Fleeing the setting sun at 31,000 feet, my fellow passengers and I escape from California leaving behind memories of the 405 "parking lot" (pictured above), soggy omlettes, all-day business meetings, and hotel air conditioners that rattled like a beater whipping eggs in a metal bowl. The homebound soul in me will be delighted to rediscover my own quiet pillow tonight.

Thankfully, it will be sooner than scheduled. As would be expected for a fanatic like myself, I worked in a few extra legs to the trip tonight to bloat up my segment count. That typically translates into a longer trip home. But, with an airport 50-yard dash at LAX, I was able to reduce a two-hour connection to a 7-minute connection by catching an earlier flight.

Here are a few tricks and tips to help you make swifter connections to earlier flights and thereby avoid those long layovers:

• It helps to have a seat by the door on the inbound flight.


• Airlines will only allow scheduled connecting flights that typically depart at least 30 minutes after your arrival. Anything inside that 30 minute mark is considered a "good luck" connection and the airline won't put it in your itinerary.


• I keep a United timetable on my computer so I know what my options are even before I leave for the airport; sometimes even days in advance.


• It's helpful to know that airlines pad their flight schedules. Depart SEA at 11:15AM and you'll probably arrive around 11:50AM in PDX, not at 12:05PM as scheduled. So, really, instead of just 7 minutes to make a quick connection, you have more like 15-20 minutes.


• Don't let that fool you though. Agents like to close up the plane 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure. At 20 minutes before flight time, the standbys and last-minute upgrades are processed.


• Nowadays you are permitted to make cell phone calls as soon as the wheels hit the ground. Flip your phone on and call the airline right away -- "I'm going to try to standby for flight # 6241 from Seattle to Portland tonight. How does the load look? What are my chances?" is a good way to ask. No need to mention you only have about a 7 minute connection time.


• Assuming the agent says your chances are good, pack your bags, stretch your legs (I pulled a muscle once running for a plane!), and get ready to run for it.


• The rest should be a natural: haul like mad over to the gate (waving and screaming as necessary) and ask the agent if you can get loaded onto the flight.

Of course, there are always downsides to this method. One of my (unpredictably few) pet peeves in travel is not being able to stow my luggage above my seat. If you've ever been one of the last ones on a full plane, you can empathize. Those before you store their bags as they walk down the aisle, filling up bins as they go. Even the passenger in 26E plugs up a bin at row 6 because "who knows if there's room back there." With no surprise, the only overhead space available tonight is five rows back. The most painful reality will be when we land: negotiating 5 rows of standing, eager businessmen wanting to get off the plane while I pardon-me-excuse-me back to my bag.

It's all worth it though: two more precious hours on my own pillow. No Hummers, Lexus LS' and Mercedes S-classes roaring outside my window... This ain't Beverly Hills no more.