Flying for noobs

[MrsLanduyt]

So it's been a really REALLY long time since I or the hubby has flown anywhere.
Any tips? The last time was over 5 years ago

 

[PinkBudgie]

Well, I have you beat in that department. I haven't flown since before 9/11. I'm interested in seeing some suggestions too. How long is your flight? Ours is 5 hours. I've been reading the TSA website to try to understand the new rules about what you can bring.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Look up the 3-1-1 rule for liquids in carry-ons. Wear easy on/off shoes for security. Don't wear a lot of jewelry or have tons if stuff in your pockets -makes it less of a scramble to get through security. You will have to have your ID and boarding pass handy at security. Know how to put your electronics in airplane mode (if your flight doesn't have wi-fi).

Which airline are you flying? There might be more tips.

 

[MrsLanduyt]

I'm flying Delta. How early should we get to the airport before the flight leaves? I'm flying out of Columbus Ohio. We have a layover in Raleigh before hitting MCO.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

2 hours ahead is probably sufficient. If you are flying on a Monday morning or Friday evening, give yourself more time, as security will be filled with business travelers.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I like the Columbus airport. It is not intimidating like some of the mega-airports.

 

[Frankiemack]

You need at least 2 hours to get through security and make your flight on time. No food and very limited liquids...the 3-1-1 rule, using a 1 qt clear ziplock bag.

Don't bring pressurized cans like hairspray, no food/beverages, etc.

Wear easy slip on/off shoes, no belts, little to no jewelry.

 

[Pooh2]

We flew in November for the first time since before 9/11. I had posted here and got some really good tips. I was trying to avoid looking like a country bumpkin, I was not overly successful but it went smoother having a some idea of what to do.

We got there about 2 hours before the flight. We had more space tickets (allowing for the special security line) but did not see the line for that, next time we will ask.

You have to take out your laptop and put that in a separate bucket (looks kind of like a dish pan). Tuck your purse/wallet, anything from your pockets into your carryon. The carryon bags do not go into a the tray and are just placed on the belt but your shoes/belt do. But do not put your shoes into the laptop tray or the TSA Staff makes you feel like Dumbo.

Leave your quart bag with 3 ounce items in the carryon. You can have as many 3 ounce items or less as you can stuff in that little quart bag. At the other side, grab your bags and move out of the way. They had some benches to get yourself back together and put your shoes on.

You can have one bag to put under the seat, one for the overhead compartment. We looked up the measurements for both on the airline and measured our bags to be sure they would be okay. Your purse counts as one of your bags unless you can fit it into your carryon. They look to see how many bags you have as you are boarding the plane.

Medical equipment such as CPAP gear does not count toward your carryon on allowance.

Our first plane travel in 15 years went relatively smoothly. Happy Travels to you!

 

[NancyIL]

We flew in November for the first time since before 9/11. I had posted here and got some really good tips. I was trying to avoid looking like a country bumpkin, I was not overly successful but it went smoother having a some idea of what to do.

We got there about 2 hours before the flight. We had more space tickets (allowing for the special security line) but did not see the line for that, next time we will ask.

You have to take out your laptop and put that in a separate bucket (looks kind of like a dish pan). Tuck your purse/wallet, anything from your pockets into your carryon. The carryon bags do not go into a the tray and are just placed on the belt but your shoes/belt do. But do not put your shoes into the laptop tray or the TSA Staff makes you feel like Dumbo.

Leave your quart bag with 3 ounce items in the carryon. You can have as many 3 ounce items or less as you can stuff in that little quart bag. At the other side, grab your bags and move out of the way. They had some benches to get yourself back together and put your shoes on.

You can have one bag to put under the seat, one for the overhead compartment. We looked up the measurements for both on the airline and measured our bags to be sure they would be okay. Your purse counts as one of your bags unless you can fit it into your carryon. They look to see how many bags you have as you are boarding the plane.

Medical equipment such as CPAP gear does not count toward your carryon on allowance.

Our first plane travel in 15 years went relatively smoothly. Happy Travels to you!

I put my shoes in the bin, along with my Ziploc bag with liquids (that does need to come out of your carry-on), my purse, and a jacket, if I'm wearing one.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You need at least 2 hours to get through security and make your flight on time. No food and very limited liquids...the 3-1-1 rule, using a 1 qt clear ziplock bag.

Don't bring pressurized cans like hairspray, no food/beverages, etc.

Wear easy slip on/off shoes, no belts, little to no jewelry.

Not correct. You are free to bring food through security, it just must pass the liquid rule.

OP, go to your airline's website and familiarize yourself with rules regarding check-in, seat selection, baggage, etc. Then go to TSA.gov and make sure you understand the rules for getting through security, including rules for TSA Pre Check, just in case you are selected for this.

 

[MaleficentRN]

In all honesty, flying hasn't changed much in the past five years. Have a great trip!

 

[Pooh2]

Huh. We were not asked to take the bag of liquids out. Wonder if this was a fluke? We each had a bag of liquids in our carry-on (Jet Blue).

 

[NancyIL]

Huh. We were not asked to take the bag of liquids out. Wonder if this was a fluke? We each had a bag of liquids in our carry-on (Jet Blue).

It was probably an oversight, as the quart-size bag of liquids is supposed to go in the bin through the x-ray machine.

 

[goofy4tink]

Basically....easy on and off shoes, with socks! Keep your belts in your carry on until you get thru security. Sweatshirts, jackets and sweaters have to come off and go in a bin. Laptops go in their own bin..out of any jacket/case. No heavy jewelry..earrings and rings are okay, heavy bracelets and watches should come off.
Keep your 3-1-1 qt baggie near the top of your carry on bag. It will be easy to reach in and get it and put it in the bin. Yes, sometimes they tell you that you don't have to take it out, but better safe than sorry.
You will feel the need to rush so as to not hold anyone behind you up. Don't worry about it! Now, that isn't to say that you stop at the end of the conveyor belt, start to untie your shoes, take them off, then take off your belt and your jacket. Then go thru your pockets. Yes, this is what my brother did. He's not a frequent traveler and he didn't make many friends behind him. Just do what you need to do and move along.
Have your ID out with your boarding pass when you get to security. No liquids larger than 3.4 oz. You can buy water and such at the gate and it can go on the plane with you.

Get to the airport about 2 hrs before flight time. That should give you plenty of time to do what you need to do and then be able to relax a bit at the gate...there's nothing worse than having to rush to get to the gate!!! Not any fun...be early!

 

[sam_gordon]

Huh. We were not asked to take the bag of liquids out. Wonder if this was a fluke? We each had a bag of liquids in our carry-on (Jet Blue).

There have been times I've forgotten to take my 3-1-1 bag out of my carryon. Nothing has been said.

 

[PinkBudgie]

To tag on here- it is my understanding that medicine does not go in your 311 bag but a separate bag? And you need to tell them about it? I have 4 epi pens and liquid benedryl in single serve packs, along with pills such as claratin and advil. They don't expect me to fill up my 311 bag with all that do they? (minus the non liquid pills of course)

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

To tag on here- it is my understanding that medicine does not go in your 311 bag but a separate bag? And you need to tell them about it? I have 4 epi pens and liquid benedryl in single serve packs, along with pills such as claratin and advil. They don't expect me to fill up my 311 bag with all that do they? (minus the non liquid pills of course)

Did you check the TSA web site?

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/medically-necessary-liquids

Pills do not go in a 311 bag.

 

[Unas]

Did you check the TSA web site?

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/medically-necessary-liquids

Pills do not go in a 311 bag.

No medically necessities, even liquids, are required to go in a Baggie.

 

[pigletgirl]

No medically necessities, even liquids, are required to go in a Baggie.

Remember to declare them!!

 

[Starwind]

To tag on here- it is my understanding that medicine does not go in your 311 bag but a separate bag? And you need to tell them about it? I have 4 epi pens and liquid benedryl in single serve packs, along with pills such as claratin and advil. They don't expect me to fill up my 311 bag with all that do they? (minus the non liquid pills of course)

According to the TSA webpage about the 3-1-1 rule:

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/3-1-1-carry-ons

"Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint. Officers may need to open these items to conduct additional screening."


Personally, I put my normal 3-1-1 liquids into their own zip-top bag. Then I put my medical liquids (epi-pens, liquid meds, etc) into their OWN separate zip-top bag. I put BOTH into the tray, noting to the screener that the one bag is medication. I also have some medical liquids that do not fit in the quart bags. I have a separate larger bag for them (I like the idea of a barrier between those grey bins and my medication containers, TYVM!). It, too, goes into the grey bins and the screener there is told it is medical liquids.

I have never had a problem with this strategy. Worse case, for the larger containers they have swabbed them and/or their bag for their explosives test. When they ask-tell me if they can swab it, I tell them that is fine but I ask them to please change gloves since I am trying to keep the containers clean; they always have without any problem.

-SW