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Board as early as humanly possible. Don’t dawdle. You can check your phone once you’re in your seat. Actually, get off your phone altogether. Pay attention to what is happening around you and who is in charge. You will notice that 90% are staring stupidly at their phones. I find it best to get a paper boarding card rather than have something on my phone.

Travel with the smallest possible case. A lot of standard oblong cases will work but it is best to keep it on your back to minimize visibility. If you have a ton of music with you, best to put it in a separate small backpack with only the minimum of reading material and toiletries. Don’t be one of those jerks who tries to get on with two rolling suitcases that barely fit in the overhead bins.

If you suspect problems, use your charm and your intuition to seek out potentially helpful flight attendants or employees. We are expected to connect with our audiences nonverbally while on stage. It is much easier to connect with a human being in conversation, smiling and making eye contact.

If you get the dreaded pink tag, don’t fight it but tell that person that you will check with a flight attendant at the gate. As you head to the gate, surreptitiously remove the pink tag and put it in your pocket (what pink tag?). Once you get to the gate, greet all of the flight personnel with big smiles and ask for help finding your seat.

Attitude does not work. Arguing does not work. Hubris does not work. Honey works better than vinegar. Once you are in your seat and your fiddle is stashed above or below, congratulations yourself on a fine performance!