First time flying Notes

[sam_gordon]

We've got some first time flyers going on our family vacation in July. DS's GF and DD's friend are joining us. They are 18 & 16. I typed up the attached document to hopefully answer questions/ease fears. I know there's a lot of experienced travelers on here (and some inexperienced ones also) and just wanted to get some feedback to see if I've left any thing out, included too much, or anything else to help. It's right at four pages which is longer than I thought it would be, but I included some pictures too.

There are some things specific to our trip, but I tried to keep it kind of general.

Anyway, I'm interested in your thoughts.

TIA

 

[minster22]

Just took a look at your notes....very impressed !

 

[SirDuff]

The only thing I’d change is that checked luggage can « basically be any size ». I‘ve see quite a few suitcases that would be considered oversized. Now, you’d see it and realise that it was weirdly massive but someone who never flew might not. Maybe but in the maximum size allowed by Delta?

 

[BadPinkTink]

You should add in something about the sounds / noises. The various ding dong signals and the seat belt light up sign, and then the big one, the clunk of the landing gear coming down during landing.

Also things like take off you get forced to lean back and its very quick to get in the air but during landing its a process, kinda like going down steps, and they will feel the drops and that with each drop they may get ear ache.

Also its normal during take off for the plane to sway a bit and for things to rattle and shake.

 

[sam_gordon]

You should add in something about the sounds / noises. The various ding dong signals and the seat belt light up sign, and then the big one, the clunk of the landing gear coming down during landing.

Also things like take off you get forced to lean back and its very quick to get in the air but during landing its a process, kinda like going down steps, and they will feel the drops and that with each drop they may get ear ache.

Also its normal during take off for the plane to sway a bit and for things to rattle and shake.

Thanks. That made me think about putting phones in "airplane mode" when the cabin door shuts. I'm adding all of this.

 

[JimMIA]

You should add in something about the sounds / noises. The various ding dong signals and the seat belt light up sign, and then the big one, the clunk of the landing gear coming down during landing.

Great suggestions!

And don't forget about the sound of the flaps in various stages of descent. DW is a better-now, hopefully former, fearful flyer, so when DD was just starting to fly, I explained each noise to her as we went. Now, she looks at me when the ding-dong sounds and grins, "Outer marker!"

 

[sam_gordon]

Great suggestions!

And don't forget about the sound of the flaps in various stages of descent. DW is a better-now, hopefully former, fearful flyer, so when DD was just starting to fly, I explained each noise to her as we went. Now, she looks at me when the ding-dong sounds and grins, "Outer marker!"

I added "mechanical noises including landing gear raising/lowering and flap extension/retraction". I've never heard of the dings as an indication of the OM.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Regarding checked luggage, don't buy the big bags! The medium-sized bags in a three-piece set (25ish inches) are the sweet spot. I find it nearly impossible to fill one of the large suitcases without it going over 50 pounds.

 

[MikeF;NJ]

Regarding TSA screening procedures, your advice is very good, but you may want to include a note that procedures can vary from airport to airport as well as day to day.

When we flew out of Fort Myers at the end of January, procedure was to stack everything in one bin, even though the signage said to do things the way you had it in your document. There was an agent at the head of the belt correcting each passenger's set-up. Best advice is to listen to the agents and follow instructions.

Also, personal experience here, if they are indeed going through the body scanner (and not a normal old-style x-ray) have them double check that they've emptied their pockets. ANYTHING left in pockets can trigger additional screening up to and including a pat down.

 

[MICKIMINI]

A couple things we do:

We always wear lightweight fleece jackets which doubles as a pillow or blankie. I can't stand the sound of gum chewing so I bring ear plugs.

We send one person through TSA and hold back sending the bins through until that person gets cleared, then we push the bins through. We do it discreetly and it usually works out just right. I hate to see our wallets/ID's etc sitting vulnerable in a bin and the first of us through screening grabs our bin.

Things are so darned complicated these days, I guess we've just adjusted to all the changes. You are thoughtful to get your flyers up to date!

 

[sam_gordon]

Regarding checked luggage, don't buy the big bags! The medium-sized bags in a three-piece set (25ish inches) are the sweet spot. I find it nearly impossible to fill one of the large suitcases without it going over 50 pounds.

haha. I feel you. Our large bag I get right to the 50# mark... on one trip it went to 52# (on the way home). I had to rearrange some things. On the other hand, I'd prefer one 50# bag (with wheels of course) than 2x 25# bags. Our immediate family I'm planning on three checked bags for four of us (get one checked bag free each), and hopefully have room to put an extra duffle bag in to check coming home with souvenirs.

Yea, I know, "carry on only". I've done it when travelling by myself, but IMO, that comes with it's own hassle (keeping up with the suitcase through the airport AND getting everything for the trip in that small suitcase-- yes, I roll our clothes).

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Yea, I know, "carry on only".

Heck no, not on vacation. When I'm on vacation, I'm checking everything, including my carry-on sized bag. I don't need to jostle with the unwashed masses for overhead space.

 

[sam_gordon]

Heck no, not on vacation. When I'm on vacation, I'm checking everything, including my carry-on sized bag. I don't need to jostle with the unwashed masses for overhead space.

I do plan on bringing a carry on for this trip. It will have our sleep clothes and clothes for the next day (at least underwear). We're staying in an MCO area hotel on arrival night, then getting a shuttle to the cruise pier the next day. Putting all of that stuff in a carry on means we only have to open one suitcase that night AND we're covered if a bag doesn't make the flight (at this point, it's non stop but that's no guarantee the bags get on the plane).

 

[bumbershoot]

The initial wording about liquids makes it sound like you can only bring 3 ounces on. Honestly, I would quote the TSA wording on it as I find that to be really clear.

Having status allows for heavier bags, so I would put a caveat in the 50 pound part. At least an asterisk with an explanation so when they become frequent flyers they'll have a heads up.

Sounds like you'll be on the plane with them. If not, honestly I have found it to be VERY useful to watch the flight attendants when I'm nervous. If they start to panic, I'll start to panic. Until then...no panicking. Figured that trick out while on a tiny plane going to West Virginia, the same route of the Marshall football players. It's very very bumpy, and I was freaking out in my head. Then I realized that there was only a curtain to the cockpit, and I could see one of the pilots. He was laughing, joking, flying...he wasn't sweating or swearing or otherwise looking frightened. I looked at the flight attendant. Laughing, having a nice time with passengers. It was all perfectly normal despite the bumpiness. Ever since then I pay attention to the FAs.

 

[bumbershoot]

We do it discreetly and it usually works out just right. I hate to see our wallets/ID's etc sitting vulnerable in a bin

ID goes in your pocket or wallet after showing it to the agent before heading to conveyor belts, and why have your wallet out at all by that point? Put wallets into a carryon. Don't put those things in bins.

 

[sam_gordon]

The initial wording about liquids makes it sound like you can only bring 3 ounces on. Honestly, I would quote the TSA wording on it as I find that to be really clear.

Initial wording, maybe, but the last line in the paragraph I think covers that. " Everyone (1) can bring one (1) quart bag with as many three ounce containers as they can fit."

Having status allows for heavier bags, so I would put a caveat in the 50 pound part. At least an asterisk with an explanation so when they become frequent flyers they'll have a heads up.

Sorry, I'm not sure what caveat you'd be looking for. Here's the line: "
Checked Luggage
This can basically be any size, but the most common is 25-29 inches tall. There is a 50 pound limit. Anything over 50 pounds will be charged extra. Most airlines charge for every piece of checked luggage, because of our status, everyone gets one free piece of checked luggage."
To me, it's obvious if you're over 50#, even with status, you get charged for overweight.

Sounds like you'll be on the plane with them. If not, honestly I have found it to be VERY useful to watch the flight attendants when I'm nervous. If they start to panic, I'll start to panic. Until then...no panicking. Figured that trick out while on a tiny plane going to West Virginia, the same route of the Marshall football players. It's very very bumpy, and I was freaking out in my head. Then I realized that there was only a curtain to the cockpit, and I could see one of the pilots. He was laughing, joking, flying...he wasn't sweating or swearing or otherwise looking frightened. I looked at the flight attendant. Laughing, having a nice time with passengers. It was all perfectly normal despite the bumpiness. Ever since then I pay attention to the FAs.

Gotcha.

 

[MICKIMINI]

ID goes in your pocket or wallet after showing it to the agent before heading to conveyor belts, and why have your wallet out at all by that point? Put wallets into a carryon. Don't put those things in bins.

We're TSA Pre Check and we're always asked "is there anything in your pockets"? We put our wallets in a zippered carry on/tote bag in the bin. I'm disabled, so it gets a bit complicated...I'll leave it at that.

 

[sam_gordon]

We're TSA Pre Check and we're always asked "is there anything in your pockets"? We put our wallets in a zippered carry on/tote bag in the bin. I'm disabled, so it gets a bit complicated...I'll leave it at that.

I think what @bumbershoot is saying is show your DL at the ID check, when finished with the check, put the ID in your wallet, then the wallet in your carry on/tote bag before getting to the scanners. Then you don't have anything in your pocket.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I think what @bumbershoot is saying is show your DL at the ID check, when finished with the check, put the ID in your wallet, then the wallet in your carry on/tote bag before getting to the scanners. Then you don't have anything in your pocket.

I didn't articulate my thoughts well. Going through security is a major pain in the neck for us these days. I had to go through a full search last trip at MCO and maybe it was just random I don't know, but the plan we've been using for 30 years did pay off LOL!

 

[focusondisney]

Will 2 teenagers really read all that? Can‘t your kids just give them some info? Do they have family members that have flown & will help with packing etc?