Tips and Advice for First-Time Flyers

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Okay, peripatetic YMers, what tips and advice would you give first-time flyers?

No tip and no advice is too minor or too inconsequential.  Let's pretend the passenger just woke up from a Rumplestiltskin-type nap and airports and air travel are a whole, new, world.  

Thank you for any and all tips and advice!!!!

[emma1420]

Have your travel agents phone number and the airlines number handy, and be aware of the other flight options on the day of your travel.  I find that to be critical as there are so many cancellations these days. 

I also think it's important to dress as comfortably as possible, and be aware that flying these days is about on par with public transport.

[TheOtherMe]

You will feel like a sardine if you are not in first class and that would not be YM!

Wear socks because you most likely will have to take off your shoes at security.

For the sake of your fellow travelers, do not take smelly food on the plane.

Do not expect to be fed on the plane.  Depending on the airline and length of flight, you might be offered a beverage.

Any more, it even seems like the flight attendants are grumpy.

[milee]

Wear layers, especially if you live in a hot climate. It may be 95 degrees where you live (or where you land), but the plane is often cold. So if you're wearing clothes to survive the heat, you'll freeze on the plane. Looks dumb, but I always carry a light fleece jacket with me - even in July. 

[Tennesseer]

Sept 26, 2015 18:29:15 GMT -5 emma1420 said:

Have your travel agents phone number and the airlines number handy, and be aware of the other flight options on the day of your travel.  I find that to be critical as there are so many cancellations these days. 

I also think it's important to dress as comfortably as possible, and be aware that flying these days is about on par with public transport.

Wear natural fabrics and not synthetics. Women-no heels.

[Tennesseer]

Sept 26, 2015 19:42:04 GMT -5 milee said:

Wear layers, especially if you live in a hot climate. It may be 95 degrees where you live (or where you land), but the plane is often cold. So if you're wearing clothes to survive the heat, you'll freeze on the plane. Looks dumb, but I always carry a light fleece jacket with me - even in July. 

Nothing sillier in the winter time than seeing folks flying from the tropics wearing tropical print shirts, shorts and sandals and then getting off a plane in Anchorage and freezing to death just because they wanted to show off a tan.

[NoNamePerson]

Do not pack any valuables, ie, jewelry, etc in checked luggage.

I have the typical black luggage so I tied two ribbons on the handle - not real long but triple knotted it in hopes that it wouldn't come off - ribbons were black and silver - easy to spot my luggage in the dozens of pieces of black luggage that all look the same. Had two people standing by me when I picked up my luggage say "I wish I had thought of that"

That's all I have for now      Except enjoy your trip. 

[NoNamePerson]

Sept 26, 2015 20:05:46 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Sept 26, 2015 19:42:04 GMT -5 milee said:

Wear layers, especially if you live in a hot climate. It may be 95 degrees where you live (or where you land), but the plane is often cold. So if you're wearing clothes to survive the heat, you'll freeze on the plane. Looks dumb, but I always carry a light fleece jacket with me - even in July. 

Nothing sillier in the winter time than seeing folks flying from the tropics wearing tropical print shirts, shorts and sandals and then getting off a plane in Anchorage and freezing to death just because they wanted to show off a tan.

  This reminded me of the time my EX had to fly to Wisconsin for a trade show. He was to meet a guy from Puerto Rico. Now EX was coming from Gulf Coast but knew what to expect. Guy from Puerto Rico came in shorts and t shirt - and they had a friggin blizzard in Wisconsin. Of course this was waaaay before the days of Weather Channel and such but really  

[Tiny]

The time of the flight is when they closes the doors and the plane starts taxi-ing away from the gate.
It's not like company meeting where you can arrive a minute before it starts. You can't arrive at the gate 5 minutes before the flight time and be sure you'll get on the plane. And it's not like a movie or a party where you can arrive 20 to 30 minutes after the 'start time' and still get in. They usually start boarding the plane anywhere from 45 to 30 minutes before the 'departure time'.

Read how your ticket/flight works... if you are on a flight where the seats are NOT assigned, you may be able to go online 12 or 24 hours before the flight and get in the 'queue' for when you will board. If you don't care where you sit (that middle seat between two huge gorillas) it's not a big deal if you are getting on last.   Then, be at your gate 45 minutes to 1 hour before the departure time - so you can physically queue up when call for your 'group/number'. If your 'group' has already boarded - when you get there - you'll just have to wait and you might not get a seat where you'd like to sit...

Make sure you check the official air plane whatever it is (security)?  website for how to pack your "liquids" and other personal items -- especially if you are not checking a bag.

Wear comfy clothing - you are NOT at the airport to make a fashion statement - you may need to remove belts, jewelry, shoes, etc. You don't want to be the person holding up the line.

Have your ID with you and have easy access to it. You'll need it with your ticket.

If you don't want to squish yourself into the tiny bathroom and have a tiny bladder don't drink a lot in the hours before your flight and hit the "head" before boarding. Be aware that you will dehydrate on the plane (wether you drink or not) so be sure to have a bottled water with you - so you can start drinking it once you've touched down or shortly after getting off the plane. Your mileage may vary with this - it works for me when I have a 3 hour or shorter flight. I have a bladder the size of a lima bean and I don't want to have to keep getting up during the flight... I will for a longer than 3 hour flight, though.

Bring some hard candy or some gum - your ears will pop when you take off and land.

Bring some amusements - something to read, an electronic distraction (mske sure it's charged!), a book of puzzles, whatever... I find planes really loud - the buzzing of the air and all the voices - so it's hard for me to have a conversation with who's ever sitting next to me.

And one last tip - avoid sitting in the rows of seats near the wings (if that's where the engines are) the noise level is annoying and whatever tone the hum is will DRivE you nuts...

I always assume I'm gonna get off the plane with a head ache and a back ache - I now pre-emptively take some OTC pain killers (advil). and then try to remember to take somemore after getting off the plane. I don't drink alcohol.

[sesfw]

I tied two ribbons on the handle

I do this to our luggage.  Makes things a lot easier.  I use the 1/4 inch satin Christmas ribbon on all the handles so it can be seen no matter which way the suitcase falls on the conveyor.

At take-off I say as the engines are revving ............ pop the clutch and away we go.

At landing I always judge how smooth the touch-down it.

Take a book, being in the air for several hours can be boring.

[Tiny]

This is probably really terrible to actually say...

But if you've (the generic you) ever been shocked and appalled by having to be in the proximity of someone you would consider "those people" or some other euphemism for someone who doesn't meet your standard for being "human"... then you might want to spend the bucks to fly in first class or whatever that 'special' section of the plane is... that way if you DO have to sit next to someone who's one of "those people" at least you'll have some space between you, even if you have to acknowledge their existence and maybe hear their conversation.

If you are a Delicate Flower and are proud of it.. then first class or the special section is probably also for you. Delicate flowers do not do well in the main section of the plane. There's no one there to really cater to their need for drama and the passengers in close proximity may attempt to kill them.

[Tennesseer]

[8 Bit WWBG]

People will bend our outright break rules and get away with it, while you get caught attempting the same.  Many will not hesitate to put basic consideration aside if it serves their own comfort.

I keep hearing people say that there are folks who have seats in the back but will pop their overhead in the front.  Has anyone witnessed that first hand?  I have witnessed someone carry a guitar case on the plane.  A goddamn guitar case!  The flight attendants have way more to worry about than whether or not your bag makes it.

If you really are a novice flyer, there will be expert flyers around you who will get annoyed by every "mistake" you make.

The only thing your fare pays for is to move you from your origin point to your destination.  Anything else is gravy.

[Tiny]

LOL!

"those people" could be anyone - someone with tattoos or someone wearing the equivalent of PJs, or someone who's had too much to drink before they got on the plan, or someone with a crying baby, or someone who has an accent or, like, someone, who, like, has a different, you know, speech pattern.

If you personally have a definition for "those people" then odds are you may bump into some of them on a plane be prepared.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Meh.  The passenger has no issue with any people, just "those people" who use more than their fare share of the armrest.  

[marvholly]

Sept 26, 2015 21:37:55 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

Meh.  The passenger has no issue with any people, just "those people" who use more than their fare share of the armrest.  

I don't have any issue w/the arm rest. It's the fat SOB who insists on putting it up so s/he can grab 1/3 of MY seat.  Sorry.  Unless you want to pay (cash only) me, its MINE!

[cael]

Do NOT forget headphones and make sure your phone/music player/whatever is charged, and a neck pillow or sweatshirt if you want to sleep. Don't bring anything you actually *need* to do on the plane because despite your best intentions, you may just sit and not do anything (I'm guilty of this all the time). Bring gum to chew if you think your ears will bother you with the pressure. Make sure to get up and take a walk to the bathroom if you're feeling cramped, stiff, or generally fidgety - I always try to get up at least once if it's a long flight. For carry-on stuff - if you second guess yourself on an item to bring on the plane, you likely won't need it and might be better off not bringing it, so you don't have to lug a ton of crap on the plane with you, I prefer to pack real light and bare minimum stuff even for long flights. Definitely bring some layers, it can get cold. I don't print my boarding pass at home but that probably saves some time in some situations, I just check in at the airport.

Check if your airline does free booze! Delta international flights do, which I didn't realize until this last trip we took, I enjoyed several vodka cranberries and took a nap (I'm way too cheap to buy alcohol otherwise, I just wait for the free sodas)

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Don't joke about having a bomb going through security.  Even if you are joking, they DO take things seriously.

When you board, have your amusements in your hand.  When you get to your seat, stow your bags quickly and sit.  Don't mill around in the aisles.  Don't stand in the aisle digging through your carry on to find your tablet.

Reclining your seat means that the person behind you gets less space.  This does not work well with tray tables, if the person behind you is using their's.  Be considerate, most don't recline unless it is a red eye.

If you have an itty bitty bladder, get an aisle seat.

The middle seat sucks, so that person usually gets both armrests.

[TheOtherMe]

Taking water on the plane is a good idea.  However, buy it after you clear security.  No liquids go through security.  There are some exceptions for medical reasons.  Check the TSA website if this applies to you.

I saw a guy try to take hunting knives on a plane once.  Not even packed.  He just put them on the belt at security.  He went back to do something, but I never saw him again.

[Tiny]

Sept 27, 2015 12:24:03 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Taking water on the plane is a good idea.  However, buy it after you clear security.  No liquids go through security.  There are some exceptions for medical reasons.  Check the TSA website if this applies to you.

I saw a guy try to take hunting knives on a plane once.  Not even packed.  He just put them on the belt at security.  He went back to do something, but I never saw him again.

Buying bottled water and snacks after you get thru security can be expensive!  I saw  20 ounce bottles of water for $5!   You can take an empty bottle thru security and then fill it up at a water fountain.  The handful of airports I've been in either have water fountains OR a "water bottle fill up station" provided. Not sure if the "water bottle fill up station" cost something - but I suspect it was less than the cold bottled water at the Little Stores.

[bobosensei]

Flying has changed a lot since the first time I did it 15 years ago!

Depending on the person and their sense of direction and common sense, you might want to help them figure out the layout of the airport before the flight.  They need to know the order of things, check in/get boarding pass/check bags/security/go to gate and keep an eye on boards for last minute gate changes etc.  Are they doing park and fly, public transit, or drop off?  Some of those things might require different preparation or different things to look out for/know about.  Such as where do you find the shuttle or how do you get from the subway or train station to the airport.

I agree that checking in ahead of time and having the boarding pass either printed or on a phone is best, but they also need to know what to do in case they can't print the boarding pass or something is messed up with online check in.  I've had that happen to me a handful of times where I could not no matter what check in prior to arrival.  If they are checking a bag they need to know how to look at the board in the terminal to figure out where to take it for drop off.  Some airlines have self serve baggage check kiosks so be aware of that.  When I travel I go with minimal jewelry, no belt, easy slip on shoes and carry socks if you are wearing sandals, and be prepared to take off an jacket or sweater if asked.  Once on a work trip I was wearing a business jacket over a camisole and forgot that I'd have to take off the jacket so some coworkers saw my bra straps.  Not the end of the world, but not something I'll ever let happen again.  If money is an issue let them know they can pack some food in the carry on and an empty bottle to fill on the other end of security.  I also like to pack my liquids in the checked baggage if that is an option.  Just cuts down on one more thing to do while in line.  And it's been too long since I've flown in the US, but I think kindles, laptops, and ipads still have to be separated out too.  So make sure all those things that have to come out at the security line are easy to access.  And take everything out of your pants pockets.  Nothing I hate more than people stopping up the security line.  With all that be prepared for a pat down especially if you are a woman wearing an underwire bra- mine usually sets off the detectors.

Once at the gate keep an eye out for changes especially if you get through security early like 90 minutes before the flight.  Maybe this just happens more in Europe, but I know my boarding gate seems to change about half the time.  And once at the gate they need to understand their boarding zone, you don't need to wait in a long line for 30 minutes unless you are just anal about getting your stuff in the overhead bin right over your head.  And in some cases you'll actually be boarding a bus to drive you out to the plane.  Before boarding I usually have the things I'll want during the flight in an easy to reach place so that I can pull them all out stuff like my bose noise cancelling earphones, kindle, any snack or beverage, and comfort items like scarf or sweater if I am not already wearing them.  Lately I've taken travelling with a small purse that can go cross body that I keep on my body during the flight.  This is especially important on an overseas flight when you are alone and want to sleep without worrying about the possibility of someone getting into your stuff.

[garion2003]

1. dressing for security screening. Nothing more annoying than being behind someone in line who has to remove fancy shoes that lace up a million ways, belt, jewelry, etc. You don't always have to take your shoes off, but more often than not you will. laptops need to be out of your carryon and go in a bin separately. When they say 'everything' out of your pockets, they mean everything.

2. Gate checking a carryon. I generally travel with 2 carry ons, my main one, usually a backpack (or sometimes a rolling bag if I'm not checking luggage)  which has my medication, laptop, camera or other electronic devices, maybe a change of clothes (socks, underwear, t shirt - in case they lose my luggage) and maybe a light jacket or hoodie (as others have said, planes may be cold). Then you are allowed one small carryon like a purse, etc - I use a small messenger bag, and that fits under the seat in front of me. This has my kindle, phone, passport, drink/water, snack, etc.   But for small planes, or full flights, you can check your carry on at the gate for NO COST.

They will tag it, and you leave it at the end of the jetway before you board. You pick it up usually in the same spot when you land.

3. Check your flight the day before. As others have said, flight and gate info can change up until the last minute. I usually fly airlines that give a seat assignment, but it doesn't hurt to check in the night before. I use the app for the airlines I fly the most, and usually do my boarding pass on my phone - tho sometimes I will print one out to be old school.

4. Air pressure - I don't like gum so I've learned that if my ears get plugged due to the change in pressure I just have to yawn and that clears them up.

5. Can't go wrong carrying a small container of hand sanitizer.

6. I second the 'making your  luggage look different'. I bought a pair of bright green things that cover the handle and help mine stick out at baggage claim.

7. Meals are basically non existent on plans, but sometimes you can buy a snack box or a sandwich. Be aware that not all flights and airlines will offer this option. Some only take cash, some only take credit cards. But every flight I've been on has offered a beverage (soda, water, coffee, etc) for free (booze extra). Delta I think still does those yummy cookies. JetBlue offered a choice of a snacky food. US Air (I think) offered bupkis.

[lexxy703]

My only piece of advice is get an aisle seat if you can.  It gives the feeling of more space IMO.  Avoid the middle seat if at all possible.

I personally have not had a bad experience flying.  I love the feeling of airports.  It is an amazing place for people watching.  Enjoy it.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Checking a bag is going to cost you $25 EACH WAY.  

Make sure you have ID tags on all your bags.  There are normally cheap paper ones at check in, but they're pretty flimsy.  My luggage tags are ones I bought from the Dole Pineapple Plantation in Hawaii. They're big and obnoxious and let me know immediately that my luggage is mine.

I rarely check luggage, and know exactly how much I can fill my carry on bag for it to be legal as a carry on.  If I acquire too much stuff on my trip, I expand it and check it on the way back.  I carry a backpack that contains my electronics, meds, etc. and there is room in it for my purse.  My backpack is my personal item, my carry on bag is my carry on.

If you print out your boarding passes at home, make sure that you have a full ink cartridge.  Our's was starting to run out and the bar code that is scanned was just slightly faded.  But that was too much deviation for the scanners that they use and we had to get new boarding passes.

Most flights that I have been on in the last several years do not accept cash for alcoholic drinks or meals.  Credit or debit cards only.  Inevitably if you are hungry and are planning on snagging a sandwich (as bad as they are) or snack pack, they will run out before they get to your seat.  I try to throw some sort of food in my backpack when I fly.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

So, Jet Blue allows folks to choose their seats. Then they email the ticket which reflects the chosen seat. If I am reading replies correctly, along with the ticket, the passenger still needs a boarding pass that they can print out at home OR wait in line to get, correct?

If they wait in line for the boarding pass, they do so at the gate, NOT at the ticket counter, correct?

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Sept 28, 2015 12:34:31 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

So, Jet Blue allows folks to choose their seats. Then they email the ticket which reflects the chosen seat. If I am reading replies correctly, along with the ticket, the passenger still needs a boarding pass that they can print out at home OR wait in line to get, correct?

If they wait in line for the boarding pass, they do so at the gate, NOT at the ticket counter, correct?

You can't get through security without the boarding pass, so you're going to have to either print it out at home, or at the kiosk at the ticket counter, or at the ticket counter.  While they can replace boarding passes at the gate, you can't get there without one at least initially!

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Food: can folks pick up pizza or sandwiches or such at a food court outside security and take the food through security to eat it while waiting at the gate?

When packing food from home for one's carry-on, are there restrictions (aside from liquids) (and aside from the generally-accepted conventions of no stinky Limburger cheese and the like)?

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Sept 28, 2015 12:35:36 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Sept 28, 2015 12:34:31 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

So, Jet Blue allows folks to choose their seats. Then they email the ticket which reflects the chosen seat. If I am reading replies correctly, along with the ticket, the passenger still needs a boarding pass that they can print out at home OR wait in line to get, correct?

If they wait in line for the boarding pass, they do so at the gate, NOT at the ticket counter, correct?

You can't get through security without the boarding pass.

Oh, okay, so print at home OR wait in line at the ticket counter BEFORE going through security.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Sept 28, 2015 12:36:49 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

Food: can folks pick up pizza or sandwiches or such at a food court outside security and take the food through security to eat it while waiting at the gate?

When packing food from home for one's carry-on, are there restrictions (aside from liquids) (and aside from the generally-accepted conventions of no stinky Limburger cheese and the like)?

Depends on what you bring.  Yes, you can pack food in your carry on but no liquids.  I've packed up sandwiches and fruit to eat, or I buy something on the other side of security, either to eat on the plane or while waiting.

You really don't want to bring food that smells, not just smells stinky.  If I am packing, I'll do a bagel with cream cheese or a turkey sandwich.  I like to pack grapes too, or I'll cut up an apple in wedges.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Thanks, Mich!!!