JetBlue Blog

“If you look closely, you’ll see kiwi fuzz,” I tried to explain and apologize to the TSA official all at once.

It was a hot summer weekend and my family and I had ventured to a water park to cool off for a bit and have some fun.  We had a wonderful day full of sun, waves and snacks.  The next morning, as I was rushing off to work, I forgot to check my purse before heading to the airport.  Thinking I would breeze through the employee security line, I was surprised when I was suddenly stopped by TSA.  The official politely looked through my purse and at the bottom he found the small knife that I had used to cut kiwi fruit during the previous day’s outing.  I was completely mortified!

No matter how often you travel, even if you are a professional like me, it’s important to cover your bases before heading to the airport.  Preparedness is truly your best friend when you travel, and the key to a stress-free trip.  Here are some of the best practices and travel etiquette tips that I’ve learned from my 20 years in the airline industry.

Before you leave home:

Bypassing the ticketing counter saves time, so check in online and print your boarding pass at home if possible, especially if you aren’t checking bags.  Some airlines even reward customers for checking-in in advance (with JetBlue, you can earn 100 TrueBlue points for checking-in on Facebook.) Remember not to pack any bottles of liquid larger than 3.4 ounces in your carry-on.

Gather all of your important travel documents in one convenient place.  I love my travel wallet, which has slots for my family’s passports, tickets and itinerary information.  It fits nicely in my purse and I’m not sifting through my bag looking for stray papers.

Plan to arrive at the airport early!  It seems so simple, but it is my number-one rule for stress-free travel.

Speeding through the security line, hassle free:

It’s all about saving time.  Ladies, limit the jewelry you wear.  If you are leaving your house at 4 a.m. to make an early flight, put that beautiful necklace and belt in your purse.  If you wear them through security, you’ll just have to take them off and you’ll slow yourself down (and everyone in line behind you).  Once you sail through the lines, you can put all your accessories on at the gate.  Also, be mindful of laptops.  Make sure they’re easily accessible, since you’ll have to take them out of your bag in the security line.  Slip-on shoes save time too!  Who wants to deal with laces anyway when there’s a line of people piling up behind you?

For those looking to breeze right through, JetBlue’s Even More Speed offers expedited security at selected airports, allowing for faster travel during the busy summer months.

Just before boarding:

Water!  It’s so important to stay hydrated while flying.  Airlines provide water, and with JetBlue you have unlimited drinks and snacks, but it’s always good to keep some extra on you regardless.

Before boarding the plane, retrieve all items out of your carry-on bag that you’ll want to have handy during the flight.  This may seem like a no-brainer, but I always see people scrambling at the last minute with the overhead compartment, trying to take out books or snacks.

Speaking of snacks, nuts and animal crackers are great travel foods (and remember snacks are unlimited on JetBlue flights). You want to find things that are light and high in protein.  Stay away from sodium and carbohydrates because they will zap your energy.  A piece of fruit is a great treat to bring along as well.

Now that you’re on the plane, remember the Golden Rule:

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Travelers often ask me about some seemingly simple aspects of airplane etiquette.  These may seem like small points, but they can make a difference in the comfort and ease of your travel experience:

Who gets the armrest? Everyone has access to at least one armrest.  But how do you determine which one is yours?  On JetBlue and some other airlines, the armrest that controls your personal television is for your arm. If there’s an armrest in questions, I always err on the side of letting my seat partner get first dibs.

Window shade up or down? If you’re not in the window seat, you can’t control the shade without asking your seatmate.  Someone may want to sleep and keep it lowered for shade, or if they are awake, they may want to keep it up to watch the takeoff and landing.  If you really don’t have a preference, respect someone else’s wishes. If you’re in the middle seat, though, and the sun is in your eyes, it’s OK to ask the person in the window seat if they wouldn’t mind lowering the shade. You can even ask your flight attendant to help facilitate if you’re too shy.

Which overhead bin should I use? Try to stow your luggage in the overhead space directly above your seat.  If there’s no room, check the one directly behind or in front.  If the front one is available, take advantage!  If you can grab your bag as you walk off the plane, rather than having to walk back and hold up the line, it will help speed up the deplaning process.

What do you do about a chatty seatmate? While it is certainly nice to have a pleasant, engaging seatmate, sometimes you just want to rest or get some work done while on a flight.  My biggest tip: “show and tell.”  If your neighbor has started up a conversation, but you really want to read, just take out a book or headphones—he or she will get the hint.

I was recently traveling and my seatmate was a very kind, chatty fellow.  He definitely wanted to talk, but I was just exhausted!  I had been up since 3 a.m., and I wanted to fit in some sleep and get some school work done (I’m currently studying at the University of Richmond).  As soon as the flight took off, I pulled out my laptop and didn’t have to cut him off—he could see that I was busy.

In the end, the best thing I’ve learned from my time in the air, both professionally and leisurely, is remembering that a trip is temporary.  Make the most of your 35,000 foot journey!  A polite question or request will always get you far; and who knows, you might even make a new friend or more!

Read Tracy’s first column: Wingwoman Tracy, Snorkeling, Rum Punch and Beyond: Top Spring Break Spots

Learn more about our Wingwoman Tracy

Drumroll, please! Welcome to the first installment of our new monthly column brought to you by our very own inflight crewmember Wingwoman Tracy, and pilot Wingman Quinton, who will dig deeply into their extensive expert experiences in the airline industry to deliver you fresh travel tips and tricks. The first topic is spring break travel.

Meet Tracy

“Vacations do not begin when you arrive at your destination, they begin the moment you board the plane.” With nearly 20 years of experience in the airline industry, Tracy Christoph is a knowledgeable, effervescent JetBlue flight attendant with a passion for travel, culture and customer service.   Tracy attended the Wilma Boyd Travel/Business School in Pittsburgh, PA but her education extends far beyond classroom borders; her extensive career in the airline industry has taken her around the world, a learning experience she considers unparalleled.   Prior to her eight years as an inflight crewmember for JetBlue, Tracy worked as an initial operating experience instructor, ticket counter supervisor and initial training instructor, on both domestic and international flights. Tracy has been with JetBlue since 2004, based out of New York and Florida, and currently out of Boston, MA.

The recipient of JetBlue’s “Excellence in Customer Service” award, Tracy is committed to providing flyers with an enjoyable experience every time she steps onto a plane. Though she’s a world traveler, Tracy’s heart remains in Virginia, where she was born and raised.  No stranger to the spotlight, Tracy has appeared as an extra in movies and on television, and is also a former beauty pageant participant with a few titles under her belt.

In her spare time, Tracy enjoys coupling her travel with volunteer opportunities, most recently with her daughter at an orphanage in Jaibon, Dominican Republic.  In addition to her role at JetBlue, she attends the University of Richmond in in Virginia, and is on track to earn her Bachelor’s degree this year.

Read Wingwoman Tracy’s spring break travel tips

Meet Quinton

JetBlue First Officer Quinton has clocked more than 7,000 hours airborne, not counting the countless hours he’s spent out of the driver’s seat traveling the globe for fun. As comfortable in the air as on the ground, Quinton received his B.S. in Professional Aeronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University before joining JetBlue in May 2011.  Flying to JetBlue’s 70 domestic and international destinations from his base at New York’s JFK airport, Quinton is committed to providing superior service in every aspect of the air travel experience.

When he is not jet-setting for work, Quinton is an adventure-seeker keeps active in all areas of his life.  He prefers connecting with people face-to-face and exploring new sights and sounds with all the excitement they have to offer.  His hobbies include scuba diving, surfing, backpacking, rock climbing, cycling, triathlons, skiing and, of course, anything that involves air travel.

As an avid photographer and talented videography instructor, Quinton loves to share his passions and experiences with others.  In addition, Quinton is a wealth of knowledge for travel tips and tricks, which he generously imparts to customers flying JetBlue to create adventures of their own.

Read Wingman Quinton’s spring break travel tips

My most memorable spring break was at Lake Powell in Northern Arizona. It was the late 90s, and the trip was a highly anticipated break from another long semester at Arizona State University. We had a boat, two jet skis, and what we thought were all the essential items for a week on the lake. However, I neglected to bring one vital item: sunscreen. I looked like bad retro burnt orange carpeting, not the best way to pick up the ladies, and certainly not the healthiest choice for long-term skincare. At the time, skin damage prevention was not high on my list of priorities, but it should have been. You might like the Jersey Shore tanned look now, but it’s later you should be thinking about. Wherever you plan on having fun in the sun this spring break, pick up an adequate amount of sun protection. Remember, if the bottle has more than three ounces pack it with your checked luggage.

Nowadays, I prefer spring break spots that are out of the mainstream. Whether you’re an adventure-seeker or just prefer peace and tranquility, you’ve come to the right place for travel advice. One of my top insider tips is that you don’t have to break the bank or travel to far-off places to see some of the most striking natural wonders or kick-back in a serene landscape. Often, you can fly into those same spring break destinations where everyone else is going, and take a detour to a virtually forgotten land.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico is an hour bus ride or 45-minute car ride from Cancun, only it’s much more low-key. I prefer this area over Cancun because of its more quaint and authentic vibe. It has the same beautiful beaches with excellent snorkeling and scuba diving, only with far less crowds (picture nice, white beaches minus the subwoofers). From Playa del Carmen, it’s only an hour and a half drive to the ancient Mayan ruins or a 45-minute boat ride to Cozumel, where you can catch some divine diving. Plus, you don’t have to scratch nightlife off the list entirely, as there are still plenty of clubs and bars along the main thoroughfare, La Quinta Avenida. My preference for accommodation is Hotel Eclipse, a quaint and affordable boutique hotel.

Playa Brasilito, Costa Rica is a sleepy surf town off the Guanacaste Coast, one of shrinking number of vacation destinations that is still a best kept secret. You can fly into Liberia direct from New York and head away from the tourists and into paradise. Nestled between the slightly more populated areas of Tamarindo (having gained popularity following the surf movie “Endless Summer II”) and Playa Flamingo, Brasilito offers an ideal location for barren beaches and super inexpensive accommodations with easy access to the restaurants, bars and people-watching in the nearby towns. You’re also just a day trip away from the stunning rain forests of Costa Rica. I recommend staying at Hotel Brasilito, where rooms start at just $40 USD a night. The only thing close to a loud party scene in Brasilito is the call of the howler monkeys. I was startled awake the first night by the loud and thunderous roar of the otherwise harmless, pint-sized primates.

Vieques and Culebra, Puerto Rico are two islands just off the coast of mainland Puerto Rico that provide a polar opposite alternative to some of the busy beaches in San Juan. The islands are small and easy to navigate, offering aesthetic vistas and optimal settings for relaxation, all just a short ferry ride from mainland. One of the top bioluminescent bays in the world is located on Vieques, and I highly recommend a nighttime kayak tour to see the surreal bright green glow in the water just below you caused by tiny dinoflagellates. I recommend using Vacation Rental By Owner (VBRO) for accommodations. You can find really good deals on condos and bed and breakfasts that are much nicer than any of the hotels. My personal favorite place to stay is Hectors by the Sea, where you can rent little casitas that house up to four people for less than $150 a night. Wild horses roam the island freely, giving it a very natural feeling.

Remember, flights are usually full during spring break so leave plenty of time to get to the airport and through security to your gate. Pack lightly and keep your carry-on as small as possible so it can fit under your seat, because overhead space is bound to fill quickly.

Learn more about Wingman Quinton, check out Wingwoman Tracy’s column and stay tuned for next month’s travel advice!

Scene: Daytona Beach 1992, back when it was THE hot spot for spring breakers. I was playing volleyball on the beach when a man approached me and asked me out. I met up with him at a restaurant later that evening and we ended up talking all through the night. We dated for four months before we got engaged, a short marriage that might qualify me for a dinner invite with the Kardashians. Lesson learned: Don’t accept a marriage proposal from someone you met on spring break!

A lot has changed since then, including me! Spring break can be a lot more than just snorkeling and rum punch. In recent years, I’ve spent my spring breaks with my daughter volunteering for those less fortunate. Not only are you making a difference in a community, but you’re also learning about new places and people, and scratching that travel itch at the same time! Helping others has been a life-altering experience for me and sharing your spring break for a greater good is the most fulfilling vacation you can have.

Whether you’re more like Tracy circa 1992 or 2012, there are plenty of affordable adventures for those taking to the skies this spring break.

Coed Crazy

Panama City, Florida, located in the Northwest handle on the Gulf Coast is a very welcoming town that turns into party central for spring break. With an official spring break website that offers tips for your stay, including where the party’s at, you don’t have to miss a beat!

South Padre Island, Texas is two miles off the southernmost tip of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico. Start your spring break out right – with a full belly – at The Salt Lick for the best Texas BBQ in Austin and drive down to the beautiful island to get your party on. Dance your flip flops off with DJs spinning on the beach all week, and enjoy free pancakes for breakfast or dinner at Beach Reach!

Las Vegas, Nevada is not the first place you might think of for spring break travel, but with MTV hosting its big spring break party at the Palms Casino Resort, sin city is sure to be a guaranteed 24-hour party scene!

Cancun, Mexico is still all the rage for spring breakers looking for that fantastic fiesta. Enjoy dance parties at the pool and the beach all day, and venture out to some of the hoppin’ spots around town like Señor Frogs and Dadyo at night. With thousands of other coeds and miles of beach, Cancun is sure to rock your party.

Family Fun

Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island has everything and then some to keep your family entertained for your entire spring break. Enjoy the spas, casinos, and top-notch restaurants while your kids splash around in the water park, marine habitat. The whole family can enjoy the soft sands and crystal clear Caribbean!

San Diego, California offers diverse options for having fun as a family, with the fabulous San Diego Zoo, Be Wild Animal Park, beaches, museums, lots of shopping and restaurants. Whether you visit during spring break or any time of year, you can’t beat the idyllic Southern California weather!

Denver, Colorado is a great spring break destination for those less tropically included. With longer days and warmer temperatures, ski resorts as winter gives way to spring are optimal for family winter sporting. Crested Butte and Winter Park near Denver, Colorado are two of my favorites.

Generous Giving

St. Jude’s children’s research hospital in Memphis, Tennessee offers spring break volunteer opportunities for groups of two or more.  Visit with the children at the hospital, reading to them or playing with them, helping to alleviate the pressure they and their families feel with all that they’re going through.  In your downtime, Memphis offers a lot of attractions including museums, art collections and, of course, Graceland, Elvis Presley’s famous home.

Food & Friends in Washington D.C. offers volunteers options for helping to feed the hungry. You can help prepare food in the kitchens, work with the organization staff on planning and scheduling, or deliver food to those in need. Plus, spring break is also cherry blossom festival time, when our nation’s capital is looking handsomest.

OutReach 360 connects you with orphaned and disadvantaged youth around the world to offer support in the way of education, and the one thing they need the most: love! I’ve volunteered with the organization in the Dominican Republic and found that it’s more than just volunteering; my work helped transform the lives of the kids in the orphanages as well as my own.

Grab a bottle of water at the airport instead of another cocktail; you don’t want an unwanted sobering extension to your trip if you’re denied boarding. No matter where you’re headed this spring break (and hopefully it’s on JetBlue!), remember to pack light, pack right, and make safety your number one priority!

Learn more about Wingwoman Tracy, check out Wingman Quinton’s column and stay tuned for next month’s travel advice!