WHAT WOULD A FREQUENT FLYER DO?

Which is the best day to board a plane? 10 air travel tips worth knowing

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Depending on the details, air travel can make for a pleasant experience or a hideous one. The Internet is crawling with advice on how to improve this endeavor and, while some of it is very much on point, many other sources offer dubious or outdated information.

Listed below are ten tips that can help smooth the ride and even save you a few bucks in the process.

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An early check-in to your flight will not only save you valuable time at the airport, and let you choose a better seat, but it will also prevent some airlines from re-selling your place (yes, that happens).

Also, checking in early through the website or airline app can earn you bonus miles. Too many positive things for a little effort at home.

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This one is obvious: any liquids you're carrying through TSA checkpoints must be less than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and placed in a see-through bag no larger than a quart.

Also, leave at home that mini pocket knife you use as a keychain and any sharp objects, as it too, won’t make it past the TSA checkpoint. Or, put them in the checked baggage.

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Overseas travel involves filling out paper forms that are usually handed out during the flight. And there is a great possibility that the onboard personnel won’t have enough pens to go around.

So, take a pen from home. You’ll need it to fill out immigration forms onboard. And your flight attendant will appreciate not having to supply the entire flight with extra ink.

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God forbid it happens but, if your checked bags get lost or delayed, it’s important to have your essentials packed into your carry-on. Make a list of the most important things and start with prescription medications and medical supplies.

Follow the list with a cell phone charger, a change of clothes, and the necessary paperwork to get you through security and into your hotel. What you can pack in a carry-on is different than what you can pack in a checked bag.

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It’s no secret that airlines have strict size limits for carry-on bags, which are enforced by gate agents. So, check your bag's dimensions at home and make sure they adhere to your airline's limits.

And keep in mind that European carriers' limits vary slightly from those in the U.S. Blame it on standard versus metric. Carry-on requirements vary by airline (9″x14″x22″ is standard for Delta, United, and American Airlines; Southwest allows 10″x16″x24″). it’s best to confirm space allotments and measure your bag before you pack.

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Electronic devices can take up space pretty quickly, especially when you are traveling with a smartphone, charger, laptop, tablet, photo camera, etc.

So, get those items ordered and make sure you are not forgetting anything, including chargers, extra batteries, etc. And maybe think about getting an organizer if these things create too much of a mess.

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Dressed up women and men in suits toasting with a champagne glass in their ample seats while the steward attendant smiles are probably not the sort of thing you will encounter when air traveling these days. Crumpled seats and tight aisles are the norm instead.

And, in this scenario, being comfortable is paramount. So, dress up with that situation in mind. Airplane cabin climate settings vacillate between icebox and toaster oven, with no habitable medium in between. Dress for any contingency by wearing multiple light layers.

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Really, it’s as simple as that. Larger crowds lead to more chaotic parking and drop-off situations and longer wait times at security checkpoints so, plan accordingly.

Airports tend to be most crowded on Monday mornings and Friday afternoons, as these days bear the brunt of business travel. As for seasonal variations, expect Fridays to get even busier in the summer months as recreational travel peaks.

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If you are not a frequent traveler, spending your hard-earned money on those several hundred dollar annual fees that are associated with airline lounges makes no sense at all. But if you’ve got a long wait, it might be worth it to purchase a daily pass.

The cost is usually much less than you expect and you don’t need to have a certain credit card brand to access it. You will be able to spend those hours in a more comfortable environment, with amenities like complimentary food and drinks, better seats, showers, and more.

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If motion sickness is a problem for you, then the front seats might not be the best location on the plane. The front and back of the aircraft are the areas that move and bounce the most.

In contrast, the middle part is the most stable one. As a pilot said: "A plane is like a seesaw. If you’re in the middle, you don’t move as much". So, while a last-minute upgrade might seem like a good idea, those front seats are not the best for those with motion sickness.

10 crazy wedding rituals that can challenge even the most devoted couples

Love may be universal, but the ways people celebrate it couldn’t be more different. Some couples toast with champagne and dance under candlelight, while others begin their journey with leftovers, arrows, or even a month's worth of tears. Across the globe—from Chinese villages to remote Pacific islands—wedding rituals range from deeply symbolic to downright strange. Here are some of the wildest wedding traditions from around the world.

Imagine a wedding tradition where joy is measured not by laughter but by tears. In certain regions of China, brides from the Tujia ethnic group begin crying a full month before their big day. For one hour each evening, the bride weeps to express happiness and gratitude. Ten days in, her mother joins her, and by the final week, her grandmother, sisters, aunts, and cousins take part as well. The sound is said to resemble a "symphony of tears," as locals call it. It may seem dramatic to outsiders, but for the Tujia, this ritual is believed to wash away misfortune and welcome joy into the marriage, turning tears into a celebration of family and future.

In some parts of Africa, weddings are not always centered on laughter and dancing. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, certain traditional ceremonies are described as austere and solemn. The bride and groom are expected to remain serious from start to finish, not even a hint of a smile allowed. The reasoning is that marriage is a sacred commitment, too important for outward giggles or casual grins. To an outsider, the sight might look less like a celebration of love and more like the world’s most intense staring contest; for locals, it’s a symbol of respect, devotion, and gravity.

Scotland’s version of pre-wedding "fun" isn’t for the faint of heart. Here, the couple’s closest friends gather before the ceremony to stage the blackening, a messy and mischievous ritual meant to test the pair’s endurance. The bride and groom are chased, caught, and covered in a vile mix of sticky leftovers, spoiled milk, fish guts, flour, and rotten eggs. Once properly coated, they’re paraded through town for everyone to admire. It’s smelly, chaotic, and a little cruel, but there’s meaning behind the madness: if two people can handle such public embarrassment together, they can probably handle anything marriage throws their way.

Would you let your new spouse kiss every guest on your wedding day? No, it’s not the plot of some surreal romantic comedy. As it happens, in Sweden it’s a lighthearted wedding tradition! Whenever the bride or groom leaves the room, the guests line up to give a kiss to the one who stays behind. It may sound a little too wild to some, but in Sweden it’s generally seen as a playful and harmless way to celebrate the newlyweds.

In the remote Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia, love takes a surprisingly literal form. At the end of the ceremony, family members may lie down on the ground to form what is sometimes described as a "human carpet." The newlyweds then walk across their relatives’ backs on their way out, a gesture meant to honor the family’s blessing and symbolize unity between both sides. It works as a reminder that marriage rests, quite literally, on the support of loved ones. The only caution? It’s best if the bride leaves the high heels aside for this one.

France, known for elegant cuisine and candlelit dinners, once had a wedding custom that was far less glamorous. After the celebration ended, family and friends would gather the leftovers and serve them to the newlyweds in a toilet bowl or chamber pot. The concoction, commonly referred to as la soupe, was meant to "restore the couple’s strength" after their long day. In later versions of the tradition, guests substituted the original mixture with chocolate or champagne to make it more "festive." While it sounds more like a prank than a tradition, it symbolized good fortune and fertility. Thankfully, modern French couples now prefer to recover their energy with a croissant and café au lait instead of… whatever that was.

In Maasai culture in Kenya and northern Tanzania, blessings sometimes take an unexpected yet heartfelt form. Instead of a long speech or formal ceremony, a father offers his daughter good fortune with a simple gesture: he spits lightly on her head and chest before she leaves to begin her married life. It may sound disgusting, but among the Maasai, it’s a deeply respectful gesture. In a region where water is scarce and every drop is precious, even a small amount of saliva carries powerful symbolism. It represents life, protection, and the hope that the union will be strong and prosperous.

In South Korea, a groom’s path to the altar sometimes comes with one final challenge. Before the ceremony, his friends tie his ankles together, lift his feet, and playfully strike the soles with sticks or dried fish while firing off trivia questions. The custom, commonly known as bal dalli gi (literally "beating the feet"), is less about pain and more about proving the groom’s resilience and quick wit under pressure. The blows are meant to sting just enough to keep him alert, while the laughter from the crowd keeps the mood light. It’s a comical mix of endurance test and friendship ritual.

Among the Yugur (also known as the Yughur) people of northwestern China, love traditionally begins with a symbolic act of archery. In this centuries-old ritual, the groom takes a bow and fires three arrows directly at his bride. Don’t worry, the arrows are deliberately blunted or have their tips removed to ensure safety. Once the arrows have struck her dress, he retrieves them and breaks them in half, symbolizing that their bond can never be broken. All in all, the gesture represents both trust and eternal devotion, showing that true love doesn’t always come in diamond form.

On the misty island of Borneo, love begins with an endurance test worthy of a reality show. According to widely circulated accounts, among the Tidong people, newlyweds spend their honeymoon locked in a small room for three full days and nights—not even bathroom breaks allowed! Family members monitor the couple to ensure the rules are observed. The couple is given just enough food and water to get by, but the challenge is mostly symbolic: a test of patience, trust, and teamwork. If they can face three days in close quarters without escaping (or arguing), legend says their marriage will be long and unbreakable. It’s not exactly a tropical getaway, but it might just be the ultimate test of compatibility!