I have a little secret that would probably surprise a lot of people, given the fact that I've traveled far and wide throughout the course of my career: Sometimes, I'm a nervous flier.

Sure, I've probably racked up half a million miles in the air, but travel isn't always a constant in my life. In the past, I might have spent a week on the road, flying from Florida to Hawaii, then on to Seattle and Virginia over the course of seven days; but when that's done, I might have stayed grounded for a month or two after. And, if I haven't flown for a while, sometimes I get a little nervous stepping on the plane again.

But what's a few nerves when there's a job to be done?

So, I've got some tricks to share with other nervous fliers to make re-entry into the friendly skies a bit more palatable. Just remember, you've got to plan ahead to get as many advantages as you can eke out for your flight.

  • Schedule your flight at the right time of day. If you have a little bit of flexibility in your schedule, choose the flight times that make the most sense for the time of year and weather at your destination. For example, you don't want to fly into Florida during the afternoon in the summer time: There will be a thunderstorm. Period. Ditto for flying in and out of Denver and over the Rockies. The earlier in the morning, the less turbulence  you'll encounter in your flight; remember that hot air meeting cooler air is the root of foul weather and bumpy rides.

    By contrast, in the winter, you'll want to give the sun a bit of a chance to heat up the runways and planes. A 2pm flight from St. Louis will be much more pleasant and reassuring than leaving at 6am during the coldest months.
  • Try to get a seat at the front of the plane. Turbulence is felt much more in the rear of the plane, so choose a seat as far up front as you can find. If you're flying an airline like Southwest, which does not do assigned seating, be sure to check in online as soon as you're able; the sooner you check in, the closer to the front of the line you'll be when it comes time to board, giving you the best options at finding a seat.
  • Try to get a seat on the aisle. You're already feeling a bit stressed when you get on the plane; why make it worse by worrying about small things like whether you'll be able to get to the restrooms without disturbing your neighbors? Taking away even a small source of tension can make a big difference to your overall mental comfort in flight.
  • Bring a book or magazine, or any type of distraction to help remove your mind from the situation. Many people bring work on board with them, but if you're really nervous, work may not provide the type of distraction you need. Start reading a new novel before your trip, so that you're already engaged and invested in the story before hand. Or, take a trashy rag with you; if gossip magazines are your guilty little pleasure, you'll have something to look forward to in the air.
  • Bring a snack. I've already talked a lot about good nutrition when  you're on the road, but nothing amplifies stress like low blood sugar. If you're stuck on a tarmac for hours before your flight really starts, you'll be a nervous wreck without something to boost your blood sugar. And, while you're at it, make sure you've eaten a nutritious but light meal before you get on a plane. You don't want to get on with an empty stomach or stuffed full of cheeseburger. Think about what works for your body and make you're hydrated and nourished, which will help put your body more at ease.
  • Be observant and supportive of your neighbors. Lots of people are nervous fliers; check out your aisle mates for white knuckles and tense expressions. Offer a stick of gum and a couple of words of encouragement. You don't want your own stress feeding off of theirs, and helping someone else out can help externalize your own feelings of tension.
First and foremost, remember that everyone wants to arrive safely at your destination, from the pilots to the flight crew to the person in the seat next to you. Do your part by being courteous and pleasant, and you'll be ready to hop to your next destination without a nerve in sight.