What are your air travel micro-hacks?

[neils2004]

For the men - plastic belt buckle.

Like.
Belts for Men, Nylon Tactical Belt with YKK Plastic Buckle - https://amzn.asia/d/ifBQkma

Converted to small/thin plastic belt buckles a few years ago but still get told to remove before going through the detector.
Why? I asked politely on several occasions but have let to receive a logical response.

 

[AuSammy]

Converted to small/thin plastic belt buckles a few years ago but still get told to remove before going through the detector.
Why? I asked politely on several occasions but have let to receive a logical response.

Interesting, everyone’s experience will be different depending on airport, scanner, staff on duty etc.

In my experience, the older xray machines don't pick up the belt and staff don’t query unless visible. Presumably why they were invented- no metal.

With the newer body scan machines, they do pick them up and you maybe asked to remove.

However when I wear the integrated one with the shorts (buckle is smaller than on the tactical belt) I usually just lift my tshirt and get waived through. On one occasion only a security officer said do you mind if I touch it. (ADL). And then was waived through.

 

[Jo145]

Yes I do that now. Still have to pull the laptop out at some airports but I chuck the phone, wallet (it sets of metal detectors for some reason) and whatever else is in my pockets into my laptop bag. Even better when you don't have to remove the laptop. I wish it would allow me to barge in front of those people who fart around for minutes with four trays to put all their cough in. But in the words of Mr Burns "I'm too nice!"

As a woman ... there are never pockets big enough for anything so it's not an issue for me.

 

[Daver6]

Converted to small/thin plastic belt buckles a few years ago but still get told to remove before going through the detector.
Why? I asked politely on several occasions but have let to receive a logical response.

The modern scanners aren't metal detectors. They're looking for concealed items, eg a weapon. The problem with the belt buckle is it shows up as a concealed item due to the bulk and often behind a t-shirt/jumper. They'll want to check the buckle and potential for what's just behind it. Hence much quicker if it's removed first and placed in a trag.

 

[LoaderTosh]

I always wrap my shoes/sandals in a plastic bag

Me too … although I find it restricts leg movements rather severely.

 

[justinbrett]

Actually a new habit of mine is removing my powerbank whether they ask me or not - otherwise it almost always gets flagged.

 

[PakurangaDan]

I have found that not trying to bring a machete onboard, and then not trying to use the plastic butter-knives to hack off the feet of the people putting them on the bulkheads, has resulted in a lot of not-confrontational air travel.

Leave that for the airline-branded machetes that the flight crew carry.

lol this brings back memories.
I flew back from Spain in 1986 CARRYING a 4' long matador sword as carry-on as it wouldn't fit in my back pack. Those were the days....

 

[AIRwin]

Me too … although I find it restricts leg movements rather severely.

At least your carpet doesn't wear out as fast

 

[VPS]

lol this brings back memories.
I flew back from Spain in 1986 CARRYING a 4' long matador sword as carry-on as it wouldn't fit in my back pack. Those were the days....

and welcome to AFF -yes those were the days

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF @PakurangaDan

 

[DejaBrew]

A very warm welcome aboard AFF @PakurangaDan

 

[k_sheep]

I still wear a face mask for flying. Not just for avoiding the colds and covids, but also it is actually way less drying. Keeps face warm (I'm a cold frog on planes) and humidified.

 

[Belharris]

In the recent What's your golden travel rule? thread, AFF members shared lots of great tips that can make a big difference to your travel.

There are lots of other little tips and tricks that definitely won't change your life, but are the kind of thing that make you think "ha, that's useful". Things like, how to raise the armrest on your aisle seat. Or how to soften the frozen butter you get with your Economy Class bread roll.

The Trick to Melt Rock-Hard Airline Butter (And Other Micro-Hacks)

Frequent flyers have lots of small micro-hacks that make air travel just that little bit easier - like knowing how to melt the frozen butter that comes with most Economy meals, or how to raise the armrest on the aisle. What's your best trick?

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

What's your best air travel "micro-hack"?

When butter is supplied as a wwrapped disc, simply press all around the disc with your fingers - this will soften the butter and you can then unwrap and scrape off the foil

 

[DejaBrew]

A very warm welcome aboard AFF @Belharris

 

[Steady]

USB fan is a solution. I have one but it is bulky, like a mini large fan in a cage. That siaid, the twmoeratyee is the same so you are relying on xhill factor!

Anyone have one of these Flextail pumps that could comment on using as a fan? they are small, lite weight, and there are models with a 12h run time

 

[Beano]

Anyone have one of these Flextail pumps that could comment on using as a fan? they are small, lite weight, and there are models with a 12h run time

I know the ones you mean, but you need to be very close to benefit.

 

[Steady]

I know the ones you mean, but you need to be very close to benefit.

Thanks, I have not seen one in action.
I was actually thinking it could be the opposite, with 300 litres per minute / 5 litres per second being way too much

 

[SeatBackForward]

Actually a new habit of mine is removing my powerbank whether they ask me or not - otherwise it almost always gets flagged.

My powerbanks don't seem to get flagged much, but if I'm overnighting I'll often carry a extra portable monitor. This is often taken out because it's difficult to understand that it's not a laptop/tablet of itself. But the object i've had the most difficulty with is this: espresso Stand+ Pro | Ergonomic magnetic stand | espresso Displays

It's a solid metal base for the monitor and magnetic, so always requires an extra check but never had to actually explain what it is yet

 

[Happy Dude]

Always open peel top containers (eg yoghurt, juice, water, milk etc) towards you. This means the opening faces away from you and the top forms a little shield. Towards you.