Have You Ever Overcome a Travel Mishap?
Travel mishaps can be daunting, but they don’t have to ruin your trip. We asked four seasoned travelers, including a travel photographer and a nutritionist, to share their best tips and stories on overcoming travel mishaps. From preparing for road trip troubles to packing essentials in your carry-on bag, these experts share their wisdom on turning travel mishaps into memorable experiences.
- Prepare for Road Trip Troubles
- Combat Jet Lag with Fresh Air
- Stay Calm During Flight Delays
- Pack Essentials in Carry-On Bag
Prepare for Road Trip Troubles
On one of my many road trips, I had a piece of metal get lodged in my tire, resulting in a flat tire. While there are several ways to handle this, being prepared is key. It’s essential to have a working spare tire, a patching kit, and a portable air pump for car tires. These tools have been lifesavers, especially in areas without cell service or if roadside assistance isn’t available.
Just by having the portable air pump, I’ve been able to check if it’s a simple pressure issue or a more serious problem, helping me decide the next best action.
Andy Feliciotti
Travel Photographer, ihitthebutton
Combat Jet Lag with Fresh Air
Jet lag is one of the less serious travel issues. Although many people only refer to jet lag as being sleepy, it is an actual condition. Your natural body clock drifts after traveling through several time zones, which is the cause of it. The globe is running at a different time, even though your body still believes it to be one time.
The flight attendant brought my food around two in the morning as I was traveling to Australia. After a night of partying, Thai green curry at 2 in the morning can sound impressive, but not while you’re on a flight. Go out, walk a lot, get lots of fresh air. Relax if you arrive late at night and cannot move around. Read a book, practice meditation, or engage in another activity with little stimuli.
Axel Hernborg
Founder and CEO, Tripplo
Stay Calm During Flight Delays
During one of my travels, a flight delay made me miss a connection. I tackled the situation by staying calm, patiently approaching the airline staff, and discussing alternative solutions. Foster good rapport with airline personnel; they can be your best allies during disruptions.
Alex Stasiak
CEO and Founder, Startup House
Pack Essentials in Carry-On Bag
Yes, indeed, I’ve encountered a travel mishap that tested my problem-solving skills and patience. It happened during one of my business trips to a fitness conference in a different city. Everything seemed to be going smoothly until I realized that they had mistakenly sent my luggage to another destination.
Faced with the challenge of not having my essential items for the conference, I had to think on my feet to resolve the situation.My immediate action was to contact the airline’s customer service to track my luggage. While they assured me they were working on locating it, I knew I couldn’t afford to wait idly.
One valuable tip I can share from this experience is to always pack a change of clothes and essential items like toiletries, medications, and important documents in your carry-on bag. Having a spare set of clothes and personal items in my carry-on bag proved to be a lifesaver in this situation.
Isaac Robertson
Co-Founder and Nutritionist, Total Shape
Submit Your Answer
Would you like to submit an alternate answer to the question, “Have you ever encountered and successfully overcome a travel mishap? Share one tip and the story of how you resolved it.”
