Stupid Questions for Travel-Savvy Fliers

[Girls Scout Leader]

I could have posted this on transp. board, but I like posting here. Everyone knows everything!

I have flown acouple of times. But things have changed alot.

We are flying from Saginaw (MI) to Detroit, from Detroit to Orlando. And back. Nothwest. Have electronic tickets. 10 of us. I am supposed to be the smart one. So I'd like to know ahead of time:

1. I hear about curb side baggage check. Do they really check your bags at the curb where you get out fo the car? How do they know where you are going?

2. Is the e-ticket I got enough for this? I made the reservations over the phone and fax for the ten of us. They mailed me a electronic tickets for each of us.

3. Please explain the way to do this "express checkin I hear about.

4. Our flights from Detriot ot Orlando and back say there is food for sale. What kind of offerings are there and approx cost? Would they give me a dirty look if I took a bag of M&M's from my carryon?

Thanks!!

 

[Disney Doll]

Curbside check in is done the same way as check in at the counter. The guy is out there, you drag your bags over to the desk, he has a computer terminal to check your reservation (I always print my "ticket" when I do an on-line reservation, so I ususlaly have this ready as well) and ID, tags you r bags and off you go! It's usually faster than going inside.

The express check-in, at least the ones I've done (Song & JetBlue) consist of a kiosk where you slide your ticket in and let it read the bar code which will print on the ticket when you print it out from your computer. The info all comes up, you verify it. There's usually 1 or 2 airline employees "manning" the 4-6 turnstiles, and they come over and check ID and tag your bags, then you bring your bags over to the x-ray area, drop them off and go.

Generally, either of these 2 ways are faster than the traditional check-in at the desk. I probably wouldn't do a desk check-in unless I had a very specific problem or need that I had to discuss.

 

[02bBarbie]

food you can purchae onboard runs anwhere froma few dollars for a snack to up to 10-12 dollars for a sandwich.

And no, no one will think you're weird for eating M&Ms..often times people bring food onboard that they purchased at the food vendors at the airport. Which is fine by me unless it's especially sloppy or smelly

 

[*Flower*]

On our way to the airport in NYC last Labor Day, we had the cabbie stop at the Carnegie Deli and picked up some turkey and swiss cheese.

After we hit altitude, we unpacked our 'lunch' and munched out while everyone else had pretzels and sodas/water.

On the way to NYC, we packed breakfast into the airport terminal and muched that before we took off.

Enjoy!!

 

[Micca]

I always take a bottle of water and some munchies on a plane. When you get on plane, you never really know how long it will be before you get off (i.e. weather delays, etc.)

 

[DawnCt1]

The last express check in I did with American involved inserting my credit card. It can be any of your credit cards, not just the one you charged the tickets on. It pulls up your PNR (personal name record) and you follow the prompts.

 

[Pooh67_68]

I always bring along a couple of munchies. And by the way the only stupid question is the one not asked.

 

[hercamore]

Hi, we fly NW quite a bit.

nwa.com has a ton of info fortravelers. Check it out.

We connected thru Detroit Airport a couple weeks ago, and it's a very nice airport with a cool red tram to get you about.

We have used e check several times and it really saves time

Northwetr airlines will give you a bag of pretzels and can soda, water, juice. That's it. I think you can order a meal ahead of time thru their website, but we have never done.it.

We usally bring water and mucnies, too.


herc.

 

[Gary M]

At curb-side check in you should tip the person handling your bags.

 

[my3kids]

Sometimes you can even check in online before leaving home! Self check in is a kiosk. There would be a special place to check your luggage after checking in. Last time I did I had to put a credit card or my frequent flyer card in also for pulling up the record.

No problem at all in taking your own food aboard. I just try to take something that wouldn't be a problem if I happen to be between 2 strangers....like a plain bagel wouldn't be offensive, but a philly cheese steak with peppers and onions might bother others.

 

[sgtdisney]

We don't bite on the Transportation board, we really don't..

At curbside checkin, you take your bags to the porter, they should have a desk right there by the curb. Depending on how busy the airport is, many of them will even come up to you and handle your bags right as you take them out of the vehicle you arrive in. They will want to see your eticket receipts and also your driver's licences or identification for the adults in your party. They will check your bags there, tag them and send them unto the plane. Most curbside checkers (at least here in Chicago) will also give you your boarding passes at that time. So, after you leave the porters, you can proceed right to the gate and get on the plane when they call your seats. It is really that simple. As someone else mentioned, don't forget to tip, usually a couple bucks a bag.

The eticket is all you need. All your information is in the airlines system. As I said before, make sure you have your ids handy, and it wouldn't hurt to actually have the credit card(s) that you used to purchase the tickets on your person as well. I have used etickets for years and never had a problem.

I have never used express checkin since I always check bags and get my boarding pass from the porter. Most of the airlines will tell you not to bother with express checkin, IF you are checking in bags at curbside checkin because they will give you your boarding passes there.

Never bought a meal on a plane, I think as others mentioned they are anywhere from 3 to 12 or 15 dollars. You are free to bring your own food on and eat it. It isn't like a restaurant or anything like that where would frown on your bringing food in. The ability to buy meals is a new feature on some airlines, but it in no way precludes you from bringing snacks, or something else.

When in doubt it is always a good idea to check the airlines web page as well. Hope this helped, have a good trip.

 

[Girls Scout Leader]

Well, since I was not going to pack Yogi's picnic basket, I guess I will do ok!

Thanks for all the replies. You guys are great!

 

[mtblujeans]

We are a family of four and we once took a trip to WDW from Spokane. On the way back, we were late into every terminal and there was literally no chance for a meal. We had not eaten all day long and almost missed the flight by grabbing Chinese food- to-go in the terminal. Sorry to say it was alot of food and smelled like fresh cooked food (strong smell). But, with airlines not serving meals and having to run to make each connection, we could not avoid it. That is when I learned that you can take anything on the plane to eat. Especially when you are traveling with children!