First Time Flyer - some Q's

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

Okay, we are headed to WDW for the holidays and neither dh or myself have flown as adults. It will be dh, myself, ds (5) & dd (4). We fly out of DTW Detroit on American. What tips can you all offer me? I plan on having the kids each bring their backpacks as carry-on's which will have some fun things for them to do and snacks. We will also have a carry-on with Nintendo DS, portable DVD & Ipod if needed to keep them busy.

We go from Detroit to Chicago then on to MCO...how do I know where to go when we get to Chicago for the next leg of the flight?

We won't be arriving until 11:30ish at MCO and are using ME, but I am concerned about when we'd get our luggage at that time of night. What do you all think about us picking up our own luggage to take on the bus? Is that a big pain? The only thing I have to do is not use the yellow tags right?

How about the return flight? Do we check them at the hotel or just bring on the bus with us?

We are each (4) allowed a carry-on right?

If the flight has drinks/snacks are those for purchase - what are the basic costs of those?

Does American do anything "fun" for the kids anymore - first time flyers? I know when I flew as a child I got -wings-, but with cost cutting I didn't know if anything like that still happened.

I bought tickets online...what do I do now? Bring my email to a ticket counter at the airport? I've read about checking in online? What is the time frame on that?

Thanks...that is what I can think of right now - I'd really appreciate any and all advice!

Thanks again
Dawn
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[hniki234]

I haven't flown to Orlando (we always drive), but I have flown recently. Yes, each of you can bring a carry-on, but remember not to pack liquids because you can't bring those on the plan anymore. Call your airline and they can give you a list of things that you cannot bring on the plane. (An Ipod, portable DVD player, etc. are all ok.)

As for checking in when you've bought your tickets online, just bring your email confirmation to the airline desk. You'll probably feel most comfortable dealing with a person than with a computer when checking in.

When you check in, you'll get your tickets. Check your ticket for the second part of your trip. It should have a flight number on there. When you get to Chicago, just go to the TV screens and look for your flight number. It will tell you which gate you need to go to. If you have any problems, just ask whoever is at the airline desk at the terminal you enter.

Sorry if I didn't make any sense. It's really not that difficult. There will be plenty of people around for you to ask questions. As for whether they do anything special, I don't know. You could ask the airline, though. Maybe someone else can help with the ME and luggage questions. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Mme. Leota]

OK. . . I can't answer ME questions, but I can help with the rest.

In order to check-in online, just go to the AA website 24 hours or less in advance and print your boarding passes. Then take those and your photo ID to the airport. I always check in inside. There will probably be curbside check in when you get there, and you should be aware that those guys work for tips, and will sometimes ask point blank if you don't offer.

The new rules concerning liquids and gels in carryons--

You are allowed to bring liquids and gels on board, but each container must be 3 oz. or less, and you can only have enough to fill 1-1 quart ziploc bag per person. So don't bring drink boxes, etc. . . for the kids. You will have to throw them away.

You can take the electronics, but you will have to take them out of the cases and send them through the x-ray seperate from the bags. I will caution you against taking too many gadgets because security can be daunting anytime, much less with two kids and lots of gear to deal with. Others can advise better than I, and I know you need to keep them entertained, but books etc. . . are easier to travel with, and you can use them at all times. You can't use electronics during take-off and landing, etc. . .

Each of you will have to remove your shoes and send them through the x-ray as well, so be prepaired for that. . . if you like crocs, they work well for this as they are easy to get on and off. Be sure and remove metal from your pockets, etc. . .otherwise you will be delayed at security, and while not a big deal, it is just tiresome. I appreciate all the efforts to make us safe, and if you are prepared it is no big deal, but if you are not it can take a while.

You can carry-on liquids purchased beyond the security checkpoint, like a bottle of water or something.

Non-alcoholic beverages on flights are free, as are peanuts/pretzels. Some airlines offer snack boxes on long flights, some are free some are not.

About where to go when you get to Chicago, the flight attendant will usually read gate assignments before you land. Listen up, but do check the TV monitors that are around the terminal to confirm your gate location, then follow the signs. The gate will be a terminal letter (A, B, C, etc) and then a gate number: example B12, or C6. Just follow the signs for the Terminal you need and then for the gate. Ask someone if you need help or have questions.

I hope this helps and that you and your family have a GREAT time!!

 

[nativetxn]

What airline are you flying? Spirit Airlines fly nonstop to MCO from Detroit (I speak from experience.)

I'm going to move this to our transportation board for you.

Katholyn

 

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

Thanks for some good advice to all. We are flying American - I booked a few months back and the rates for Spirit / Southwest were not out yet and with the dates being so close to holiday time and with two little ones I couldn't take the chance and wait then get nothing that would work for us.

Any more advice out there...I know the majority of you fly! :~)

Thanks
Dawn

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You can take the electronics, but you will have to take them out of the cases and send them through the x-ray seperate [sic] from the bags.

This has not been my experience. I often travel with an iPod, cell phone, and portable dvd player and not once have I had to remove these from my carry-on backpack.

The only electronics item which you usually need to remove from your bags is a laptop computer.

 

[Makua]

Since it has been so long since you've flown don't forget gum for everyone for take off and landings. If your little ones still get clogged ears get them to yawn. You know if you think about yawning you will and if they see you it will make them yawn! If that doesn't work have them hold their noses and blow. Also remember to tell them that the clouds have bumps just like the roads do so they won't be scared if you hit turbulence. Have a magical trip!

 

[Yzerbear19]

Make sure you get there early to get through security. Be sure to check American's website for long in advance you should there. Make sure if you are checking bags, to allow extra time for that.

I've never flown American, but have flown from NWA out of Detroit. Which Chicago airport are you flying into? Midway is a lot smaller than O'Hare. We had no problems finding our way around Midway when we flew there last January.

Finding the terminal at Detroit can get a little confusing. I swear they make you drive around the entire airport to get to get to American's terminal. Just follow the signs for the Smith terminal, which is the one that American is in. My brother flew American from Detroit to New Mexico in July, with a connection in Dallas, and had a good experience with them.

You can enter in your information here to see the average wait times to get through security. American Airlines is in the blue check point.
http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/index.html

Here is some info from the TSA's website about traveling with children:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm

Here is the link to Detroit's website:
http://www.metroairport.com/

 

[Pinnie]

You are flying out of SMITH terminal at DTW. There is very limited choices for food and snacks where the AMERICAN gate area is located. It's not a pretty place. Those of us who use it liken it to a third world nation airport. I flew into SMITH yesterday and you can see progress on the new terminal going up.

The baggage claim area at SMITH is in the bowels of the terminal. Use the restrooms upstairs before picking up your luggage. The facilites are horrible downstairs.

If you have to park a car, I recommend QWIK PARK on Merriman road. The shuttle picks you up right at your car, loads your luggage and drops you off right near the escalator at the terminal. Same with the return trip. You can go online and get coupons for a free day from them.

Good luck and have a great trip.

pinnie

 

[BCV23]

At O'Hare, American is in a terminal that is a Y shape with an extra little connection in the top part of the Y....I think the gates are Js & Ks but you can look it up online or one of the ORD experts can help.

Just telling you so that you are aware. If you land on one arm of the Y and are taking off on the other leg, you'll want to cross over before getting all the way back to security.

Sometimes the flight attendants won't have the connecting info in time...as others said, just look for monitors.

Personally, I would checkin online. It is very easy.

I also prefer the outside bag check. Tipping a couple of dollars per bag is worth it to me. My husband prefers inside which is tip free.

Besides books, drawing tablets or coloring books are great too. Try to put anything you want to use during the flight in bags that will fit under the seats as if the seatbelt sign is on, you won't be able to access the overhead compartments. It seems to me that the sign is on a lot on flights to MCO. Has anyone else noticed that?

Be sure to take headphones for any electronic gear. No one wants to listen to what their neighbors are watching, etc..

Laptops are the only thing we've needed to remove unless a TSA agent wants to go through the bag for some reason.

For more help on what is allowed through security, check AA.com or the TSA flight.

Make sure you have you and your husband have photo ids with you and that the names on your tickets match the names on the ids. One can't say Bob and the other Robert for example.

Have a great flight.

 

[mrscoobs]

You will be allowed to bring all of those electronic items that you listed onto theplane and just need to have them remain off until the pilto says that you are allowed to use them during your flight (most american flights have a light next to the fasten seatbelt sign that illuminates when you are allowed to use electronics and when to turn them off).

I like to put all of my metal items (watch, wallet, so forth) into my carryon as it is easiest to grab after security and quick put on my slip on shows as I don't want to stand there and back up the line by putting my wallet back in my pocket, my watch on, so forth. Some TSA will want the portable dvd to be scanned seperately and that just means make sure that it is out of the bag.

For your connection in Chicago-the airport is huge so you may have to go to different terminals in order to make your connection, but they are all doable (the one I really remember is the light tunnel one that goes underground, but I think that is for United Connections). On every American flight that I have been on recently (8 in the last 5 months) they announce your gate for your connecting flight while you are taxi-ing to your gate so just listen for your city and it will tell you which gate to catch your flight. Have safe travels in the sky!!

 

[krissyh]

If you arrive at MCO at 11:30PM, do yourself a favor and pick up your bags from baggage claim. Remember to tip the ME driver, though. I would send DH to get the bags while you go check in for ME. You will not want your bags delivered in the middle of the night.
Also - put comfy clothes on the little ones - If you are lucky, they'll sleep most of the way and you can put them straight to bed at the hotel.
Flying:
- One/1 Quart (not really very big) bag with liquids
- the liquids can be no more than 3oz. EACH
- I say "just check it"
- Don't wear a belt or jacket with a lot of metal
- If you do, be prepared to strip
- Or just take it off before hand and put it through the metal detector
- Have your ticket and license out before you get to the check point
- Not sure if they have them in Detroit but don't be surprised if
there is an "air puffer" along with a metal detector - it is for
explosive residue. It just puts a little blast of air, the kids
will like it.
- You can get a drink after going through the check point.
- Don't bring too much on the plane, you'll end up carrying it.
- Do a small backpack
- Yes, keep the kids occupied but remember, they will
have to turn the electronics off for take-off and landing
and it is a short flight from Detriot to Chicago and not
you'll be flying pretty late for little ones.
- Make sure ME has the correct flight numbers.
- Did you get any notices from the airline of changes?
- We did last time and our number changed, I simply
called and updated.

OK - what did I forget?
Oh - and Northwest flies direct from Detroit to Orlando (or at least they did - I had to connect their before)
AND - make sure your flight is ontime before you leave for the airport.

 

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

These are some really great tips! For those who do know about DTW and the Smith Terminal...I am a little concerned about that. I had heard it wasn't very nice, we are taking a park-n-fly shuttle so we'll probably be at the airport about 3 1/2 - 4 hours before our flight...is that going to be horrible for the kids in this terminal with nothing to do or see?

Thanks again and keep the tips coming!

Dawn

 

[Pinnie]

These are some really great tips! For those who do know about DTW and the Smith Terminal...I am a little concerned about that. I had heard it wasn't very nice, we are taking a park-n-fly shuttle so we'll probably be at the airport about 3 1/2 - 4 hours before our flight...is that going to be horrible for the kids in this terminal with nothing to do or see?

Thanks again and keep the tips coming!

Dawn

Just curious, why do you need to be at DTW 3.5 - 4 hours before your flight? Trust me, there isn't much to entertain a young child with at SMITH...unless they want to count the busted and broken seats in the gate areas! The food selections are minimal at best. The bathrooms aren't the nicest. I think 2.5 hours is MORE than enough time to arrive and get through security at SMITH.

pinnie

 

[ducklite]

The only electronics item which you usually need to remove from your bags is a laptop computer.

And video cameras.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Since it has been so long since you've flown don't forget gum for everyone for take off and landings. If your little ones still get clogged ears get them to yawn. You know if you think about yawning you will and if they see you it will make them yawn! If that doesn't work have them hold their noses and blow. Also remember to tell them that the clouds have bumps just like the roads do so they won't be scared if you hit turbulence. Have a magical trip!

Unless they are sued to gum and know to keep it in thier mouths and properly dispose of it, please don't give the kids gum. What a freaking mess. Twice in teh past couple years I've ended up with gum on my clothes on a plane from someone who didn't properly dispose of it.

Instead give them a chewy candy like Starburst or caramel creams. same idea, no mess.

Anne

 

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

Just curious, why do you need to be at DTW 3.5 - 4 hours before your flight? Trust me, there isn't much to entertain a young child with at SMITH...unless they want to count the busted and broken seats in the gate areas! The food selections are minimal at best. The bathrooms aren't the nicest. I think 2.5 hours is MORE than enough time to arrive and get through security at SMITH.

pinnie

This is kind of what I was asking about. We are going down the night before to stay at a hotel and use the park-n-fly service. Our flight doesn't leave until 4:30ish but I'm sure check out time at the hotel is 12:00 noon at the latest so I was thinking we'd have to check out at noon then use the hotel shuttle service to go to the airport...since we'd be with out a car and really have nothing else to do.

Any other ideas?

Thanks!
Dawn

 

[ducklite]

I'd try and arrange for a later check-out. The old section of DTW is such an armpit, I didn't even want to sit in the seats int eh waiting area it was so filthy.

Anne

 

[rgf207]

Flying is so easy. Here are the answers to your questions:

We go from Detroit to Chicago then on to MCO...how do I know where to go when we get to Chicago for the next leg of the flight?

You should have the gate on your boarding pass. DONT USE THAT . Ask the gate agent that will greet your plane in Chicago. Chicago is a big airport but not hard to navigate. Just follow the signs.

How about the return flight? Do we check them at the hotel or just bring on the bus with us?

If you are using a participating airline, you may check in at the hotel. otherwise just check in at the airport

We are each (4) allowed a carry-on right?

You are allowed 1 carryon + 1 personal item (purse, laptop) for each ticketed passenger. Do not take more than this, you will have to check it

If the flight has drinks/snacks are those for purchase - what are the basic costs of those?

Usually you will not be offered food for purchase if the flight is shorter than 2.5 to 3 hours. I usually buy something from the terminal and take it on board. It's cheaper and better than what they offer. If they do offer something, it will cost between 5 and 10 dollars for a snackbox/sandwitch. I believe that american airlines offer a free meal. Now this is not really a meal but a snack. It consists of a small sandwitch , chips and a mini candy bar.

Does American do anything "fun" for the kids anymore - first time flyers? I know when I flew as a child I got -wings-, but with cost cutting I didn't know if anything like that still happened.

Nope, no wings anymore. They cut those out to keep costs lower.

I bought tickets online...what do I do now? Bring my email to a ticket counter at the airport? I've read about checking in online? What is the time frame on that?

You have 3 options:
1. Check in online which is easy and usually you can do this 24 hours before your plane departs
2. Bring your credit card and ID with you and use a self check-in counter. The credit card is used to verify your name. nothing will be charged.
3. Use an agent to check you in. You will need your ID and this usually takes longer

 

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

Everyone really has helped - I don't have even any family members who fly so this is my only place to ask questions. I appreciate all the answers. I am going to see if I can get a later check out at the hotel and I think there is a restaurant on site so maybe late check out then eat for an hour or so by then maybe we'll be closer to 2 1/2 hours at SMITH.

Love to hear any other tips for first time flying or flying with kids in general.

Dawn