• Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
  • CCPA
  • Medical Disclaimer
Monday, February 6, 2023
SLC Metro News
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Technology
    • Crytpocurrency
    • Gaming
    • Gadgets
  • Sports
  • Health
  • General
    • Business Services
  • Travel
  • Press Releases
  • Popular
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Technology
    • Crytpocurrency
    • Gaming
    • Gadgets
  • Sports
  • Health
  • General
    • Business Services
  • Travel
  • Press Releases
  • Popular
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Travel

How To Prepare For Travel In The Omicron Era – North Shore News

how-to-prepare-for-travel-in-the-omicron-era-–-north-shore-news
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Despite airport delays, COVID testing requirements and flight cancellations, over 20% of Canadians are planning to travel in the next three months. Prepare for every scenario with the right luggage, carry-on items and travel booking itinerary.

Back in August, Endorsed published a suitcase organization guide with the prediction, “travelling on an airplane (and maybe out of the country) is becoming a real possibility in 2021.”

That was a tad optimistic.

Omicron and an advisory from the federal government stymied many holiday travel plans.

It’s not exactly a chill experience to travel right now: anxious stories of endless delays, cancelled flights, impossible-to-reach call centres, lost luggage, confusing testing guidelines and an immense amount of airport frustration flood social media. Despite all that, a recent survey found that Canadians interest in going abroad is rising, with over 20 per cent of adults planning to travel in the next three months.

For those making an essential trip or hoping to jet away as soon as it’s safe to do so, there are small ways to ensure that even when the going gets tough, you can still get going.

CLEAN SPACE AND COVERED FACE

n95 mask

Sitting in an airport or on an airplane is a bacteria-filled experience. Mask wearing is essential (and can only be removed when actively eating or drinking): KN95s are still difficult to find, but the next best thing is the N95 mask (available at Home Depot and Home Hardware).

Surgical paper mask.

The next best thing besides a KN95 or N95 is a paper mask. (Cloth is the least desirable option for crowds and travelling.) $19.99 for a box of 100 disposable triple-ply masks from Amazon.

Lysol wipes

An effective wipe doesn’t need to smell pretty, but these Mango Hibiscus Lysol wipes do (and kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria). Available at Amazon. 

PREPARING FOR DELAYS AND CANCELLED FLIGHTS

Nothing can be done to control delays and cancelled flights, so the best strategy is patience and preparation. Here are a few key ways to handle a long wait in a public space.

Extra-long charging cord

anker cord

We included an extra-long charging chord in our “20 practical items for under $20 that will make life easier” story because it’s such a convenient and relatively inexpensive item that saves a lot of frustration (like pulling a charger out of the socket). Use it at home and pack it up for the airplane for a more comfortable setup than a short cord. Be sure to check smartphone capability before buying. $17.99 at Amazon. 

Create your quiet corner

sony headphones

It’s hard to believe that in the year 2022, people will still watch a Big Bang Theory rerun on an airplane without headphones, but it happens. Protect yourself from intrusive “Bazinga!” noises with over-the-ear cordless and noise-cancelling headphones. These highly-rated Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones are currently on sale ($348) at Amazon. 

The made-for-questionable-floors mat

monkey mat

The Monkey Mat isn’t just for little kids. Finding a socially distanced spot when stuck at an airport for hours (or even overnight) is important. This mat can be placed on the ground and ensures a bit of space from the next person over. $21.99 at Amazon.

Keep hydrated

swell water bottle

Most airports have a water refilling station, which saves on plastic bottles and gives you an excuse to take a little walk around the airport. (Remember to bring it through security emptied.) This lightweight Sip by S’well bottle is available at Amazon.

Temperature control

Lug nap sac

“Will the plane be boiling or freezing?” is always a fun guessing game to play. This travel-ready Lug nap sac includes a pillow (avoid neck kinks at all costs!) and a light travel blanket that doesn’t take up much space but can be pulled out if it’s too chilly. Lug nap sac at Amazon. 

A pocket-size keyboard

bluetooth keyboard

Wanting to disconnect from your laptop while on vacation is essential, but staying connected (especially if a flight is delayed or cancelled and re-booking is required) may call for more than a smartphone keyboard. Split the difference with a foldable Bluetooth keyboard (it’s compatible with iOS, Android and Windows). This one folds down to a slim square that won’t take much space. Available at Amazon. 

HOW TO MITIGATE LOST LUGGAGE

Sending a week’s worth of clothing and toiletries into the void is an exercise in hope. A few things can be done to increase the chances of safe arrival.

  • Choose a colour other than black for your luggage set. This also helps avoid someone accidentally picking your bag up.
  • Add eye-catching luggage tags.
  • Plan for a delay with carry-on essentials.

herschel suitcase

Vancouver-based Hershel design is known for its backpacks, but it also makes stand-out luggage, like this four-wheel medium hardshell in tortoise. Available at Hershel. 

luggage tags

These bright and modern-looking silicone luggage tags have two sides: on the front, there’s a spot for a name, and on the back, longer info (like address and phone number). These are flexible, stretch a bit and have a PVC cover over the card. The colours are pretty eye-catching, too. Available at Amazon. 

herschel duffle

ll bean backpack

amaozn packing cubes

Some people swear by carry-on luggage, and others prefer to fly light. Do both with a small duffle bag or backpack that holds a few essentials: toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, assorted chargers and smart devices (like an iPad or Nintendo Switch) and a change of clothes (T-shirt, socks, underwear and an extra pair of pants). All of this can fit in a packing cube, which separates and contains items in one spot, so no digging around looking for a pair of socks.

KEEPING ALL THE TRAVEL INFORMATION ORGANIZED

Norther lights tour

There are all sorts of information to keep on hand (or on the phone), including flight numbers, hotel confirmation and rental car bookings. One way to ensure that it’s organized is to use a full-service site like Kayak. Putting together a customized itinerary with a flight, hotel, rental car and tickets to an experience (like a day trip to Banff from Calgary or a Northern Lights Winter Adventure) can be arranged in one spot. There’s also a free 5-star app, making using Kayak’s services (like flight tracking and up-to-date travel restrictions map) quite easy. (Note: Kayak is a search engine service, so all cancellations or changes need to happen directly through the airline/hotel/rental company; all information is accessible under Bookings.)

Questions about the ArriveCan app and when to use it? Vancouver Is Awesome put together an easy-to-use guide on the essential travel tool here.

SLC Metro News

© 2021 SLC Metro News

Navigate Site

  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
  • CCPA
  • Medical Disclaimer

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • DMCA Policy
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • CCPA
  • Terms of Use

© 2021 SLC Metro News

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT