8 Things to NEVER do at the Airport Before Boarding a Flight

Summary

This video script offers essential travel tips to avoid common airport gate mistakes and become an airport expert. It highlights the importance of double-checking gate assignments, utilizing airline apps for contactless payments and entertainment, and wearing comfortable, dark clothing. The video also shares an iPhone hack for flight updates, emphasizes the need for a reusable water bottle, and advises on keeping travel documents ready and understanding the difference between gate-checked and baggage claim luggage. Viewers are encouraged to subscribe for more travel tips and hacks.

Takeaways

• 🔄 Always double-check the gate number on flight boards or your airline's mobile app, as gate assignments can change after you pass through security.
• 📱 For iPhone users, texting yourself the flight number can turn it into a clickable link providing real-time updates on gate changes, flight times, and baggage carousel numbers.
• 🛫 Download the airline's app, even if it seems annoying, as it's essential for contactless payments on board, in-flight entertainment, and real-time baggage tracking.
• 👚 Wear comfortable, dark-colored clothing for travel to hide dirt and spills better, especially when flying.
• 🧳 Use Marino wool clothing from Unbound Marino for odor resistance and temperature regulation during your journey.
• 🚻 Use the restroom before boarding to avoid discomfort from seatbelt signs or delays that restrict movement in the cabin.
• 💧 Bring an empty reusable water bottle to fill after security to ensure you have access to water during the flight.
• 📱 Avoid draining your phone battery at the gate; charge it before boarding and consider using plug ports if available on the plane.
• 🛂 Never leave your belongings unattended at the gate to prevent theft and comply with airport regulations.
• 📑 Know your boarding zone and have all travel documents ready, including visas, for a smooth boarding process.
• 🧳 Be certain whether your carry-on is being gate-checked or checked to baggage claim to avoid missing it after disembarking.
• 🎒 Pack essentials like documents, snacks, and electronic devices in your personal item to have access to them during the flight.

Q & A

Why is it important to double-check the gate number after passing through airport security?

Gate assignments can change often, and the gate number listed on your boarding pass might not be correct by the time you get through security. It's critical to verify the gate number on a flight board or your airline's mobile app to avoid going to the wrong gate.

What should you do when you arrive at the gate?

When you arrive at the gate, always confirm that the flight number listed on the TV monitor matches the flight number on your ticket to ensure you are at the correct gate for your flight.

How can iPhone users get real-time updates on their flight status without crowding around airport flight screens?

iPhone users can text themselves their flight number, which their phone may automatically convert into a clickable link. Tapping on this link will provide real-time updates on gate number, flight time, estimated arrival, and baggage carousel number.

Why is it a mistake to skip downloading the airline's mobile app?

Most airlines have moved to contactless payments on board and require their mobile app for any purchases. The app is also necessary for in-flight entertainment on planes without seatback screens and can be used to track baggage in real time.

What should you wear for a flight to avoid visible dirt stains and spills?

Wearing dark-colored clothing, such as a black travel hoodie and leggings, is recommended as dark colors hide dirt stains and spills better than lighter colors.

Why are Unbound Marino wool fibers particularly suitable for travel clothing?

Unbound Marino wool fibers have a waxy coating called lanolin, which repels odor-causing bacteria, helping to keep you smelling, looking, and feeling fresh during travel.

Why is it important to use the bathroom before boarding a flight?

Using the bathroom before boarding can prevent discomfort due to potential delays in accessing the washroom on the plane, which can occur due to turbulence or tarmac delays that keep the seat belt sign on.

What should you do about food and drinks during a flight?

While you can't bring liquids through security, you are allowed to bring food and drinks acquired after the security checkpoint onto the plane. It's advisable to purchase a water bottle or fill a reusable one before boarding to avoid waiting for beverage service.

Why is it a mistake to rely on plane USB charging slots to fully charge your phone?

USB charging slots on planes may be broken, incompatible with your charger, or charge very slowly, which might not fully charge your phone. It's better to charge your phone before boarding to ensure it lasts throughout the flight.

What should you do with your belongings when you leave the boarding gate area?

Always take your carry-on and personal items with you when leaving the boarding gate area to prevent theft, tampering, and to comply with airport regulations.

How can you avoid confusion with gate-checked or baggage claim bags?

Check the type of tag on your bag; a baggage tag usually indicates it will go to baggage claim, while a small label around the handle typically indicates a gate check. If unsure, ask the gate agent for clarification on where and when to pick up your bag.

Outlines

00:00

🛂 Airport Gate Mistakes and Insider Tips

This paragraph discusses common mistakes travelers make at the airport gate and offers insider hacks to navigate airports more efficiently. The key takeaway is to not rely solely on the printed gate number, as gate assignments can change; instead, verify the correct gate using flight boards or airline apps. For iPhone users, a unique hack is mentioned where texting oneself the flight number can convert it into a clickable link providing real-time flight updates. The paragraph also emphasizes the importance of downloading the airline's app for contactless payments, in-flight entertainment, and baggage tracking. Lastly, it promotes wearing comfortable, dark-colored clothing for travel and mentions a sponsored product, Unbound Marino, for its odor-resistant properties.

05:01

📱 Essential Travel Tips for a Smooth Journey

The second paragraph focuses on essential travel tips to ensure a smooth journey. It advises against draining phone batteries at the boarding gate, as onboard charging options can be unreliable. The speaker suggests using plug ports near the feet if available and emphasizes the importance of having travel documents ready, especially for international flights where visas and boarding zones are crucial. The paragraph also warns against leaving belongings unattended and the potential for bags to be gate-checked, urging travelers to understand the difference between gate checks and checked luggage to avoid missing essential items during the flight. It concludes with a reminder to pack essentials in a personal item and to be prepared for the possibility of rearranging items if necessary.

Keywords

💡Gate assignment

Gate assignment refers to the specific location at the airport where passengers need to go to board their flight. In the video, it's mentioned that gate assignments can change often, so travelers should double-check the gate number on a flight board or mobile app to avoid going to the wrong gate.

💡Flight number

A flight number is a unique identifier assigned to each flight. It typically consists of two letters followed by three or four numbers. The video highlights the importance of confirming the flight number on the TV monitor at the gate with the one on your ticket to ensure you are at the correct gate.

💡Mobile boarding pass

A mobile boarding pass is a digital version of the traditional paper boarding pass that can be displayed on a smartphone. The video suggests using a mobile boarding pass and mentions a hack for iPhone users to receive real-time updates by texting themselves their flight number.

💡Airline app

An airline app is a mobile application provided by an airline to offer various services to passengers. The video advises downloading the airline's app for flight updates, contactless payments, and inflight entertainment, emphasizing that it is essential despite the inconvenience of having multiple apps.

💡Real-time updates

Real-time updates refer to the current and continuously updated information about a flight's status, such as gate changes, flight times, and baggage carousel numbers. The video explains how iPhone users can receive these updates by texting themselves the flight number.

💡Unbound Merino

Unbound Merino is a brand that produces travel clothing made from Merino wool, known for its odor-repelling and temperature-regulating properties. The video promotes Unbound Merino's black travel hoodie, leggings, and men's travel pants as ideal travel wear for their comfort and practicality.

💡Gate check

Gate check refers to the process of checking a carry-on bag at the gate when overhead bin space is limited. The video explains the importance of knowing whether your bag is being gate checked (picked up at the jetway) or checked to baggage claim, as this affects where you retrieve your bag after the flight.

💡Travel documents

Travel documents are essential papers required for international travel, such as passports and visas. The video advises having all travel documents ready and knowing your boarding zone to ensure a smooth boarding process and avoid delays.

💡Inflight entertainment

Inflight entertainment refers to the various media options available to passengers during a flight, such as movies, TV shows, and music. The video mentions that some airlines require passengers to use their mobile app for inflight entertainment, especially if there are no seatback screens.

💡TSA-friendly snack hacks

TSA-friendly snack hacks are tips for bringing snacks through airport security without violating regulations. The video includes a link to another video that offers suggestions for snacks that can be brought on a plane, ensuring passengers have food during their flight.

Highlights

Common mistakes travelers make at the airport gate include settling in at the wrong gate due to frequent gate changes.

It's important to double-check the gate number on a flight board or airline mobile app rather than trusting the printed gate number on the boarding pass.

Confirm the flight number on the TV monitor matches the one on your ticket to avoid confusion.

For iPhone users, texting yourself the flight number can provide a clickable link for real-time updates on gate changes and other flight details.

The airline app is essential for contactless payments on board and for accessing in-flight entertainment on planes without seatback screens.

Some airline apps offer real-time baggage tracking, providing peace of mind about baggage arrival.

Wearing dark, comfortable clothing like black travel hoodies and leggings can help travelers feel fresh despite potential spills and dirt.

Marino wool clothing from Unbound Marino repels odor-causing bacteria, making it ideal for travel.

Travelers should use the bathroom before boarding and bring a reusable water bottle filled after the security checkpoint.

Bringing snacks and drinks onto the plane is recommended as beverage service may be delayed or canceled.

Maintaining phone battery life is crucial; avoid using up battery at the boarding gate and use plug ports if available on the plane.

Always take your carry-on and personal items with you to avoid theft and violation of airport regulations.

Know your boarding zone and have all travel documents ready, including visas, to avoid delays and issues at the boarding gate.

Ensure you understand whether your carry-on is being gate checked or checked to baggage claim to avoid missing your belongings.

Pack essentials like important documents, snacks, and electronic devices in your personal item to access during the flight.

If your carry-on is gate checked, collect it before exiting the plane to avoid leaving it behind.

For international connections, understand the process of retrieving and rechecking your bag to ensure it makes it to your final destination.

Avoid making avoidable travel mistakes by not rushing and ensuring you have enough time to arrange your items and understand the boarding process.

Transcripts

today we will break down common mistakes

that Travelers make at the airport gate

as well as share some Insider hacks that

are going to make you feel like an

airport expert the next time you

travel the first mistake is settling in

at the wrong gate gate assignments

change often and the gate listed on your

boarding pass might not be correct by

the time you get through airport

security it's critical not to trust the

printed gate number without

double-checking on a flight board or

your Airlines mobile app so you don't

end up at gate 18 when you actually

needed to be at gate c42 when you do get

to the gate always confirm that the

flight number listed on the TV monitor

matches the flight number that is on

your ticket and here is a brilliant hack

for iPhone users that don't have a

mobile boarding pass or that would

rather avoid crowding around an airport

flight screen text yourself the flight

number which typically consists of two

letters followed by three or four

numbers you might be pleasantly

surprised to find that your phone

automatically converts this number into

a clickable link tap on the link and

you'll get real-time updates on your

gate number flight time estimated

arrival and even the carousel number to

collect your checked baggage once the

information becomes available you can

also share this clickable link with

family members or friends that are

meeting you at your destination so they

can track your flight status and get

upto-date information let us know down

in the comments if you knew that this

iPhone feature existed Ed I don't know

if it's a new thing or I've just been

living under a rock because I had no

idea that this was a thing also let us

know any hacks that you have down in the

comments because I'm always learning

from you and definitely hit that

subscribe button so you don't miss any

future videos with more travel tips and

hacks and while there are many ways to

stay updated on your flight status it

would still be a big mistake to skip

downloading the Airlines app for the

majority of Travelers I get that it's

annoying that every Airline seems to

have their own app these days but you

definitely don't want to skip

downloading it you can always delete it

after your flight most Airlines have

moved to contactless payments on board

and you will need to use their mobile

app for any purchases as they no longer

accept cash physical debit or credit

cards or even the tap on your phone the

app is also necessary for inflight

entertainment especially if you end up

on a plane that doesn't have any

seatback screens depending on the

airline you may also be able to track

your baggage in real time via the

Airlines app this is going to give you

peace of mind that it's arriving at

baggage claim as expected or it's going

to give you a heads up if something is

off hopefully not lost and delayed

luggage is not a good time mistake

number three would be not switching into

your most comfortable dark colored

clothing before you board the flight my

Goos are the black travel hoodie and

black leggings from today's video

sponsor Unbound Marino while I usually

shy away from wearing all black it's my

preferred color Choice when flying since

dark colors high dirt stains and those

inevitable turbulence induced spills

airports and airplanes are not known for

being the cleanest of places black

Pieces by Unbound Marino are especially

forgiving since every Marino Woolf fiber

features a waxy coating called lanolin

which repels odor-causing bacteria it's

the ultimate travel hack to keep you

smelling looking and feeling fresh

regardless of what you happen to sit on

or brush up against the men's travel

pants are also made of Marino wool

making them equally impressive at

regulating body temperature and

minimizing odors they are also extremely

flattering if I do say so myself with a

single pair of go-to quality black

travel pants you'll never have to

question what to wear on a flight again

check out the link down in the video

description for a special discount on

your first purchase with Unbound Marino

prepare yourself in advance of a flight

to ensure that your basic needs are met

as a big mistake would be to rely on the

airline for a bathroom BRD or even a

glass of water for example you might

assume that you'll be able to use the

washroom on the airplane within 45

minutes of boarding the flight and

usually you can but there are many

common situations that can delay this

and it can be extremely uncomfortable

when you got to go and you can't go the

seat belt sign might remain on due to

turbulence or delays on the tarmac which

is going to restrict movement around the

cabin for an extended period of time

always use the bathroom before you board

and if there is rough air flight

attendants won't be able to move around

the cabin to serve beverages this could

mean waiting a long time for a simple

glass of water or on shorter flights

beverage service may be canceled

altogether remember that while you can't

bring liquids through security you are

allowed to bring food and drinks

acquired after the security checkpoint

onto the plane take advantage of this by

purchasing a water bottle or preferably

using a fountain to fill your own empty

reusable water bottle before you board

the flight and speaking of bringing food

and drinks on to the plane I have a

video linked down in the description

with all of my favorite TSA friendly

snack hacks that are guaranteed to

uplevel any flight I consider access to

my phone as a basic need while traveling

since it's essential for travel

Logistics and staying entertained during

a flight a big mistake would be to use

up your phone's battery at the boarding

gate with the expectation that you will

be able to charge your phone on the

plane sometimes the USB charging slot at

your seat is broken or it may not be

compatible with your charger and even

when these USB charging slots do work I

have found that they're usually good

enough to keep the battery level steady

while using your phone on board but they

often charge your phone very slowly if

you do make this mistake and end up

boarding the plane with a low battery on

your phone you might want to try using

the plug ports that are often found near

your feet once you get to your seat as

opposed to using the USB slot it's a

good idea to grab a plug fast if you do

intend to use it since these ports are

often limited with typically just two

available per row of three seats and

once your battery is charged definitely

unplug to let other passengers around

you use the outlet as well while you do

want to use the washroom find a charger

and grab some water pre-flight a big

mistake that Travelers make at the

boarding gate is leaving the area and

not bringing their luggage with them

leaving your belongings unattended not

only exposes you to theft and potential

tampering but it also violates airport

regulations which can get you into big

trouble always take your carry-on and

all personal items with you unless a

trusted travel partner can watch them

and this does not include the nice

stranger that you just met as your

departure time approaches especially if

it's an international flight don't make

the mistake of not knowing your boarding

zone or not having all of your travel

documents ready if you require a Visa

for the destination country or even a

country that you are transiting through

to get to your destination country you

may need to show your Visa both at the

check-in and then again at the boarding

gate gate agents are intense about

making sure every traveler has a valid

Visa because the airline will be

responsible for flying you back if you

are denied entry at the destination

country and apart from having your

documents for international travel ready

you will want to know your Zone number

which can be found on your ticket and be

ready to get in line as soon as your

zone is called always have your passport

open to the photo page and I personally

like to use my physical boarding pass to

bookmark the photo page for quick access

access if you are using a mobile ticket

crank up your phone's brightness and

give the screen a quick wipe down to

make scanning the barcode easier I will

carry both a physical and a mobile

boarding pass whenever I am traveling so

I have a backup I once had a case where

my physical boarding pass would not scan

at the security screening area I was

very grateful to have a mobile pass as a

backup as I would have definitely missed

my connecting flight if I did have to go

back and have a new boarding pass

printed even if you are first in l to

board as soon as your zone is called

there is a chance that your carry-on

suitcase will need to be checked due to

limited overhead bin storage space a big

mistake that Travelers make is not being

100% certain whether their bag is being

gate checked or checked to baggage claim

gate checking means that you'll pick up

your bag as you exit the plane usually

in the jetway OR loading bridge that

connects to the door of the plane do not

head into the airport without collecting

a gate checked bag as your suitcase is

not going going to be in baggage claim a

clear indicator of whether your bag is

being gate checked or checked to baggage

claim is the type of tag that you see on

it a baggage tag usually means that it's

going to baggage claim while a small

label wrapped around the handle

typically indicates a gate check if you

have any doubt in your mind whatsoever

do not hesitate to ask the gate agent

exactly where and when you will need to

pick up your bag if your bag is going to

baggage claim and you have an

international connection make sure you

understand the the process of retrieving

and rechecking your bag before you board

the next flight forgetting to do this

means that your bag will not make it to

your final destination and whether your

bag is being checked all the way through

to baggage claim or just being gate

checked in both of these situations you

will not have access to it on the flight

ensure that you've packed all Essentials

like important documents snacks

electronic devices and charging cords

for these devices in your personal item

bag to keep with you on the plane gate

agents can be quick to grab your bag and

tag it but if you do need to take a

moment to rearrange your items don't

hesitate to step out of line to do so

you have time and it's when you feel

rushed and stressed that those avoidable

travel mistakes are made definitely hit

that subscribe button to join us back

here each week for more travel tips and

hacks and don't forget to check out that

video with the best airplane snack hacks

before your next flight thank you so

much for watching and I'll see you in

that next video soon bye