1) Travel with only carry on baggage. (See each airlines' guidelines re: size). The airline can't loose your luggage and if you need/want to switch flights it can make things worlds easier. IE. catching an earlier or later flight on stop overs/flight delays OR you can more easily take advantage of 2.
2) If your schedule somewhat flexible and are on a full/overbooked flight they may ask for voulenteers. If you can - then go for it! Make sure you listen carefully and weigh your alternatives. Being a good semaritan generally has its rewards.
3) If you do have to check baggage, make sure it is well labled. If its plain black add coloured tape or strips of fabric or a tassle to more easily identify your luggage. Make sure you have a carry on bag with you for your essentials. In it I recomend keeping all medications you are currently taking, minimal toiletries, a compact change of clothes, any delicate items and your favorite/most versatile dance shoes. Basically anything that you need on a Lindy Hopping trip that can't do without if your luggage happens to get delayed/misplaced.
4) If you find a great deal on a flight to an event, don't be stingy. Share with others!
CARRY ON LUGGAGE
Each airline seems to differ on this - so check their guidelines on size. Since 9-11 security is a huge consideration and each airline and airport has updated their guidelines/rules. Check them!!! It can save you hastles!
I like to have a small daypack for stuff that will make my flight more comfortable. ie. a jacket (tied around your waist takes up no space), bottle of water, gum, head phones, a small snack, extra batteries for your PDA/camera/diskman etc.
Competing? 2 copies of the music (well labled)
* If checking luggage, this pack's contents can be extremely important. I was once told to pack a minimal amount of stuff in it to help you last a day that way if your luggage gets lost you can cope. (Remember your on a dance trip so this will need some dance shoes.)
My typical bag would include: my fave/most versatile dance shoes, hair ties, dance clothes for that night and a change of shirt incase for the next day, all medications, toiletries (minus bulkier items and restrcted carry on items).
INFO. TO HAVE WITH YOU
Travel confirmation print out (especially important when traveling on an e-ticket).
Contact info; this may seem a tad anal but it can be especially important if there are international boarders as they can and will check at times. More often then not they don't though. Its also nice to have it handy incase you need to call your host/the event's housing person to advise them on flight delays etc.
Event schedule/flyer (not necessacary but some like to have it for reference purposes and again if there are international boarders it can get a great aid)
INTERNATIONAL EXTRAS
- Canadian Customs Website
Driving? Check out the customs websites re: border wait times: Canadian / American
- Have some currency from your home country & destination country with you.
- Before leaving home photocopy your wallet essencials. ie. driver's license, health card, Social Security/S.I.N., credit cards (write down the cancellation info. thats on the back - it can save time). Actually this is a good idea to have done in general incase you loose your wallet. File it away in a safe/secure place that you will remmeber. When you're away though make sure someone who is generally easy to contact has a sealed envellope with a copy of it inside... that way if you need the information it can be mailed, faxed, couriered to you.
Have an event schedule/flyer with you (not necessacary but some like to have it for reference purposes and again if there are international boarders it can get a great aid).
Driving?
If you are driving, invite others to join you. Its safer not to drive alone and the company can be fun. Passengers can be a great help for map reading and cost sharing.
Need a lift?
Try not to inconvenience the driver too much. Be considerate and think of others (driver & passengers). If the driver wants to leave do NOT dawdle. Its their car, their decision and they likely have a long drive ahead and are often tired after a dance weekend. For your safety and theirs, say your goodbyes quickly & be ready. Try to have the most alert passenger in the front seat on the ride home.
Offer to help out financially with gas and parking - do not wait for them to ask about it. They saved you $$$ as you didn't have to take a bus/train/plane or miss out.
Use the floor mats and try to keep the car tidy. Throw out your garbage from time to time during the trip and when you leave take the rest of your trash with you.
Don't forget to thank the driver. You'd be surprised as to how often this is overlooked.
HOUSING
If you are being billeted, try to let your host know your travel arrangements before you get there (if possible). Ask them about what to bring/what to expect. ie. bring towel, pillows, sleeping bag, personal air matress (wooden floors), has pets, bring allergy medication. Try to bring something or do somethign nice for your host. It is not necessacary and they are not expecting anything but it is a nice thing to do. I know us dancer types aren't made of money but it doesn't have to be expensive.
Here are suggestions of what I mean:
- Take your host out to dinner.
- Local dance organization's T-Shirt. (Its hard knowing the right size but when you get it right, they usually find it neat and you're also supporting your local scene.)
- Thank-you card with your contact information on it. (It will save you from scrambling for it later/forgetting and cards are always nice.)
- Make a mix CD (or tape) with some of your favorite songs.
- Buy a CD of your favorite home town local band. It promotes and supports your city/ friends & besides odds are that even if they are a big music buff they won't likely already own it.
STUFF TO BRING