First Time Flyer

[DrRae2B]

Hello all.

Well, the time has come for me to book our flight for our upcoming trip to WDW in May. We will be flying Delta, from Charleston, WV (CRW) to MCO, with a connection in ATL.

I have NEVER flown in my entire life. Furthermore, I will be flying with my DD 4, and my Dsis 14, who have also both never flown. I have NO idea what to expect AT ALL, and have read countless horror stories about airlines (Delta in particular) changing flights and seating young children all alone on flights. Plus, I'm confused about the time it will take to transfer planes (my preferred route has a 45 min time between flights-- is this enough time with a kid, or should I go for the one that is 1 hour longer?). I am a nervous wreck!

Could someone please help me out here-- what can I expect with my first flight?? Thanks in advance!!

 

[uva185]

Do yourself a favor and pick the longer connection. You *could* make a 45 minute connection but in ATL that is tight especially since you might have to change terminals (you will not have to re-clear security though). You will be much less stressed if you have 90 minutes as opposed to 45 minutes. No need to be stressed on your vacation!!

Take a look at the ATL terminal map below. There is an underground train that runs about every 45 - 60 seconds.

 

[bavaria]

have read countless horror stories about airlines (Delta in particular) changing flights and seating young children all alone on flights.

OK, deep breath.

First off, you need to understand the difference between DISworld and REALworld. In REALworld, there are rare times when things go wrong, but for the most part thousands of people fly every single day with no issue at all.

DISworld doesn't make it sound like that, does it?

I would go to Flyertalk.com and read up on the Family board, if you have kids. Ask questions after you have done some reading - they will help you along. They don't get much traffic on the Family board, but it is a gentle place to start, and a lot more grounded in reality. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-children-221/

They have a 'most important threads' section too http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trav...hildren-forum-faq-most-important-threads.html

Reading the airline specific forums over there is more challenging if you are brand new, and you may find yourself overwhelmed. That is why I suggest starting on the family side.

You may also want to read your airline website - the FAQ and 'information' pages. Then go to www.tsa.gov if you are flying domestically in America, and watch the videos and read about what you can and cannot take on board.

Then browse here, but read with a good serving of common sense and logic, and try and overlook most of the drama.

Flying honestly isn't a big deal - many of us fly in our parallel universe without any trouble at all. Even when I was a relatively infrequent flyer I never stumbled across most of the 'issues' that we read about here.

It honestly isn't that bad!

 

[DrRae2B]

OK thanks. That puts me a little more at ease.

I guess I just have NO idea what to expect. The closest thing I've come to even being in an airport has been on TV or in movies, and it is quite overwhelming. People are asking me questions like, "Is your connecting flight in the same terminal?" and I sort of look at the with a blank expression, cause I don't even know.

My husband, however, has flown (only once, but it was from WV to Las Vegas, so there were lots of connections, delays, and different types of planes), so he's going to be able to help keep me sane. I guess I'm just overwhelmed at the idea of doing it for the first time with a small child. I have SOOOO many questions (for one, is she REQUIRED to be in a car seat, like the ground transportation laws?), and to be honest, when people in my family (or friends, even) travel, we always drive to our destination, so I can't really ask them.

THanks for all your feedback!

 

[malibuconlee]

No your daughter is not required to be in a car seat. Not sure what type of seat she's currently in, but if it's a booster with the shoulder strap that won't work on the plane.

Yes at Christmas a flight attendant brought one to the back of the plane saying it needed gate checked because someone thought their child would use it on the plane. Apparently had quite the argument with the flight attendant over it. There are only lap belts on airplanes.

 

[bavaria]

(for one, is she REQUIRED to be in a car seat, like the ground transportation laws?), and to be honest, when people in my family (or friends, even) travel, we always drive to our destination, so I can't really ask them.

THanks for all your feedback!

And good example! Follow the Flyertalk link and read their thread, NOT the one here, which is filled with drama and entitlement and all kinds of ugliness. Finding the facts is hard amidst all of that. On FT there is a thread about carseats and a thread about the CARES harness, filled with facts.

 

[bavaria]

The closest thing I've come to even being in an airport has been on TV or in movies, and it is quite overwhelming.

If you live anywhere near your airport, make a fun day outing. Many of us who travel frequently love airports, and go even when not flying.

If you are flying from a very small regional airport is isn't of course quite as much fun and you will be limited as to food outlets etc, but if you go in and observe, you may feel a lot better. Read the TSA signs. Find your ticket counter, and look at the check in area, baggage drop area, check in machines. If it is slow, employees might actually WANT to chat with you, believe it or not.

Then wander down to baggage claim. Look at the carousels, observe how people are managing their luggage.

Find somewhere for a snack or a meal landside, and just watch the activity of an airport. Many airports have observation areas to watch planes land and takeoff.

All of that will help you to plan in advance and understand the 'process' of travel, even though you cannot go airside without a boarding pass.

Not every airport is a self-contained city like MUC (or HKG) with days worth of activities, but even those small regional American airports are interesting for first time flyers.



Edited to add: looks like your home airport is tiny, with only 14 gates! That will make it much easier to get around, but be familiar with the map so that you can plan ahead for food stops, bathroom breaks, etc http://yeagerairport.com/files/terminal map.pdf Often in those tiny airports there is a lack of decent food outlets in the gate area so you may want to bring some food from home. (Remember, ALL liquid and gels which are non-medical must be under 3.4oz and fit in a 3-1-1 bag - see TSA.gov for more detail)

 

[DrRae2B]

looks like your home airport is tiny, with only 14 gates!

Hahaha! Yep, that would be us! Seems like most things in West Virginia are heavily-diluted versions of those found in the real world . Thus is why I find myself so nervous about the experience- it will be so different from the road trip style vacations I am so accustomed to.

I am not worried at all about DD4. She is very well behaved, even on loooong car trips (thanks to my ipod touch and her DSi), and I'm certain she can keep herself entertained for such a short time in the air. However, I am concerned about the pressure changes in the cabin (Is it really that big a deal??, and will it cause her a considerable amount of ear pain?), and, although I'm sure it sounds stupid, I'm also confused about baggage and such-- there seem to be such conflicting advice on whether to check bags (Is it really that common for my bags to get lost?), or to carry on.

I suppose these are all the same concerns other first-timers have, and I tend to worry/obsess about things more than the average Joe. Haha. Thanks for all the tips!

 

[bavaria]

ok, let's take a trip to REALworld again!

Lost luggage is a very rare; delayed luggage happens sometimes, but it usually reaches the passenger within 24 hours and often less than that. Even delayed luggage doesn't happen that often. Checking luggage is much easier as you don't need to mess with too many carry ons as well as the kids and the stress of first time flying. Just take the basics on board and perhaps a change of clothes or at a minimum a change of undies for everyone just in case.

Lost luggage is when it never turns up again. That happens very very rarely; percentages are so low as to be miminal.

In my world, I flew over 200,000 miles last year with zero delayed bags. I DID have it happen to me once this year, but that is because in America airlines don't practice Positive Passenger Bag match, so I went one way due to bad weather and my bag went another. The airline got it back to me within a few hours.

Air pressure? in 2010 air pressure changes are not as bad as they were 20-30 years ago when we flew. Regional jets (like from your airport) don't fly as high as the bigger planes so the pressure may actually be less. Have something to suck or chew, pretend yawning, drink something, and you should be ok. Some people swear by something called earplanes. Also if you have in the ear headphones on (which you can only wear after takeoff and before landing) sometimes you may want to take them out and pretend yawn as they can impact a litte.

 

[ironz]

OOOOH....Bavaria has some good chocolate this week!

OP...Bavaria is one of the best travel people on this board. I fly 40-50 times a year and I think she flies more than me. All of this is great advice!

As for getting something to eat at your airport...might be good to bring snacks with you, as it looks like from the diagram that there is only a gift shop inside the secure area at your airport.

Your question about "which terminal do you fly into/out of?" is valid. Sometimes, connecting flights will be on the same airline and therefore in the same general area of the connecting airport...but not always. In Atlanta, as per the map Bavaria provided, there are several terminals with a train that connects them. You wouldn't have to go back through security for that, and there will be signs to direct you.

I completely agree with Bavaria about the differences between travelling in reality and the horror stories of the DISworld(many of which are unfounded worry about something that will happen--lost luggage, etc--that most likely doesn't end up happening). People get worked into a tizzy about what "might" happen, but they often don't come back and say, "oh, it wasn't so bad after all." I have had late luggage, but it has never been behind me more than a day, so I learn to pack a change of undies in my carryon. (not a bad practice anyway) I have never had my luggage completely lost.

Listen to Bavaria....please do continue asking questions as they come up...we are happy to help, especially since you are being quite appreciative. Have a super trip!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Mom of two chiming in here! You have gotten good advice--and I agree ti PLEASE remember that people like to tell the horroe stories (about air travel or anything else) but that 99% of the time things will go smoothly

Personally I think flying is fun and easy. My kdis agree.

You do not need a carseat for the flight. You may use one if you want (if it is FAA approved) but it adds negligible safety and will be a hassle for you. Personally I did not use them for my children and preffered it that way.

I agree with Bavaria that lost luggage, and even delayed luggage is very rare. I recomend checking everything you will not need in flight (except valuables like a laptop or camera and perscription meds). Luggin a bumch of things around with you will be a hassle and will only serve to annoy fellow passengers and the flight attendants. When we fly we have one laptop bag which the adults take turns with (it has the lap top, and camer plus assocated cables, DH's blood preassure meds, a book for me, some gum and hand lotion (in a quart sized ziploc for security). The kids each carry their school backpacks (which get stowed under the seat as does the laptop bag). They usually have a pack of cards, a couple of small snacks, a sketch pad and pencils and a travel toy or two. DD also carries a slew of books (she has a kindle now--oh it will be so nice on our next flight). No eletronics may be used from boarding until the place reaches cruising altitude (figure about the first half hour) and again at landing time (figure another half hour to be safe). So, do not count on eletronics (DVD player, iPOD) only to entertain the kids.
We buy bottles of water for everyone once we are through security rather than rely on the airlines getting drinks out to us fast enough.
I suggest, as first timers, going for the longer connection. You will be much less stressed.
Work on getting seats together, but if you get seperated it is no big deal. As you say, your four year old can entertain herself for three hours. It is really not a problem if it happens (and it does not happen too often--especially if you do everything you can to prebook seats).

I think it is awesome you are trying to be prepared and know what to expect I bet you will have a great flight anad wonder what all the fuss is all about

ETA-- I forgot about yoru question on air pressure! Many people don't feel it at all (DS11 falls into this category), the vast mojority of people only find it mildly uncomfortable and only a very few find it truly painful (and it does vary from fligth to flight). I think many kdis have more of an issue with how unusual it is than anything. Chewing gum (big pices you have to work at are best), sucking lollipops and drinking something when you start to feel the pressure changing can all go a long way towards helping.

 

[DrRae2B]

Thanks!!! You've all been such a HUGE help and have definitely put my mind at ease (especially on that whole "carry on or lose your luggage" issue). Thanks soooo much!!

 

[bavaria]

OOOOH....Bavaria has some good chocolate this week!

Well! If I do, I know who is not getting any of it this week! You can have one of these, Missy, and it isn't a red foil wrapped Reber Mozartkugel...




Back to OP now, who is asking some good questions and being open to feedback.

OP, if you are flying a regional jet from your home airport (most likely the case, although I am not familiar with Delta's fleet) you will need to 'gate check' larger carry on's - typically anything larger than a laptop case. They are usually placed on a cart next to the plane and travel in the luggage hold and you pick them up after the flight is over from the same cart when you get off the plane.

That means that you cannot access what is inside them, so if you are flying on a smaller aircraft, plan ahead and put your needed items inside your smaller carry on (or don't take a rollaboard at all)

Many of us actually don't like having too many larger carry on as they are difficult to navigate through security and in airport bathrooms, etc. Having smaller pieces means that you have less to juggle and worry about.

Edited to add: I did check and it looks like the regional carrier which Delta uses on the first flight flies CRJs, which usually mean gate checking the larger pieces.

 

[bavaria]

One last thing before I log off and eat the rest of the chocolate....

You can check to see the trends for the gates at ATL by going into 'Flight Status' on delta.com and entering your city pairs for today. Do this for a few days, and you will get an idea of the trends for which gates those flights tend to use. For today for instance the first flight shows arriving at C and the second flight departing from A.

The gates will very likely change for your flights, but the concourse or 'area' of the airport will most likely be the same. This will help you to plan in advance using the link that uva185 gave for the ATL airport.

 

[debster812]

OP--you've gotten some great advice from Bavaria, who is an absolute font of knowledge.

I'm what I like to term a fairly savvy leisure traveler. We usually fly 2-3 a year, and of course, coming from the NE to Florida, in winter, we usually have our share of weather related challenges.

DS has been flying since he was 5 (a year older than your DD), and he's a GREAT traveler. Of course, he is also the one who is usually chosen for additional security. This is not intended to scare or freak you out, but just to let you know what could happen. Definitely make sure to prep your DD about security, and that she'll have to put her bag through the xray maching (INCLUDING any stuffed friends or loveys she chooses to bring with) and she'll have to walk through a gate. You're lucky in that you have yourself and your 14 YO sister. I would suggest your sister goes first, then your DD, then you. That way the little one is in between the two of you.

Extra security for DS generally means he gets wanded, and they unpack his backpack, and hand search it. Not a big deal at all, and at this point, at 12 years old, I have no doubts he could get himself checked in for a flight, through security, and to his gate on his own.

Where this is your first flight, I'd probably go for the longer connection, just because I'd rather kill time waiting to board, than be stressed, and rushing through the airport.

Good Luck, and you'll do great!

 

[ironz]

Well! If I do, I know who is not getting any of it this week! You can have one of these, Missy, and it isn't a red foil wrapped Reber Mozartkugel...




Many of us actually don't like having too many larger carry on as they are difficult to navigate through security and in airport bathrooms, etc. Having smaller pieces means that you have less to juggle and worry about.

QUOTE]

I meant that in a good way!! These are some really good posts you are making, dear Bavaria!

Agree about the larger carryons...

 

[bavaria]

Well! If I do, I know who is not getting any of it this week! You can have one of these, Missy, and it isn't a red foil wrapped Reber Mozartkugel...

I meant that in a good way!! These are some really good posts you are making, dear Bavaria!

Too late to backtrack there, the good chocolate is gone!