Generally good info. If they are driving themselves to the airport also good to know where they intend to park and which airline you are using since terminals at larger airports are divided up by airline.
I would suggest they try to pack everything into checked luggage or their personal item. Too many people try to avoid paying for checked baggage by dragging a carryon onto the aircraft. Sometimes there is limited overhead storage (depends on how late you board and/or the size of aircraft), slows down the boarding process and if you have to store something in a bin BEHIND you, you will likely be one of the last people off of the plane.
PRIOR to getting to the TSA security area, empty your pockets into your personal item and ONLY have in your hand the boarding pass and ID. Each person should carry their own ID & boarding pass in case you get separated during screening. Remove all watches/jewelry (or wear minimal items on the day you are flying) and place in your personal item. Guys should wear a non-metallic belt buckle (or make sure to remove). Turn your cell phone off and place into your personal item. This also avoids having loose wallets/phones/keys/etc. in those bins where they are easier for someone to grab by mistake or get lost. Simplifies what you do when you actually get to those bins in the security area. You will need to show the TSA person your boarding pass & ID when entering the screening area. I find the actual type of screening varies by airport. Everyone does not go through a body scanner, most just go through a metal detector. Pass attention to announcements/directions being given in the screening area. Too many people are chit/chatting/texting or not paying attention which slows down the process. I generally try to time going through the scanner until AFTER my tray has slid forward on the conveyor belt. If you need to be rescreened, keep an eye on your tray as it exits the scanning machine.
Make sure to double check your gate assignment on the posted TV displays after screening since they can occasionally change. Check the walkway signage to make sure you are heading to the correct terminal/gate #. When you arrive at your departure gate there is no need to go the counter. You are already checked in and have your boarding pass. It is generally a good idea to use the rest room prior to boarding your flight since it will be less crowded. Purchase any water/beverages for the flight AFTER going through security.
I find it preferable to ONLY take onto the aircraft your personal item with things you will actually use while flying (snacks/beverage/laptop/etc.) and things like ID/wallet/cell phone along with other items you recommended for the first part of the trip if luggage happens to get lost. Whatever you brought on the plane needs to fit into either an overhead bin or on the floor in front of you for takeoff and landing. Make sure you sit in your assigned seat (where applicable since some airlines have 'open' seating). If someone occupies your seat ask them to move. I keep my boarding pass handy since on rare occasions, someone will claim you are sitting in their seat. Show the flight attendant your boarding pass and let them resolve it in the unlikely event that happens. I have NEVER seen where 2 people have been assigned the same seat on a flight. Usually someone misread the seat map or is using the wrong boarding pass from another leg of their flight. Airplanes vary from too hot to too cold, so bring a light jacket/sweater regardless of the time of year you are traveling.
Large containers or shampoo/lotion/body wash/toothpaste/mouthwash/etc. should always be in your checked baggage to avoid problems during screening and those aren't things you will ever use on the airplane anyway. Read over the TSA website for the types of things not permitted on aircraft (some are not obvious to first time travelers.) Anything remotely resembling a weapon can't be taken on the plane and needs to be in your checked baggage (scissors/pocket knife/corkscrew/etc.)
When you arrive at your destination and they turn off the seat belt sign, everyone will stand up to prepare to exit the plane. It is good etiquette to let those in front of you exit before you. Remember to retrieve all items you brought on board when exiting.
I would suggest they try to pack everything into checked luggage or their personal item. Too many people try to avoid paying for checked baggage by dragging a carryon onto the aircraft. Sometimes there is limited overhead storage (depends on how late you board and/or the size of aircraft), slows down the boarding process and if you have to store something in a bin BEHIND you, you will likely be one of the last people off of the plane.
PRIOR to getting to the TSA security area, empty your pockets into your personal item and ONLY have in your hand the boarding pass and ID. Each person should carry their own ID & boarding pass in case you get separated during screening. Remove all watches/jewelry (or wear minimal items on the day you are flying) and place in your personal item. Guys should wear a non-metallic belt buckle (or make sure to remove). Turn your cell phone off and place into your personal item. This also avoids having loose wallets/phones/keys/etc. in those bins where they are easier for someone to grab by mistake or get lost. Simplifies what you do when you actually get to those bins in the security area. You will need to show the TSA person your boarding pass & ID when entering the screening area. I find the actual type of screening varies by airport. Everyone does not go through a body scanner, most just go through a metal detector. Pass attention to announcements/directions being given in the screening area. Too many people are chit/chatting/texting or not paying attention which slows down the process. I generally try to time going through the scanner until AFTER my tray has slid forward on the conveyor belt. If you need to be rescreened, keep an eye on your tray as it exits the scanning machine.
Make sure to double check your gate assignment on the posted TV displays after screening since they can occasionally change. Check the walkway signage to make sure you are heading to the correct terminal/gate #. When you arrive at your departure gate there is no need to go the counter. You are already checked in and have your boarding pass. It is generally a good idea to use the rest room prior to boarding your flight since it will be less crowded. Purchase any water/beverages for the flight AFTER going through security.
I find it preferable to ONLY take onto the aircraft your personal item with things you will actually use while flying (snacks/beverage/laptop/etc.) and things like ID/wallet/cell phone along with other items you recommended for the first part of the trip if luggage happens to get lost. Whatever you brought on the plane needs to fit into either an overhead bin or on the floor in front of you for takeoff and landing. Make sure you sit in your assigned seat (where applicable since some airlines have 'open' seating). If someone occupies your seat ask them to move. I keep my boarding pass handy since on rare occasions, someone will claim you are sitting in their seat. Show the flight attendant your boarding pass and let them resolve it in the unlikely event that happens. I have NEVER seen where 2 people have been assigned the same seat on a flight. Usually someone misread the seat map or is using the wrong boarding pass from another leg of their flight. Airplanes vary from too hot to too cold, so bring a light jacket/sweater regardless of the time of year you are traveling.
Large containers or shampoo/lotion/body wash/toothpaste/mouthwash/etc. should always be in your checked baggage to avoid problems during screening and those aren't things you will ever use on the airplane anyway. Read over the TSA website for the types of things not permitted on aircraft (some are not obvious to first time travelers.) Anything remotely resembling a weapon can't be taken on the plane and needs to be in your checked baggage (scissors/pocket knife/corkscrew/etc.)
When you arrive at your destination and they turn off the seat belt sign, everyone will stand up to prepare to exit the plane. It is good etiquette to let those in front of you exit before you. Remember to retrieve all items you brought on board when exiting.
I think videos are a much better idea. Heck, I just saw a tv commercial that showed people walking thru security, so there are ways to show them what will happen. I assume these kids will be going to the airport with the OP & not just expected to meet them on the plane. So I can see info on packing & basic TSA procedures. But the stuff about tagging their bags, walking to the plane & getting seated can surely be omitted. That’s the kind of stuff that the OPs kids can just explain as they go. Even if they want to read it, 4 pages of words just seems too much. Will there also be a similar document for boarding the cruise? I think kids can just get overwhelmed with too much & not even try to get thru it.
It's actually a shared google doc that I can send the link to. But I wasn't going to put the link out to my personal google drive on a message board.
