You're heading to the airport for a long haul flight - what have you done to prepare by the night before?

[newyorknewyorkforevernewyork]

Its you and one young kid.

I'm thinking:
Passports ready
Visas ready
Suitcase packed, clothes ironed and ready
Multiple alarms set all around the house

...

This. Married but different names. Only had to produce the letter a few times, but one of those I don’t think I would have been allowed through without.

Week before all documents packed and tech organized so if necessary I can walk out with only a handbag.
Suitcases are total chaos.

This thread has been so helpful

So things ive taken on board

All documents need to be printed
Sucking sweets needed - lollipops
Umbrellas
Power bank - the one I have should be allowed according to Google, but it does need to be checked and is hand luggage only
Food shop delivery should be booked for the return day, plus money put aside for a takeaway

@newyorknewyorkforevernewyork

A statement written by you that you are the sole parent won't wash.

You will need to provide the child's birth cert with official franking or stamp, not a photocopy.

If the father is named on the BC, you will need whatever other official documentation you have in order to prove that the DC's father is dead or in some way incapacitated, or has no right to refuse permission to take the child out of the country, or has agreed to you taking the child out of the country.

That the pet/house sitter is here and fully versed in everyone’s requirements 🐶 😻😻🐥🦆🐡

I fly quite a lot for work, and meet up with people who do the same. Years ago I realised that most of them hardly do anything to prepare for travel, beyond remembering to bring their laptop and phone. Once I saw a colleague arrive at a meeting overseas, open his carry-on suitcase, to discover that he had only packed a pair of shoes. He just shrugged and said 'oh well, I'll head out to buy some stuff when we have a break.' I now do the same (well, not the shoes-only packing) and travel without a care in the world. It's very liberating.

I always take a 4 gang short extension plug in the suitcase, use one adaptor and saves having devices charging all around the hotel room - never enough plugs!

Having had a passport stolen when abroad (many years ago) I now photograph the relevant pages of passports, health card and insurance documents and they are shared with my brother and BIL. It's a bit of a nightmare if you don't know your passport number and it's no longer with you ...

I'd usually be packing at the last minute, so I'm not in a position to give advice. 🤣

I've got the birth certs! Found them randomly 😭😭

Will have to apply for copies!

Can I put my dove roll on and spray deoderant in my main luggage??? xx

If by "main" you mean your checked/hold baggage the answer is yes, subject to quantity restrictions.

The airline should have their specific rules somewhere on their website, but they'll probably be much the as e.g. the generic UK rules here:

www.caa.co.uk/passengers-and-public/passenger-guidance/baggage/safety-advice-on-what-to-pack/

Thanks 😄

I did mean checked luggage. Ive got meds and 100ml squash bottles in my hand luggage as well

Make sure your plastic bag doesn't contain more than a litre. Depending on the airport you're flying from there might be more relaxed restrictions if they have the newest scanning equipment. In Dublin, for example, you don't need to show your liquids and can have up to two litres.

Oh - I’ve done that …

Loads of really helpful advice here. As well as the obvious packing/ admin stuff there are a few extra things. We empty and clean the fridges, leave a list of extras for our cleaner who comes to feed the cat does a bit of housework, book a food shop to come the evening we get back. Don’t forget to book airport parking. I also start following a jet lag app three days before, going to a bit sleep earlier or later.

And nowadays, more often than not we either stay at the airport overnight, or with family in West London. I love that feeling of being safely there. It’s not that expensive and I’ve not quite recovered from the trauma of six of us missing a flight to Vancouver because our 90 minute drive took five hours and we could not even turn around 😩

Snacks and books/headphones/puzzle books for the flight. Buy water and maybe a meal deal in airport rather than on plane unless you have food included on your flight.
Empty fridge/bread bin
Empty bins and water plants.
if your user name indicates where you are going I advise you to watch your back. US is an unfriendly country to visit right now for foreigners.

@Cornishclio Really? Are you experiencing that in the US? I’ve just returned from eight days visiting family and friends in New Jersey and Vermont, as well as attending a conference at a university in New York, along with a bit of sightseeing and found Americans to be as friendly as ever. There was no hostility at all towards me or my non-British European colleagues.

I would be astonished if OP encounters any unfriendliness (other than baseline level of arsiness often encountered in large cities, US or otherwise)

Heating set to come on for a couple of hours every day, weather could change to freezing while you’re away.

That’s good to hear. The last time we visited New York and LA it was fine but that was a few years ago but the government have increased the travel advisory level to 2 just this summer which means increased caution rather than normal. There are of course reports of unrest with anti ICE/Trump rallies and their gun crime but who knows if they have been exaggerated.

Unfriendly? Really? I was in New York this summer and every American we encountered was super friendly and helpful, especially on hearing the British accent (“Uk? British? We love you guys!” kind of thing!)

Booked the food shop

Need to get a folder to hold the documents - would it look weird if I just have a plastic one, or do I need to buy a pu leather one??

Dont, i'm terrified of the place especially following the recent news stories 🥺🥺

Plastic folder is fine, clear one best as you can kinda see the docs you need.

Delete any political posts (if going to USA)
Take photos of passports with numbers and send to someone not travelling with you.
Change batteries or make sure they are available in case smoke alarm goes off.
Keys to neighbour

Delete any political posts 😳😳😳😳😳😳

Very true