Flights to River Grove, Chicago from NT$7,046

We've got the lowdown on how to make your flight a pleasant experience. Follow our tips and you'll be cruising through airport security and having a ball in River Grove in no time flat. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First, pack in your passport, travel docs, bank cards and medications. Next, you'll want some entertainment to help pass the time. A juicy book and a tablet filled with your favorite movies are some terrific options. If you hope to take a quick snooze, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, leave some space for a toothbrush and some deodorant to ensure you hop off the plane looking fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of prohibited items differs between air carriers, the general rule to follow is nothing sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes things like box cutters, razor blades, fuel and fireworks. Sporting equipment like baseball bats, and objects that could injure passengers, such as pepper spray and guns, won't be allowed on board either.

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to go for comfort over style. Prepare for changes in temperature by dressing in layers, and wear flat, easy-to-remove footwear like slip-ons.
• Most travelers have heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by long periods of inactivity. To minimize your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression tights or socks and move your lower limbs often.

The secret is to be well prepared before you reach airport security. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to River Grove in no time at all. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a great start:

• First things first. Your passport and boarding pass will need to be inspected by security personnel. Keep them someplace accessible so you don't hold up the line.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Items like your jacket, belt and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• Your electronic devices like laptops and phones will also need to go on a tray for inspection. No need to worry though, you'll be back online soon enough.
• Don't forget to remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a sensible footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when passing through security. Safety boots and other heavy shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines won't allow any pocket knives or other sharp items to come on board with you. If you need to bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked luggage.