[spectrrr]

I forgot to add a few points for those traveling internationally.

1) WATCH YOUR CARRY ON WEIGHT! unlike int he US, where the rules are never enforced, most international airlines WILL enforce those rules. Often they make you weigh your bag at check in and then give you a sticker proving that you weighed it.
Tips to beat the scales: Take out your laptop. Throw a few heavy (but small) items in a plastic bag and pretend its your lunch. take out your water bottle, book, etc. Anything that looks like you could carry it. Once your past check in, you can throw it all back in there.

2) Check the individual baggage requirements for all airlines before you travel. I recently went to South America. Getting the baggage down on Delta was not a problem. HOWEVER the baggage allowance on some of the local airlines is less, so when traveling locally or between regional countries, so you may find yourself out some cash for baggage fees if you packed too heavy.

3) Get used to pat downs. In almost all the airports I have visited in South America, I went through at least 2 layers of security at the airport. The standard one we are all used to, and at least one other hand search of my baggage and pat down.