Flying Idiot Here

[kimmikayb]

I have flown a few times in my life, but not since 9/11. Anyone have any hints for me on making the process easier on me, my mother (64), DD12 and DS10?

Also, if I bring a collasable cooler with me in my luggage will I be able to use it for a carry on when we come home? It is within the size of a carry on. This is a trip without my DH and the only "requirement" he had was I brought him home several canolli from Italy! So the cooler will have canolli and ice. Anyone know if this will be ok?

Any suggestions you can give this very un-knowlegdeable person would be very, very helpful!!

 

[janets]

is make sure you give yourselves enough time to get to the airport and get through security in a relaxed, timely fashion. I know that I hate sitting at the airport for too long before a flight, but I hate it worse when I have to try and rush and realize that I'm stuck in a security line and my plane is going to leave.

If you're checking luggage, then try to check as much as possible to allow for only a personal bag (purse or backpack) and if needed, 1 carry on. Overhead space fills up quickly, and you want to be sure your carry on will fit and you have space for it.

Most airlines are really not serving much in the way of food or snacks these days, so depending on the time of your flight, you might want to bring some light food on board for you, your mom and the kids. Drinks are always available so you should be fine with that.

If you're not travelling on something like JetBlue with individual TVs, you might want to bring a portable DVD player or other game boy type device to keep the kids occupied during the flight.

As for the cooler on the way back, I have never personally done it, but I don't think it will be a problem. My only concern is that the one time we had a cooler in our room w/ ice in it, as the ice melted, the cooler got very wet on the outside. Make sure you have one that will not leak through, or you will have a mess in the overhead compartments.

Others might have some more advice for you.

 

[kimmikayb]

Thanks Janet! We're flying Northwest and I didn't know about the no food. I will for sure bring snacks.

I bring along various sized ziplocs, so the ice will go in the ziplocs and hopefully won't leak.

You're right, I would much rather be relaxed checking in, so we'll get there in plenty of time. Our flight leaves very, very early in the morning so we might even get a motel close to the airport (we are a good 50 miles away).

Love the hints, keep them coming!

 

[bavaria]

Here's a long thread which I started last year and should help

Navigating the airport

 

[kimmikayb]

Here's a long thread which I started last year and should help

Navigating the airport

excellent thread, thank you! I did learn some new things that will help us.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

So the cooler will have canolli and ice.

If you will be packing canolli and ice in a cooler it is very likely that the ice will be melted by the time you get home, the outside of the cooler will be soaking wet, the canolli will be inedible as they will be soaked and everything in the overhead bin will also be wet.

This would not be a good plan.

 

[salmoneous]

I like to bring a bottle of water on board so I don't have to rely on the FA's anytime I'm thirsty.

Note that the metal detectors have been turned up, so do yourself a favor and avoid all metal in belts and whatnot.

You will all most likely have to take off your shoes to go through the metal detectors, so wear things that are easy on/off and socks.

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Do I take it your going to italy? You most deffinitely will get food then. All airlines still server on international flights to europe, asia and so forth. Also be careful about brining any food back to the usa... they might not let you bring it into the country. or italy could pontentially stop you.

Matt

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Do I take it your going to italy?

I thought this at first, but I think that the OP means Italy in Epcot. Am I wrong?

 

[kimmikayb]

If you will be packing canolli and ice in a cooler it is very likely that the ice will be melted by the time you get home, the outside of the cooler will be soaking wet, the canolli will be inedible as they will be soaked and everything in the overhead bin will also be wet.

This would not be a good plan.

sorry....my fault! I mean Italy in Epcot.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

Zip the ice into a ziplock bag, then put that bag into another zip-lock bag. You might even want to triple bag them. Ice cubes/chips melt faster that a solid chunk of ice, so if there's any way you can get a ice pack or packs frozen (maybe ask at your resort if they can do this somewhere for you) you'll be better off. Otherwise, do the double or triple bagging trick. Or maybe use some of those disposable/reusable gladware/zipware type containers which might not leak as easily.

I've definitely carried on a cooler as a carry-on--no problem there.