Can you help me with flight preparations?
As impossible as it seems, I've reached middle age without ever being on an airplane! Now, I'm flying from Pensacola to San Antonio with a stopover and plane change in Dallas. I need to know what to expect - what to do and not to do. My children have flown numerous times, but they say it's no big deal and I'm worrying for no reason. Probably true, but if someone has time, I'd really appreciate a step-by-step tutorial. Thanks in advance for no nasty comments about my lack of knowledge, please. And thanks for your help! You guys are all so great and these are wonderful answers. Thanks so much to each of you!
Air Travel - 6 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Your itenerary should have a gate you need to go to in Dallas. Once you get off the plane in Dallas, give yourself at least an hour to get to your next gate so you don't miss your plane. I had to ask once I got to my first lay over. The people in the airport are normally very friendly there.
2 :
when you are landing chew gum or yawn your ears do not hurt as much! personaly airplane food is garbage from the airport cafetiria or food chains you can take the food on the plane try to sleep
3 :
You will want to arrive at least an hour before you plane leaves. You will get there go to the counter and they will take your large luggage tag it and send it away. If you have carry on luggage you will have to walk through a metal detector and put that on a conveyor belt. After that you find the gate where your plane is taking off from and go wait there. On your connecting flight you just need to head to the gate your next flight will be taking off from. When you arrive at your final destination you will go get your luggage from the conveyor and head to the exit. It's really that simple and you shouldn't be nervous it is a lot of fun. My first plane ride was this year. My wife and I went on our honeymoon to the Dominican Republic. Since then I have traveled to Taiwan (what a trip) and Kentucky by plane with no problems. You gotta love First Class!
4 :
There are many things that can help you for packing for your flight. Don't forget to bring a bag on the plane with you. Most airlines only let you bring ONE with you. You should definitely take some sleeping pills or something like NyQuil to help you sleep on the plane--especially if the flight is long. Bring some extra food with you like dry foods for the trip because the plane food isn't always very good. Make sure that you remember to bring some hand sanitizer too as planes and the bathrooms are some of the dirtiest places and you will be on that flight for a long time. If you don't have hand sanitizer just wash your hands a lot on the plane and turn the faucet off with a paper towel. Bring some books to read in your carry-on bag (the bag you take on the plane with you) or something else to keep you occupied. I hope this helps and have a great time! Relax. Enjoy.
5 :
Hello, the flights you're taking will not be long so they will be good training for you. The first one will last about 2 - 3 hours. When you arrive at the airport, check in at the airline counter to get your boarding pass and check in your luggage. You are allowed to carry on one small piece of luggage (about the size of a bowling bag and not too heavy) and your handbag. The small piece of luggage has to fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment. After checking in, you go in to the secured area through a metal-detecting door. You'll have to put your small piece of luggage and hand bag on a conveyor belt to be screened by an xray machine. Make sure you don't have too many liquids and not more than 100ml. No knives, guns, flammable liquids, lighters, matches, etc. The airline's website can give you a list of dangerous substances and objects. You might have to take off your shoes, belt, watch and cell phone for everything to go through the x-ray as well. Once you've passed the security check and reassembled yourself, you can go to your departure gate to wait for boarding. The boarding announcement will be made and passengers allowed on the plane in the order of the seats, from the rear of the plane first and then forward. Once you're on the plane, find your seat and stow your carry ons. It's best to have your hand bag under the seat in front of you in case you need a pen or gum or something during the flight. Get comfortable. Buckle your seat belt. Enjoy the flight. At the Dallas airport, after you get off the plane, if you're changing to another plane, check for your departure gate. There should be TV monitors along the hallway (in Dallas, they're up close to the ceiling, rather than on the wall) to find out what gate you're departing from. Good luck! Imagine, once you've got this down pat, you can travel to more places! Paris, Puerto Rico, Bangkok...as they say, the sky's the limit!
6 :
Ok. Here's an 11 step breakdown...don't worry though. It's very easy and there are lots of airport staff to help you if you get muddled. 1 - You need to know the times of your flight, and the terminal number your flight is leaving from first of all. These will be written on the ticket you have. 2 - You will then need to either go online (if available with your flight) and print out a boarding pass. If your flight doesn't do this, you can do it at the airport. If you have luggage to stow you will need to check in at the airport too. 3 - You need to check what size/weight of hand luggage you can take and what is allowed. Most flights do not allow over 100ml of fluid and you need to put toiletries in a see through plastic bag. Pharmacies and supermarkets now sell 'airline' toiletries (i.e. shampoo and deodorant in small sizes fro flights). This information will be on the website of the plane company or the airport. 4 - You need to check how long before the flight you need to be at the gate for your flight. It's usually about an hour before. This information will be on the website of the plane company. You should plan your journey so you get to the airport about 1.5-2 hours before the flight (seriously!). 5 - On the day of the flight, you're all packed so make sure you set off in good time. When you get to the airport, go into the main entrance of the terminal and look up at the computer screens that read DEPARTURES. You then need to check your destination/flight number (on your ticket) with the gate number. 6 - If you didn't check in online (for instance if you have luggage to stow), you need to find the check in desks. Wander along them until you see ones marked with your airline - and then ones marked with your destination. Get in the queue, with your passport and ticket ready to show the person at the desk. They will ask you questions about your luggage and then take it from you to go onto the plane. You will also be given a boarding pass. 7 - Go towards the gate your flight leaves from - eventually you will have to go through a security gate to get 'airside'. Get in the queue, obeying the signs or people there to help you. You may need to take off shoes/belts/earrings and place them, along with your luggage and phone/wallet onto a conveyer belt to be scanned. Walk through the gate scanner yourself and pick up your belongings (unless they ask to have a closer look at them - in which case, they will help you open your case up). 8 - Now you are 'airside' and with plenty of time for your flight. Go and have a look at the duty free goods or airport shops, or head straight for your gate number and take a seat until you hear your flight called. Most flights start to board between 20-40 minutes before take off (it can take a long time!) 9 - When the flight is called, have your boarding pass and passport ready (you will have got this offline and printed it or been given it when you checked in your luggage), hand it to the flight crew before going down the tunnel onto the plane and taking your seat (stowing your hand luggage in the containers above your head). Enjoy the flight! 10 - When you get to your stopover, the air carriers (assuming it's the same company) will move your luggage for you. If not you need to ollow signs to LUGGAGE COLLECTION and stand by the large carousel with your flight number on it. You then need to repeat steps 1-9. If it's the same carrier (which it probably is), all you have to do is look for the departure screens again and find your gate. You will already be 'airside' so don't need to do the checks again. 11 - When you get to your final destination, if you checked luggage - follow signs to LUGGAGE COLLECTION and stand by the large carousel with your flight number on it. Your luggage may take 30 minutes to come off the plane. If not, follow signs to the exit and enjoy your stay. Hope this helps!
