Peter's Notes | Beam Me Up, Scotty

Peter is 70, well-travelled, and not remotely done yet. These are his Notes — small observations from the road.

I love travelling. I hate travelling. But until one can use the Star Trek method of transport, travelling is the price of reaching my destination.

All airline terminals are designed to process people in an efficient manner. Along the way there is some consideration for the security of all and opportunities to be sold what is often mediocre food, expensive drink, overpriced chocolate and glamourous goods to those trapped by their desire to travel.

I've been through some of the largest terminals in the world, and, most memorably, a two-storey shack roofed with tin and banana leaves on the island of Martinique. One might dispute that it was an international terminal, but I flew in from St. Lucia; so, I think it counts. Since, I've been in, out, got lost in, lost people, misplaced my passport amongst multiple pockets and generally grown to dislike airports.

Although I've been travelling since the 80s I still get stressed when taking a longer flight. I know where I should be but I have to find out where I am to get there. It's much easier than it was with terminal guides on one's phone, and it's much more disorientating than it was simply because of the vast spaces on multiple floors international terminals now utilise.

This then is a quick and dirty survival guide.

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Don't stress yourself.

Book an overnight hotel even if an afternoon flight. There are four hotels of varying expense directly connected to Heathrow T4. The following morning one can simply walk a few minutes by covered walkway to departures. One might save a few £ by staying further away but never so much as to make the cost of the convenience of a short walk seem expensive.

Get ahead, prepare for the worst.

Before you leave for the airport check-in online and complete any online arrival cards. Download the PDF file, take a screen-shot and get it sent to your email. Wi-Fi can fail at the most inconvenient moments and having a screen shot of the boarding pass can be a lifesaver.

Invest in an eSIM.

There are a number available but choose one that is international and charges by the KB with auto top-up. Not an eSIM or SIM data card for an amount of data or one that expires after a number of days. With an open eSIM one never runs out of data or time. Test before you go that it connects to the internet as expected.

My best stress-busters.

1. Sipping water and box breathing. Sipping now and again for me helps and as all terminals are air-conditioned that dehydrates one and being so affects the reasoning process. Take a small empty bottle through security. You can refill it on the “air side” at free water dispensers.

2. As soon as you get into the terminal, connect to the free Wi-Fi. Also connect at your destination airport, at your hotel, a restaurant or visiting an attraction. No point in using up your eSIM. If you are travelling in Asia then having an airport Wi-Fi makes ordering a Grab car to your hotel much easier.

3. Departure screens can be really large and often scroll just as one is scanning down towards your flight. Keep a note in your pocket of the flight number. Stress can affect short-term memory, at least for me. Be aware that your gate number may not be shown until within an hour of the departure time. It will appear on the boards and your airline app will update.

4. Keep your travel documents and passport in one place. Return them every time to that same pocket or side bag to avoid panicked searches. You may be asked for your passport and boarding pass on a number of occasions. At the airline check-in if you did not do so online. When going from land to airside, the security check, the entry to the departure gate lounge and then at the boarding counter. Some terminals are easier than others. The process internationally is still a mix of digital and actual paper. Kuala Lumpur is all completed by scanning one's passport provided the entry form and boarding card is completed online. Other terminals can require much more and many more checks.

5. Be prepared at the x-ray security check. Have your power bank, phone, travel documents and your screen or laptop ready to go into the plastic tray. If you have a jacket then that goes though as well as might your shoes. Watch those ahead of you as a guide.

6. If you have a longer layover at a terminal then compare the price of a baggage holding service and of a paid-for airport lounge. It may be worth the greater cost of the lounge for a comfortable lounge chair, a shower facility, a quiet place and free food. And should you sleep someone to make sure that you are awake and not missing your flight!

Above all keep in mind that this is just a process that must be endured before you start your adventure.