Flights to West Point, Louisville from NT$22,397

No matter where you're coming from, flying can be a pleasurable experience if you're well prepared. Take a peek at these handy hints that will get your West Point vacation started on the right note.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a hassle-free travel experience is to plan ahead. So, let's start with the essentials: passport, travel documents, cash and important medications. Next, take on board items that'll help pass the time, like some electronic gadgets or a thrilling book. You'll also want to bring your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of headphones. And of course, don't forget to toss in toiletry items like a toothbrush, lip balm and a spare set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have a Swiss Army knife hiding in the bottom of your carry-on luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable goods, such as fuel and fireworks, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• The narrow aisles of your aircraft are not the best place for a fashion parade. Wear comfortable clothes and don't forget to bring a cardigan as it tends to get cool in the cabin on long-haul flights. Enclosed, flat shoes are also recommended.
• The serious condition known as DVT (deep vein thrombosis) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation. Doing foot and leg exercises while seated helps to prevent this from happening. Wearing a good-quality pair of compression socks also helps reduce the risk.

The trick is to be well organized before you arrive at the security gate. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to West Point in a flash. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a spectacular start:

• Your boarding pass and passport will need to be inspected by airport security personnel. Keep them someplace accessible so you don't hold up the queue.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings like your coat, belt and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from technology. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic gadgets also need to go through the scanner.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several valuable minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on sneakers are usually not.
• Airlines won't allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in your carry-on baggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.