I am flying for the first time. What are the steps to making sure everything will go smoothly at the airport?

Question

How early should I arrive at the airport? Where do I go first? What is the weight limit for luggage. Can I bring a camera and cell phone on board?

Answer 1

*******************DON'T DO ANY OF THIS************************************

arrive at the airport approx 15min before departure time.

push your way to the ticket counter and demand to be served first. don't take no for a answer.

check small bags at the baggage counter. insist on taking larger bags on board plane.

when going through security checkpoints refuse to remove your shoes. accuse security screeners of being a bunch of perverts with a severe foot fetish.

when boarding plane insist on sitting in cockpit with pilots to make sure they are fit to fly the plane.

when the safety announcement is given, noticeably plug both of your ears with both hands and start singing ninny nanny boo boo.

order cocktail from the on-board refreshment cart and immediately run and lock yourself in the restroom. refuse to come out and pay for drink.

when plane lands insist on exiting via the emergency chute.

Answer 2

if you have a beard, shave it off!! you don't want to scare those half-wits working at the airport.

Answer 3

You can bring a camera and cell phone but you will have to run them through a scanner so I usually pack them in my purse. You have to run all carryon items through a belt scanner. Also you will need to run any jacket or coat through the scanner. Do not take any extra liquids. Pack all medicines in the prescription bottles with your name on them and put them in a baggie and carry them on. Allow at least an hour and preferably 90 minutes. Try to have seats in advance if your airline allows it. Try to get a web boarding pass in advance if possible. You can usually tip a porter and check in at the curbside to save time.  Good luck. Checked bags are usually fifty pounds max.

Answer 4

Jonny Boy gave you good info, but is incorrect on one point; you do NOT go through customs on your departure, but rather on your arrival, and only if flying internationally.  

To make things easiest, you should check in online 24 hours before your flight.  Just log onto the airline's website and look for the online check in link.  

You enter your confirmation number, and you are checked in, and can then print your own boarding pass.  Bring that to the airport.  

If your airline allows curbside check in, check your baggage there.  There is a small fee; be sure to also tip the skycap.  If there's no curbside check in, some airlines allow you to print your own baggage tags and put the bag in the queue for loading; if not, just go to the airline counter.  (If you have questions about this, ask an agent.)  

If you haven't checked in online, here is where you do that and get your boarding pass.

Once your bag is checked, take out your ID and boarding pass and go to the security line, show the documents to the agent.  You'll have to remove your shoes, and place your carry on bag, shoes, coat, etc. in bins, and then go through the arch.  It would be best to take off any jewelry, watches, etc. and put them in your bag.  

Airline rules can vary, but generally the weight limit is 50 pounds per checked bag.  

Yes, you can bring a camera and cell phone on board, but cannot use the phone unless they say it's OK (usually you stop when they close the doors for takeoff, and can use it a few minutes after you land).  Some airlines may also restrict camera use.  

Here's a definitive list of what you can/cannot take onto the plane:

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

Answer 5

If you are flying domestically, you should arrive 1 hr.30 min. before your flight.

If you are flying internationally, you should arrive 2-3 hours before your flight.

First, you have to go through customs, then security, then you go to your gate. Once you have arrived at the gate, you can rest.

Weight Limit is usually 50 lbs and suitcases should not exceed (usually) 62 linear inches. But it depends mainly on the aircraft carrier.

Yes, cellphones and cameras are allowed.

But cellphones either have to be off or on Airplane mode.

Cameras, you can use, but don't use flash. It might disturb other passengers!

Have a great trip and good luck!

I am going to China in 4 hours. I leave at 7am at ATL!

I am flying alone (with my sister), but I am kinda stressed because I'm only 12 and my sister is only 13......

Anyways, Have an awesome summer and a great trip.

Also- Bring something to entertain yourself. Like Mad Libs, magazines,sudoku, Ipods and Mp3 players, DS,PSP........

Answer 6

Before you leave home, get information on where you will be staying on your trip - address, phone number - make copies and put this information along with your name in each piece of checked baggage and keep a copy on yourself in case your luggage gets lost. Do the same for the return trip. Also, do not pack anything that you will need (medications, contact lens stuff, etc) in your checked bags. Put this in your carry-on. You are usually allowed to bring 2 suitcases that weigh no more than 50lbs (23kg) each, plus one carry-on per passenger. All airline rules differ on this, so you need to verify this with your specific airline.

When packing your carry-on bag, make sure that you have all your documents with you (picture ID, ticket, passport). The key to packing a carry-on is to pack light; think less is more. When packing, make sure that you are not taking any forbidden items with you and that all liquids are in containers less that 3oz (100ml) and in a one clear zip-top bag no bigger than 1 quart (1 liter). A camera and cell phone are fine and are allowed on board.

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

http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm

Snacks are allowed. Just add water packets of food, cheerios, goldfish, animal crackers, dried fruit, etc. are great. New regulations also allow you to take beverages (including water) from home as long as they are less than 3oz (100ml), -OR- beverages (including water) of any size that you have purchased from inside the security area onto planes. You can also bring a limited amount of baby food, yogurt, cheese, puddings, etc. with you also as long as they are in containers less than 3oz (100ml) http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/p...

Make sure you get to the airport with plenty of time to check in, go through security, and find your concourse and gate. Rule of thumb is to allow yourself 2-5 hours before your flight. It is always a good idea to call the airport ahead of schedule to see what their wait time for security is for that specific day. Be prepared to do a lot of waiting - in line at the ticket counter, in the security line, in the terminal - you will wait. As long as you know you have given yourself plenty of time though, you shouldn’t panic, and can relax (as much as possible).

I found that the easiest way to navigate the airport is to go directly to the ticket counter and check my bags and get my boarding pass. When the ticket agent presents you with your boarding pass, you will also be given you claim ticket for your bags. Keep this is a safe place and do NOT lose it – if anything should happen to your bags, you will need it. All airports are clearly marked with plenty of signs designed to direct you in the right direction. If you are not sure of which way to go, look UP and there will be plenty of signs to guide you. Security isn't that bad. Wear slip on or other easily removable shoes, and have your coat or jacket off when you reach the front of the line. If you are bringing prescription medications, drinks for small children, or anything else that is over the 3oz (100ml) limit, do not forget to inform the security officer. These items must be outside of your bag, and must go on the conveyor belt in a separate bin from your other things. If you have nothing forbidden on or with you, you will speed through the process. Pay attention to the announcements. They may change your departure gate, or need you if there is a question with your ticket. Also, if the plane is overbooked, they will announce a request for volunteers to be bumped. If you volunteer, you will be put on the next flight and you usually get a free round-trip ticket to use in the future, or some other form of compensation. Be sure to find out what the incentives are before agreeing to give up your seat, and don’t be afraid to ask for what you want – the worst they can say is no. They also use announcements to board the plane. Most airlines will seat you by row or "zone" - this will be printed on your boarding pass. When they call out your row or zone, you may board the plane. If you are seated in an exit row, make sure that you are able to do the things that would be required of you: being able to lift a certain weight (if you have to open the window exits, they are generally about 65 pounds - 29kg), being able to hear and see commands from the flight crew, etc.

Now for your flight itself!

When you taxi the cabin crew will tell you all you need to know about what to do in case of emergencies and such. They will do a demonstration or show a video of where the exits are, how to fasten your seatbelt, when portable electronics can and can't be used, etc. All the instructions the flight crew will give you are all on the safety card which is in the pouch on the back of the seat in front of you. The captain will come on and give a little speech about the flight and what to expect - something about how long it will take until you take-off, what to expect weather wise in your destination city, and how long the flight should take. Your ears might "pop" as you climb through the altitudes.

For take-offs and landings (the WHOLE way up, and starting from the BEGINNING, or TOP of descent), the best ways to alleviate ear pressure are to:

*Chew gum

*Drink something

*Suck on a hard candy or mints

*Yawn

*Pinch the nostrils shut, take a deep breath in through the mouth, then force the air into the back of the nose as if trying to blow your nose

*Place hot damp towels (usually like the ones distributed to first and business class before take-off and landing to freshen up with - just ask a flight attendant for them) or paper towels that have been soaked in hot water and wrung out at the bottom of two paper or styrofoam cups, then hold the cups over the ears.

*Another trick that used mainly on babies and small children, but can be used on anyone, is to gently but with some pressure, rub your neck repeatedly from the chin to the base of the neck. This will cause a swallowing motion that will relieve pressure build-up in the ears.

To entertain yourself:

*Read a book, magazine, the paper, or do a puzzle (such as crosswords or Sodoku if you like those).

*Listen to music using an iPod, MP3 player, or CD player.

*A laptop is good to have as you can play games on it, and get any work done that you may have, or watch DVDs.

*Try talking to the people next to you. Sometime you will meet some really interesting people, and forge friends

When you are approaching landing, your ears again might "pop" as you descend through the altitudes (remember the techniques above to help alleviate the pressure).

When you land at your final destination, simply go to baggage claim and get your bags. If anyone is meeting you at the airport, this is usually where they will pick you up.

For more in-depth information, plus security rules and I wrote a small about flying that goes more in-depth, gives security rules and regulations for the US, EU, UK, and Australia, offers tips and tricks for the travel, etc. http://jamiehassen79.angelfire.com/plane...

If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.