Flights to Cloverdale, California from NT$4,354

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be daunting. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy tips and enjoy a pleasant start to your time in Cloverdale. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Traveling on a plane can be a cruisy experience if you take the right gear. Firstly, you'll need basic toiletries, such as deodorant and a toothbrush, a fresh set of clothes and a good book. Next, leave space in your carry-on bag for your mobile phone, a charger, any medications and perhaps a proper neck pillow too. Lastly, and most importantly, remember to take your passport, travel docs and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a Swiss Army knife hiding in your hand luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable substances, like aerosols and matches, and liquids and gels in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an aircraft aren't the place for a fashion parade. Dress in comfortable layers and pick shoes that are flat and easy to pull on and off.
• Most of us have heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by long periods of inactivity. To lower your risk on board, drink plenty of water, consider wearing compression socks and keep your legs and feet moving.

The answer is — be prepared. We've pulled together some tips and tricks for a fuss-free trip through security. Watch out Cloverdale, here you come:

• Security personnel first need to know that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Personal belongings such as your coat, belt and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from technology. Your laptop, phone and any other electronic gadgets also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a good footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when going through security. Hiking boots and heavier-style shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp or pointed objects to come on board with you. If you need to bring these kinds of items, check them in.