Flights to Mount Hood, Oregon from NT$2,493

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be tough. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy hints for a comfortable start to your time in Mount Hood. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's easy — first, pack in your passport, travel docs, bank cards and medications. Next, you'll need some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the time. A thrilling book and a tablet filled with your favorite shows are good options. If you hope to take a short snooze, a comfy neck pillow and some earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, find room for a few toiletry items so you'll touchdown feeling fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have sharp or pointed objects lurking in one of the compartments of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable substances, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main concern when deciding what to wear on board. Loose, breathable clothing is a sensible choice, as are roomy, closed-toe shoes.
• You've probably heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of sitting. To minimize your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression tights or socks and do gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat.

As seasoned travelers know, the secret is to be well organized before you reach airport security. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Mount Hood in no time flat. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a great start:

• First things first. Your passport and travel documents will need to be presented to security personnel. Keep them someplace accessible so you don't hold up the queue.
• The X-ray machine comes next. Empty your pockets and remove anything metal that is likely to beep. This includes things like headphones or earphones, as well as bulky coats or jackets. They'll need to be placed on the conveyor belt for screening.
• All electronic devices, including your tablet and phone, must also be separately scanned.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They often need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each item 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.
• There's a good chance you'll be required to remove your shoes for scanning, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a good idea.
• Sharp or pointed items are not allowed on board. They'll be seized at security, so put them in your checked suitcase.