Essentials can ease bumps in travel disruptions

By Kirsten Stokes

In the wake of extended travel disruptions from last week’s CrowdStrike failure, many spent more time inside airports than expected and in some cases were left without luggage due to delays.

With situations like these generally coming without warning, it’s key to have certain items on hand to make travel bumps smoother. Those arriving at and leaving the Kansas City International Airport shared some of the essentials necessary in case of delays.

“I always bring my iPod and my laptop with headphones. I can’t do any flight without them. Also, gum to let my ears pop. Those have to be in there every time,” said Monica Barsoum, a KCI traveler.

Other flyers focus on the necessities that may not be as accessible in airport gift shops or stores.

“The toiletries are the concern. Underwear and an extra outfit, and having medicine … really bare essentials that you can’t really buy and what we’ll need for the next 24 hours,” said Kim Lewis, another traveler.

Officials with the FAA recommend patience and planning especially if you are traveling for long periods.

“With any trip you take, whether that’s by air or by car, it all starts with proper planning. So hopefully you can go through and make sure that you have all your medications, you have all the important things that you need in your carry-on,” said Keith Morris, an FAA safety expert.

While some passengers didn’t experience delays this time around, the inconsistencies with air travel in the last year show the need for passengers to be ready at all times.

“Fortunately, not with this trip, but I will say that this has been a summer of mayhem. I have had multiple travel delays, including not getting home for a couple of days from a flight,” said Sharon Willis, a frequent flyer.

For those who have or are worried about flight cancellation, storing the essentials in a carry-on to avoid baggage loss can make all the difference between a smooth and rough travel experience.

“The number one thing is don’t panic. There’s lots of people at the airport, from gate agents to police officers to information booths that can help you figure out what your next steps might be,” Morris said. “So either you can maybe have someone bring the medication to you or find an alternate means to address the issue.”

Visit faa.gov for more tips and information on making your flying experience as smooth as possible.