tips to get ready for foreign trip

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. Your best move Buy a suitcase in an unusual color, such as bright blue.

Freida Burton, a US Airways flight attendant for almost 31 years, carries samples of cosmetics and prescription creams, which she requests from her doctor. Go to walmart.triaddigital.com or freesamplesblog.com for a variety of freebie offers. Or take advantage of Sephora

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. And steer clear of the blankets and pillows. They are only washed when they look dirty.

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).

Keep from getting stalled in security and losing innocent (but sharp) items you forgot were in your bag?hello, nail scissors! If you think through the screening process as you are packing, you will be fine, says Stephanie Carter Naar, a transportation security officer based in Washington, D.C.

Its easy for luggage destination tags to get mixed up at a curbside check in. Learn the three letter airport code for your destination and make sure your skycap labels the bag properly. The codes are not always intuitive (for example, New Orleans s Louis Armstrong Airport is MSY), so check the list at airport-technology.com, especially if your destination has more than one airport.Cities with multiple airports can cause problems if passengers do not know which they are flying into, says Tim Wagner, a spokesperson for American Airlines.

Stuck with your children at Bostons 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 states 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.

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 perfume, find out what it costs in your local department store first And consider the three ounce rule when stocking up on things like alcohol and olive oil.If you are transferring to another domestic flight after clearing customs in the U.S., you will have to put your liquid duty free purchases in a checked bag, Mosher says.

For a fee?usually about $50 a day, which you can pay on the spot?you can take advantage of the snacks, uncrowded bathrooms, and comfy chairs at most airline club lounges, plus you can get help from the clubs dedicated ticket agents. Several times when its looked like I would be stuck somewhere for another day, a club agent has pulled a rabbit out of his hat, says Bill Coffield, an attorney who flies between 50,000 and 100,000 miles a year.

Car seats are not 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 are 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.