FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Priority services not reserved for priority passengers?
Old Oct 3, 2015 | 1:08 am
  #29  
ft101
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Originally Posted by Daxiuyi
Suggestions (some are summaries of other posters' points):
1. Fly hand-carry only. 100 round trip flights/yr means you're not carrying any more than a few days' clothes at a time, so it's easily doable. This probably makes the biggest difference with respect to time stuck waiting an an airport (before and after your flight). If you want suggestions on bags to get, other packing aids, packing techniques, items that minimise weight/bulk, check the Travel Products forum.
2. Don't board early. Too many distractions, not comfortable (so you're not going to be productive anyway). If you're flying business (or not, if you have sufficient status), sit in the lounge and do your work there (far more comfortable). When you arrive there, confirm with the staff your flight's boarding time and latest possible time to board (allowing for security, walk to gate etc). that way you're maximising your productive time at the airport.
3. As moondog said, get to the airport later. Check in online and get a mobile boarding pass (if you can). That way you only need to allow time to go through security and immigration (add any extra time if you need to do a visa check, manual check-in etc). That way you spend less time 'in transit' (and are more easily contactable, if your job requires a lot of time on the phone).
4. When checking in/booking your flight, inform whoever is handling it (probably not you, if you're being time efficient) that you want a seat up the front of the plane as far as possible. That way when the plane arrives you'll be one of (if not the) first off the plane. Makes immigration/customs etc faster.
Just goes to show there's no right or wrong.

1. Not everyone's doing 100 trips a year. Check a bag and let someone else carry your stuff.
2. Use priority boarding or get near the front of the queue. More chance of getting overhead space near your seat (you want that if your lugging all your bags around with you), or time to enjoy pre-departure fizz if you're up front.
3. Plan on getting to the airport early. Who knows what travel problems there might be on the way? Once you're checked in and through security then relax with a drink.
4. Tend to agree, but if it was so important I would get an earlier flight.
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