In no particular order:
- Keep photocopies of your passport and flight details some place easily accessible, like your wallet or your carry-on luggage. Not only can it prove life-saving should you lose your passport, it also allows you to limit the exposure of your passport (such as when filling out those embarkation, disembarkation cards);
- Fill out embarkation / disembarkation cards as soon as you get them on the plane. The less rushed you are, the less likely you'll make a mistake;
- Wear a jacket with inside pockets or big outside pockets. Not only can this keep you warm, it gives you an easily accessible place to store and retrieve your passport, ticket, and boarding pass in between the fifteen or so times that you're asked to show them before boarding the plan. It also allows you to keep your precious documents very close to you when you sleep on those long plane flights.
- Keep some emergency cash - as of the time of this writing, the terminal fee at the International Airport here in Manila is P750. It may suddenly increase for no apparent reason.
- Make sure your cell is fully charged and that your service provider has activated your international roaming capabilities. It's always nice to know you can make those emergency calls when you land.
- Wear shoes and belts that are easily removable and rewearable. You'll be asked to shove them through the security scanners more than once.
- Keep a sharp eye and mind when keeping track of the following: airline and flight number, flight departure time, flight boarding time, flight departure gate.
- Be generous to those in need of advice; be wary of those in need of aid. Advice seldom costs you anything, but giving aid (monetary, time, luggage space, etc.) requires careful consideration in these difficult times.
- Pack spare plastic bags - they're useful for reducing the effect of unwanted spills and leaks, storing smelly substances (like dirty laundry), and grouping gifts.
- Bring only one check in luggage, but pack an expandable bag just in case. Too many pasalubongs may exceed the per-luggage weight limit.
- Spare change of clothes in your carry-on luggage - extra weight, but worth it when needed.
- Mark all your luggage and gear with your name, address in the place you're visiting, and your full cellphone number (use the +63.9xx.xxx.xxxx format).
* YMMV: Your Mileage May Vary
