First time flyer on JetBlue...what to expect?

[chanty]

We are flying out of Rochester on Sunday with JetBlue...our first experience with both the airport and the airline...

Anything we should know? Can't wait!!!!

 

[ladyhawk14624]

Rochester, NY? If so the airport is fairly small and straightforward. The first floor is baggage claim and car rentals etc. Take the escalator up and that's where you check in. Or you can park your car on the second level in the ramp garage and no escalator needed. The lines can get very long so make sure you get there 1.5 to 2 hours ahead of time. We've got the new "x-ray" scanners here. If you're not thrilled with the prospect of having very detailed pictures of you taken then you can (they say) refuse and you will be patted down. Not sure how intrusive the pat down is though. It's not a bad airport, small but that's good - no running miles to get from one gate to the other. I live in Rochester - let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[chanty]

Cool - thanks for the info!!

We took a park N fly package at hotel nearby. We'll arrive Saturday afternoon and have time to enjoy Rochester & relax before our trip

Bah, I don't mind being scanned... whatever. I'll make sure to wear nice undies hahahaha

Yeah, I'm thinking the airport is probably the size of the airport in Ottawa... not much running around which is great!

Thanks again for the info!!! Appreciate it!!

 

[etail]

Re JetBlue, pretty straight forward these days. Originally a bit more rogue and hip but now conforming to all the usual safety stuff. Bring your own head phones (they will be much better than theirs). If you don't there is usually either free, one dollar honor or three dollar upgraded headphones - I've seen all three and sometimes just one or two options but usually bring my own. Occassionally the TV screens break down or are "off". First try to increase the brightness (kind of how they turn them off). If it is required, try to swap seats within the group or wait to ask if there is an open seat you can switch to. Boarding is by special need and then by rows from the back. If the flight is late they will work hard to queue folks up or to board by two doors (less likely to use two doors at Rochester...). I like that they carry the dinks and snacks instead of suing a cart - it allows you to move around if necessary. Feel free to ask for two of anything or ask for another later on. If they have them, they'll keep passing them out. Drinks, snack packs, premium movies etc. that are for a fee require a credit card for purchase; JetBlue is a cash free cabin.

This is our favorite airline. They can get backed up in certain situations and don't have partner domestic airlines to bump folks to but we still like them.

 

[chanty]

Boarding is by special need and then by rows from the back.

We requested and paid for the extra room seats...these are also the emergency exit and we are told that we will be the first boarding the planes...I guess to explain what to do in case of an emergency, etc.

Drinks, snack packs, premium movies etc. that are for a fee require a credit card for purchase; JetBlue is a cash free cabin.

See... I thought I had read that movies were free...but I reread and it's $6 each...which isn't BAD really... And if they give complimentary snacks & drinks (non-alcoolic) - I'm good with that.

Thanks for the info!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

We requested and paid for the extra room seats...these are also the emergency exit and we are told that we will be the first boarding the planes...I guess to explain what to do in case of an emergency, etc.

Not saying it won't happen - but I don't recall ever being on a JetBlue flight where this happened. Needing a wheelchair, I'm generally among the first to board and I don't recall anyone boarding with or ahead of me due to exit row seating, or getting special instructions once aboard.

If anything, once seated, you'll be approached and questioned politely to ensure you qualify for those seats.

 

[chanty]

Here's what it says on their website (but honestly, I don't care when I'm boarding...I just wanna fly!! )

Treat yourself to an Even More Legroom seat and get 38” of comfortable seat pitch in which to stretch out, relax, watch TV, sample our complimentary snacks and enjoy the award-winning JetBlue experience!
Plus, you’ll enjoy early boarding and early access to overhead bin space.

 

[KodakFigment]

We are flying out of Rochester on Sunday with JetBlue...our first experience with both the airport and the airline...

We make the trip quite often. You'll have a close gate at Rochester. I disagree with the 1.5 - 2 hour time frame unless you are traveling with small children. Even the airport website recommends 1 hour. You don't need to purchase a movie to use the TV's on Jet Blue. There's usually plenty to occupy you for the 2:15 min. flight.
If you have time in Rochester I'd recommend seeing a few of the wineries, they are only about an hour away. There's a very big arts, crafts and food festival in Hilton this weekend. The Apple Fest draws 30-50,000 people each year with over 200 vendors. It's a small town, but there's a lot to see and do and a lot of it is free.

BTW Our weather here in Orlando looks good for the beginning of next week.

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't know anything about Rochester but I'm flying Jet Blue out of Washington Dulles on Sunday myself - used a $25 voucher they gave out the last time I flew them, and half the TV channels didn't work, so they gave everybody a voucher. If my TV doesn't work, I'm going to ask about vouchers, then get out my Ipod.

You must pay for movies, but you can watch television for no extra cost. They have satellite TV in the back of every seat. Lots of channels. I will have Food Network on for a couple of hours, no doubt. Jet Blue also has a choice of really good snacks, and you can ask for more if they have any left to give you.

I don't think "early boarding" means you will board before disabled boarding or anything like that. It just means you will be in one of the first groups to board.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, that makes sense, TCD Nala! I wouldn't be aware of that, since I'm already on the plane!

 

[Best Aunt]

Check the website to see the food they will have on board. There seems to be 2 types of items: sugary (cookies) or MSG-laden (flavored chips). If you have a problem with those things, you'd better bring your own snack.

Sometimes they have headphones at the gate, but sometimes they don't. If they don't have them at the gate, and you don't bring your own, you probably can buy them on board (if you have a credit card), but it may take awhile before the flight attendants can get to you. It wouldn't be fun to feel like the only person on the plane who can't hear the TV.

There are many TV stations. You should find something you can watch for free -- I doubt you'll be so bored you have to pay for a movie.

 

[chanty]

Question - can I use the same headphones as my ipod? I have so many headphones that we kept from different airlines, but none of them work in another plane usually... I'll see what I can bring

 

[etail]

Question - can I use the same headphones as my ipod? I have so many headphones that we kept from different airlines, but none of them work in another plane usually... I'll see what I can bring

Yes, standard mini 1/8th jacks such as on an ipod.