Inexperienced Flyer

[Baklava]

So we don't fly much. I mean, I have flown three times since 9/11. Really, really just don't fly.

We are flying to WDW in January and I'm nervous that I'll screw something up.

The group consists of 2 adults, 1 18 year old and 1 5 year old. The 5 year old has a spectrum disorder and sensory issues. The 18 year old has acute anxiety and a fear of heights/flying and will be taking xanax to get through the flight. 1 adult also has an anxiety disorder but will be medicated at a copeable level and isn't afraid of flying, just crowds.

We're flying Southwest from Sacramento. On the outbound trip we have a layover (2 hours) in Denver. Coming home we have a 1 hour layover in San Diego. We hope to grab quick food in Denver and are going to pack food for the flight home since there's not really time to grab anything and I don't think Southwest does meals.

We do not plan to pay for EBCI, but I'm unsure if checking in for leg 1 also checks us in for leg 2 or how I handle the second check in. If my plane leaves Sacramento at 8 am, I check in at 8 am the previous day and get a boarding number, right? Do I then need to check in a few hours later for the second leg and get a different boarding number? Will the system assign us boarding numbers for both legs at once?

We'll be taking DME and I'm comfortable with the baggage system on the way to Orlando, but on the way back, will there be skycaps available when we get off the bus? My understanding is that we'll be on our own with the luggage at that point and in an unfamiliar airport I'd feel more confident if I had some assistance making sure our luggage goes where it needs to. We don't want to land in Sac and discover that our luggage didn't make it out of Florida. It will be a long trip, we'll all be tired and it's still an hour drive home. A game of Where Did My Pants Go? isn't really on the wish list. If we can reduce the chance of problems up front I'll feel less jumpy about the whole thing.

We're 43 days out. I'm starting to freak a little.

 

[supersnoop]

Check in at 24 hours before your first flight. That checks you in for the connection as well. Or pay for early bird check in. With your travel party, I think it's important to get in the plane and settled in early. Southwest might not have been the best choice for your party because of the boarding process.

As for luggage, check it and have it delivers to your resort. On the return, check it at your resort so you don't have to deal with it.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

As PP stated the best way to handle luggage on your way home is to take it to the RAC desk at the resort no later than 3 hours before your flight. They will take it and you will not see it until you get to your home resort. If you do not do the EBCI you need to check in right at the 24hr mark. Otherwise you may end up not being able to sit together. If it were me and would to EBCI otherwise you risk being split up on the plane
YES SWA does not serve meals but they do give free drinks. Just remember you can not take liquids through sercurity unless it is less an 3oz bottles in a one quarter ziplock bag. One bag per person

 

[kwdw]

Given your scenario - I would actually recommend you break down and pay for EBCI. You can still add it. I think you'll be much more comfortable boarding earlier in the process and having the confidence that you will find seats together. Yes, for a party of four that is a measurable amount of money, but I think I cost will be well worth de-stressing the boarding process for you all.

As for luggage handling for your flight home - follow the rules of DME and the dropping off of checked luggage for the morning you leave. You'll get these direction in the DME express packet on your hotel doorknob. This way - you will only have to worry about your carry-on luggage at the Orlando airport. I've done the bag check at the resort a few times - and it's such a smooth process. They also print your boarding passes - so you will walk from the DME drop-off directly to security lines (though I do recommend re-checking your gate on the monitors before getting in the security line). Just make sure sometime during your trip you identify the location of the resort airline check-in BEFORE the morning of your last day.

I think the chance of losing your luggage with the resort check-in versus airport check-in is the same. I'd recommend the resort check-in of luggage on the return trip because sometimes the DME takes longer than you want to get to the airport - and that can add stress if you get there late and then have to wait in a long baggage check line and the security line.

Also - to de-stress the scenario - on the way down - bring some snacks from home (check TSA guidelines) - so you are certain if something comes up - you have something to eat on the way. This adds confidence everything will be okay. And if you have time after getting through security at the airport - maybe buy a bottle of water or two for you all. With a 2 hour layover on the way down - you really should have time to pick up fast food for that meal - but - having some little snacks is always comforting for me. My favorites? I always bring my favorite granola bar and a gummy fruit snack pack.

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't do early bird for my family, but with your party I absolutely would.

Check bags at the resort on the way home. RAC is terrific.

Pack food always. Sandwiches and chips perhaps. Or buy food at the originating airport each way. Start your vacation at the Sac airport with some food, and continue the vacation at the Orlando airport. Buy any drinks once you are through security of course.

 

[winthropf]

My biggest concern for your itinerary is the 1 hour layover on the way home. This may be tight for a family without the issues some of your travelers have. Many things can cause a delay for a cross country flight. The gates will hopefully be close together. I will also recommend EBCI at least for the flight home. on the first leg home, sit as far front in the plane as your travelers can be comfortable with.

 

[goofy4tink]

Check your bags at your resort for your return home!!! It will be a huge conveniences for you. It's the same as curbside checkin....just further away than usual!
There usually aren't a ton of skycaps on the level that DME drops you. So, please, check your bags right at your resort. You'll be glad you did.

I would heartily recommend EBCI...each way. With your party makeup, it would make a lot of sense to be on the plane and settled as soon as possible. That addtl money will be a huge pay off when you get to find seats and get settled vs standing in a huge line, on the jetway, then trudging along the narrow aisle on the plane, looking for appropriate seating. When you are checked in for a flight, you are checked in for each leg...so you don't have to check in twice. The biggest issue I see you having is finding seating that is going to make everyone in your group comfortable.....buying EBCI will help with that, even when buying at this late date. If you don't buy it, you are going to find yourselves standing there, trying to figure out how to seat each person, as other peope bog down behind you. It's going to be nerve wracking!!! With EBCI, you'll board sooner than those that haven't purchased EBCI....giving you a better choice of seats.

But what you do is up to you......those of us that fly a lot can only give you our best advice!!!

 

[Baklava]

The fall back (and yes, I think we'll probably suck it up and do EBCI) for if we're separated is that DH will sit with the 5 year old and the teen and I (and our emotional baggage) will sit together and talk each other through our anxiety.

 

[Alesia]

The fall back (and yes, I think we'll probably suck it up and do EBCI) for if we're separated is that DH will sit with the 5 year old and the teen and I (and our emotional baggage) will sit together and talk each other through our anxiety.

If you don't pay for EBCI, there is no guarantee that any of you will be able to sit together. Pay for EBCI.

 

[dvcmom14]

I second all of the recommendations to pay for ECBI. It's definitely worth the small cost to know that you'll be getting on the plane earlier and can pick your seats together. Definitely check in your bags at the resort before you leave. They take care of everything for you.

 

[Baklava]

It's $100 total for both directions. That's not all that bad, really. I've booked it. DH is all about spending money to skip lines.

Between that and knowing that I can check my bags at the resort, I am feeling a little better. Thank you for the advice.

 

[kj2mom]

I love seeing when these boards can put someone's mind at ease. This summer I flew for the first time in 10 years and the first time alone with my children, reading all of the info was so helpful in boosting my confidence. I am sure you will be happy with purchasing the early boarding!

The only thing I wanted to mention is that the RAC does have certain hours. I didn't see a mention of what time your return flight leaves but if it is super early then RAC may not be open. I was just looking for the hours and I believe it is 5am-1pm and I believe you need to check your bags 3 hours before your flight. Not trying to be a downer, just wanted to throw it out there in case the first leg of your return is early am. Would hate for you to have your mental plan set and then the actuality not follow that.

 

[supersnoop]

Right; if your flight leaves before 8 a.m., you won't be able to use RAC.

 

[Baklava]

I love seeing when these boards can put someone's mind at ease. This summer I flew for the first time in 10 years and the first time alone with my children, reading all of the info was so helpful in boosting my confidence. I am sure you will be happy with purchasing the early boarding!

The only thing I wanted to mention is that the RAC does have certain hours. I didn't see a mention of what time your return flight leaves but if it is super early then RAC may not be open. I was just looking for the hours and I believe it is 5am-1pm and I believe you need to check your bags 3 hours before your flight. Not trying to be a downer, just wanted to throw it out there in case the first leg of your return is early am. Would hate for you to have your mental plan set and then the actuality not follow that.

Our flight leaves MCO at 11:00. We'll be fine, but thanks for the heads up, because it would have been stressful to have the plan fall apart.

 

[kj2mom]

Perfect, totally wasn't trying to cause any waves!

 

[KrazeeK120]

One piece of advice I have would be to pack some hearty snacks for the way down. With a 2 hour layover, you'll likely have time to grab some fast food, but there are a variety of situations where you wouldn't have time, such as your first flight being delayed. You also have to factor time getting off the first plane, getting to your second terminal, and boarding the 2nd plane (as boarding time is often quite a bit earlier than takeoff time and you want to make sure you board in your correct boarding position).

 

[Donna M]

With the anxiety issues you mentioned, I'd also recommend EBCI. It can be a stressful boarding system with Southwest.

 

[andiraye]

Here are some things we do when traveling as a family to ease stress.

1) Bring a sweatshirt/sweater for everyone and a change of clothes for the 5 yo, just in case. Wear long pants -- airplanes can be chilly.
2) Bring headphones and iphones/DVD player for everyone.
3) Bring gum to chew at takeoff and landing. It helps for ear clogging.
4) Bring snacks, including some healthy, more substantial snacks such as bananas and pretzels. Also consider bringing sandwiches/bagels. You can even buy takeout sandwiches at your resort for the day you return home. I, too, think an hour layover is not enough time to buy food.
5) Wear socks. You have to take your shoes off when going through security, which is pretty icky if you are barefoot.
6) When you go through security, head right to your gate. Once you know that you've made it to your gate, you will feel more comfortable, less rushed. Then, buy water.
7) Don't be afraid to ask questions of the people who work at the airports. Every airline's check in systems are slightly different and every airport is slightly different, so they are used to the questions. If you are feeling unsure about something, ask.
8) Arrive at the airport earlier than you absolutely must. The extra time will also make you feel more relaxed.
9) Ask your flight attendant on your plane to tell you the gate number for your connecting flight. She may not be able to help you, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[bumbershoot]

With a 2 hour layover, you'll likely have time to grab some fast food, but there are a variety of situations where you wouldn't have time, such as your first flight being delayed. You also have to factor time getting off the first plane, getting to your second terminal, and boarding the 2nd plane

Yep. We are seasoned travelers, but sometimes, depending on exact circumstances and what airport we're in, 2 hours is just barely enough time, with no time for getting decent food or even a coffee. We are rarely on SW (DH has so many miles with other airlines) and we have our faves to buy at our home airport and then on the plane (again, not SW). The ONE time we made a plan for a favorite meal at a layover airport, we were in the wrong part of the airport for it and would have had to go to a totally different area for it. UGH.

 

[bumbershoot]

5) Wear socks. You have to take your shoes off when going through security, which is pretty icky if you are barefoot.

YES. It's the one thing I consistently forget to do, and it's not nice. I'm the one on tiptoes going through the metal detector thinking "ew ew ew" with every step.

8) Arrive at the airport earlier than you absolutely must. The extra time will also make you feel more relaxed.

Double yes.