Just the other day, I watched this wonderful nostalgic movie about a family preparing to fly for their vacation. The children were well behaved, polite and courteous. They and their parents were well dressed.

The travel experience was one of excitement and joy. Once boarded on the aircraft the family received a stellar meal and many snacks throughout the flight. Everyone on the plane seemed to be cordial and respectful, while engaging in casual conversation.

Man, how things have changed! Spring forward to today: traveling, for some, is more of a burden than a pleasure. With the long lines, short-tempered travelers, and reduced perks for fliers in a rushed society, travel can cause many to become impatient. However, with a little planning and self-restraint, travel even in today’s fast-paced society can be pleasurable and rewarding.

1. Plan. For the most part, unless it’s an emergency, we know when we need to travel. So to ensure our trip is as smooth as possible, the best thing is to plan. Make a list of things that need to be handled prior to the trip. This may include making arrangements for child care, adequate care for pets, arrangements for someone to check on your home, even providing a close family or friend with details of your travel. Having this little, but necessary, detail secured early on will prevent you from experiencing a whole lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety.

2. Arrive early. This means you should plan for the long lines at the security check-in. We may not particularly care for it; however, this process is necessary and for all travelers’ safety and best interest. So account for the standard two hours before the actual boarding time.

3. Dress for the occasion. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, dressing for travel is quite important. Knowing how to do so can cut down on the stress tremendously. For starters, dress appropriately to expedite the process of the security check-in, which may require removal of garment items (especially those with metal). Instead of shoes that are time consuming to remove, wear shoes that are easy to slip off and on. This step can ensure your security check-in will go smoother.

4. Enjoy the trip. Traveling is a time when you get to meet new people in new places. So take this opportunity to relax. You may be surprised at the people you meet. During your trip take the time to catch up on a good book you’ve been planning to read, or perhaps go over details of your trip once you land. Also, with today’s technology you can take care of business details or get in a great movie you have been planning to watch. You never know – just being a little cheerful and pleasant can take you a long way.