Never Flown Before and FREAKING OUT!

[cuppiecakebows]

So, I know people fly all of the time. We are a family of 5 and only my husband has ever flown before and that was YEARS ago. I'm freaking out a bit. I'm reading posts and thinking maybe I shouldn't be reading anything! I don't want our family separated on a plane! I didn't even know they did that! The whole TSA thing is making me nervous. We've got our carry ons and our personal backpacks and I'm worried they won't fit in the overheads or under the seats or all the overheads will be taken...then what happens??? We have an umbrella stroller for our daughter that we want to take and I have NO IDEA how that's going to work. At this point once we get in the air I will be fine. It's all the airport stuff that I'm worried about! We are going to be in Disney for 6 days so I'm just going to ship a package to the resort with our toiletries & snacks/breakfast items. We are doing the dining plan so we won't have to worry about eating at the hotel much. I'd rather take them all with us but there's no way a family of 5 can go 6 days on the little amount of shampoo & conditioner that they allow you to carry on the plane. I refuse to pay to check a bag. It's insane to pay extra for that when the airfare is SO expensive! Can anyone help calm my nerves?

 

[Mixie]

Relax. Really.

Flying is no biggie.

What airline are you flying? How many checked bags are you allowed? How many carry ons were you planning? How old are your kids?

 

[Cricket2]

Just get there early and you will be fine. A little extra time solves quite a few problems including nerves. So does tequila, but I don't know if that is on your agenda or not.

 

[Mixie]

I posted this elsewhere but some of it is still good advice:

First - do online checkin if you can. Print your boarding pass at home.

Pack well - those planes are hard on luggage so be sure to pad anything breakable in your checked luggage. Also, be aware of what is allowed or not in your luggage. Your airline website will have this info. Make sure your contact info is also *inside* your luggage, as luggage tags are not foolproof.

For security - also check to see what is allowed to be taken thru security by checking your airline website. Hubby has lost *2* pocket knives this way - he keeps forgetting they are not allowed. Security will throw away anything not allowed. That includes bottles of dasani that you just bought 10 feet away!

Once past security, head to your gate, pick a spot and wait. Use the bathroom just before your plane starts boarding. Have something with you to keep you busy - I usually have a paperback book of puzzles.

Once you board, stow your carryon and sit. In front of the engines is usually quieter. However, if you are like me and you don't mind a bit of 'white noise' like the engines, head more for the back of the plane. Of course, if you have assigned seats on your flight then you are stuck with what you get.

The flight itself - on the ground - boring. Taking off - quick rush followed by some ear popping (gum helps!) as you start going up. The plane turning looks more dramatic than it feels. Once you get to cruising altitude you can usually get up out of your seat (30 minutes into your flight, maybe less). You will feel like you are on a bus with crappy seats and slightly stale air.

Landing is usually not bad. As you start to get close to the ground you begin to think the plane will *never* actually touch the ground but it does. A quick bump as the wheels hit followed by a quite sudden sound of the engines (it really does get loud) as they throttle the engines back to slow down.

Once the plane has slowed enough, it simply drives over to the gate, like a car would. Then you get off. Don't forget your stuff.

Enjoy the flight!!!

 

[ebo64]

Don't worry about your carry on not fitting in the overheards or under the seat in front of you. As long as your carry on are within the size guidelines, if they don't fit or all the overheads are filled, the items will be gate checked at no cost to you, along with your stroller. These items will be taken by the ground crew and stored below the cabin. These items will then be unloaded at the gate and waiting for you when you exit the plane. So don't rush to get off the plane when you land, just sit and let everyone exit. By the time you get off the plane your items will be waiting for you.

As for security, just remember if you take any liquids, packaged them all together in a quart size zip lock bag and leave the bag in the front pocket of your luggage.

I would suggest telling the first TSA agent that checks your boarding pass that you are new to flying and they may give you some suggestions.

Good luck, Relax, and have a great trip.

 

[Sandi]

As a PP said, go early and that will avoid many problems. What airports will you be using? Smaller, regional airports are usually easier to navigate for TSA purposes as well as boarding.

Each passenger (excluding lap babies) is permitted to bring a carry on and a personal item. You'll need to put your liquids in the 3-1-1 bag. Here is a link with relatively clear direction on how to pack those: http://www.tsa.gov/311/

We frequently travel for a week at a time (or more) with just carry on bags and have had sufficient toiletries. (DD16 has the hardest time because she uses like 8 different shampoos every time she washes her hair, but amazingly, she functioned with the 3.4 oz bottles and the hotel provisions when we went to Switzerland last year.) Shipping stuff to your resort will work, but that's an added expense, too.

You'll be fine. Every day people who have never flown before successfully fly.

 

[safetymom]

Personally I think it is easier to check and pay for a bag than try to stuff everything into a carry on. The price of flights are reasonable as compared to years ago. They have to make the money somewhere and they have decided that fees are the way to go.

 

[cuppiecakebows]

We are flying from Columbus to Orlando. We're flying airtran. Our kids are 4, 8, and 15.

Thanks so much for posting the flying tips. I appreciate it. We'll get there early. It also helps to know that if the carry on bags are the right size that they and the stroller will be gate checked if there isn't room for the bags. It's only a 2 hr 15 minute flight and I knwo the kids will get through it with their gameboys & leapsters. I worry so much!

 

[Mommb]

We have an umbrella stroller for our daughter that we want to take and I have NO IDEA how that's going to work.

This was explained a little, but here's what you need to do with the stroller:
When you get to the gate, tell the airline employee at the desk that you'd like to gate check the stroller. You will either be given a tag at that time, or told to wait until you are boarding (in which case you tell the airline employee when you line to board that you need to gate check). Put the tag on the stroller and tear off the part that comes off. (Don't worry about losing it -- I've never had to present it when I claimed a stroller or bag.) As you board, ask where to put the stroller. You will usually be told to leave it at the bottom of the passageway leading to the plane (if you board through an indoor passage) or at the luggage cart outside the plane (if you board outdoors).

When you get off the plane, wait in the equivalent place (outside the plane or in the passageway) until the stroller appears.There will usually be a few other people waiting for their luggage, so you'll know you are in the right place.

At least your kids won't need car seats on the plane -- I have juggled a stroller, a car seat, and a child, and that was no fun.

Relax and enjoy your trip!

 

[Andy123]

As everyone has said - just relax. Millions of people do it every day. Just make sure you get there early (2 hours will be plenty). The time the plane leaves does not mean that the plane boards at that time - in actuality the door closes 10-15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. To be safe, be in the boarding are no lees than 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Airtran is a bit different with seating in that you have to pay for the seats if you want an assignment ahead of time. Otherwise, yes, you will probably (read: definitely) be split up. If you are nervous about it, go ahead and pay the fee and pick your seats now so there are no worries about it when you get to the airport. Buy some water before you get on as even on short flights, you can feel dry and want a drink before the drink cart comes. Otherwise, try to enjoy it. It's really not that bad.

 

[LoveKermit]

I agree with other posters.

The absolute easiest would be to check bags. You could probably get away with two large suitcases. Then no shipping needed. And we do not like the schleping in the airport.

If you can't bring yourself to do that, then, as mentioned, EVERYONE gets a 3-1-1 bag. Between what your hotel gives you and what everyone can fit in that bag (and it's way more than you think), you'll have enough toothpaste, lotion, sunscreen, etc.

Also if you can't check, you could designate your suitcases. Could two of your kids share one and make one a snack and underwear bag or something? I just think you could think more creatively than to just ship. I really cannot believe that it would be significantly cheaper than checking.

Checking would also make security easier as you don't have to deal with taking apart your bags as much except for electronics. We started flying our DD when she was 3 months old. It is always my goal to be done at security still ahead of the business person behind me. I think I'm 100%.

I love the airport. Driving people there/picking people up, going through myself. I miss the days of picking up people at the gate. There was always a game to it. And my primary airport is O'Hare. Love it!

 

[kaytieeldr]

When you get off the plane, wait in the equivalent place (outside the plane or in the passageway) until the stroller appears.There will usually be a few other people waiting for their luggage, so you'll know you are in the right place.

Rather than that - any time something is gate-checked for any passenger, please don't rush off the plane. You'll simply clog up the jetway and, eventually, the plane while waiting for your items to be pulled from under the plane.

 

[hinodis]

We are flying from Columbus to Orlando. We're flying airtran. Our kids are 4, 8, and 15.

Thanks so much for posting the flying tips. I appreciate it. We'll get there early. It also helps to know that if the carry on bags are the right size that they and the stroller will be gate checked if there isn't room for the bags. It's only a 2 hr 15 minute flight and I knwo the kids will get through it with their gameboys & leapsters. I worry so much!

I recently flew Cols. to Orlando on Air Tran. Relax. It is a great airline and we had a wonderful experience on both flights. I ALWAYS pay the extra money to upgrade to first class on Air Tran because it is only $45 a person. They really spoil you on Air Tran up there. On our flight they offered to check carry on bags at the gate for free. We took advantage of that and it was great. You will love flying, its such a quick flight to Disney! Air Tran also has internet on their flights so take your laptop and go on the disborads. Two hours on the disborads goes by very quickly, right?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

These items will be taken by the ground crew and stored below the cabin. These items will then be unloaded at the gate and waiting for you when you exit the plane.

Just wanted to add that unless you are flying a regional type jet (when your luggage is taken from you on the plane and gate checked because of the small overheads), it is NOT waiting for you plane side when it is gate checked (except for strollers/car seats). You have to pick it up at regular baggage claim.

 

[Redd Kell]

WHEN are you going?

We are flying out of CMH to MCO on Monday, 2/28 and I have traveled through that airport many, many times. This will be our first trip on AirTran too. Wouldn't it be neat if we were on the same flight? We have a 4 ("almost 5, Mom!") year old, also.

Did you buy your seat assignments? If not -- then you still can by going to the AT website and retrieving your itinerary...from there you can select your seats. Most of them are $6.

Columbus is a nice airport (nicer than Hopkins in my opinion and I've flown dozens of flights out of CLE).

Take some extra time.
Visit the airport website to familiarize yourself with the layout and where you need to be going.
Pay attention to signage and the staff.
Pack your carry-ons according to the guidelines.
Watch one of the TSA videos -- they are very helpful.
Relax -- make it an adventure and enjoy this new experience as a family. You're going to DISNEY WORLD!

Hope to see you there!

Kel

 

[cuppiecakebows]

Kel, that would've been awesome if we were going at the same time. We are leaving on 3/8. We did go back to the website and purchase the assigned seats we'd like. I'm getting more and more excited about going. It's the little things that freak me out. Ok, flying for the first time isn't little. I just want to fast forward until the moment we arrive and see the look on their faces. I can't wait for that moment.

 

[cuppiecakebows]

thanks hinodis! I wish we could afford to upgrade but it's not in the budget. We are getting so excited!

 

[Redd Kell]

Oh shoot! We are coming back that day...maybe we will pass in the airport? Are you taking the non-stop at noon or 6pm? If you take the 6pm one, we will pass each other in the gate area. We are coming home around 5:20 that day.

Should I Fairy God Mail your youngest? I could send something our first day there (3/1) and you should have it before you leave. PM me your address if you want and we'd be glad to drop a postcard from Mickey or a princess or something.

And don't worry about flying...I remember my first flight as if it were yesterday -- private corporate lear jet for The Sherwin-Williams Company to our National Sales Meeting (not a bad gig for a 22 year old). Just pretend you're Kelly McGillis and Hubby is Tom Cruise in Top Gun!

Have a Magical Trip!

 

[cuppiecakebows]

We will be passing each other! Just look for the frantic looking woman with two redheaded boys...one 6 ft w/black glasses and longer hair whom I really should be calling a young man at this point and a little girl with brown curly hair and that will be us, lol!

I didn't know what fairy godmail was! That's an awesome idea! She'd love to have a post card from one of the princesses. It would make her day! I'll PM you our address. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it!

 

[quagmire0]

IT WILL ALL BE FINE. The key is to take your time. I know the tendency is to rush, but if you give yourself enough time to get to the airport with time to spare, that will help a lot. The TSA screeners handle TONS of people and have probably seen every situation thousands of times. My suggestion would be to do curbside check-in if available. That relieves you of most of your luggage and the long lines inside. Then just hop into the security line. Enjoy your trip!