they always take them when they de-plane.
Haruko Williams, Canadian Airlines

Only $50 for immediate travel essentials...

I always have all my toiletries (including my blow dryer), a change of underwear and a light cotton or Chinese silk bath robe in my in-cabin (carry-on) bag. If room permits I take a set of outerwear clothes as well. Then, if I by any chance my checked bag is either lost or stolen, I have all the absolute essentials I need when I arrive at my destination. Remember, most airlines only give passengers (in economy class) about $50.00 to purchase any immediate essentials when their luggage goes missing. This happened to me when travelling between Bangkok and Rome - I ended up in Rome with no suitcase and it never arrived despite the Crew Tags on my bag!!
Ruth, Qantas Airlines, Australia

Her favorite Chicago restaurant...

For a delicious, upscale seafood meal with a great city view, dine at Riva on Chicago's Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Avenue, right on Lake Michigan. I recommend the portobello mushroom appetizer. Reservations recommended (312) 644-RIVA
Sharon Wingler, Delta Airlines, USA (Chicago based)

Her boots were made for walking...

I find that the best way to break in new walking shoes or hiking boots is to wear them for a couple of weeks during my daily workout - especially the half hour on the treadmill. This is also a great way to "train" for a trip. Before my last hiking trip, I did my treadmill time in my boots and carrying a back pack. That way, when I got out onto the South Downs Way in England, my back and my feet were used to both, and the first day wasn't nearly as painful as it might have been.
Nancy Matthews, Air Canada Purser, Canada

She fights jetlag with water and smart sleeps...

My best tip on how to fight jet lag is to drink a lot of water during the flight. Then, once you have arrived at your destination, if the current time in that country is earlier than 1:00pm, have a cat nap of no longer than three hours. Force yourself to get up and carry on the day on that time zone. If the current time is later than 1:00pm, then try to stay awake as long as you possibly can. By going to bed no earlier than 7:00pm you should be able to acclimatize to the current time zone in the easiest way possible.
Denise, Canadian Airlines, Canada

The way I fight jetlag...

When travelling to Europe from North America, the flights usually arrive there in “their morning” (which is actually the middle of the night for people from the west). The best way to deal with jet lag is to sleep for no more than three hours and force yourself out of bed, have a wake-up shower and go out for a walk and something to eat. By the time you return to your room, it’s evening and you can go to bed and (hopefully) sleep a full eight hours. With a bit of luck you’ll wake up somewhat refreshed. A person's first instinct, upon initial hotel check-in, is to either sleep all day (due to exhaustion) which results in being awake all night, or to try to stay up all day (which is almost impossible and dangerous.) Several of my flight attendant friends and I have tried the latter and have almost been hit by cars, buses or trams due to our fatigue. In London, especially, we forgot that the cars were on the other side of the road!!
Mary, Canadian Airlines, Canada

More tips...