When you book a holiday, be you travelling by air, sea, road or rail, you must plan for delays., The tips I shall give can also be implemented in the event of illness, as that too will encounter delays for fellow travelling companions.

If the delay you are experiencing is the fault of the airline or travel company you are travelling with, they will be under obligation to help you by issuing you with food coupons and possibly even accommodation.

If the delay is caused by what is termed as an Act of God, such as an earthquake or volcanic ash, it is no ones responsibility to help you. You are in fact ultimately responsible for your self under such conditions. 

MONEY.

First and foremost make sure you have enough funds to carry you through should you be delayed for a few days.

Most people's distress is caused by them not having enough money to buy food or accommodation in such an event.

If you can find hundreds of pounds for a holiday, you can find another hundred pounds for an emergency fund.

A credit card is also a lifesaver in such an event, as is the phone number of a family member or friend who may be able to lend you funds in an emergency.

MEDICATION.

If you take regular medication dont just pack enough for the duration of your holiday take a few days extra supply.

You may well be able to find your regular medication abroad, but it will incur a fee and if money is already tight, you do not need this extra expense.

Remember to also pack any extra medication in your hand luggage, once your bags have gone through the proper baggage channels, you will not see them again until you reach your destination.

A copy of your regular prescription can always be placed between the pages of your passport for use in case of emergencies.

TELEPHONES.

Most of us have mobile phones these days so remember to take your charger base with you and make sure that it has been recently charged before you travel.

Make sure to top up non contract mobiles before travelling as you may not be able to purchase credit for your particular phone abroad.

This will also be a help to you in being able to contact people if you are becoming short of money.

Remember to also jot down the telephone numbers of anyone that is not in your phone's memory just in case you may need to contact them.

This would be the numbers of anyone taking in your post, watering plants for you or coming in to feed the cat.

Other numbers to take with you would be the number of your employer if you are unable to make it in to work, the number of anyone that is picking you up from the airport and the number of any appointments that you may need to cancel in the event of a delay.

One handy tip for storing these numbers is to write them down on a post it note and to stick it on the inside cover of your passport, as your passport is always on your person when you are travelling.

FOOD AND DRINK.

Make sure to have a bottle of water about your person. Remember that airports are businesses and their aim is to make a profit, so things like food and water are sold at a premium.

If you are in a country where their water supply is potable, you can always fill an empty bottle up time and time again from the tap in the rest / wash room.

This will help you out if funds are running low, as water is the one thing you will need more than anything else.

Remember to carry some plastic cutlery in your hand luggage.This will enable you to buy cheaper food items like pot noodles or yogurts in order to keep costs at a minimum.

Buy bulk filling foods like large bread rolls or chips.They will fill you up and cost less than pre packed sandwiches or pre - prepared airport meals.

CLOTHING.

Always travel in comfortable clothes and well fitting shoes just incase you are in a position of having to wear them for a few days.

You will find yourself having to stand in many queues during a travel delay, so keep the five inch stilletoes for the night club and not the airport concourse.

Wear loose fitting items that will not constrict your chest or abdomen areas. You will be spending long hours sitting in the one position and you will become hot and sweaty, so looose clothes are a must for your comfort and to stop chafing.

ISLAND LIFE.

Most of the problems encountered by British and Irish travellers is the fact that they can not travel over water to their island home.

If money is no object and you are in a position to make alternative travel arrangements of your own try making your way to some of the lesser known smaller ports in the country you are stranded in.

Everyone else will be making their way to the big ferry ports and terminals, making most passages fully booked by the time you arrive.

By going to smaller ports you may be able to beg a ride home from a cargo,private or even a military vessel that is travelling to your destination.

ENTERTAINMENT.

One of the worst things about delays is boredom, so be prepared by taking a good book with you, and keep it in your hand luggage.

A good read can keep you rapped for hours, making those tedious hours fly by.

Most airports have internet services for a small fee, so a few hours could be whiled away on - line.

Walking around the airport building will help you ease stiff and aching muscles from too much sitting.

Dont be aloof, remember you are on a delay with several hundred other people who are all in the same position, so get friendly with your fellow passengers, a good chat can make the hours pass much more quickly.

if you are a smoker or need regular supplies of tea and coffee, make allowances for this by carrying extra packs of cigarettes and loose change for teas and coffees.

Remember to smoke only in designated areas both for your enjoyment and the comfort of others.

TRAVELLING WITH BABIES AND CHILDREN.

Travelling with little ones can be a nightmare when things are running smoothly, when things go wrong, it can be sheer hell, both for the little ones and their carers.

When travelling with babes in arms, remember to have a good stock of disposable nappies and appropriate drinks and food stuffs for them.

Don't forget to bring a warm blanket for them. Although you may be travelling in a hot climate, the inside of a transport terminal will be air conditioned making a baby feel particularly cold. 

Babies will probably spend most of the delay sleeping, but if they are uncomfotable, cold or hungry they will become tiresome, not only for you but for others around you.

With children, pack a small child's travel bag with some of their favourite or even new toys so they can entertain themselves.

Some of the larger airports have play facilities for children so take them to the play room when they become agitated or bored.

There will be lots of other children in the same position so allow then to play with others, this will stave off boredom and induce sleep.

Take them for a walk around the airport building every once in a while, this too will tire them so as they can sleep.

With teenagers, get them to pack MP3 players, mobile phones and hand held games and magazines.

Teenagers are notorious for being able to while away the hours with some of their favourite music or by texting friends when they are at home, so hopefully the same can be applied at the airport.

Try to keep calm when you are in control of children. Easier said then done I know, but if you are stressed and anxious, so too will the children become, causing them to be more tiresome than they may normally be.

REMEMBER.

Remember that consular staff can rarely help in these instances, so there is no point in getting in touch with your local consulate.

In an Act of God delay, your travel insurance will rarely pay out under these instances, but as with any travel insurance do read the fine print before travelling to find out where you stand and what you are covered for and entitled to.

Most of these tips are pretty elementary, but you would be amazed by the amount of people who forget, or who just dont think about such things before travelling.

Delays are an unavoidable consequence of modern travel today, so be prepared, think and plan ahead, and most of all be positive and think of the delay as an extension of your holiday, rather than an unavoidable and irritating nuisance.

There are several very good websites on - line that can help you prepare for your holiday, so do go and have a read before travelling,particularly if you have never travelled abroad before or have not done so in many years.                                                                                                 

                                                                                                    © D.B.Bellamy. April 2010.

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