I'm flying for the first time in two weeks, are there any tips or things I should know or be aware of?

Question

I am flying for the first time in two weeks on a business trip. I am very nervous and somewhat afraid since I have never flown before. What might I need to know before my first time flying?

Answer 1

There is nothing to worry about.  I used to be the worlds worst flyer!  Then I met my partner, who was training to be a pilot (is now a proper one).  He talked me through everything.  I sat up in the cockpit (you can in Scandanavia where he was first based) and saw how relaxed the pilots where.  Even in bad termulance - the captain said to me it was "annoying because he couldnt do his suduko' lol.... said in a light hearted manner of course. But the amount of checks they do before they even get off the ground is amazing, very thorough!

Try this website http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/  it helped me before i met my partner!

Answer 2

first of all, make sure you get there well in advance since security is a b*tch to get through anymore.... seco9nd bring gum> to help with your ears popping> maybe some magazines or an ipod or something of the sort.... they will ake you through all the instructions as far as seatbelts and whatnot before you take off.... its cool, jsut remember to relax and if you start to get anxious just close your eyes and breath really deep... all the way into your tummy.... do it until you are calm again.... hope i helped

Answer 3

Adding to what everyone else has said wear comfortable shoes.  There is usually a lot of walking in airports and on longer flights your feet or ankles might swell.  Try not to take anymore luggage than absolutely necessary and even if it is just over night try to have your 'carry-on' have wheels. You will be so glad not to have to lug it around the airport. If you are taking a lap-top never leave it unattended, even for a moment.  (Good idea for any of your belongings.)   Never leave your address visible on any luggage, people in airports are sometimes looking to see who will be out of town and where they live.  If you are taking a larger bag make sure your address etc. is INSIDE the bag somewhere in case the tags were to come off.  A short flight is good for a first trip so you can see how interesting it is.  By the time you've looked at everything you'll be there!  Have fun.

Answer 4

Most plane trips are relatively safe. The only thing you may want to do is get ready for take off. It can be very scary to first time flyers. If you tell one of the stewardesses that it is your first time, they will make sure you are as comfortable as possible and try to prepare you for what to expect on the flight.

Answer 5

I've flown a lot...

Take some dramamine with you, in case you start to feel airsick... I always use it.  It will also keep your ears popping easy with the changes in cabin pressure.

Try to take only a carry-on bag, if you can.  It makes everything easier.

Be prepared to wait in lines, have a book, ipod, or something to do.  You'll want it in-flight, as well.

Be prepared for take-off and landing:

Takeoff - the plane will quickly accelerate.  It is normal to feel some side to side motion, and you can feel it when the plane leaves the ground.  Everything rattles in the overhead bins.  

Landing - Touch down is easy, then they hit the "brakes."  Again, there can be side-to-side motion and lots of rattling of bags and such... all normal.

There is also a relatively rare, yet common, event... sometimes, just as they are landing, they will suddenly take off again.  This happens when a plane doesn't clear the runway as expected.  Pilots practice "touch and go" all the time, so don't freak out if it happens.  They'll just circle around and then land again safely.

Hope this helps!  And HEY!  Have a great trip!

Answer 6

I've flown through Charlotte many times and is on my list of worse airports.  Notorious for delayed flights... But that is just my opinion.  

Be prepared for security screening.  Don't wear a lot of metal on you and know what you can carry on the plane or not.  It is very frustrating getting behind people in the security line that delay the process and have to walk through the metal dector umpteen times.   Visit the TSA web site to review the items you can carry on with you and follow those items.  Anything else can be discarded or confiscated from you.

Prior to going through security, I have all my metal items off, my cell phone, in my computer bag, and my laptop out of the bag.  If you are carrying a laptop, you must remove it from the bag to go through the xray machine.  I am ready for this as I step up to the conveyer belt.  Makes things much faster than doing everything there.

As far as the flight itself...  Not much different than riding in a car.  If you don't like heights, sit on the aisle or keep your window shade closed.  But I personally love looking out on the country side ....  it is quite spectacular looking at the cities, rivers and land formations.    On long flights or night flights I will usually get an aisle seat just for additional leg room or in case you need to use the restroom, it is much easier to get up than if you are sitting next to the window.

Don't be afraid... flying is a great experience once you get settled in.  It is amazing watching other passangers sometimes and all the grief they cause themselves by not following the rules.

The last thing is ...  don't argue with the TSA agents or flight crew... they will ultimately win regardless of who is right.

Visit the following web site... it will help you out a lot

Answer 7

well i was gonna say gum but every said that but there's another way to help when your in the airs you pinch your nose, close your mouth and exhale.works all the time for me if your afraid bring some soothing music to calm your nerves

Answer 8

Taking off is the worst part for me but it's usually a smooth ride after that. Take some gum (your ears will pop until you level out) and a magazine. Since it's short, it'll be over before you know it. =)

Answer 9

Here are a few things:

If you've ever had motion sickness, it's probably a good idea to get some motion sickness medication.  Look for products containing either meclizine or dimenhydrinate.  (I suffer from motion sickness and vertigo so I know a lot about it.)

Don't bring anything on the list of prohibited items below.  They won't let you take them on the plane.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/p...

If you plan on listening to music and have headphones that block out external noise, bring them along, even if they make you look goofy.  

It also might be a good idea to be a little tired before going on the plane.  It will allow you to sleep in those uncomfortable seats and all the yawning will help your body to adjust to the pressurized cabin.  (If you don't have time to rest after getting off the plane then being tired probably isn't a good idea, though.)

Answer 10

This post might help you for getting through airport security

http://www.travelsnippetsandmore.com/200...

Answer 11

try to get a window seat so you can watch out the window. it is so pretty to see everything from way up there.

Answer 12

If you can, wear comfortable clothing (sweats is always good), bring a variety of ways to keep your mind entertained (book, ipod, cards, etc.) and don't worry about crashing...you are literally safer on a plane than in a car, seriously.  Bernoulli's principle (the actual physics behind flight) is basically on your side, as planes "want" to stay in the air due to the pressure under their wings.  Also, gum is a good idea, but - as a way to be kind to your neighbors who will be sharing your air - do something minty, not fruity.  Have a GREAT FLIGHT.

Answer 13

Parachutes are not provided.

Flying has never killed anyone - crashing has.

Take Valium.

I hate flying too and never do it anymore.

Answer 14

For your flight, you'll probably be on a smaller plane (with three seats on either side of the plane)

Check in online the night before, so you can select your seat, try and get one by the window, cause the view really is cool

Try and get the first row, so you have more leg room

and try and stay off the emergency exit row, unless you're strong, cause you would have to help others off the plane in an emergency

When it's time for drinks, ask for your drink and get refills if possible. The ones I've been on have Starbucks coffee which is yummy, but most of the planes only have the dry creamer :( Some have milk though

Bring headphones if you don't have a mp3 player, cause there's usually satellite radio on your arm rest, but not all planes offer the head phones free

Go to the bathroom before your flight. The airplane bathrooms are SMALL!!!!

Try and not have to check your baggage. If you put all your stuff in a backpack, you can take it on the plane as a carryon and not have a chance of losing your baggage. They lost mine and it was 2 days before I got it back.....no clothes, brush, etc......ugh!

Oh and don't take ANY aerosol sprays or batteries on the plane, cause I was told they pop in the pressurized plane. You can get travel size goodies cheap at most drug stores, etc.

I LOVE TAKE OFF. It's fast, like being on a roller coaster. I LOVE IT lol

Have fun. :o)

Answer 15

Bring gum with you, helps with the popping of your ears.

Good luck!

Answer 16

1. Bring gum to chew on the plane when the pressure changes.

2. Wear comfortable clothes; you don't need to stand around in high heel shoes!

3. Have important documents handy (ID, ticket, etc.)

4. Make sure you visit the airline's website to learn about restrictions on luggage, etc.

5. Leave your house early. You never know how traffic and other things will affect your drive to the airport.

6. Have some cash handy. You may need a snack or something else along the way.

Answer 17

you might experience pain in your ears, chew gum or close your mouth hold your nose and blow.

Answer 18

Hi!!! I am your airplane EXPERT!!!! I TOTALLY LOVE AIRPLANES SOOOOOO MUCH THEY'RE SOOOO AWESOME!!! SOOO COOL!!! HOLLY!! **** **** ****** I LOVE AIRPLANES!!!! AHHHHHH!!! and im going on one in june!!!! AHHHH!!

okay then so....

I never get bored on airplanes but unfortunatly some people such as you do have a troubling time.....

First off:

I suggest you bring a back pack and a hand-on-bag to take with you inside the airplane. I suggest packing the backpack and the purse very carefully:

1. Bring a comb and brush (especially if you're a gal) hair gets tangled and messed very very easily on airplane flights.

2. You may want to bring a portable-travel-sized tootbrush for a fresh clean smile and breath.

3. Bring blind folds for sleeping!!! You never know when the person sitting next to you "decides" to turn the light on (trust me not a pleassant experience!)

4. Mini-travel-sized kleenex are GREAT!!! Never know when you might need some. And moisted ones would be great!

5. You may want to bring a small compact mirror.

6.And got to your near by drug store to get yourself all the cute little travel sized stuff!!! YAY! (my fav part)

Other things you may want to bring:

1.Those around-your-neck pillows are awesome!!! SOOOO comfortable!!!!!

2. A bottle of water

3. Some xtra clothes!

Entartainment:

1. Bring an ipod or some kind of a music device!!! And listen to it anytime on your airplane!

2. Magazines are great especially the ones that have the cute little quizes and tests!!! I love vogue!!!

3. I personally hate sudoku but you may want to bring it!

4. I dont really recommend bringing books they really tire you out and they may give you a head ache. For some people this is a big prob!

5. DVD players are great!!! On some flights they dont always have a movie for you to watch!!!

6. DRAW!!! Paper and pencil are great time killers!!!

7. Annoy the passengers lol!!!! Last time I brought a Hungry Hungry hippo game and played it as load as I could lol!!

Haha!!!

8. And just anything you want to do will be great!!!!

Keep in mind that it is cold on the airplane!!!!

Oh and the toilets may be scary!!!

And try to walk around once in a while!!! And drink lots of water!!!!

Why are you scared of heights???? Is it cuz you're scared of death???? DOnt be!!!!!!! Its okay!!! Actually when you're not on an airplane you have a bigger chance of death than when you're not!!!!!! Just have some entartainment and keep yourself busy!!! Of even fall asleep!!!

WELL HAVE A NICE FLIGHT!!! I KNOW YOU WILLL!!!! I LOVE AIRPLANES IM GOING ON ONE NEXT MONT!!!! WOOT!WOOT!!! HAHA!!! BBYE!! KISS!KISS!! HUG!HUG!!!

btw: you gave me a lot of fun with that Question I love Airplanes!!!

Bbye!!! xoxoxo