Travel Tips
I could write a small book on the must do’s and don’t of preparing and traveling in comfort to a JO National Championship Track Meet. Below are a few travel tips to consider as you prepare for your trip to a JO National Meet.
- Review the itinerary a couple of times so you are completely sure of destination and time /per your Tickets or agent itinerary
- Call the night before to confirm the departure time, and again in the morning 6 hours before departure. Recently airlines have changed departure times unbeknownst to the traveler. The traveler will have to accept the out come of a late arrival even if he didn’t know.Yep!! That’s the truth.
- Discuss with your youth athletes what is expected of them behavior and conduct wise in the airport and on the trip in general. Attitude is everything; expect it to be positive and upbeat.
- Write a packing list at least a month before departure ,so you won’t forget the most important small things you will want to take on your trip
- If any one in your family is taking prescription medication make sure you have a valid prescription with you.
- ALWAYS look at the airline luggage routing tags that the ticket agent is putting on your checked baggage, and look at your claim stubs too. Don’t just assume they are putting the right tag on the right bag.
- Travel with Sharpie markers and zip-closure plastic bags. They are great for marking and identifying things quickly and your youth athlete may have to give an autograph and you will help the fan get a perfect autograph
- Don’t travel with gel pens. You could wake up in a pool of ink, as the air pressure changes can cause the ink to burst out.
- Place any items that may leak or bleed into a plastic zip lock bag before placing in your luggage.
- Bring extra large zip lock bags for ice if need for an injury
- Bring pre-printed return address labels with you. They’re great for quickly filling out airline luggage tags and other forms.
- Get a travel pillow that supports your neck. Neck pillows like the Bucky brand are filled with buckwheat hulls and support your neck while you’re trying to sleep on the plane.If your flight is cancelled, don’t wait in the long line in front of the ticket agent to get on another plane. Just step aside and call your airline directly from your cell phone. It’s just like cutting in line, but nobody will get mad at you.
Look for more tips in the weeks to come and if you have a great one you would like to share please mail me at trackmom1@gmail.com and I will make sure to post hem along with mine in a future article.
Until Next Time
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