Newbie flyers have lots of questions! We are flying AirTran

[DumboDash2006]

Hi, I'm new here, and am very confused about flying!

Myself, dd (6), mom, sister and nephew (5) are flying to WDW in Aug. Now I'm the only one who has ever flown before and that was 20 yrs ago and I was a teenager. So basically we know nothing! We're so confused about all the terms and what we need to do etc.

We have round trip non stop tickets on AirTran. I've checked out their web site and it seems they say to arrive 1.5 hours prior to your flight. We're flying out of Flint MI which is not a huge airport by any means, so I'm thinking for that we're fine. Maybe show up sooner for our flight back out of Orlando?

From reading here it looks like seats are assigned 24 hours before and we can do this online? We have two different reservations, but all on the same credit card. I hope we'll be able to sit together on the way there. On the way back, dd and I are flying back two days earlier. I know I'll be nervous about that!

What's the difference between your ticket (it says e-ticket) and a boarding pass? And what is this I've read about online check in? We won't have a computer with us so how will we do this? I'm so confused!

Do strollers count as part of your luggage limit or not? Does AirTran have pre-boarding for those with children (I'm not sure we want that, but my mom has heard about this and for some reason thinks it's a good idea. To me it seems longer that the kids will need to sit still).

And my last (for now!) question. I thought I'd heard that medical equipment doesn't count as your luggage but I'm not finding anything about that on AirTran's web site. Both dd and my nephew has health issues that will require at least a small/med bag each just for medical supplies and food. Anyone know anything about that? The only thing I saw mentioned was wheel chairs.

I hope this makes sense! TIA!

Laurie

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

Maybe show up sooner for our flight back out of Orlando?

I would leave yourself plety of time coming from Orlando. If you're dropping a car off, allow between 30 and 45 minutes to do so. Although you'll probaly have more than enough time, better to have too much than not enough. Allow about 2 hours for check-in and whatnot at MCO.

From reading here it looks like seats are assigned 24 hours before and we can do this online?

There is probaly a link or button on the main page of the AirTra website that says, "Check In" or "Seat Assignments". Click it and follow the prompts and directions given.

What's the difference between your ticket (it says e-ticket) and a boarding pass? And what is this I've read about online check in? We won't have a computer with us so how will we do this? I'm so confused!

One at a time now!
Boarding pass vs. E-Ticket: Your boarding pass is a sheet of paper you print off the website and it has your seat assignmet and name on it. Your ticket is an electronic ticket, hence e-ticket. It means that it's not one of the old fashioned cardstock tickets that you have to take the airport with you. You will receieve an email from AirTran with confirmation numbers and other instructions. Read it, print it out, and follow the directions. The ticket simply means, "Jane will be on this flight and has paid." The boarding pass means, "Jane is on this flight and she's already paid. Her seat assignmet is..."

Online check-in: Check the main page of the website. If you don't understnad or don't get the answers your looking for (check for FAQs), pick up the phone and call!

Online Check-in: Most people are unable to do online check-in going in both directions. Simply becuase they're on vacation! It's an opportunity you have so that you can pick your seats earlier and if you're not checking baggage (that is, it is staying with you and not going into the belly of the plane), you can proceed right to security and the gate. On your return trip, you will need to go to the AirTran desk at the airport. There, they will print out your boarding passes (seat assignments) and check your luggage for you. On your way to Disney, even if you have your boarding pass, but need to check luggage, you will need to go to the desk in Michigan.

Do strollers count as part of your luggage limit or not? Does AirTran have pre-boarding for those with children (I'm not sure we want that, but my mom has heard about this and for some reason thinks it's a good idea. To me it seems longer that the kids will need to sit still).!

I am not sure if strollers count as part of the luggage limit. You may have to wait for mother with children (I'm not) to answer, or make another post with this question.

I am fairly certain AirTran has pre-boarding for those with children. It's a good option to take as it gives you time to get on the plane, get the kids settled, get the toys out of the bags, etc. Remember that as you get into your seat, there is a whole line of people behind you waiting to do the same. If they are seated behind you, they have to wait for you to get everythign squared away. By taking pre-boarding, you are given a bit of extra time and will be able to get the kids better situated ad settled. It's only a matter of 10 minutes or so that you're on the plane longer.

Both dd and my nephew has health issues that will require at least a small/med bag each just for medical supplies and food. Anyone know anything about that? The only thing I saw mentioned was wheel chairs.

These items should not be checked! Try to consolidate this so that maybe both of their medical supplies are in one bag and food/toys/other in-flight needs are in a second. I believe you are limited to ONE BAG and ONE PERSONAL ITEM (Laptop, purse, backback) for carried luggage. You do not want to weigh yourself down by carrying too many bags onto the plane. For one, it's more things to keep track of and, secondly, you have to lug them through the airport, through security, on/off the plane, and possibly sit with them at your feet.

HTH some! No need to be nervous, the DISers will have you feeling confident in no time! My best suggestion would be to write down questions as you think of them and call AirTran to find out the official policy as needed. Write the answers down next to the questions so you can reference them if needed.

xoxo

 

[Gary M]

Laurie, are you staying at a WDW resort? If you are, you might consider taking Disney's Magical Express. They will pick you up at your resort about 3 hours before your departure time.

We flew AirTran in Feb. from Indy to MCO. If I recall correctly, I phoned the AirTran toll free # 24 hours ahead of time and got the seat assignments. A year ago we flew Southwest Airlines and I got our boarding passes in advance at the front desk of the Wilderness Lodge. Whatever resort you are staying out they will most likely printout your boarding passes or call AirTran as I did. You reserve your seats and get your boarding passes at the airport.

 

[luvchip]

Laurie-
What day are you leaving?? We too are flying out of Flint on Airtran. We are leaving August 26th on the 7:00 a.m. flight. Gee, maybe we will be on the same plane.

 

[DumboDash2006]

UnderTheMistletoe-thanks for all the info! It's starting to make sense now lol. We definitely plan on carrying on the medical supplies. No choice. Another question, can you bring your own food on the plane to eat? DD has juvenile diabetes and may need to eat on the plane. I plan on packing plenty of snacks and perhaps even a meal just in case we are delayed etc.

Gary M-Yes we are staying on site and planning on taking Magical Express.

luvchip-We are flying out at the same time, but a different date. We're heading to WDW on Aug 9th. I'm so excited!

 

[deba]

Another question, can you bring your own food on the plane to eat? DD has juvenile diabetes and may need to eat on the plane. I plan on packing plenty of snacks and perhaps even a meal just in case we are delayed etc.

You may bring your own food to eat on the flight with AirTran. Bring something yummy and fragrant like a cinnamon bun and drive everyone around you crazy!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Do strollers count as part of your luggage limit or not? Does AirTran have pre-boarding for those with children (I'm not sure we want that, but my mom has heard about this and for some reason thinks it's a good idea. To me it seems longer that the kids will need to sit still).

Strollers generally do not count as luggage; you can roll them all the way to the door of the plane, where they will be gate-checked and waiting for you on the jetway at your destination, assuming you arrange it with the Gate Agent in advance. At least this is the policy on most airlines, Airtran's website doesn't address strollers. The site does[/] address pre-boarding, and it doesn't appear you'd be eligible:
"Boarding Procedures
AirTran Airways will board unaccompanied minors, passengers traveling with infant in arms and passengers requiring special assistance first provided they have identified themselves to an AirTran Airways gate agent prior the start of general boarding. When general boarding commences, a group of rows in the forward portion of the aircraft will be boarded first followed by a group of rows in the rear of the aircraft. Boarding will continue by alternating front to back until all rows have been boarded. AirTran Airways recommends that passengers arrive at the gate at least one hour in advance of the flight. " I agree with you, by the way - why coop up the kids longer than necessary? Just be sure you're IN the boarding area and that you get on the plane before they close the doors.

eta: If you're using Magical Express, the day before you leave you'll be given a packet including your bus's departure time. This will be about three hours (give or take fifteen minutes in either direction) before your flight. This will get you to the airport in time to check your luggage, check in and get through Security.

 

[keishashadow]

To add to the above...

*if you need a wheelchair @ airport & request one ahead of time from AirTran, be advised that you will not be able to pre-select your seats 24 hours prior...came as a bit of a shock to me when DS needed one last Dec. You'll need to call them directly. Typically, you can only select seats on-line.

**be aware of their incessent changing of flight times w/o bothering to send confirming emails of said changes. Both my flights in June have changed again (think it's the 4th or 5th time since November) & I'm willing to predict that it'll probably switch at least one more time.

***all medication/controlled substances must be in original, labeled packaging when dealing with airport security. Not sure as procedure re needles...in our state you need a prescription.

Good luck.

 

[SueM in MN]

To add to the above...

*if you need a wheelchair @ airport & request one ahead of time from AirTran, be advised that you will not be able to pre-select your seats 24 hours prior...came as a bit of a shock to me when DS needed one last Dec. You'll need to call them directly. Typically, you can only select seats on-line.

We just flew AirTran to and from Orlando (got back on 4/3/06).
We had a great flight, they were very helpful. In fact, so helpful, that on our flight back to Minneapolis, the pilot helped a sort of unsteady little older lady to get out the door of the plane (there was a bit of a step there) and he offered to take her up the jetway, but she said she was fine once she got off the plane.

We could not take a direct flight from Minneapolis, so we had 2 flights to get to Orlando and 2 to get home.
We couldn't reserve seats online (had a wheelchair), but called the number from the Special Needs page to arrange our seats without any problem. Typically, you can't reserve seats online if you have a wheelchair (from the airline or bringing your own - they want to make sure you have what you need), but you can reserve ahead of time with talking to a human.

This is a link to the AirTran Special Needs page. and I've copied some information from the page:
Pre-reserved Seating
An advance seat assignment is available to any self-identifying passenger with a disability. We recommend you indicate your seating preference when you make your reservation, e.g., bulkhead, left aisle, right aisle, etc.

For customers with a disability traveling with a personal care attendant, seats can be arranged side by side. For passengers who have limited mobility, there are seats with moveable aisle armrests. If you have a fixed or immobilized leg or you are traveling with a service animal and desire to be assigned to a bulkhead seat, please advise us when you make your reservation.
Airport Courtesy Wheelchair Assistance
Courtesy wheelchair service is available at the airport to transport you to your departure gate and during your connection, if applicable. Please let us know if you will need this assistance when making your reservation. (Although you can arrange to claim your chair at the connecting city, we recommend that it be checked through to your final destination. The additional time required to claim and recheck your chair at the connecting city may compromise your ability to make your connection.)

It is also a good idea to remind the airport agent that you will need a wheelchair or other mobility assistance at your destination or connecting city. Although not required, advance notice and confirmation of arrangements helps us to provide you with timely service.

Medications
All passengers are entitled to bring one carry-on and one personal item with them into the cabin. We recommend you include any medications you require in your carry-on luggage. You should NEVER put your medications in checked luggage. Our aircraft do not have refrigerators onboard.

If you use needles to inject medication, checkpoint security policy is that you must have in your possession medication requiring the use of a needle or syringe that has a professionally printed label identifying the medication or a manufacturer's name or pharmaceutical label.

Carry-On Assistive Devices
Canes, walkers, and other assistive devices capable of being collapsed small enough to fit in overhead bins or underneath a seat are welcome inside the cabin and will not count toward your carry-on limit.

And my last (for now!) question. I thought I'd heard that medical equipment doesn't count as your luggage but I'm not finding anything about that on AirTran's web site. Both dd and my nephew has health issues that will require at least a small/med bag each just for medical supplies and food. Anyone know anything about that?

Their website addresses medication and suggests putting it in your carryon or personal item that can be brought on.
If they have something too bulky to put in the carryon, every time we've flown, it's just considered in the category of "Assistive Devices."
We always travel with quite a bit of food for DD - you can get a lot in a carryon.

Strollers generally do not count as luggage; you can roll them all the way to the door of the plane, where they will be gate-checked and waiting for you on the jetway at your destination, assuming you arrange it with the Gate Agent in advance.

On all the legs of our flight, before calling for boarding, the gate agent made a call to remind people with strollers to come and get a gate check tag. They did that several times before boarding began (which seems to be more more efficient than people getting them as they are boarding).

"Boarding Procedures
AirTran Airways will board unaccompanied minors, passengers traveling with infant in arms and passengers requiring special assistance first provided they have identified themselves to an AirTran Airways gate agent prior the start of general boarding. When general boarding commences, a group of rows in the forward portion of the aircraft will be boarded first followed by a group of rows in the rear of the aircraft. Boarding will continue by alternating front to back until all rows have been boarded.

We preboarded because it's very difficult to get DD into the airplane after boarding has started. Besides, I have to partially disassemble her wheelchair before gate checking it.
They allowed us to preboard (and a FIRST for us) asked us if we were were OK before they called for general boarding!

Watching the boarding process from inside the plane, I have to say that alternating front to back worked VERY well. This was the first trip where we didn't see people standing in the aisles waiting for others to board so they could get past. The gate agents seemed to be communicating with the flight attendants or something because they were waiting until the group boarding in the front got seated before sending another group to the back. It was one of the least stressful boarding procedures I've seen in years.

They didn't preboard families on any of the flights we were on, but it seemed to work very well witout preboarding. I believe they did preboard people who needed to install a car seat, but I'm not sure.

One member of our party had needles and syringes. He was surprised that no one questioned him about them, but he did have the medication to go with them in original pharmacy containers, which seems to be one of the requirements.