Help me pack/prepare for flight

[muttleynfelix]

Tomorrow morning I'm flying to Phoenix for work. I haven't flown in 10 years and only 3 times in my life. I'm feeling unprepared.

I don't get a carry-on with my ticket which sucks because I'm only going to be gone 2 days. (Flying United) I don't think I can get away with fitting everything in my work backpack.

Layover is at O'hare coming and going. The airport I'm flying out of is small...I've actually never been there.

It sounds like I can't do online check in because I haven't flown with United before.

Any advice? Snacks ideas? What to expect? Besides delays, it is supposed to snow here Sunday and Tuesday, the 2 days in travelling.

[saveinla]

You can carry your backpack and a bag - check the baggage allowance page on United. I have been flying back and forth this month and I have always been able to carry my work backpack and an additional bag.
The bag size should be within limits and I am sure you dont need to check in a bag for 2 days worth of stuff.

Just make sure to carry only travel size cosmetics and pack them in a ziplock bag. The liquid allowance is 3oz for carry on.

[Deleted]

I thought you always got a carry on?  Do you mean you don't get a checked bag?  

[muttleynfelix]

No, my ticket is basic economy which is a personal item, but no carry on.

www.united.com/CMS/en-US/travel/Pages/BaggageCarry-On.aspx

[saveinla]

I guess then there is no option other than checking a bag - since this is for work, you can expense the 30$ right?

If you want to bring food to eat, you can do that now. They offer some food, but nothing good. My DH usually buys something at the airport and carries it with him unless he is flying business class.

[Lizard Queen]

Tell your work not be be so GD cheap. 

[Deleted]

Well that sucks.  I've never flown United and always just did carry ons even for week long trips. 

I would just check a bag.  It will be less stressful than trying to get everything into a backpack that will fit under the seat, and you won't have to worry about your liquids being bagged and less than 3 oz. 

[muttleynfelix]

Feb 9, 2019 10:48:15 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Tell your work not be be so GD cheap. 

I should have gone with a different airline, but I didn't know I wasn't getting a carry-on when I made the reservation.

[TheOtherMe]

I know the airport you are flying from.  Sometimes the planes United uses to fly to O'Hare are small.  Everything that won't fit under the seat is gate checked.

It does sound like with that fare, you will have to pay to check the bag.  

Definitely bring food.  Buy any liquids after security.  

There always seems to be delays at O'Hare.  Always.  Compared to your originating airport, O'Hare is huge and loud.  I really dislike O'Hare.  

No bottles of water to go through security or any other kind of drink.  

Have fun.

[TheOtherMe]

Feb 9, 2019 10:50:33 GMT -5 muttleynfelix said:

Feb 9, 2019 10:48:15 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Tell your work not be be so GD cheap. 

I should have gone with a different airline, but I didn't know I wasn't getting a carry-on when I made the reservation.

IMO.  American from CID is way worse than United.  American out of DBQ is way worse than United out of CID.

[Deleted]

I like flying out of tiny airports.  We usually fly out of Lacrosse or Rochester in a puddle jumper and then switch flights in Minneapolis or Chicago.  It's a lot more laid back going through security at the little airport.  All the people and lines stress me out at the big ones. 

[TheOtherMe]

I love CID and I know there has been some remodeling completed since the last time I was there.  

Worst part with a small airport is you do have wait for the checked bags.  At large airports, by the time you get to baggage claim, your bags are already there.  

[muttleynfelix]

Feb 9, 2019 10:57:29 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

I like flying out of tiny airports.  We usually fly out of Lacrosse or Rochester in a puddle jumper and then switch flights in Minneapolis or Chicago.  It's a lot more laid back going through security at the little airport.  All the people and lines stress me out at the big ones. 

Yeah, I've flown out of small and midsized airports and it has been good. Last time I flew was out of KC and we got there so early that the terminal wasn't open yet! 🤣 the plan is to get there about an hour ahead of time.

[muttleynfelix]

Feb 9, 2019 11:02:07 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I love CID and I know there has been some remodeling completed since the last time I was there.  

Worst part with a small airport is you do have wait for the checked bags.  At large airports, by the time you get to baggage claim, your bags are already there.  

Lol. The flight back I'm going to have to wait for DH to pick me up since my flight gets in during the middle of DDs gymnastics and I don't feel like leaving my car at the airport for a lot of reasons.

[saveinla]

I flew 4 times with United last month and 2 days ago, I flew Delta - such a big difference. The flight was new and we reached our destination almost 1 hour early. I am seriously thinking of switching carriers. 

[simser]

Download the United app. I travel American but the app lets me check on where my bag is, and sometimes I get entertainment on it.

You'll check in on a kiosk most likely. Airport security- laptop out, shoes off, jacket off is normal now. Since you have to check a bag, put your liquids there.

I hate O'Hare, but know you'll probably have to switch terminals. It will be a walk. I usually get food closer to my gate (work would pay, and i don't want to deal with packing food). Gate announcements are only made near the gate.

I stand as much as possible in the airport so that when I have to sit on the plane I'm ready. I also go to the bathroom as they're boarding first class. You'll have plenty of time and the stalls are nicer than plane bathrooms.

I live in PHX and fly out of it all the time. The United terminal is small, and is a physically separated terminal from the others. You will need to know that when you return.

Turbulence is what everyone hates. It's ok, I got better after hearing that it's just like the waves on the ocean on a boat. I can do boats. Don't panic unless the flight attendants are. PHX is in a valley of low mountains and sometimes it's bumpy skies, but that's perfectly normal.

Right now it's ~40 in the morning and 70 during the day, so you can pack appropriately. No need for an umbrella usually.

Whatcha doing in PHX?

[Tiny]

I haven't been in an airport in years. I do a lot of "pick ups and drop offs" of family members though. I hear Ohare has remodeled and all of the places to eat/drink are lots more expensive (there is no McDonalds) as in the $15 for a sandwich range (more if you want a beverage and chips). Be prepared for the expense.

Some of my relatives travel for business and this is what they all do:

I'd go ahead and check your bag- I'd use your backpack for at least a toothbrush, hairbrush, stuff for your contacts (pay attention to the size of the bottle of liquids), fresh underthings, medications and anything else that's NOT LIQUID liquid that you might need to overnight without your bag. (in case your checked bag goes AWOL for a longish period - since you are changing planes). If your bag does go awol the hotel will have soap and shampoo (hair dryer, curling iron, etc.)  and might even have a "lost bag survival kit" if you ask.

Don't forget to pack your phone/laptop charger(s) in your backpack. Also bring some non-electronic entertainment in case your lay over is longer than expected and you can't find a charge station for your electronics.


ADDED:   Check the internet for information about Ohare.  You can find gate maps and whatnot.  That might be helpful.   O'hare is BIG  expect to do some distance walking. 

Here's one I found with a quick google.    

www.flychicago.com/ohare/home/pages/default.aspx 

 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I've only flown once as an adult, so I don't have much to add. I'll find the link to the thread I'd started last summer. 
One thing we did was load as much Netflix on to a tablet as possible. I didn't want to pay to watch movies, and DH needed to be thoroughly distracted from the fact that he was not on the ground. 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Here's the link to the air travel thread I started last summer. As usual, everyone was super helpful. 

[laterbloomer]

Take your own water bottle, you can empty it for security and fill it back up for free on the other side. Save you up to $10 depending on your airport.

If you need to eat, take snacks on the plane. Airplane food is not great at the best of times, but short flights are especially bad.

Take your own ear plugs. The ones they sell on the plane are really uncomfortable.

If you can, download movies to your tablet, or whatever you like to watch.

Put a change of underwear, makeup and toothbrush in your purse.

Don't forget your chargers! Those go in your purse too!

[Lizard Queen]

I always take both Benadryl and Sudafed with me because I get serious, painful problems with my ears, and I can never remember which one of those does the trick.

[muttleynfelix]

Feb 9, 2019 11:11:23 GMT -5 simser said:

.

Right now it's ~40 in the morning and 70 during the day, so you can pack appropriately. No need for an umbrella usually.

Whatcha doing in PHX?

Work meeting. We are discuss our market strategy. About a dozen of us are heading there from across the company. I'm going to be lucky to see much beyond the airport, hotel and office, but at least it isn't 30 below. 😎

[muttleynfelix]

Ok, so what to wear on the flight? I was thinking jeans and either a quarter zip under armour sweatshirt or a zipped up hoodie, but it sounds like either of those might be a pain for security? I'm leaving my winter coat here (hence DH driving and picking me up). Probably bring my light jacket.

[tcu2003]

You should be okay with the quarter zip to not remove it. The full zip jacket you will have to remove. Also, your shoes will need to come off.

Definitely bring an empty water bottle to fill last security. I’d also bring hand sanitizer because winter, plane and germs.

Nearly anything goes snack wise as long as its not a liquid or semi-liquid. Chips, fruit, nuts, sandwich, cheese stick, whatever floats your boat.

Enjoy! I love that when I fly without my kiddos, I get to read and do what I want while sitting on a plane!

[bean29]

Meh, after traveling with DD and watching her either "forget" or attempt to take full bottles of personal care items through security (sometimes they catch it sometimes they don't) and traveling with Mom and her friends, who always check a bag, DD and I started checking our bags. You don't have to buy travel size personal care items, and or try and fit your shampoo in one of those tiny little bottles.

I also do not like trying to lug my bag down the narrow aisle or try and get it in/out of the overhead bin.

[muttleynfelix]

Can i bring a small portable charger for my phone?

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Feb 9, 2019 15:02:00 GMT -5 muttleynfelix said:

Can i bring a small portable charger for my phone?

Yes.  Do NOT pack any lithium batteries in checked luggage though.  

[muttleynfelix]

What is an example of a lithium battery?

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Feb 9, 2019 15:19:19 GMT -5 muttleynfelix said:

What is an example of a lithium battery?

A portable charger is a lithium battery.  They are also found in some cameras as rechargeable batteries.  Most electronics have lithium batteries (but these logically don’t get checked).

There are now suitcases that allow you to charge devices.  They contain a lithium battery.  Last time I flew, they wanted you to dismantle the battery from the suitcase and it was not supposed to be in the overhead compartments.  

[TheOtherMe]

On the United flights from CID to ORD, I don't get offered food.  The flight is fairly short.  Sometimes, a beverage is offered but nothing else.

Airplane food totally sucks. 

CID parking I actually like.  Another benefit of a small airport.  It's fairly cheap but since you live there and DH can drop you off and pick you up, that's the way to go.  

It seems whether I fly on United or American to ORD, I have to change terminals at ORD.  Depending on the connection times, that can get a tad nerve racking.  A few times, a cart has been waiting to get passengers to connections because of delayed flights to ORD.  

Enjoy the trip and being in warmer weather.