walk me through airport check in

MouseCrazy96 · Nov 29, 2015

Hi,

Wondering if someone could explain the airport check in process for me please? First time flying as an adult so I don't really have a clue as to what I do once I show up at the airport in less than two weeks. I assume my husband and I will park in one of the lots and take our bag inside...then do we go check our bag in first? Or check in for our flight first? Or is it all done at the same time? Then we go through security and proceed to our gate? Then do we have to check in at the gate? Sorry for so many questions. I would just hate to show up and be completely overwhelmed. We will be flying out of Philadelphia international airport if that matters. Thank you!

loves to dive · Nov 29, 2015

Never flown out of Philly but I have more experience with Atlanta then I even want to think about. Sometimes it depends on the airlines and the airport but here is what I do.

I check in on line, a soon as I buy my tickets I go onto the airlines web site and pick my seats. The day before I leave I check in on line and print out my boarding pass. Many don't print the pass just use their phones, not all air lines or all phones will do this. If I have luggage to check, after we park the car in long term parking, we take it to the outside bell guys. Saves us time instead of standing in line inside. Some airlines/airports don't have outside check in, if not we go inside to the airlines line. Some airlines/airports allow you to check your bags on line then when you get to the airport there are little kiosks you go to and check in to the airport and they have a different line for checking bags. After the bags are checked in, off to security. I always have my shoes off, boarding pass out and liquids out long before I get to the place where security checks them, I do it all while standing in line and tuck all the stuff on the outside pocket of my bag so it's easy to put my shoes, laptop, coat, etc. in the bins and not hold anyone up. I have the type of security where you can skip taking off your shoes, we fly a lot so we signed up for it years ago. After going through security and getting everything back in it's place, we usually go find out gate and if we have enough time, find somewhere to grab a bite to eat. Easy, peasy.

DebbieB · Nov 29, 2015

MouseCrazy96 said:
Hi,

Wondering if someone could explain the airport check in process for me please? First time flying as an adult so I don't really have a clue as to what I do once I show up at the airport in less than two weeks. I assume my husband and I will park in one of the lots and take our bag inside...then do we go check our bag in first? Or check in for our flight first? Or is it all done at the same time? Then we go through security and proceed to our gate? Then do we have to check in at the gate? Sorry for so many questions. I would just hate to show up and be completely overwhelmed. We will be flying out of Philadelphia international airport if that matters. Thank you!

What airline are you flying?

kwdw · Nov 29, 2015

Knowing your airline will get you better answers! Many airlines have a check in process online now. So, you would do that at home and print your boarding passes. Then, after you park at airport, go to the departures section to check your bag. After you check your bag, you will go through security.

At my home airport, I find the outside curb bag check lines to be incredibly slow, so I always check my bag at the main airline counter inside.

You do not need to check in again at the gate. Just go and sit down. Most airlines start boarding 30-40 minutes in advance, so I would be at your gate area no less than 45 minutes in advance. I usually go straight to my gate after security, double check that the flight is still leaving on time and that the gate hasn't changed, and then I might wander a bit unless I'm just planning to read at the gate area. Now, if there's a problem with something, they may ask folks to check in at the gate again, but that is very, very rare anymore.

MouseCrazy96 · Nov 29, 2015

DebbieB said:
What airline are you flying?

Frontier

MouseCrazy96 · Nov 29, 2015

kwdw said:
Knowing your airline will get you better answers! Many airlines have a check in process online now. So, you would do that at home and print your boarding passes. Then, after you park at airport, go to the departures section to check your bag. After you check your bag, you will go through security.

At my home airport, I find the outside curb bag check lines to be incredibly slow, so I always check my bag at the main airline counter inside.

You do not need to check in again at the gate. Just go and sit down. Most airlines start boarding 30-40 minutes in advance, so I would be at your gate area no less than 45 minutes in advance. I usually go straight to my gate after security, double check that the flight is still leaving on time and that the gate hasn't changed, and then I might wander a bit unless I'm just planning to read at the gate area. Now, if there's a problem with something, they may ask folks to check in at the gate again, but that is very, very rare anymore.

Frontier. Thank you for your help!

lost*in*cyberspace · Nov 29, 2015

kwdw said:
Knowing your airline will get you better answers! Many airlines have a check in process online now. So, you would do that at home and print your boarding passes. Then, after you park at airport, go to the departures section to check your bag. After you check your bag, you will go through security.

...........

All airlines allow online check-in.

You check bags at the ticket counter, not the "departures section" (not sure what that means).

alliecat523 · Nov 29, 2015

I think they meant go to the departures area of the airport vs the arrivals area. Having never flown before this might be helpful to the traveler.

Also note that if you use curbside bag check there is an expectation of a tip. Usually $1-$2 per bag. If you check in at the ticket counter there is no extra fee (other than the standard baggage fee). Curbside can also print your boarding passes if needed.

Easiest situation for a new flyer would be to go directly to the ticket counter and tell them you are checking in. They will guide you through the whole process. After you get your boarding pass and give them your luggage, you proceed to security. You'll need to show them your boarding pass and ID and the proceed through the scanners. Then go to your gate and wait for boarding.

DebbieB · Nov 29, 2015

Be sure to read Frontier's baggage requirements. Unlike most airlines, they charge for both carryon and checked luggage depending on the type of ticket and the cost is based on when you pay for it:

https://content.flyfrontier.com/travel-information/baggage

TeachTink · Nov 29, 2015

Philly Airport is always crazy and the flights are often delayed. Get there early!

MouseCrazy96 · Nov 29, 2015

alliecat523 said:
I think they meant go to the departures area of the airport vs the arrivals area. Having never flown before this might be helpful to the traveler.

Also note that if you use curbside bag check there is an expectation of a tip. Usually $1-$2 per bag. If you check in at the ticket counter there is no extra fee (other than the standard baggage fee). Curbside can also print your boarding passes if needed.

Easiest situation for a new flyer would be to go directly to the ticket counter and tell them you are checking in. They will guide you through the whole process. After you get your boarding pass and give them your luggage, you proceed to security. You'll need to show them your boarding pass and ID and the proceed through the scanners. Then go to your gate and wait for boarding.

Thank you! So you think I should skip printing the boarding pass at home? I'm nervous about running out of ink or some computer issue last minute and then not having the pass (like the pass only printing half way etc)...not sure if that would happen if they can still pull it up at the airport when I arrive.?

MouseCrazy96 · Nov 29, 2015

DebbieB said:
Be sure to read Frontier's baggage requirements. Unlike most airlines, they charge for both carryon and checked luggage depending on the type of ticket and the cost is based on when you pay for it:

https://content.flyfrontier.com/travel-information/baggage

Thanks! I have read up on that and plan to pay for our one checked bag prior to departure day.

MouseCrazy96 · Nov 29, 2015

TeachTink said:
Philly Airport is always crazy and the flights are often delayed. Get there early!

Thanks! I plan to. I'm a bit stressed about getting stuck in traffic on our way to the airport as it can be a mess heading into Philly during rush hour.

our flight leaves at 11:05am on a Friday. Hoping that leaving the house by 6:45am will be enough time. We live about an hour north of Philly.

bumbershoot · Nov 30, 2015

MouseCrazy96 said:
I'm nervous about running out of ink or some computer issue last minute and then not having the pass (like the pass only printing half way etc)...not sure if that would happen if they can still pull it up at the airport when I arrive.?

I'm sure Frontier could print you a new boarding pass if that happened.

Capt_BJ · Nov 30, 2015

you can print the boarding pass multiple times

it will only WORK once ...... that's why they scan it . . .

charmed59 · Nov 30, 2015

Print out your boarding passes the night before you head for the airport. Pack any liquids in a small 3oz container in a quart size baggie, or just put larger size liquids in your luggage that will be checked in. Slipon shoes are always a good idea. Don't wear a large metal anything, including belt buckle, or it will need to come off for security.

I don't know Phillie traffic, but getting to the airport two hours in advance for a domestic flight should give you tons of time. Normally they say get to the airport 90 minutes to an hour before a domestic flight. The earlier you are, the less you stress.

Once at the airport park the car in long term, take the shuttle to terminal E. I haven't flown Frontier, but most airlines these days have kiosk inside the departures floor of the terminal to check into that will then get the agents a tag for your luggage. Scan your boarding pass at the kiosk, and then take it to the nearest agent who will tag your luggage and send it to the back.

Once you have your bags checked in, wander over to security. The guard out front wants to see your boarding passes and id (drivers license or passport). Then your get to stand in line awhile. Good time to take off jackets and pull out laptops and little baggy of liquids. Once you get to the security tables, put your jacket, shoes, and liquid baggie in one plastic tub, your laptop in another. Your larger carryons don't need to be in a plastic tub, but a small purse or wallet would need to be put in the tubs.

Push the tubs into the machine, when they motion you through, walk through the scanner. Reassemble all your stuff, putting shoes and jacket back on, baggies and laptops back into bags. At this point you can wander to your gate. If you are still over 45 minutes before your flight is supposed to leave, you can go shopping or wandering or whatever.

Phillie has a large shopping mall after security between terminals B and C. You can walk there inside security from E. It's a good place to kill time. Also, in terminal E there are shops and places to get food or drinks such as a Peet's coffee. Wifi is free in the airport if you just want to sit and chill at your gate.

Enjoy your flight!

MouseCrazy96 · Nov 30, 2015

charmed59 said:
Print out your boarding passes the night before you head for the airport. Pack any liquids in a small 3oz container in a quart size baggie, or just put larger size liquids in your luggage that will be checked in. Slipon shoes are always a good idea. Don't wear a large metal anything, including belt buckle, or it will need to come off for security.

I don't know Phillie traffic, but getting to the airport two hours in advance for a domestic flight should give you tons of time. Normally they say get to the airport 90 minutes to an hour before a domestic flight. The earlier you are, the less you stress.

Once at the airport park the car in long term, take the shuttle to terminal E. I haven't flown Frontier, but most airlines these days have kiosk inside the departures floor of the terminal to check into that will then get the agents a tag for your luggage. Scan your boarding pass at the kiosk, and then take it to the nearest agent who will tag your luggage and send it to the back.

Once you have your bags checked in, wander over to security. The guard out front wants to see your boarding passes and id (drivers license or passport). Then your get to stand in line awhile. Good time to take off jackets and pull out laptops and little baggy of liquids. Once you get to the security tables, put your jacket, shoes, and liquid baggie in one plastic tub, your laptop in another. Your larger carryons don't need to be in a plastic tub, but a small purse or wallet would need to be put in the tubs.

Push the tubs into the machine, when they motion you through, walk through the scanner. Reassemble all your stuff, putting shoes and jacket back on, baggies and laptops back into bags. At this point you can wander to your gate. If you are still over 45 minutes before your flight is supposed to leave, you can go shopping or wandering or whatever.

Phillie has a large shopping mall after security between terminals B and C. You can walk there inside security from E. It's a good place to kill time. Also, in terminal E there are shops and places to get food or drinks such as a Peet's coffee. Wifi is free in the airport if you just want to sit and chill at your gate.

Enjoy your flight!

Thanks! So are the kiosks different than checking in at the counter? Do the counters usually have horribly long lines?

kj2mom · Nov 30, 2015

Please be sure to take note of where you park at the airport. I can't imagine returning home and not remembering, ughh! What I did was make a note in my phone of where we were then we were off site and had a car so I added to it each morning with where we were. I traveled this summer with my children for the first time and I was nervous but with all of this advice you will be just fine! Have a great trip!

walk me through airport check in

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