Flying Questions

[Arnir]

I've never heard of this.

I haven't either. ICE (customs/immigration) maybe? But TSA isn't drug enforcement.

 

[Geemo]

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.)

SNA / John Wayne (not Santa Monica) but Santa Ana in Orange County
http://www.bing.com/search?q=SNA&form=PRUSEN&mkt=en-us&refig=d6896cc8e06f477d848c15b9beb1c8c8


Santa Monica is north of LAX.

G

 

[Angrose]

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

I often only buy the EBCI for our returning flight. I can usually check-in for the flight out there close to the 24hr mark and get a good boarding spot. It's the return flight that's tough since we are usually in the parks during the check-in time or I forget to do because we're so busy or exhausted!

SNA is the easiest and closest airport to DLR. They also usually have the best car rental rates if you think you'll rent a car. It's often more expensive than the other airports though. I would not recommend BUR. It's a small airport and easy to maneuver through, but just too far away and has the biggest risk of traffic problems to/from.

 

[luulu1999]

I often only buy the EBCI for our returning flight. I can usually check-in for the flight out there close to the 24hr mark and get a good boarding spot. It's the return flight that's tough since we are usually in the parks during the check-in time or I forget to do because we're so busy or exhausted!

SNA is the easiest and closest airport to DLR. They also usually have the best car rental rates if you think you'll rent a car. It's often more expensive than the other airports though. I would not recommend BUR. It's a small airport and easy to maneuver through, but just too far away and has the biggest risk of traffic problems to/from.

I am looking into SNA and LAX..if i fly into SNA would we just take a taxi? Im looking into transportation now from LAX and the shuttles are expensive I have seen so far!! I have found flights to LAX for under $200 which is awesome but it will be several weeks before I buy them so they a
may not be that price any more

 

[Angrose]

I am looking into SNA and LAX..if i fly into SNA would we just take a taxi? Im looking into transportation now from LAX and the shuttles are expensive I have seen so far!! I have found flights to LAX for under $200 which is awesome but it will be several weeks before I buy them so they a
may not be that price any more

Yes, taxi is definitely the easiest and most convenient for SNA. It would cost about $40-$45 each way. LAX is a bit of a pain since its further away and the shuttles are more expensive. I have only flown in there once and took a private shuttle, cost was $24 one way for just me. If you're OK with driving then you should look into renting a car, especially if you're staying somewhere with free parking.

 

[luulu1999]

Yes, taxi is definitely the easiest and most convenient for SNA. It would cost about $40-$45 each way. LAX is a bit of a pain since its further away and the shuttles are more expensive. I have only flown in there once and took a private shuttle, cost was $24 one way for just me. If you're OK with driving then you should look into renting a car, especially if you're staying somewhere with free parking.

unfortunately we are staying at the new Homewood Suites ans parking is $16 a day I was looking forward to not having to pay that lol we are going to be needing a car for somedays because we do other things so I may look into renting a car for the whole time and maybe even switching hotels with free parking

 

[BadPinkTink]

I've never heard of this.

maybe cos I fly international regularly, I'm more aware of it. My mum got tested flying Ireland to UK in October. Its very normal here in Europe, during the security process , for your bag to be taken out of the conveyor belt by the security and for it to be randomly drug tested. They have a wand with a piece of gauze which they swab around your bag. The piece of gauze then gets put into a reader machine and will instantly read if there are any drug traces present. If it shows no traces, then you are free to go. It takes just about 5 minutes.

I always warn first time flyers or people who dont fly frequently about the random drug testing, as it can be stressful if people dont know it happens.

 

[NannyBeBe]

I highly recommend that everyone take Dramamine. You can get the non-drowsy kind that lasts for 24 hours. Even if you think no one will get motion sickness, anxiety over flying can increase the chances of getting sick. One little pill can take care of that. We always fly Southwest if we can. They have always been friendly and efficient, and they have an excellent safety record.

 

[Nonsuch]

maybe cos I fly international regularly, I'm more aware of it. My mum got tested flying Ireland to UK in October. Its very normal here in Europe, during the security process , for your bag to be taken out of the conveyor belt by the security and for it to be randomly drug tested. They have a wand with a piece of gauze which they swab around your bag. The piece of gauze then gets put into a reader machine and will instantly read if there are any drug traces present. If it shows no traces, then you are free to go. It takes just about 5 minutes.

That procedure, at least in the US, is searching for traces of explosives.

 

[RKKUNK]

Yes, they tested my husbands bag one time but it was for explosives. Don't know why they picked us, but it wasn't a big deal. For the same flight, they also tested my son's liquid antibiotic that we had to take.

 

[ParkHopper1]

I've never heard of this.

I am assuming the PP is referring to the random swab test...they are NOT drug test but rather explosive residue tests. TSA could care less about drugs/drug use unless you are transporting.

 

[luulu1999]

What I am considering is...getting an early flight, maybe renting a car doing a little sight seeing or something maybe the USS IOWA (I am thinking about this on our trip) driving to our hotel and returning the car then on the return day maybe get a later flight and get a car and do some more sight seeing?? Right now its looking like LAX is going to be the cheapest option but maybe when I factor in the transportation cost to and from the hotel it might not be!

 

[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.

if we have to switch planes will this carry over? It is looking like most likely we will have to change planes at least on the way there, I realized last night I know nothing about that either and it freaks me out a little!

 

[jpessa]

if we have to switch planes will this carry over? It is looking like most likely we will have to change planes at least on the way there, I realized last night I know nothing about that either and it freaks me out a little!

Yes it does. Changing planes is no big deal. You exit your plane, find a TV screen to see what gate your next flight takes off from, walk to that gate and wait. You're already in the secure zone, no need to go through security again (unless you have to change terminals in certain airports, but shouldn't be if you stay on the same airline).

 

[Kimberly1]

I see you are from Missouri. You need to watch the REAL ID laws as Missouri is currently non-compliant. I just wrote an article on this which includes links to Homeland Security so you can stay up-to-date. I don't think we'll ever really need passports, I think the law will keep giving extensions, but be aware.

http://runningnonstop.com/real-id/

I also recommend leaving extra room in your suitcases as I always have more to bring home than I take. LOL

I also pack smaller (but not travel) shampoo, a tube of toothpaste that we'll use up, etc. Anything we can throw away there and not bring back. We've been known to take pjs that are wearing out and leave those. When my daughter was really young (under 5), I would also pack her underwear, socks that were wearing out and we'd chunk them in the trash as well.

I'm an overpacker but I also always bring an extra pair of shoes. I can't stand to wear wet shoes so if it rains we can wear something else the next day.

 

[luulu1999]

I see you are from Missouri. You need to watch the REAL ID laws as Missouri is currently non-compliant. I just wrote an article on this which includes links to Homeland Security so you can stay up-to-date. I don't think we'll ever really need passports, I think the law will keep giving extensions, but be aware.

http://runningnonstop.com/real-id/

I also recommend leaving extra room in your suitcases as I always have more to bring home than I take. LOL

I also pack smaller (but not travel) shampoo, a tube of toothpaste that we'll use up, etc. Anything we can throw away there and not bring back. We've been known to take pjs that are wearing out and leave those. When my daughter was really young (under 5), I would also pack her underwear, socks that were wearing out and we'd chunk them in the trash as well.

I'm an overpacker but I also always bring an extra pair of shoes. I can't stand to wear wet shoes so if it rains we can wear something else the next day.

thanks for this on the homeland sec site it says in phase 4 you can use the non compliant id and another form does that have to be a passport I couldnt find what were acceptable...and how hard is it to get a passport? my kids wouldnt need them right because they dont have an id anyway? Hopefully it gets taken care of before it comes to that!

 

[Kimberly1]

Honestly, I'm not sure if it has to be a passport but all the news articles I read indicated so (not official sites though).

Passports (in my experience) are easy to get - just a matter of gathering up the paperwork and sending it, but costly. I don't think kids would need them since they don't need id anyway.

Again, as mentioned, I'm an overpacker (and paranoid), but I always have my daughter's birth certificate with me when we fly and a notarized note from her father that I have permission to take her on the trip. TSA has never questioned her beyond where we are going, but I would hate to start a vacation off being delayed for anything silly. (I actually also got her a state photo id when she was about 6 - yep, paranoid.)