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- Skip the meal.
"This is just transportation," says Peterson. The airline
is not a restaurant, he points out, and nor is their food all
that healthy. Ask yourself if you must lunch on that calorie-laden
$7 airline sandwich. Save your wallet and waistline and eat a
real meal when you get to your destination.
- Eat in. If you know
you'll starve if you don't eat during the flight, travel with
your own food to avoid purchasing pricey airline meals. No one
will stop you from bringing food and drinks on the plane, says Miller.
- Dress in layers; leave the
blanket and pillow at home. So what if the airline doesn't
offer pillows or blankets or charges for them. You won't need
them. When you're elbow to elbow, fishing a travel blanket or
pillow out of your carry-on just isn't practical, says Peterson.
Carry a jacket. Forget leaning back for a snooze -- it's become
a no-no these days to recline your seat, he says. As for chilly
flights, he contends that the plane will get warmer as it fills
up.
- Ground-ship your luggage through
UPS or FedEx. If you're going away for a few months, ship
your belongings ahead to avoid paying extra to check in additional bags,
says Peterson. That way, he says, you can walk on the plane with
your one carry-on bag containing your Tom Clancy book and iPod.
Interested consumers need only type in the words "luggage"
and "shipping" into an Internet search engine for a list
of luggage shipping companies with varying convenience levels
and prices.
- Consider a frequent-flier
membership. Getting a membership in a frequent-flier program
can get rid of some these fees and limits, says Peterson. Look
on the airline's Web site for information about their program.
- Shop around. If your
favorite airline keeps cutting back on particular amenities you
want, consider flying on another airline that offers those same
perks for free. Look on Web sites such as Expedia.com and Orbitz.com
for ticket prices, then check the airline's Web site for information
on bag restrictions and amenities (these are usually found in
FAQ or help sections). If you have time, check public message
boards such as the one on Frommers.com
to get a sense of what it's like to fly on an airline unfamiliar
to you.
Living without amenities: You can do it
Remember that the point of flying is to save the time and the money
it would take to drive to your destination. You are not flying for
the great food or the movies or the questionably laundered pillows.
Just as you wouldn't expect a taxi driver to hand you a sandwich
or a bus to supply you with free headphones, it shouldn't be a total
loss if you have to fly without amenities. Pack light, bring your
own grub, carry your own book, listen to your iPod tunes and slip
that jacket on if it gets cold. You'll be there sooner than you
know it.
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