Switching planes when flying.?

Question

Im going from Maine to Ohio in a couples months and i have to switch planes in maryland. i only want to bring a carry on suitcase. i know they have to check ur stuff before you get on the plane, but when i switch planes, do they have to check them again. i know this may sound like a stupid question but i've never flown before and i want to know what to expect, and how long everything will take.

Answer 1

You won't have to worry about your checked luggage and your carry on will only be looked at again if you leave a terminal during your switch from one plane to another.  Some Airports require you to leave one terminal and enter another, but that is rare.

Enjoy your flights!!!!

Answer 2

well when you depart off the plane ur check-in luggage is already being checked but ur carry-on luggage(that you carry) has to be checked as well as u past through security.

but like the other guys said, once u r past security then ur in a secure area (Where the terminals and gates are) so no they wont have to check it again as long as ur staying in the secure area, if u leave however you must go through security again.

Enjoy your flight.

Answer 3

If you arent switching terminals, then they dont have to check it again (thats what i think) You can just get off your first flight and walk to the gate of your next flight...

Answer 4

Nope, you only have to have your bags checked at your first airport.  Now, if you leave the secure area (where all the gates are), then you'll have to go back through security again.  But, typically, if you have a layover, there's no need to leave the secure area.  Changing planes can take as little as 5 or 10 minutes, to as long as 30-40 minutes, depending on how big the airport is.  So, just know your gate information ahead of time.  If it's not on your boarding pass, they generally make gate announcements at the end of the first flight as you're pulling up to the gate.  If they don't, there are gate agents there as soon as you get off who can help you.  There are also TV monitors everywhere that tell you where to go.  You can also look ahead of time at maps for the aiports you'll be at.  I do this before I fly, and it really helps me to figure out where things are ahead of time, if I have a really quick layover and have to go from one end of the airport to the other.  Good luck.  You'll do just fine.

EDIT:  Rx Mich above--great job just reading everyone else's answers and then adding their information to the end of your answer.  When I first answered the question, your answer was "no."  Then, as others' answers have been posted, you've just added what they said in their answer.  Real classy.

Answer 5

No, once you pass the security checkpoint in your original departing city as long as you don't go back out of security you will not have to go back through security in your connecting city. Remember, if you don't check your luggage and carry it on you will have to place your liquids in a 1 quart plastic see through baggie. Look up the regulations at TSA.gov It's not a stupid question if you haven't travelled recently. Have a great trip!

Answer 6

When you get to the airport you'll check in at the desk (or you'll check in online before you get there, depending on what airline you're flying). Then, once you have your boarding pass, you'll go through security with your carry-on luggage. Once you go through security you're in a secured area and there's no need to go through it again unless you leave that area. When you get off the plane in Maryland to change flights, they let you off in another secure area so unless you leave that area (and you'll know if you do) you won't have to worry about going through the security check again.

As far as how long everything will take, I don't know how busy your airport is but I always like to get there 1 1/2 to 2 hours before my flight is due to take off. I like to shoot for 2 hours before, especially if I need to check in at the desk to get my boarding pass. I would rather get there too early and have to sit and read a book until they staring boarding passengers than miss my flight.

Answer 7

No. Once you clear security you will be able to connect to the new departure gate without going out of the secure area in the arrival airport.  If you do leave the secure area like to meet a friend who is not also traveling  at the Baltimore airport then obviously your carry-on luggage would have to be inspected again.

Please make sure your carry-on luggage will fit in the overhead compartment size wise if it is hard cased luggage or cannot fit under your seat. Smaller jets have overhead bins that that don't fit standard carry-on luggage unless turned to the side. Since other people have these too, the compartment fills up quickly. Soft luggage  like gym bags, etc are more formed to the shape of the compartment. Back packs work well too. The carry-on luggage with wheels and built in handle are wonderful since you don't support the bag for its entire weight when moving from gate to gate or standing in line.

Please check with the airline for their specific amenities at your departure airports in Maine and Ohio on the return flight. If you are not checking in luggage, there are usually kiosks that you can self obtain your boarding passes without waiting in line with the herd.

Also inside your luggage, have a tag with your name, address, phone number to contact you if your bag has to be placed in the cargo compartment. This sometimes becomes necessary if the flight is full and all the overhead compartments are taken by the time you get to your seating area. (i.e. flying stand-by, or last in the series to board.) It also happens more easily if the equipment you are flying in is a smaller commuter type aircraft like the Boeing 717, Embraer, MD 80, etc. Your name tag on/in your bag if it need to be checked in is also required by the FAA and will save you time and aggravation if this becomes necessary.

You are also restricted to what liquids you are allowed to take in your carry-on bag. Please plan ahead and pack sample sizes of tooth paste, make-up, shampoo, etc. All liquids must fit in a one quart zip lock bag and be placed separately for observation through the security process.

If your connecting flight is on the same airline or affiliate airline, you can also ask the steward(ess) while aboard your first flight to please find out the gate number and the corridor of your connecting flight. They will usually do their best to announce connecting flight gates before landing or on the taxiway to the to the gate. There should also be a magazine in the pocket in front of your seat with the layout of the airport gates and corridors. It may be a good idea to familiarize yourself with where the next connection is especially if your flight is delayed and near the time of departure for your continuing flight. Familiarity with this in advance can save you a huge delay in your travel plans by not missing a connecting flight.



Knowing these things will make your flight a more pleasant experience. Other than that, enjoy your travels.

Edit for CK:  If you look at my answers, I give usually a lot of common sense detail that few others think of. Answering quickly with something short saves my place in line and flags a question I was interested in answering so I can quickly retrieve it to complete my thoughts. Sometimes when I answer these things, I am at work and need to focus on more important issues at hand then come back to it and expound on my answer. Being a private pilot for more than 30 years, I hardly need to look at your answer or anyone else's for recommendations on flying, security,safety, ease of using the system. My home and backyard hangar are on an airport in Michigan.