First time traveler!! HELP!? please

Question

so i am going to BWI airport flying Southwest. I am 15 yrs old. Southwest says i dont need to show ID (http://www.southwest.com/content/travel_center/retrieveCheckinDoc.html) but i wonder if BWI would ask for ID. I really wonder if BWI would ask for my ID. Oh and I have no idea how that whole security process works with the bins. Please explain to me. I seriously have no idea how to go through the airport and i really need some help/info. Im going to take 2 bags as carryon (no checkin). I also heard that you need to pop your ears when flying...when exactly do i do that? thank you!

Answer 1

Alright. I go on a plane more than once every year. I'll walk u through it. First of all, u cannot have more than 2 bags on the plane. It must be ONE carry-on and u may bring a purse (they don't count). And u can bring one luggage. I suggest u check one of those bags in because u CANNOT bring ANYTHING that is liquid on the plane. No water, gel, spray, even carmex I think. I had to throw a bunch of stuff away. U HAVE to put them in the luggage and check it in. Also, just a tip, don't bring too much stuff in ur pockets, especially change and stuff like that, so it won't take forever to pass through the x-ray machine. And the ear thing, it's not that bad. Just chew some gum and u will be fine. I don't like chewing gum cuz when I get there my jaw hurts and my ears are fine. It pops a little bit, but its not a big deal. Anyways, a couple of times I have gone and I had to show id. It is wise to bring it with u. Hope I helped. Remember to get there an hour early just in case.  

Answer 2

pop your ears when landing-also sucking on a sweet at that time helps too! don't worry u will be fine!

Answer 3

It is always a safe thing to bring some form of ID with you even if no one at the airport asks you for it....No one should travel anywhere without an id....  As for the security,  it is BEST if you go to the airport with as few pieces of jewelry as possible on your body... because you will have to take every piece off in order to get through the metal detectors that you must walk through... ANYTHING that is lose on your body (belts, jewelry, watches, money--including change- goes into the bins and gets passed through an x-ray machine.  (as does all your luggage)...  Be aware of the items you are NOT ALLOWED to take on any air plane --such as any illegal substances or paraphanalia, glass bottles or ANYTHING or plastic bottles that you cannot see through...   You are only allowed so many ounces of things like shampoo, conditioner, etc.....  Southwest does list these things on their website... OR,  you can actually call Southwest and ask what the restrictions are..    If you are taking 2 bags for carryon, be ware that you are ALLOWED only one carryon and one PERSONAL ITEM as carryon ---personal items are defined as --purse, camera bag, laptop computer, etc.  anything else will have to be checked in... also, make sure your carry on bag is no wider then 6-8 INCHES becuase anything larger may not fit in the overhead compartments on the plane--they are NOT really all that big...

as for the ear popping..... this DOES happen to a lot of people ---including myself---   I would suggest gum and as the plane begins to take off and LAND (the two times where the "popping" will occur),  Yawn as much as you can opening your mouth VERY WIDELY with each yawn---this does help...   I also plug my ears with my fingers because it REALLY bothers me a LOT and the fingers tightly in the ear also seem to help minimize the pressure to the inner ear.

Answer 4

If you have an ID bring it, but you should not need it if SW says you don't

At security you will have to take your shoes off and run them through x-ray.

If you have a computer you will have to take it out of the bag and run it through x-ray by itself (same with video camera, dvd player I think - perhaps other electronics).

Check out TSA's website to find out more about security.

You cannot bring any liquids (and gels) unless they are 3 oz or less and in a plastic baggie.  You can bring an empty water bottle and fill it up on the other side at a water fountain if you want water and don't want to pay $$$ for it at a shop on the other side.

Bringing food is OK - you can bring food/drink on the plane if you want.

Get there early so that you are not pressed for time. They suggest one hour - but you might get there 1 1/2 or 2 if you can just to avoid any possible problems, nervousness about the time.

Ear popping isn't bad - yawn, hold nose and blow gently, chew gum.

Get a window seat if you can - check out the views of the land.

Sit back and relax - flying is safer than getting to the airport!!