flying questions...airtran.

[stephie1012]

I havent flown in over 4yrs so i just have a few questions lol

We are flying Airtan out of atlantic city....How far in advance should we get to the airport? Do we need any paperwork? I thought we just went to the check in desk with our ID. How does Airtran board? We are hoping that either dh or i could board to install DS's seat and have the other board last with the kids. How heavy can our bags be? Do i need to check in online or something? Going ome, i think we can check in at the resort right? and we hand them our bags and thats it?
Sorry for all the questions!

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

It's very easy to fly into and out of AC. People may give you different answers, but you'll probably want to get to the airport about 1 1/2 hours before your flight. The only paperwork you will need are your photo IDs.

Air Tran boards by zones, which will be indicated on your boarding pass. You can certainly have your husband board with the zone indicated on the ticket and install the car seat while you wait and board last.

Your bags cannot weigh more than 50lbs. They are very strict on this and you will be charged if they are overweight. Check before you leave home. On one trip, I didn't check and I had to move things between suitcases at the airport because I had 1 bag that was overweight.

You don't need to check-in online unless you haven't selected your seats yet. If you don't have your seats already, you'll definitely want to do that to ensure that you are sitting together.

For your flight home, you can check-in at your resort and get your boarding passes and check your luggage, provided your flight is not too early. The desk opens at 5:00am and you have to check-in more than 3 hours before your flight. The day before you leave, you'll get your ME time and there will be a phone number listed for you to call and pay for your luggage. Just make sure you call before you get to RAC desk.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Missytara]

Flying these days is much different. Flight changes do happen and you should also check the flight information the day before to ensure they have not changed your flight.

Also, if you do self check-in at the airport kiosk, you will need the credit card you booked your plane tickets with in order to access your information.

And I always put the paperwork in a packet with me in my day bag, along with all of my Disney info, just in case.

Make sure you check the TSA site for all the latest requirements for security. Be prepared, because people will be in line behind you that are seasoned travelers and they do not like to wait for people who are not prepared.

Wear shoes you can easily slip on and off; and make sure you have your 3-1-1 ziplock bag out of your carry-on.

Have fun!

 

[ParrotBill]

Families with different zones on their boarding passes are welcome to board together on the lowest zone they have when it is called.

If your boarding pass has "99" on it ask at the gate before boarding begins what zone to board with.

Checking in online saves you a little time at the airport because you will identify how many checked bags you have and pay for them ahead of time. Print the confirmation of baggage along with your boarding passes. Some airports have a separate line for express baggage check if you've checked in online.

definitely use the resort check in as noted above. You must turn over your luggage at least 3 hours before your flight time and the resorts have scales to weigh your luggage so allow time to adjust if you think you are at risk of 50 lbs. When you call BAGS you will need your airline conf# and credit card to pay for the checked bags, and you get a confirmation # you need to show at the luggage check in. (Don't forget to tip them just as if you were at the airport.) When you get to MCO you can go up to the departure level, look for your gate on the monitors, and proceed to your gate or have breakfast or lunch as you will most likely have an hour of free time before boarding starts.
No waiting in the airline check in! you have your boarding pass and the resort transfers your checked bags to the airline.

 

[polineedyan]

In glancing the responses, I dont think anyone addressed the ds seat. I dont think that you can take a child seat. They always made us check ours. Not sure..

 

[stephie1012]

In glancing the responses, I dont think anyone addressed the ds seat. I dont think that you can take a child seat. They always made us check ours. Not sure..

of course we can take a seat why wouldnt we be able to? I paid for him to have his own seat, hes over 2...i would not fly without one ever at this age or really under 40lbs. And i would never check his seat, i wouldnt feel comfy with that at all.

Thanks for the tips everyone! I knew about the shoes, and last time i flew i just didnt bring any liquids on board...i can bring empty cups for the kids right? I was planning on getting drinks at the airport. Oh how about meds? Im planning on bringing benadryl in my bag in case of emergency, is that okay? it will be brandnew sealed liquid.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

The car seat has to have on it that it is approved for flying. Otherwise you'll have to check it. I don't know what the sticker looks like - just that it's on the car seat when you buy it and is attached to the back or side I think.

I witnessed a very upset Mom who had to gate check theirs at the end of April when it was discovered by the FA that it didn't have the approved for flying sticker on the back.

I can't help with the Benadryl. My gut instinct says that it will need to be in the checked luggage but you'll want to read over the info on Air Tran website to find out for sure.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

Just check the seat whether its approved by the FAA. It has a sticker Most are. I have a cheapo Cosco one that we bring because its light weight to carry. You can install your seat and then bring the kids on..but if you don't have assigned seats you probably want to board when they let you to make sure you all are sitting together. (lots of threads on this).

Car seat installs differently than car..most of them just thread thru the seat belt thru the back..FA will assist. It needs to be in a window seat as to not block someone from exiting in a emergency.

Children's medicine including over the counter is exempt from the 3 oz rule..just put it in a plastic bag. Benedryl is fine

 

[stephie1012]

thanks guys...his seat is faa approved..im printing out the FAA carseat rules and regs and bringing it with me, i know im going to have a hard time with him rearfacing, just want to make sure we have it.

I paid for our seats, theres no way i could take that chance. good to know about the benadryl thanks!

 

[cbrfan]

thanks guys...his seat is faa approved..im printing out the FAA carseat rules and regs and bringing it with me, i know im going to have a hard time with him rearfacing, just want to make sure we have it.

I paid for our seats, theres no way i could take that chance. good to know about the benadryl thanks!

Just keep in mind that just as the FAA has specification for carseats, so do the airlines. What may be just fine on one aircraft may not fit on another. If it doesn't, it will have to be checked. You did the right thing by booking your seats in advance. Otherwise, there would be no way to guarantee you'd get a window seat to put the carseat in.