How do you board a plane?

Question

I've never been on an airplane before and I have to go to LAX to board a Southwest airline flight. I don't know anything about terminals, checking in bags, or flight delays. I checked LAX's website and it was of no use. Can anyone help me, please?

Answer 1

Ok well first you will have to Check In for your flight...you can do this at the south west counter. If you have bags to check in this is where to do it! make sure you bring a form of ID such as a passport or US drivers license...they will give you a boarding pass....which is exactly what it says...a pass to board the aircraft..as you are flying southwest there will be a large letter on it..either A, B or C...this is the order in which you board....if in group A u get to go first...B is second and so on....

then you will have to go through security....make sure you have no liquids in your carry on luggage as this will be confiscated. *attention* Security can take a long time so make sure to get to the airport at least 2-3 hours prior to departure.

Once you are through security you will have to make your way to the boarding gate....this will be indicated on your boarding pass....the Gate letter and number are usually present....for example gate D12....once at the gate there is seating if you are early....then you will hear an announcement to get on the plane... a queue will form and there will be attendant waiting to check your boarding pass and form of ID once they do and they make sure you are you..they will let you board...you will then go down a ramp or Jetway to your plane...south west has no assigned seating so sit where you like....

once you have landed at your destination you should follow the signs to baggage claim and that's where you will find a carousel with bags on it....check the monitor to see which belt your flights baggage has come onto as there are more than 1...now you have collected your bags and are headed for the door! so out will go, into whats known as an arrival hall..there, you will find signs for a taxi service or if you don't you can always ask somebody....

Flying on a plane is a really liberating experience and you realize just how small the world has become!...

Hope you have fun and you get there hassle free!

-A2P-

Answer 2

1. Find at what terminal Southwest check in desks are located (there are signs on the terminal entrance, or you can simply ask anyone, they should know.)

2. Check in. Find the check in desks that are dedicated for your destination, sometimes more than one destinations have the same check in desks. Then, show the check in staff your ticket, and she/he will give you the boarding pass. Give your bag(s) and she/he will label it to your destination, or if you want to carry it onboard, then don't give it to the check in staff. ASK the staff if there is any taxes or other forms you have to fill in before you board the plane, ask him/her to explain it for you. As you are not a frequent flyer.

3. You will pass one or more security controls. Your bags will be scanned. Nothing to worry about as long as you dont bring prohibited things such as knives, scissors, matches, etc on your HAND CARRY bags, (those you bring onboard).

4. Head to your boarding gate, then wait until the boarding announcement, then board the plane.

5. Delays are always devastating, so go find some lounges or cafes to hang out, or go around the airport to shop.

6. Upon arrival, find your baggage carousel. Wait for your bags to come then take it, usually there will be a custom check or security check. There should be sign indicating your baggage carousel number (or just ask anyone around).

7. Before you leave the airport, you may find taxi counters that will organize your taxi transportation, otherwise ask the ground staff! Simply by asking, you'll find it easy. or sometimes taxis are available and waiting for you outside the terminals.

hope this helps :-) good luck..dont be nervous, remember millions of people fly!

Answer 3

its really easy you go in and check in your luggage and there you will also get your boarding pass or you can print them yourself 24 hours before flight. once bags are checked you go thru security and from there you go to your gate which there will be signs and you wait until they board the plane and they will call by row which will be on your ticket you then hand your ticket over find your seat and enjoy the ride. once you get off you go to baggage arrival get the bag and there are men outside ready to call you a cab. hope this helped you can always ask someone or follow the signs they are pretty helpful

Answer 4

1)  You'll have to check your bags and check-in and your airlines ticket counter (check the web site for your airline for tips and requirements - such as the weight limit for your bags).

2)  You'll have to go through the security checkpoint (you'll probably have to remove your shoes, belt, phones, coins, etc - so plan accordingly).  Bring an ID (such as a driver license) with you.

3)  Then you'll need to find your gate (should be printed on your boarding pass) and wait for the right time.

4) They will call out sections (different airlines board in different orders).  When they call for your section (based on your seat number), go to the door and show them your boarding pass (they may also ask for an ID).

5) Once on the plane, find your seat (numbers for the rows and letter for the exact seat you are in) and put your carryon stuff in the bin above you.  If that place is full, put it in another bin close by (if there is nothing close, going forward on the plane to find an empty spot is better than going backward because, when you leave the plane, you won't be able to go backwards very easily).

6) After leaving the plane, go to the baggage area (there should be plenty of signs) and wait for your bags to come out (it may take a few minutes).

7) Note about your bags, a lot of people have luggage that looks the same as everyone else's luggage.  So, to help you find your faster/easier, add something colorful to your bags (I have a little green plastic thing on each handle with red tape around it - it looks tacky, but it's a breeze to spot my bags!).

8) As for finding a cab, each airport is different.  But, most of them have a specially designated area where cabs sit around waiting for people who need a ride.  If you are flying into a small airport, you may want to call them beforehand to make sure they have that service.

9) Oh, and bring some gum to chew on the plane to help your ears pop.  If you have any problems with them popping on your first flight, you may want to take some cold medicine (a decongestant) just before your return flight and/or treat your ears with some wax remover medication.  Both options will help your ears pop a little easier.

Answer 5

I would recommend checking in online if at all possible, with Southwest you can check in 24hours in advance and then you will get the "A" seating group and a better choice of seats.  And  you can still check in your luggage when  you get to the airport.  There will be signs for Southwest and baggage check.  Good luck!

Answer 6

EDIT: I'm glad my answer helped! And yes, *everyone* has to remove their shoes now, even if you wear flip flops or sandals: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/a...

I also added info about how to get a cab, because I'd forgotten to do so before. Look for the **.

A terminal is just a section of an airport. Some airports only have one, some (like LAX) have several.

Here's the process:

1. Park in "Parking 1" or "Parking 7", because those are both connected to Terminal 1, which is where the Southwest Airlines check in desks are located. If you're driving yourself, be sure to park in "long term parking", because you'll need to leave your car there while you're gone.

Once your car is parked, look for signs to "Terminal 1" and follow them.

2. Inside Terminal 1, there will be a Ticketing and Check In area. Look for a sign that says "Southwest" - their logo might also be on the wall behind some of the check in desks. Get in line once you've found the Southwest check in desks.

You will then be checked in to your flight and your boarding pass(es) (aka tickets) will be printed off. PUT THESE (and anything else the ticketing agent gives you) IN A SAFE PLACE ON YOUR PERSON OR IN YOUR CARRY ON. The *last* thing you want to do is to lose your boarding pass(es).

The agent will ask you how many bags you need to check - these are the bags that will go in the luggage compartment of the plane (Southwest does not have any fees for checked bags at this time).

3. You'll then hand over your checked baggage to TSA security (the ticketing agent will tell you where to do that, thought it's usually very near the ticketing counters).

4. Head for the security checkpoint. Follow the signs that say "Gates ___ - ___ " and look for the ones that have your gate number in the range (again, the ticketing agent will tell you where to go, and if he/she doesn't, just ask).

Make sure that you have no liquids in your carry on bags over 3 fluid ounces in volume; all your liquids must also fit into 1 sandwich-sized Ziploc bag and only 1 bag is allowed per passenger: http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm

Also be sure to have some form of identification with you (your driver's license, for example).

5. At the security checkpoint, have your boarding pass and photo ID in hand - the security officers will want to see them. Put your jacket (if you're wearing one), shoes, and belt into one plastic bin (they'll have those at the checkpoint). Put your liquids baggie and your carry on bag(s) into another bin. Place these two bins onto the belt of the X-ray machine.

You'll walk through a metal detector, and then you can collect your belongings from the machine's belt once they've been scanned.

6. Find your gate - just follow the signs. Once you've located it, you can go and get some chewing gum or something to drink, if you like. You may also want to take some Motrin and have a little snack before your flight to help your ears pop. Yawning and opening/closing your mouth quickly can also help, as will the gum.

7. Baggage claim at your destination - ask a flight attendant or a uniformed employee at your arrival gate where baggage claim for your flight will be. Follow his/her directions and use the signs overhead as needed. Be sure to tie something bright and colorful to the handle of each suitcase that you check - a ribbon, strip of fabric, or a luggage tag, for example - so you can spot your bags easily.

**EDIT: I forgot about calling for a taxi!

- Before you go, look up the number of taxi companies for your destination and save it in your cell phone as "Taxi". Once you land at the airport and it's ok to use your cell phones, call this number and ask for a cab to pick you up from the airport - the time is up to you (30 minutes after you make the call is probably a good estimate). There may also be taxis waiting outside the airport already, but there's no guarantee that one will be available.

This sounds far more daunting than it really is - once you get there, I think you'll find that getting around an airport is not quite as difficult as it sounds. When in doubt, follow the signs! :)

I hope this has helped. Have a great trip.