Flying tips

[mickeyluvncwgrl]

Hello Everyone!!
My family and I are flying thinking about flying to Disney World from Charleston, WV with AirTran and my twin brother and I have never been on an airplane before and im kinda nervous and I was wondering if you have any tips on flying for the first time. Also I was wondering what I can and cannot bring in my carry on. Thank you for your help!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

See WWW.TSA.GOV for what you can and can't bring in carry-on - and checked - luggage.

Others will have to help you with first-time flyer advice.

 

[At World's End]

How exciting for you! I personally LOVE to fly because it usually means that I'm going someplace fabulous!

Food: you can bring most food onto the plane. Exceptions would be anything in a liquid/gel form (like pudding, jello, jars of peanut butter). Out of consideration for others who might have allergies, I would avoid nuts.

Drinks: You can't bring drinks with you through security. You can buy drinks once you pass security. Or if you fly from a tiny airport (like mine) with no vendors past security, you can bring an empty water bottle through security, then fill it at a water fountain and add an individual packet of lemonade/koolaid for flavoring.

You can bring your mp3 or laptop, but you can't use it while taking off/landing. They will make an announcement as to when "personal electronic devices" can be used.

Relax and enjoy the flight, knowing you are on your way to a great vacation!

 

[sam_gordon]

I rarely fly Airtran, but a few things I always have on me when flying:

* Book or magazine. Even if you have an ipod/DVD player/other electronic device, from the time they close the plane doors until you get above a certain altitude (about 20 minutes depending on the wait to get to the runway) and at a certain altitude on the way down until you get to the gate all electronic devices need to be turned off. You'll need something to occupy your time then.
* Earbuds (like for an mp3 player). Some planes have jacks in the seat so you can listen to in flight entertainment. You can generally purchase a set on the plane, but earbuds easily fit in a pocket

To get through security a little easier, wear shoes that are easy to take on/off. You may/may not want to wear sandals with bare feet (since you'll have to walk through the metal detector without your shoes.

If you bring a carryon, make sure a) it fits the size guidelines and b) it's easy to carry/roll. At MCO (if not other airports), you might have to go a good distance from the entrance to the plane, or between planes.

If I think of more, I'll let you know.

 

[kirbsam]

you have to order from sky mall.

 

[mickeyluvncwgrl]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!!! Oh im so excited! Does anyone know if they have movies playing during shorter flights?(2 and a half hours). Thanks!!

 

[peemagg]

A quick tip of making getting through security faster and easier. Leave room in your carryon for your shoes and if you are wearing a coat or jacket or sweater. Put all of these and anything else in your pockets, including your purse into the bag before getting in line. I also take my 1 quart baggie out at this time. So now all I have to do is put my bag on the conveyor and place my baggie on top of it and step through the scanners with my drivers license and boarding pass. I then walk away from the gate out of the way to put my shoes back on and my baggie back into the bag. It really does make things a whole lot easier. Less to handle and less to keep an eye on means less to get lost.

 

[sam_gordon]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!!! Oh im so excited! Does anyone know if they have movies playing during shorter flights?(2 and a half hours). Thanks!!

Depends on the airline and the flight. Try www.seatguru.com. You should be able to find out info about the specific plane you'll be on.

 

[ncc1701]

After the huge fuel price increases a couple of years ago some carriers took out the video equipment due to the weight. We have flown USAir from Philly to So. CAL. and Vegas without any videos in the last 2 years.
Make sure you have a bottle of water to drink on the plane during takeoff.I find this helps with the pressure in my ears and sinuses.
Look out the windows it is fun to try to figure out where your plane is and to see landmarks.We have seen the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Buckeye Stadium,the Chesapeke Bay Bridge and the Space Shuttle on it's launch pad from a plane

 

[FlyingBelle]

What I've always done if the noises sound strange or there is some turbulence - watch the flight attendants. They fly all the time - if they're not nervous - then there is no reason for you to be nervous

Also - I always wear EarPlanes earplugs for take-off and landing. For some reason I especially have ear problems from Chicago-Orlando, and the EarPlanes work fanastically! I get them at the drug store before I leave (but they do sell them in the airport gift shops)

Most airlines don't show movies for flights shorter than 3 hours, but many have at least some kind of tv programming.

As for food - you can always purchase food post-security screening and take it on board with you.

 

[guitarob]

Wear flip-flops or sandals to make getting through security easier.

Bring a book, magazine or something to occupy yourself.

Chew some gum to help with the ear-popping.

Relax and enjoy the experience

 

[mickeyluvncwgrl]

Thanks for the response everyone!! I will definately try to remember to look at the flight attendant if I get nervous. And I should look into those earplane things. If you have anymore tips I would greatly appreciate it!!
Thanks!!!!

 

[Shagley]

The most important thing to remember is that any liquids, gels or paste type items that you carry on with you have to be in containers less than 3 ounces, and must fit into one quart size zip lock baggie (called a 3-1-1 bag). It seems like almost every time I go through security, there is some young woman in tears because her expensive perfume or makeup was confiscated because it was in too large of a container or didn't fit in her quart baggie.

* solid deodorant does not have to go into your 3-1-1 bag
* contact lens fluid is considered a medical item, so you can take a full size bottle and it doesn't have to go in your quart bag. You do need to declare it at security (just put it in the bin with your 3-1-1 bag when going through security). This is also true with eye drops or any liquid medicines.

 

[LovesHerTaurus]

Be prepared for delays. Make sure you have snacks on you and patience. We went through 4 flights, and it was my family's first time flying (not mine). 3/4 the flights were delayed.

If you happen to leave a bottle of wine in your carryon they will catch it and give you heck (I packed at 3am and left some of it up to my husband) but you won't get arrested or anything if you make a mistake

Get a window seat!
Hit the washroom right before you board!
Wear comfy pants and shoes
Try to carry on as little as possible - it is a pain in the butt

One more - if you do have carry on luggage make sure you grab YOURS and not someone else's. Mark it somehow so when the crunch comes to grab your stuff and deplane you don't take someone else's out of the airport by mistake *sigh* I do love him

During flights of 3 hours or less they generally show TV shows. You should bring your own headphones if you have a small pair otherwise you're using plane ones (ugh). 3 hours or more they show movies.

Bring a sweater - the planes can be chilly. It also doubles as a pillow.

 

[mickeyluvncwgrl]

Ok so my dad bought the tickets last night. We are leaving on Saturday the 28th?? and we are planning on getting a rental car only of its free. If we can't get a free one we will just add a night to our reservation. We opted for more leg room because we are all not very short so we got the emergency exit isle and of course my seat is right bside the emergency door i really hope we don't have to use it because I would never be able to get that open!. Im planning on bringing me ipod with me because i downloaded How to Lose a Guy In 10 Days and Wall-e so I can watch those. Also my brother and I are 16. Do we need our birth certificates to get on? Thanks everyone!!