So, you want to become a flight attendant, or maybe you already have a bunch of experience underneath your belt.  That’s great!  If you’re out there looking for a job as a flight attendant, let me tell you that there are plenty of jobs out there, you just have to know where to turn.

Visit every airline’s website in your area

If you live near an airport, know of the airlines that fly out of your airport.  This is important if you’re looking to get a job in your local area.  What you’ll want to do is search for your airport’s name.  On the airport’s page, you will find that they have a list of the airlines that they work with.  Browse through the airlines, and then head to their website.

When you head to their website, every single one usually has a career page that you can search through.  This link is generally small, and you can find it near the bottom of the page.  Each website is different though in how it’s laid out.

You’ll want to search for jobs here, and see if anything is available.  Even if there isn’t anything available, it never hurts to send in your resume, and follow up on it.  The worst thing that will happen is that they say, “no.”

Visit some job search based websites

When you think of job search based websites, you might think of Monster, or HotJobs.  These aren’t the sites that you want to go to.  Why is that, you might ask?  The reason is because you’re competing with the mainstream applicants that only know of a few websites.

The key here is to visit smaller based sites that search all other websites such as Beyond.  The job search is free, and it will highlight jobs from all over the Internet.  This is already going to give you a jump start on other applicants that are looking for a job.

Network with groups

Find a local flight attendant group in  your area. If you don’t know of any, join MeetUp, where you can meet with others that share your experience, or interests.  Even if you’re not a flight attendant, this is a great way to show up, and network.  Ask questions, ask if there are any openings, etc.  You won’t want to be too pushy, but the point here to get your name out.

Yes, the economy is quite lousy right now, but jobs are always out there.  Set yourself above the rest, and work hard to find that job.  You will find that hard work will always pay off in the long end.

If you’re looking for a last minute car rental, you may be in luck, because there are many options that you can you choose from, if you’re looking to rent a car right away.  Many travelers just assume that they won’t be able to rent a car within a few hours, and don’t even bother, but 90% of the time, you can get one, I promise!

Try the airport if you’re flying

If you’re flying into a particular city, most airports have car rental locations right on the spot.  Find a car rental company that you have worked with before, and wait in line (if there is even one).  Get up, tell them you don’t have a reservation, and see what they can do for you.

When you’re at the counter, and the clerk tells you that they don’t have anything available, ask them if they have any cars available at their outside locations.  If they do, this is the best route to go, because you will find that these locations are cheaper anyways.  Grab a taxi, and head to the location that has your car, or better yet, try another rental company in the area.

Grabbing your last minute car rental is all going to depend on what day you’re going, the time of the year, etc.

Try your luck online

Before you head out to get a car rental, test your luck online.  Try websites such as Priceline.com that will help you find a car rental.  Put in all of the necessary information, and see if anything is available.  Remember that you’re most likely going to have to pay more for having a last minute rental.  This isn’t the case all the time, but 90% of the time it is.

Call up the old fashioned way

If you’re not a fan of booking online, or you want to make sure that you’re going to get your rental, call up the company direct, and see what they can do for you.  This way, you will be assured that you will be able to get your car when you get to your location.  Yes, you may get a confirmation number online, but it doesn’t mean that you’re always going to be guaranteed the rental.

Everyone loves to travel, and what you’re going to find out when you’re ready to make a phone call internationally is that it’s going to cost you an arm, and leg!  Since many travelers don’t realize how much international calls cost, I wanted to point out a few tips that you can use in order to cut down on those phone call bills.

Highly consider calling from your computer

Many of us like to bring our laptops on vacation, and if you’re going to do this, you may want to consider using your laptop as a phone.  Buy a headset so that you’ll be able to talk back.  Without the headset, you will only be able to hear, and some services may not even let you load up their software.

From reading reviews online on reasonably priced international calls, I would highly recommend downloading Skype, and using their services.  If the other user has a Skype user name, you can call for free, but if they don’t, you make unlimited calls within the United States for a low rate, as well as get a lower rate for International calls.

Avoid using your cell phone

If you have a cell phone plan, I would highly advise you from using it.  If you want to use your plan, make sure that you contact your provider, before going out, and making calls.  You won’t want to come back to a bill that’s over a few hundred dollars.

Just wait on the calls

It sounds kind of stupid, but you may want to just use other ways of communicating such as sending out an e-mail, using Facebook, or any other type of platform online.  Since many countries have the Internet, it shouldn’t be that hard to find a little Internet cafe, or even your hotel room may have it.

Flying can be nerve wracking for anyone that doesn’t like to fly, but when you throw in the holidays too, that makes their stress go even higher.  The airport is busier than ever, we’re worried about the weather, missing our flight, etc.  There are a million things that can go wrong, but if you consider a few of these tips, your flight will be just fine!

Tips for Flying Around the Holidays:

One suitcase – First of all, if you didn’t know already airlines are starting to put a fee on each suitcase you bring.  So, if you’re looking to save money try to cram all your belongings in just one suitcase it will save you money both times.

Liquid – Be sure you don’t have any liquid in your carry on bag.  If you do it can’t be more than I think 2-3 ounces.  This can delay you from getting on your flight in time and cause some problems.  Not to mention, if you have more than you should you will need to throw it away.

Important items – If you have very important things to bring, medicine, or expensive items, be sure to bring them in your carry on bag just to make sure they don’t loose your bag and then you have to go without them.

Information – Also, be sure to write all your information on your luggage.  There should be a number to contact you, and an address to send your bag just in case there is a mix up.

Early – You also want to be plenty early when it comes to getting to the airport.  Who knows what the weather will be like, traffic, and how busy the airport will be.  You don’t want to miss the trip you’ve been looking forward to so much.

Be sure to consider a few of these tips if you’re flying around the holidays.  You want a smooth flight, want to get there on time, and have all the important belongings with you at all times!

When you’re ready to start your trip, you’re most likely bringing a suitcase (I hope).  Even if you’ve packed 800 times, there are probably some things that you’re doing wrong, and that’s okay!  I want to show you step by step on how you can pack the right way, and save space, and lower your suitcase weight.

#1 – You’ll want to make sure that you keep the wrinkle-prone items near the bottom, so that they don’t move around so much.  It’s best to place things such as t-shirts, and dresses on the bottom, followed by dresses, and pants near the top.

#2 – Don’t just throw your clothes in a suitcase.  You’re going to want to make sure that you fold your clothes.  By doing so, you’re going to be able to save space in your suitcase.  If you don’t fold, you will quickly find that it takes up a lot of unwanted space.

#3 – Things such as dresses, and nice dress shirts don’t need to be cramped inside, but rather throw them on the top.  If you lay them across your shirt, this should work out good enough for your packing.

#4 – Fold your pants in half.  You don’t want to fold them too many times, because you’re going to take them out, and find that they are going to be way too wrinkled.

#5 – Now, throw your shirts on the bottom, followed by your dress shirts, and skirts draped over, and you’ll want to use your pants as an anchor on top to weigh everything down.  Make sure everything is snug, so that it doesn’t move around.

#6 – Items such as your socks, and smaller items can be used as filler.  You can find little cracks to stuff these in.

#7 – If you’re going to bring shoes, make sure that you place them in a plastic bag, so that your other clothes don’t get dirty.

#8 – Place toiletry items in a bag as well.  Make sure your items such as your shampoos, and soaps are secured.  You won’t want these to start spilling out in your bag.  This can just lead to disaster!

If you have to, bring your toiletries, and shoes on a carry on bag.  Remember that if you’re bringing items in your toiletry bag, you’ll want to make sure that it’s under 3 ounces!

If you don’t have a carry on bag, be sure to check out a great post I wrote a few months back on the best carry on luggage bags on the market today.