It might seem obvious to you that Betsy is a nickname for Elizabeth, but it may not to a skycap, a desk agent, or a security officer - any one of whom could ask you to show identification with that name before boarding, says Delta Air Lines public-relations representative Katie Connell.
 

"If you have a disability and need a premium seat in the bulkhead, tell the agent when you make your reservation rather than at the airport," says David Martin, a Delta passenger-service specialist who creates the airline's policies for customers with disabilities. Other passengers might be able to nab those seats 24 hours before the flight, when they're made available to everyone through the airline's website.

 

Get to your gateway city as early as you can.
"Since delays stack up as the day progresses, it's smart to book the first flight you can into a hub (if you have a connecting flight)," says Dunnagan. "Spending a few extra hours at the airport is better than missing your connection because your first flight was late."

Set your luggage apart from the pack.
Tying a red ribbon to your black bag is not the most effective way to distinguish it. "When passengers use ribbons and bows, they can be torn off in the transporting process," says Chris Gossner, a customer-service supervisor with US Airways for more than 20 years. Not to mention the fact that you'll probably see dozens of other red ribbons circling on the baggage carousel. Your best move is to purchase a suitcase in an unusual color, such as bright blue. Stockpile samples.

 

BYO blanket (and disinfecting wipes, too).
"I hate to say it, but tray tables are rarely cleaned, so wipe them off before you use them," says Sarah Scott, a former US Airways flight attendant who worked for 19 years. "And steer clear of the blankets and pillows. They're only washed when they look dirty."

 

Pack your electronics in a single layer.
You will increase your chances of speeding through security if you take the time to lay your electronics flat. "When things are tossed in haphazardly or jumbled together, we spend more time determining what they are (from the X-ray) and have to manually check bags," says Sterling Payne, a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Do your own bag check before you leave.
To keep from getting stalled in security and losing innocent (but sharp) items you forgot were in your bag - hello, nail scissors! - carefully check each piece of luggage at home first. "If you think through the screening process as you're packing, you'll be fine," says Stephanie Carter Naar, a transportation security officer based in Washington, D.C.

 

Know your airport's code.
It's easy for luggage-destination tags to get mixed up. Learn the three-letter airport code for your destination and make sure your bags are labeled properly. As an example, the code for Monterey Peninsula Airport's code is MR), so check the list at www.airport-technology.com, especially if the city you're going to has more than one airport. "Cities with multiple airports can cause problems if passengers don't know which they're flying into," says Tim Wagner, a spokesperson for American Airlines.

 

Ask about your options.
Many airport waits can be made more enjoyable by asking insiders for advice. Stuck with your children at Boston's Logan Airport? An airport employee can direct you to terminal C, where a baggage carousel-style slide anchors a play area. Tired of the same old food-court choices? In the Austin, Texas, airport, make a beeline for Salt Lick - it serves up some of the state's best barbecue. You can even get through security faster by seeking out additional lines: "Airports will often open another line during peak times, so it pays to ask," TSA spokesperson Sterling Payne says.

 

Exercise caution in duty-free shops.
"Not everything in duty-free is a bargain," says Janice Mosher, director of the Customer Service Center for U.S. Customs. "If you really want that bottle of Opium perfume, find out what it costs in your local department store first." And consider the three-ounce rule when stocking upon things like alcohol and olive oil. "If you are transferring to another domestic flight after clearing customs in the United States, you'll have to put your liquid duty-free purchases in a checked bag," Mosher says. "And if you don't have room in your suitcase, you'll have to leave that big bottle of olive oil behind."

 

Get fed fast.
It's late. You've just landed, and you're starving. To have dinner waiting in your hotel room when you arrive, call and order room service from the road. "It can save a hungry half hour," says Barbara Talbott, an executive with Four Seasons Hotels in Toronto who flies about 20 times a year.

 

Bring a car seat for your child.

"Car seats aren't just safer for children," notes Veda Shook, a flight attendant who has been with Alaska Airlines for 16 years. "They also help kids stay calmer, since they're used to being in them." Shook suggests investing in a car seat-stroller combination. "The seat slides right out of the stroller part, which you can check at the gate," she says. Corral your in-flight necessities.