Flying for the first time ... please tell me what to expect!

[southernbelle5672]

Hey guys. I just finished college and as a present my Dad is giving DH and I a trip to Cancun!! I am SO excited!

DH has never flown and I haven't since before high school. Please tell me what to expect. What are the items that you aren't allowed to bring? (I mean obviously no knives or weapons, but I've heard something about hairspray and batteries?) We are flying Delta. How much will it cost for our bags? Any other tips?

I'm kinda nervous about flying but I know so many of you guys fly to Disney so I know you can help! We live in Alabama so we always drive.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

Exciting! I don't know the exact answers to your questions, but I know I've always had luck checking the TSA's website right before we fly to keep up with any changes. If you go to Delta's website, there should be a section on there telling you what you can and cannot bring (there is probably a link to the actual TSA site, as well!). I know a lot of things have changed since last time I flew (last August), so it's probably better to go right to the source!
Hope that Helps!

Have fun!

 

[kaytieeldr]

www.tsa.gov will tell you what you can and can't bring in carry-on luggage, and what you can and can't bring in checked luggage.
www.delta.com will let you know how much it costs per checked bag in each direction, i.e. if the two of you can pack in one bag, keep it under fifty pounds, and I forget what the third thing was I was going to say (quick - somebody get me Dragon Naturally Speaking! ) Oh, I know - it's cheaper to pay in advance online than at the airport.
And, Google U.S. Customs to see what you can and can't bring back duty free.

And you do have passports, right?

 

[MerMom60_94]

My "other tip" is that the airlines don't offer more than a small snack and a beverage these days. If we are flying around meal time we either eat something in the terminal prior to boarding or buy a sandwich / salad in the terminal and bring it onto the plane for when we get hungry. (I am all about the food, people!)

I hope you and your DH have a great, relaxing trip. I am sure it is well deserved.

 

[laurie31]

Okay, I'm going to be basic, since I think that's what you're asking for.

Arrive at the airport. If you're driving yourselves, there are signs to long-term parking and the lot is divided by which airline you're flying (so you can enter the airport relatively close to your check-in place. You can park where ever, you'll just have to walk further if you don't park in your airline's area). If someone's driving you or you're taking a cab, it will pull up at Departures and let you out. Some airlines have curb-side check in. We always do online check in before we leave the house, up to 24 hours in advance. As someone mentioned, if you're checking luggage, in can be cheaper to pay that fee online.

Go to the Delta counter and give them your checked luggage. Then go to the security line. If you're flying out of B'ham it wil be really short. If you're flying out of Atlanta, it will be really long.

While you're in the line, have your boarding pass and ID ready. Take off your shoes and empty your pockets. We put everything from our pockets into my purse so we don't have a bunch of loose stuff to gather on the other side of the screeners. Have your 3-1-1 bag out. This is the 1 quart ziploc bag with your liquids and gels. This means ANYTHING liquid or "squishy", from shampoo to toothpaste. Liquid make-up goes in the bag. Powders do not. You are each allowed one 3-1-1 bag.

Put your shoes, laptop, 3-1-1 bag, etc into a bin and send it through the x-ray machine. Your carry-on will also go on the conveyor belt and go through. Batteries can look like bullets (especially if you have the super-duper pack of 60 AAs from Sam's. Ahem) but you can bring them. You walk through the scanner and reclaim your stuff on the other side. If they see anything odd in your bag, they will open and inspect it. You can watch, but not help them open it.

Then you just walk to your gate and wait for boarding.

I am another big fan of bringing more food than I think I'll actually need for the flight, and you can fill up empty water bottles after you pass through security. I wouldn't get on a plane these days without water.

Have a great trip! Despite all the frustrating rules these days, I still love to fly.

 

[librarygal]

A few tips about the Cancun airport. As soon as you clear the secured area you may be approaced by a number a people offering transportation. If someone in an official looking uniform and ID around their neck approaches ignore or say no thanks. They are timeshare sharks. How are you getting from the airport to your hotel? A taxi is over $50 due to union regs but half that going back. The food at the airport is incredibly expensive so do not plan on eating there.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

 

[Tracy Savage]

Ineresting photo. Should we look at the plane or the mans... ummm ...shorts?

 

[southernbelle5672]

A few tips about the Cancun airport. As soon as you clear the secured area you may be approaced by a number a people offering transportation. If someone in an official looking uniform and ID around their neck approaches ignore or say no thanks. They are timeshare sharks. How are you getting from the airport to your hotel? A taxi is over $50 due to union regs but half that going back. The food at the airport is incredibly expensive so do not plan on eating there.

We actually already have transportation arranged for when we get to the Cancun airport. We booked it with our package.

Thanks everyone for all of the tips! They are very helpful.

Disneybamafan - is that picture supposed to make me feel better?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Actually, yes - it's there to display that even what can at first seem like a negative experience can actually be positive. First, the plane appears entirely undamaged, and second, instead of needing transportation from the airport, it apparently delivered its passengers directly to the beach!!!

 

[bettymae1121]

If you have any concerns about the actual flight and what will happen (what was that noise? is that normal? why are we banking?) I think there are some websites that will explain what will happen and what to expect. For example just after take off you usually hear and feel a "thump", that's the landing gear retracting. Do a few Google searches, I'm sure you'll find something that will help you so you'll know what to expect.

 

[snoopyluvsdis]

I took my first flight back in Oct '09. The thing that bothered me the most was the engine noise. The second thing was the tiny seats and no I'm not that big.

 

[Tracy Savage]

Actually, yes - it's there to display that even what can at first seem like a negative experience can actually be positive. First, the plane appears entirely undamaged, and second, instead of needing transportation from the airport, it apparently delivered its passengers directly to the beach!!!

I couldn't get past the man laying on the beach