Travel Light

on September 30, 2011
in All Posts

I have all these travel ‘rules’ and superstitions: 

 

  • Kiss the side of the airplane before I board.  Kissing must occur prior to one foot being on the plane.  This prevents the plane from crashing, of course.
  • Read the safety instructions in the seat pocket… Which also prevents the plane from crashing.
  • Must… sit… in… the… aisle.
  • Stuff a pillow down under the sheets near my legs and pretend it’s Maggie.
  • If I check a bag, it’s going to get lost unless I pack extra underwear in my carry-on.
  • Check under the hotel bed, in the closet, in the shower, and behind the curtains for monsters.  Or creepers.

 

I don’t know if any of these tricks ensure safer, happier travels, but they sure make me feel better.

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Gonna go purse my lips and get ready for some kissy-face action with the side of that 747.

{ 73 comments }

 

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat September 30, 2011, 8:09 am

    Whatever is on top of your Chobani looks delicious! I’m not a plane kisser, but I DO insist on the aisle seat and I always look under the hotel bed! 🙂

  • Khushboo September 30, 2011, 8:09 am

    Hahah my 2 rituals: aisle seat always especially this one time I was trapped in the window, desperate to pee but couldn’t go because the guy next to me was snoozing away! Second one is always take a few photos of my suitcase! I’ve lost my bag far too many times to deal with the confusion again!

    • Sarah @ w30 September 30, 2011, 9:57 am

      Oooooh, I really like the suitcase photo idea. Brilliant!

  • Kristina @ life as kristina September 30, 2011, 8:27 am

    So bummed-I wish I would have known you were going to be in Buffalo!!!!!

  • Allie September 30, 2011, 8:29 am

    I always, always look under hotel beds. And in the closets. And behind the shower curtains. 🙂

  • J September 30, 2011, 8:29 am

    Gotta love the Buffalo airport in the morning! It really is a nice airport! I have flown out of there more than I have flown out of my home town airport!

  • Carolina John September 30, 2011, 8:30 am

    Safe travels! I’m not going to ever check a bag again unless it cannot be avoided. Horrible.

  • Jen September 30, 2011, 8:33 am

    Oh Man! I wish I knew you were in Buffalo! Hope you had fun!

  • Erika September 30, 2011, 8:39 am

    I don’t get to comment often but I have to say the last few days, your posts have been very informational!! I will have to check for monsters next time – ha ha

    Does any stranger say something to you about kissing the plane?

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:28 pm

      Thanks 🙂

      Sometimes the flight attendant notices!

  • maria @ Chasing the Now September 30, 2011, 8:41 am

    I prefer window seats for sleeping!

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats September 30, 2011, 8:42 am

    do you actually kiss the airplane with your lips???? lol doesn’t anyone say anything?? haha

    • Liz September 30, 2011, 9:24 am

      I wondered that, too! The only one of these I’ve done (and always do) is sit in the aisle seat – I can’t stand being squeezed in next to the window 🙂

      • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:29 pm

        Sometimes with lips, sometimes with fingertips, depending on how terrified I am.

  • Molly @ RDexposed September 30, 2011, 8:43 am

    I looooathe checking a bag. I’ve had money, perfume, etc stolen from my luggage after it “got lost.”

  • Deva at deva by definition September 30, 2011, 8:51 am

    I prefer aisle seats so I can get up and use the bathroom. The Boy told me that he preferred the window seat on his 12-hour flight back from Japan.

  • Halley (Blunder Construction) September 30, 2011, 8:55 am

    Now I kiss planes because I read about your superstition awhile back! It’s contagious (but totally effective and I will never go back to my old non-plane-kissing ways.) I also cross myself when the plane is about to take off and I am not religious, but I saw an old man do it on my first plane ride and I’ve done it ever since.

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:29 pm

      It DOES work. None of my planes have crashed. 😉

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss September 30, 2011, 9:00 am

    Funny you mention the kissing thing. I do the same only I have to touch it with my fingers!

  • Taylor @ Crumbs Don't Count September 30, 2011, 9:10 am

    I always touch the side of the plane before I enter it. I also always say a prayer before taking off and landing…a quick “God, please let us take off/land safely!”

    I always like it when there are kids on the plane…kind of weird, but I feel like a plane full of kids makes it less likely we will crash. That would be cruel of God, right? An empty plane makes me nervous!

  • Rebecca September 30, 2011, 9:23 am

    I’ve flown multiple times (first flight when I was a baby) and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen anyone kiss/touch the plane before boarding. Not that I can remember. I’m not superstitious; if the plane crashes, then it crashes. I highly doubt my touching it beforehand is going to stop anything. But that’s just me.
    Although I would be upset if my luggage were lost. When we went to my grandma’s memorial service a few years ago, we packed our funeral clothes in a carry-on just in case our luggage were to get misplaced. It all made it, thankfully.
    If luggage does get lost, you can always stop somewhere and buy clothing or whatever else you need. I’d be upset if my luggage went missing, but it’s just stuff. It can be replaced. (Most of it.)

  • Army Amy* September 30, 2011, 9:25 am

    I don’t normally check for creepers, but that is a good idea.*

  • Tom in Maine September 30, 2011, 9:36 am

    First thing we do in a hotel room – throw off the top cover of the bed – it is known to be covered in germs. Then check for creepers…lol.

  • kristen September 30, 2011, 9:41 am

    hahaI dont kiss the plane, but I do kiss my hand then put my hand on the side of plane

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb September 30, 2011, 9:43 am

    ha! kissing the plane is a common one i believe. i’ve seen a couple travelers do it while i was flying… and saw it on keeping up with the kardashians!

  • Verna September 30, 2011, 9:47 am

    Checkers makes the BEST fries in the entire world. Now I’m hungry. ; )

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:29 pm

      I agree!!!!

  • Lindsay September 30, 2011, 9:52 am

    When you travel with your husband, do you still get the aisle seat? This is an issue for me. I have ALWAYS sat in the aisle. I am tall with long legs & I get claustrophobic. BUT, my fiance, he is even taller, with longer legs and also prefers the aisle. For some reason, I feel like as the smaller person (and someone who loves him), I have to let him take the aisle. But inside, I hate it. I really just want the aisle seat!

    • John September 30, 2011, 10:06 am

      Get aisle seats across from each other, that is what I do when travelling with another “aisle person”.

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:30 pm

      Yeah – he likes the window seat. Also, he’s only 5 ft 8 so the long leg thing isn’t an aisle. I like the idea of two aisle seats though!

  • Sarah @ w30 September 30, 2011, 9:57 am

    I kiss my hand and touch the side of the plane. One hundred and some odd flights, and never crashed (just knocked on wood)! I once forgot and actually had to get back off the plane to kiss it. This guy totally called me out on it, but he should have been thanking me for saving his life.

  • John September 30, 2011, 10:02 am

    I have traveled by plane about 6-10 times a year for the last 20 years and stay in hotels at least 40 nights a year and rituals do set in. When you are travelling and alone these things tend to bring comfort and familiarity to a non familiar hotel etc. I tend to stay in the same brand hotel (Hampton Inn) all the time that way you always know what to expect and also what is for breakfast. When flying I always do Soduko puzzles from the time I sit down until we are about to,literally, leave the ground. It takes my mind off of flying and I hate sitting there and thinking about it. I also throw a prayer in there too. By the way…always check the seam between the top and bottom mattresses, if you see something move change rooms, that is the bedbug check.. Also, Hampton Inn now washes their top cover too, that unwashed blanket used to gross me out.

    • John September 30, 2011, 10:04 am

      Sudoku (typing too fast):)

    • Carrie @ No More Tomorrows September 30, 2011, 12:34 pm

      I used to work at Hampton Inn. We absolutely did wash ALL of the bedding each day. And your shower curtain. That was the standard at our location anyway.

      • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:30 pm

        NICE! The curtain, too!

  • Katie September 30, 2011, 10:08 am

    Aw, I like the Maggie pillow 🙂

  • Carrie @ No More Tomorrows September 30, 2011, 10:14 am

    Ooooh, black cherry. I haven’t seen that flavor. I will be scouting it.

    I check in closets, showers, etc everywhere I go. Even at my apt. I keep the door to my closet closed and so every night before I go to bed, I open it and peek in. Also, if my man isn’t there that night, I also look in my living room closet, the shower, and the laundry/pantry area. I also check the doors to make sure they’re locked. I sometimes feel a little ocd or something. But really I’m just afraid of the boogeyman.

  • Angela (Oh She Glows) September 30, 2011, 10:20 am

    oh man im seriously dying laughing. I had no idea you were my long lost sister. I thought I was the only crazy who did those things. Well, aside from kissing the plane, but the rest I do!
    And yes…always must check for creepers. and hidden cameras.

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) September 30, 2011, 10:25 am

    I always check my room for creepers. I had a nightmare last night that someone broke into my hotel room!

  • Anj September 30, 2011, 10:27 am

    I totally do the ‘sweep’ of the hotel room! I can’t relax until I do! But then I think ‘what if I ever really found something/someone?!’ I guess that is why my goal for 2012 is to take tae kwon do to learn how to defend myself!

  • Dani September 30, 2011, 10:30 am

    How do you manage to kiss the side of the airplane without getting arrested??

  • Katy Widrick September 30, 2011, 10:36 am

    Lucas and I each have separate superstitions, which makes traveling together oh-so-fun…He has to say goodbye to our dogs before we leave, so he pulls up a picture on his phone and wishes them well before turning it off. I have to step on the plane with my left foot first 🙂

  • katie @ KatieDid September 30, 2011, 10:36 am

    hahhaa, I do the same thing to planes but I kiss it via my hand… not my mouth LOL! Safe travels!

  • Aimee September 30, 2011, 10:52 am

    Haven’t checked in here in several days, so wasn’t sure where you were travelling to…until I saw your food court picture with Anchor Bar listed! Welcome to WNY!!! I hope you have a wonderful stay and that you quickly find out why we’re called the “City of Good Neighbors” 🙂

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:31 pm

      Everyone was really sweet!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife September 30, 2011, 11:21 am

    I can never get there too early or else the plane will be delayed and I’ll have to wait. I HATE waiting in the airport!

    Best of luck-safe travels!

  • Casey @ Pocket Full of Sunshine September 30, 2011, 11:33 am

    Love that photo of the clouds, Caitlin. Lovely! Safe travels!

  • Teresa September 30, 2011, 11:43 am

    I always tap the side of the plane as I’m getting on and say a little prayer for a safe flight. My mom taught me that, and it does make me feel better!

  • Brittany September 30, 2011, 11:48 am

    Have a safe travel!! I always like sitting by the window 🙂

  • Jess@atasteofconfidence September 30, 2011, 11:50 am

    I always write my initials on the plane with my finger. 🙂

  • mi-an d. September 30, 2011, 12:00 pm

    I always check under bed, closet of hotel for monsters and creepers too!!! esp if i’m by myself!!

  • Lara September 30, 2011, 12:00 pm

    Glad I’m not the only superstitious flyer! Being a superstitious Catholic I like to kiss my St. Christopher medallion while mentally reciting Hail Marys and Our Fathers during both takeoff and landing!

  • Rosa - Fitness, Food, Fulfilled September 30, 2011, 12:09 pm

    I hate flying! I always need to read during takeoff and landing to help me get over my anxiety and when I’m traveling with my husband, I hold his hand in a vise grip. Xanax for everyone!

  • Courtney September 30, 2011, 1:09 pm

    Oh my gosh, how adorable are those FIRM and SOFT tags on the pillows?! 🙂

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:32 pm

      Ironically, I thought they felt exactly the same 🙂

  • Courtney @ The Petite AthlEAT September 30, 2011, 1:10 pm

    I have YET to try that flavor of Chobani. Our stores out here in Texas are limited!

  • Colleen September 30, 2011, 1:18 pm

    I always pray during take-off and landing! I’m flying to Charleston in a few weeks and my big goal is to fit everything into a carry-on. 🙂

  • Marla September 30, 2011, 1:29 pm

    My BIGGEST fear these days in travelling is…

    yup…

    BED BUGS !!! Ewww

    I have heard too many people I know
    get them from hotels, suitcases etc.

    That is even bigger than my occasional
    fears while flying!

    • CaitlinHTP September 30, 2011, 4:33 pm

      So gross. I agree.

  • Angela @ MyPinkyToes September 30, 2011, 1:47 pm

    I don’t really have any traveling rituals, but I love sitting by the window and watching to sky and clouds and earth below me! You are brave for traveling alone, though! I’m not sure I could do it myself!!!
    Have a safe trip!!!

  • Amber K September 30, 2011, 2:07 pm

    Checking for bedbugs is about the most I do when checking into a hotel. But I have started checking the drawers now too, because in Vegas we were once given a room that was already occupied. Didn’t know until I went to unpack later and realized there was already a bunch of stuff in there including an insulin kit.

    And I have more issues with touching the plane than doing anything else to it. I often wonder how often it’s fully cleaned, especially since I see SO many people “touch” the plane for luck and I have no desire to get their germs on me Contagion-style.

  • lauren September 30, 2011, 2:31 pm

    I don’t really have any traveling rituals, but I always check behind the shower curtain in hotels! Until recently, I did this at home if I got up during the night too. One night, I just didn’t check and haven’t since. I’m not sure what I thought I would find. eeks.

  • Ellie@fitforthesoul September 30, 2011, 2:47 pm

    haaha I love the window seat!! But more and more I realize that I need the aisle b/c I go to the restroom so often–at least 12 or more times a day

  • Brooke @ Tales of a Bride-To-Be September 30, 2011, 2:58 pm

    Ok my favorite thing is the pillow in between the legs to pretends its Maggie! Love that, and thats pretty nifty on the pillows, labels for soft and firm! Genius!

  • Jen September 30, 2011, 4:04 pm

    I always sleep w/ an extra pillow to pretend it’s Nati. I used to be way worse and take a black lab stuffed animal w/ me when I traveled but I lost it too many times… and I realized I’m not 5.

  • Sophie @ threetimesf September 30, 2011, 5:21 pm

    Ha, I am all about the pillow-dog-replacement! Bonus really because the pillow doesn’t snore!

  • alice September 30, 2011, 6:16 pm

    Love your travel rules! ha ha the last point is a relief. I do that even at home sometimes after not being in the house all day LOL.. totally normal.

  • JenATX October 1, 2011, 11:00 am

    cool airport pis!

  • Liz October 1, 2011, 8:04 pm

    That yogurt/cliff combo looks SO good!

  • Janelle October 3, 2011, 2:22 pm

    Monsters, ugh! I check for em too. Who ever thought to use floor-length curtains?? Really people!

    My boyfriend had a military-related piece that he said protected him while he was deployed, so he gave that to me to protect me while traveling without him. During flights I keep that in my pocket so it’s close if I need to feel/hold it when there’s turbulence or something scary going on. Maybe you or your adorable Husband have something similar that you could keep with you?

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