Travel With Patience

I traveled this week for the first time since the airlines began charging for checked bags. In an attempt to avoid bag charges, people are bringing onboard everything but the kitchen sink (or maybe that was what was inside the large bag that woman kept trying to force under my seat). It seems to take longer than ever to board the airplane as folks are looking for places to stow their bags. Be sure you're at the gate at boarding time if you want to find space in the overhead bins. Those who board last can expect to find the bins full with only the option of shoving bags beneath the seat in front of them. Expect airplanes to be jam packed as the airlines have reduced the number of daily flights. Combine full flights with passengers carrying on lots of luggage and it can take 15+ minutes to deplane. That was my experience on a flight from Dallas/Fort Worth to Portland, Ore. While you're packing shampoo and tennis shoes, also be sure to pack some patience. Air travel seems to require more of that than ever.