Flying Questions

[luulu1999]

we have NEVER flown on an airplane before but I think we will for this trip in June, usually we drive from MO but my boyfriends vacation time would be better for us to knock a few days off our stay and fly...I need to know all the things I need to know about flying!! My kids are 7&8 I am considering southwest because of the free checked bag but any other tips or suggestions on who to use or where to get the cheapest flights would be great!..i was thinking about getting my kids the paint wands for Easter would that be something they can carry with them or not? If my son builds a light saber at DL will he be ableto bring it home!?..I know nothing about it

 

[Indiana Scott]

You can carry two regulation size (check with your airline) bags on the plane. So we pack light and just use carry on bags. Heck, we can even spend a week in Hawaii and just live out of those bags - a trip to Disney is the same.
So my suggestion is if you go on another airline where you have to pay for baggage, just pack light and do carry-ons.

 

[BadPinkTink]

dont forget the 3 11 rule for liquids ie 3oz or under in 1 baggie per person. This covers so much more than just bottle of coke, things like sunscreen, perfume, deodorant, liquid foundation, toothpaste etc. As long as its under 3oz and in the baggie its fine

 

[jpessa]

If you go Southwest, I recommend you pay for Early Bird Check In (EBCI). It's like $12.50 per person extra. This will ensure you are all sitting together. Southwest doesn't have assigned seating, and if you end up checking in online late, you'll get a late boarding number and your family may have to split up. Not a big deal for some, but as it's your first time I'll guess you'll want to be together. With kids at 7&8 you don't qualify for "family boarding". Keep that in mind when comparing fare prices.

 

[luulu1999]

dont forget the 3 11 rule for liquids ie 3oz or under in 1 baggie per person. This covers so much more than just bottle of coke, things like sunscreen, perfume, deodorant, liquid foundation, toothpaste etc. As long as its under 3oz and in the baggie its fine

do the bottles have to be clear or we can get the travel sizes of stuff from walmart

 

[jpessa]

dont forget the 3 11 rule for liquids ie 3oz or under in 1 baggie per person. This covers so much more than just bottle of coke, things like sunscreen, perfume, deodorant, liquid foundation, toothpaste etc. As long as its under 3oz and in the baggie its fine

Experienced travelers can easily take carry-ons only and deal with the liquid restrictions and other things. However, you may find this to add stress to your planning (or not! Everyone is different). I would buy your tickets based on checking 2 bags then later see what you want to do.

 

[jpessa]

do the bottles have to be clear or we can get the travel sizes of stuff from walmart

Travel size stuff is fine.

 

[luulu1999]

If you go Southwest, I recommend you pay for Early Bird Check In (EBCI). It's like $12.50 per person extra. This will ensure you are all sitting together. Southwest doesn't have assigned seating, and if you end up checking in online late, you'll get a late boarding number and your family may have to split up. Not a big deal for some, but as it's your first time I'll guess you'll want to be together. With kids at 7&8 you don't qualify for "family boarding". Keep that in mind when comparing fare prices.

thank you we def want to sit together! How does it work? you get there early or you check in online? and then do you get to pick your seats or what?

 

[jpessa]

thank you we def want to sit together! How does it work? you get there early or you check in online? and then do you get to pick your seats or what?

When you check in online (up to 24 hours before your flight), you are assigned a boarding number. Once at the gate, they let people get on in order of their boarding number. Southwest doesn't assign seats. You get on and pick any seat you want. So as you can imagine, on a full flight, those boarding last all get middle seats separate from each other! If you pay for EBCI the system automatically assigns you a boarding number 36 hours before the flight. Even if you check in at the airport one hour before departure, you already got that sweet early boarding number. That means you're ahead of anyone checking in online at 24 hours. That will make sure that once you get on, you can pick good seats together.

Southwest does offer family boarding for families traveling with young children (I think 6 and younger). That let's you on not first, but with lots of choices left. That's free. But since your kids are older you don't qualify. Once my DD turns 7 I'll pay for EBCI each time for peace of mind. You may have a half empty flight, then you'll feel like you wasted that money. But if you have a relatively full flight? It's priceless.

 

[BadPinkTink]

do the bottles have to be clear or we can get the travel sizes of stuff from walmart

The travel sized from Walmart are perfect The baggie needs to be clear though so they can see whats in it.

The most stressful part of flying for first time flyers or not frequent fliers is the security procedures. To make the experience less stressful
1. Prepare each member of your party before hand. All bags go through the bag scanner and people walk one at a time though the people scanner

2. All metal items must be removed from a person. This means all coins / wallets/ purses mobile phones removed from pockets and placed in the tray. Belts, shoes and hats are also removed and placed in the tray. Sometimes wire in bras sets off the alarms, so I always wear a non wire bra for flying.
If a person in the party has a surgical metal pin in their body, dont worry, just tell the TSA agent.

3.You help make this process less stressful by opening shoe laces, putting phones, wallets, belts etc in the carry on bag while in line.

4. The 311 baggie as well as laptops need to be removed from carry on bag and put into a separate tray

5. If the alarm pings, dont worry. You will just be given a quick pat down by a TSA agent. Females will have a female TSA agent, males will have a male TSA agent.

6. Sometimes they may do a bag search. If this happens, you bag will be taken out of the conveyor belt onto a side table and you will be asked to identify that its your bag. The TSA agent will do a quick bag search, similar to the bag searches at Disney.

7. Sometimes they do random drug testing. If this happens, dont worry. Most times they do this as they have quotas for example, maybe to test 10 people per hour.

8. After walking though the person scanner, you just wait for your bag to come through the bag scanner. There is always a mash up of people after the scanners putting themselves back together, putting their shoes and belts back on and fixing their bags

 

[ADLFAN]

I love the two free bags at Southwest!

What is a paint wand?! Haha, I even Googled the term to see if there was some new art product I wasn't aware of, but the results all turned up professional paint sprayer attachments! So, probably not that...

You'll be able to collapse your custom light sabers and pack them in your checked bags, ours held up just fine.

Just so you know, the small liquid rule ONLY applies to carry on bags, you can put whatever size liquids you desire in your checked bags.

If you have extra room in your checked bags, good! You'll need it for the way home! So don't consolidate too much, haha!

Flying is such a quick way to get where you're going, and a super fun 'first ride' for the kids! If you mention to the flight crew that this is their first time flying, they might get a cute 'set of wings" pin to keep as a great souvenir. Make sure to bring your own snacks from the airport or home, or be prepared with cash and card to buy some on the plane. You are allowed to purchase drinks after you get through security and bring those liquids on board, also.

If you have some toys, books, or technology for the kids to play with on the flights, that will help!

The kids won't need any ID, but TSA has asked kids in our party what our relationship was to them.

Have fun planning! And taking your kids on their first airplane!! I was an adult before I could afford to go anywhere, and it was a really awesome experience. I think I even saved the boarding pass and barf bag!

 

[luulu1999]

The travel sized from Walmart are perfect The baggie needs to be clear though so they can see whats in it.

The most stressful part of flying for first time flyers or not frequent fliers is the security procedures. To make the experience less stressful
1. Prepare each member of your party before hand. All bags go through the bag scanner and people walk one at a time though the people scanner

2. All metal items must be removed from a person. This means all coins / wallets/ purses mobile phones removed from pockets and placed in the tray. Belts, shoes and hats are also removed and placed in the tray. Sometimes wire in bras sets off the alarms, so I always wear a non wire bra for flying.
If a person in the party has a surgical metal pin in their body, dont worry, just tell the TSA agent.

3.You help make this process less stressful by opening shoe laces, putting phones, wallets, belts etc in the carry on bag while in line.

4. The 311 baggie as well as laptops need to be removed from carry on bag and put into a separate tray

5. If the alarm pings, dont worry. You will just be given a quick pat down by a TSA agent. Females will have a female TSA agent, males will have a male TSA agent.

6. Sometimes they may do a bag search. If this happens, you bag will be taken out of the conveyor belt onto a side table and you will be asked to identify that its your bag. The TSA agent will do a quick bag search, similar to the bag searches at Disney.

7. Sometimes they do random drug testing. If this happens, dont worry. Most times they do this as they have quotas for example, maybe to test 10 people per hour.

8. After walking though the person scanner, you just wait for your bag to come through the bag scanner. There is always a mash up of people after the scanners putting themselves back together, putting their shoes and belts back on and fixing their bags

THANK YOU for this! We have to go thru metal det at six flags so the kids are use to emptying everything out of your pockets (minus the taking shoes off lol) so that should help them some Im also hoping to maybe get an early flight when we head to California so maybe it wont be quiet so chaotic!

 

[luulu1999]

When you check in online (up to 24 hours before your flight), you are assigned a boarding number. Once at the gate, they let people get on in order of their boarding number. Southwest doesn't assign seats. You get on and pick any seat you want. So as you can imagine, on a full flight, those boarding last all get middle seats separate from each other! If you pay for EBCI the system automatically assigns you a boarding number 36 hours before the flight. Even if you check in at the airport one hour before departure, you already got that sweet early boarding number. That means you're ahead of anyone checking in online at 24 hours. That will make sure that once you get on, you can pick good seats together.

Southwest does offer family boarding for families traveling with young children (I think 6 and younger). That let's you on not first, but with lots of choices left. That's free. But since your kids are older you don't qualify. Once my DD turns 7 I'll pay for EBCI each time for peace of mind. You may have a half empty flight, then you'll feel like you wasted that money. But if you have a relatively full flight? It's priceless.

ok if we use southwest i am def gonna do this! thanks so much!!

 

[BadPinkTink]

ok so onto the next part of the experience. After the security, you need to check the screens to find out where your boarding gate is. Boarding normally takes place about 40 minutes before your departure time. Departure time means everyone on the plane and doors closed, so dont make the mistake of thinking you need to be at the boarding gate at departure time. Also check out how far the boarding gate is from your present location. Sometimes it can be a 10 or 15 minute walk from the shops and restaurants to the actual boarding gate.

Make sure all members of your party use the restroom before boarding the plane. Restroom use on planes are only allowed when the plane is in the air, not during take off or landing

Once on the plane and in your seats, carry on bags either go under the seat in front of you or in the over head lockers. Phones and ipads need to be switched to airplane mode and switched off for take off and landing.

Once everyone is on the plane, the cabin crew will do a head count before the doors are finally closed. The pilot will talk over the intercom and introduce the flight crew and give information about the flight time and weather conditions.

Once the doors are closed and the engines started,the fasten seat belts sign will be lit and the plane will "push back" from the building. This means that it will reverse backwards, either on its own or by being pushed by a small van. During this time the cabin crew will do the safety demonstration. As a first time flyer, make sure to pay attention. Once the doors are closed and the fasten seat belt sign is on, you are not allowed to walk about the plane or use the restroom. The pilot will switch off the sign and allow use of the restroom once the plane is in the air.

Once the safety demo is over, the cabin crew will take their seats. The plane will then "taxi" out to the runway. This means it will "drive" away from the building and join the line of planes waiting for take off. During take off tray tables have to be up and ear buds / ear phones should be removed.

At take-off the engine noise will change and the plane will speed up until it tilts upwards and takes off. This is just like being on a roller coaster and you will feel pushed back in your seat with the g force. You might feel or hear a "clunk". This will be the "landing gear" (wheels) retracting into the body of the plane. The plane will go up very fast, it usually takes less than 10 minutes to get above the clouds and level off.

Once the plane is above the clouds and has levelled off, weather permitting, the pilot will switch off the fasten seat belts sign, you will hear a ping. This means you can now use the restrooms. The cabin crew will now start the in-flight service , where they have a trolley will food and drink to buy.

You should prepare all members of your party for turbulence. This means the plane will get bumped about by wind. Most flights have a small amount of turbulence, so its quite normal. It can be scary for those not used to it though so I just think of it as the plane changing tracks, like a train.

About 30 minutes before landing, the pilot will announce that the plane is now on the final approach to (destination) and give a brief update on weather and landing time. The cabin crew will come through and do a final passenger check. The fasten seat belt sign will be turned on and walking around and use of restrooms will no longer be possible.

The plane will start to descend. Going down is slower than going up. Going down is like a steps. The plane will go down, then level off, then go down, then level off. The plane may go sideways, then level off, this is normal, its how the plane turns.

At about 10 minutes to landing the cabin crew will take their seats. You may hear or feel a clunk. This is the landing gear (wheels) coming down.

Once the plane has been cleared for landing, it will line up with the runway and go down fast. You will feel pulled forward with the g force As the plane lands you will feel a bump as the wheels hit the ground.

The engine noise will change and the plane will "taxi" (drive) off the runway and over to the terminal building. Depending on the size of the airport , this could take 10 or 15 minutes.

At the terminal building, once the engines are shut off, the pilot will turn off the fasten seat belt sign and the cabin crew will open the doors and everyone leaves the plane.

 

[luulu1999]

I love the two free bags at Southwest!

What is a paint wand?! Haha, I even Googled the term to see if there was some new art product I wasn't aware of, but the results all turned up professional paint sprayer attachments! So, probably not that...

You'll be able to collapse your custom light sabers and pack them in your checked bags, ours held up just fine.

Just so you know, the small liquid rule ONLY applies to carry on bags, you can put whatever size liquids you desire in your checked bags.

If you have extra room in your checked bags, good! You'll need it for the way home! So don't consolidate too much, haha!

Flying is such a quick way to get where you're going, and a super fun 'first ride' for the kids! If you mention to the flight crew that this is their first time flying, they might get a cute 'set of wings" pin to keep as a great souvenir. Make sure to bring your own snacks from the airport or home, or be prepared with cash and card to buy some on the plane. You are allowed to purchase drinks after you get through security and bring those liquids on board, also.

If you have some toys, books, or technology for the kids to play with on the flights, that will help!

The kids won't need any ID, but TSA has asked kids in our party what our relationship was to them.

Have fun planning! And taking your kids on their first airplane!! I was an adult before I could afford to go anywhere, and it was a really awesome experience. I think I even saved the boarding pass and barf bag!

The made with magic wand...i couldnt think of the name when i made the post lol thanks I am pretty excited and so is my dd my ds and their dad not so much lol Im trying to tell them it will be SO much better than the 27+ hr drive!!....oh gosh i hope we dont need a barf bag!!!

 

[jpessa]

oh gosh i hope we dont need a barf bag!!!

It happens. This is why I now always pack a change of clothes in my carry on. Once DD threw up all over. Thank goodness I had a change of clothes for her. But none for me, and I got it on my jeans. I smelled like it until I got to the hotel to change! If it does happen, don't worry. Just take care of whoever is feeling ill. Get them cleaned up. The flight attendants will help you so much as they can. When it happened to me, they sprinkled coffee grounds over the mess to take the smell away. Once the plane gets to destination they change out the seat cushions and whatever else needs replacing it cleaning, so don't feel bad. It happens all the time.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Being a new traveler...I STRONGLY recommend checking your bags ESPECIALLY if you are traveling with kids. Getting through and airport can be stressful and having a lot of luggage to juggle as well will only make it more chaotic. If you have a connection, not lugging the luggage foo and back on make the layover MUCH easier.

Bags are free on Southwest then you do not have to worry at all about travel size toiletries.

 

[bumbershoot]

https://www.southwest.com/html/generated/help/faqs/boarding_the_plane_faq.html

People with kids 6 and under can do family boarding. It has changed.


There is a TON of good info on the Southwest website about their processes. There's almost no need to ask questions about it, because they are so thorough.


"311" bag. It's actually 3.4 oz, which is 100 millileters. Most travel sized things you can buy are well under 100mL. I buy 100mL bottles and decant into them. I travel with males. That means I have access to basically 2.5 baggies. You have two young children. That means you have access to nearly 4, since I would guess your boyfriend doesn't take many liquids. That's a lot of shampoo, conditioners, sunscreen, etc.

It's easiest to just get a Hefty or Ziploc bag that's quart-sized and make it your bag. That way there's no stress. Don't bother buying them in Travel sections of stores, though; those smaller quantity boxes of them are almost always much more expensive than just buying a box of quart sized ziptop sandwich bags.


Build your own lightsabers can be carried on. They are not real weapons, nor are they realistic replicas of weapons because there's no such thing as a lightsaber. Keep them closed, of course. Just googled the wand for paint the night, and I'm sure that can be carried on as well.

 

[bumbershoot]

Being a new traveler...I STRONGLY recommend checking your bags ESPECIALLY if you are traveling with kids. Getting through and airport can be stressful and having a lot of luggage to juggle as well will only make it more chaotic. If you have a connection, not lugging the luggage foo and back on make the layover MUCH easier.

Bags are free on Southwest then you do not have to worry at all about travel size toiletries.

I agree, except that I always carry on toiletries, because my hair is picky and cannot deal with most hotel shampoos. I need my own stuff.


Even if you fly with an airline that charges for bags, when all is said and done it's nice to check a bag even if you pay for it. It makes sure that you're taking just what you need, and not the earth, and at the end of the vacation it ends up being worth it. So be sure to compare ALL prices to each other.


Oh and watch what airport you are coming into.

The Anaheim area has 5 airports.

SNA/John Wayne/Santa Monica airport and
LAX/Los Angeles airport are often the cheapest AND they have the most transportation options, with Disneyland Resort Express coach bus going to both of them.

Then there is...

LGB/Long Beach airport,
BUR/Burbank, and
ONT/Ontario.


Research all of the transportation costs. Get a notebook and write out all the options, before making a final decision. And, of course, put baggage costs into it as well.


(to see lots of flight info I use Kayak.com to look at flights, then I check Southwest. Southwest doesn't show up on kayak. This way I can check out lots of airlines all at once. I book through the airline's website. I also check on baggage costs and policies, etc etc.)

 

[Nonsuch]

...7. Sometimes they do random drug testing. If this happens, dont worry. Most times they do this as they have quotas for example, maybe to test 10 people per hour.

I've never heard of this.