Cheap Flights to Santa Rosa from CA $38

Wherever you're jetting in from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you're well prepared. We've put together a list of handy hints that will get your Santa Rosa escape started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First of all, put in your passport, important documents, cash and vital medications. Next, you'll want some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the time. A juicy novel and a laptop filled with your favourite shows are some great options. If you plan to catch a few z's, a quality neck pillow and some noise-cancelling headphones will also come in handy. Finally, find room for a few toiletry items so you'll touchdown looking fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Pack all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner in your checked baggage. Any liquids or gels in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated by security. Sharp objects, like your Swiss Army knife, and dangerous goods which are flammable or explosive, such as spray paint, flares and fireworks, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your priority when deciding what to wear during your flight. Loose, breathable clothing is a sensible choice, as are enclosed shoes like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-haul flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

The secret is to be well prepared before you arrive at the security gate. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Santa Rosa in the blink of an eye. Follow these helpful tips and get your vacation off to a flying start:

• Airport security personnel first need to know that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Keep them close by.
• 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 heavy coats or jackets. They'll need to be placed on the conveyor belt for screening.
• All your electronic devices, including your phone and laptop, will also need to be separately scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or toothpaste, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a great footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when going through security. Boots and other bulky shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, put them in your checked suitcase. They won't be allowed in the cabin.