Senior News March, 2002 Vol. 21. No.  3

 

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Working animals:Nevada has a job at Adult Day Health

Briefs

Opinion:Medicare reimbursement threatened

Rediscovering Northern California State Parks

Traveling smart: A few tricks to make the journey flow smoother

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Traveling smart
A few tricks to make the journey flow smoother
by Sharon McKinney

After a recent cross country trip I want to report that it is possible to make air travel comfortable. The travel agent helped by sending any requests along to the carrier when the tickets were purchased.

For example, I do not stand well for any length of time. The result of standing in line is pain, and pain is not a good traveling companion.

So, I asked travel agent Cindy at Pelican Bay Travel to request a wheelchair. When I was met with the wheelchair, the airline employee was friendly and welcoming. There was one connection that I would never have made without this service.

The travel agent can also send along any meal orders. Airlines can provide a variety of menus to fill any tastes such as vegetarian or Kosher. Some flights provide only a beverage and a snack. Some of the more successful diners brought food for themselves in their carry-on bags.

Security is new to us and welcome. I was careful to remove any items that might be questioned. I had the suitcases packed so that they were easy to inspect. I liked knowing that luggage and handbags were inspected before the travelers boarded the airplane.

The air in planes is recycled and has a drying effect. So I took along artificial tears, skin cream, lip balm and wipes that had lotion or aloe as ingredients, and I asked for water every time it was available. Drinking so much water helped also by getting me out of the seat and taking the walk to the restroom! I used this walk to stretch and look around at what was going on. I saw many people working with laptop computers and papers out of brief cases. Lots of people read, and I noticed the titles of the books and magazines.

Sleeping is a big activity on planes. I saw sleep masks, ear plugs and pillows tucked around necks. Some people used gauze face masks, too. I suspect these people were hoping to prevent any cold germs that might be floating around in the recycled air.

Forego fashion for comfort. Do anything and everything to insure that arriving at the destination is exciting and that the body made the trip with as little wear and tear as possible. Being specific about wants and needs gives the best opportunity for a successful experience.

Sharon McKinney lives in Crescent City. Her e-mail is sjmck@earthlink.net.