Help with Flying

[dthogue]

Ok, for you seasoned flyers, this might seem silly, but I am really confused about what we do when we arrive at the airport.

We are staying in a hotel the night before our 8am flight. The hotel has a transportation shuttle that will take us to the airport. We are flying Southwest out of BWI.

What exactly do we do once we arrive at the airport? I have paperless tickets and will need to check our luggage. Do we go directly to the ticket counter to receive our boarding passes and check our luggage? We will need to go through a security check point prior to the ticket counter? I read about curb side check-in? What exactly is that and does it mean that we wouldn't have to go to the ticket counter. What do we do next?

Please help, I am really dreading flying - all the new rules have made it so confusing for me.

Thanks,

 

[hulagirl]

Don't worry, it's really very easy. These days, we have found that checking our baggage curbside is really nice and so simple I won't do it any other way. When you drive up to the terminal and unload your baggage you will usually find several people there willing to help you (It's customary to tip about 1$ per bag - 2$ if it's a really heavy one). They load it all up for you on a cart and will take your tickets right there (eliminates the need to stand in a long line at the ticket counter). When they hand your tickets back to you, you will be all set. On your way to your gate (they will tell you where to go or just look at the tv screens for your airline for the gate #). You will pass through the security checkpoint before you get to your gate. They will tell you exactly what they want you to do so you don't really have to think about it. Just try to avoid having anything metal on your person so they don't hold you up. Be careful to allow yourself enough time. We always call the airport ahead of time to ask how the security checkpoints are looking crowdwise. If you are travelling at a busy time you want to be extra careful!
Hope this helps you feel more at ease. Have a great trip!

 

[Pinnie]

Hulagirl pretty much covered everything.

If you don't use curbside checkin, you will need to go to the counter and check your luggage and get your boarding passes before you go thrugh security. If you have a SWA Rapid Rewards card, show that along with any government issued ID (driver's license).

Last time I flew SWA this fall, you couldn't check in until 90 minutes prior to your flight (DTW and Midway in Chicago) but now I am reading that policy is changing and you can check in sooner!


Be aware that if you are wearing a coat, you will have to take it off and put it in a little bin and it goes through the scanner at security. Also, be aware that sometimes even the underwire in a bra will set off the alarms and require a *wanding* (been there done that!). Wear shoes that you can slip in and out of...there seem to be more and more shoe scans lately!

Don't lock your checked suitcases. As of today (1/1/03) they can be opened and hand checked. If they were hand checked, a little card will be in your suitcase to alert you to that fact. Keep all film on your carry on!

Don't dread flying! In my mind it is still the safest way of getting from place to place. I fly a LOT and yes, sometimes it is a hassle, but if you go prepared, it really isn't as bad as people make it out to be!!

Have a great flight! I hope you enjoy SWA! They are fun to fly!!!!

pin
remember the magic
DVC/BCVs 2002

 

[dthogue]

Thank you for the help, I think I'm worrying just a little too much about this whole thing. Is curbside check-in down by each specific airport? Will they then give us our boarding passes for our Southwest Flight.

I did receive an email from Southwest that we need either a secruity document or boarding pass to get through the security checkpoint?

Any additional things I need to know? I really appreciate everyone's help with this.

 

[hulagirl]

Each airline has curbside check in although I read a post earlier that said some airports are suspending that due to tighter security. I'm sure if you called Southwest they could give you that information. When are you going? Is it your first time at WDW? I'm sure everything will go well and you will have a wonderful time! Once you've done it you'll be a pro and will feel more comfortable next time around. Oh and the folks at curbside will give you your boarding passes too so you will already have them when you get to the security check point. No worries - it's a breeze!

 

[dthogue]

Hulagirl,

Thanks for the reassurances. We are leaving next weekend. We have been to WDW many times. We usually drive. This is only my second time flying - first time since 9/11. Guess I am letting all the new procedures get to me. Each day I learn something new so hopefully all will go well. I'm still worrying about the weather, but there's nothing I can do about that

Thanks again everyone for your help!

 

[Pinnie]

dthogue.

Why not look at SWA's website. They have a lot of the check in procedures listed. The site's addy is:

www.southwestair.com

I flew a few days ALONE following 9/11 and I never felt safer. The lines then were LONG and tedious as were the gate checks . Now things go much more smoothly. The procedures are in place to make things safer for everyone, so just relax and enjoy.

Be sure to post about your experiences when you come back! I know Iwould love to hear them!

Enjoy your trip. I can't get back until Easter...so I will be looking forward to your trip report to get me by until then!


pin
remember the magic
DVC/BCVs 2002

 

[hulagirl]

Pinnie
We are going the week of Easter this year too. Normally we go the first 2 weeks of December but we just bought into DVC at BCV too and are dying to actually stay at the Beach Club! Have you been at Easter before? I hear crowds are pretty outrageous but I still think we'd have a good time with a strategy. (We have 3 little boys who don't know the meaning of "waiting in line ) Maybe we'll bump into eachother...

Tammy, I know what you mean about the weather. Wouldn't it be nice if we could make a request about that too? Actually, we can! I'll say a little prayer tonight. I know He cares about the little things too. Have a great trip!

 

[Pinnie]

Hulagirl,

I am flying in the Thursday before Easter and flying home the Thursday after. (April 17-24). We'll be in a one bedroom for the weekend and move to a studio the rest of the week at the BCVs. We were there in July and again this past December. You are going to LOVE the BCVs. We just love them! When we were there a couple of weeks ago, we saw the resident gator in the canal.

We already made out PS for Easter breakfast at Boma's and we have our flights booked on SWA. Got to love those rapid rewards!

We were at WDW this past Easter. Easter was early last year and the weather was unusually warm for late March/early April. Yes, the parks were crowded. We went to the MK on the Monday after Easter and it was GRIDLOCK in Fantasyland. We could barely move! We have APs, so we didn't mind heading back to out room and just vegging by the pool for the day and then head back to the parks later in the evening.

My suggestion is just have a plan and go with the idea it will be crowded. Go early in the day and make use of fast pass.


Hope to see you there!
Pin
remember the magic
DVC/BCVs 2002