Airline questions

[Steph H]

Ok, all, I haven't flown on a plane in more than three years. I'm reading these threads and seeing SO many different things discussed that I'm just clueless about. I'm so worried that I'll screw something up and not get on my flight or get seated separately from my 3 year old, or my bags will end up in New Jersey. LOL

I'm flying Northwest in early October to MCO, first class seats for me, DH, DS3. I was thinking that the online check-in sounded nice, but I'm worried I'll screw something up. And I don't know how they'll handle my bags if I check in on my computer at home.

Also, can someone tell me what this "A, B, C" status I've read about is? Is that something I need to be looking out for?

Any advice to calm my (probably unnecessary) fears would be greatly appreciated. Yes, all of you frequent flyers have the right to laugh at me all you want.

Thank you!!

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Look for an email from me

 

[DebbieB]

The only airline that does A/B/C is Southwest. If you are flying Northwest, you don't have to worry. If you are in first class, you should have seat assignments and will not be separated from your child. If you are going to check bags, I wouldn't do online check-in at home, just wait until you get to the airport.

Have a great time!

 

[CarolA]

Northwest does not do A, B and C seating. That's just SW. You can check in online at home, but if you are checking bags there is no real benefit. Just go to the airport and check in.

Now finding a LIVE human to check you in will be fun. Either prepare to tip the skycap or deal with the Kiosk. The Kisok is actually fairly easy and guides you step by step through the process.

 

[Steph H]

Thank you ladies! I was really confused about that ABC thing, but since I've never flown Southwest, it make sense that I've never heard of it.

Thanks for the tip about not checking in online. I take it what you mean is that if I check-in at home, I still have to find a person to check my bags anyway? If I use a skycap, do they check in both my bags AND me, so that when I get to the gate I can just walk onto the plane?

Sorry, I know these are probably silly questions to all of you experienced people, lol. Thanks so much!

 

[ducklite]

I'd also suggest that you put your husband in the seat in front of your child so if they start to kick or jostle that seat, he'll be the one who gets annoyed.

Anne

 

[Tara]

Thanks for the tip about not checking in online. I take it what you mean is that if I check-in at home, I still have to find a person to check my bags anyway? If I use a skycap, do they check in both my bags AND me, so that when I get to the gate I can just walk onto the plane?

Sorry, I know these are probably silly questions to all of you experienced people, lol. Thanks so much!

If you use curbside check-in where the agent takes your bags and tags them, looks at your photo ID and gives you your boarding passes, then yes, you are done. You'll still have to go through security (so keep your boarding passes and ID handy because they'll want to look at them again). The only reason you might have to go see the gate agent is if your boarding passes do not have seat assignments but say "SEAT REQUEST", meaning the seats have to be assigned to you at the gate. Otherwise, just sit tight at your gate area and wait for your row to be called for boarding!

And there are no silly questions -- only silly people who wonder about things but never ask...it's never silly to get the information you need!

 

[CarolA]

Since you are flying first class you seats should be pretty secure. They rarely do a lot of juggling up there. There are not as many seats to juggle

 

[safetymom]

I still check in online if I want to change my seat. Then I just hand the boarding pass to the skycap or agent.

 

[Steph H]

Thank you, everyone! You're all very, very kind. I almost feel like I have a handle on this, !