What is BWI airport like?

Question

I'm 15 and will be flying out of BWI sometime in September (alone). I'm wondering exactly what it's like in the airport. I haven't been there since around '99, so I'm sure things are very different. So I just have a few questions.

- Is the airport easy to navigate and find your way around? If not, how helpful are the employees?

- The whole thing with security freaks me out. Am I supposed to put ALL my belongings in the bins (purse, shoes, etc)? Or is it just my shoes and my bag of liquids? Will I NEED ID since I'm under 18 and traveling alone? I know it will make things easier, but is it necessary?

- I will be flying on Southwest. How reliable is this airline? How often are there delays?

- How busy is the airport in the morning (between 6AM-9AM)?

Sorry for all the questions. But, like I said, I haven't flown since '99, and I'm completely clueless.

Answer 1

I have never been to BWI but i can assure you that you are safe with southwest. Most airports are just alike so you would check your bags in(curbside check in is so much better) and then go to your concourse. Lets just say that Delta, United, and AA had their own concourse...you wouldnt go to that. Find the one with southwest and then you will go through security. You do have to put your shoes and metal belongings in the bin but not everything. They can literally see right through you anyway. You do need your ID and boarding pass to get through security and sense you dont have one yet, I would get a parent or guardian to walk you to security. After you pass security, look at your boarding pass and find your gate number on there. BTW, I believe that southwest's concourse is B because I watch this show called airline on the BIO channel and BWI hosts the show sometimes and they also only focus on Southwest airlines.

From what ive seen on the show, there are a lot of dumb passengers there who do stupid things like get drunk so make sure that when you get to the gate, stay seated and listen whenever a worker from southwest makes an announcement. Dont be afraid to ask for them to repeat. Keep your eye on the time because when a plane arrives, they will put up a sign with your destination and departure time and after about 10 minutes, you will be on the jetway and ready to go.

You will also be an unaccompanied minor and southwest will play very close attention to you. When you arrive, they will walk you to whoever is picking you up. So you shouldnt have any problems. Most airports are not that busy early in the morning.  You will have to wear a sticker or button that says unaccompained minor until you get on the plane so  they will know to give you tons of attention.

Southwest is a great airline. Very fun and entertaining. There is no in flight entertainment but the flight attendants are very funny. Ive never had a delay with them but my friend has but it was only due to weather but it was only 15 minutes. You will love them.

If you have anymore questions, check out the TV show, airline , weekdays at 10 AM eastern time which is your time zone im assuming and then again at 4. Like i said, they base the show off of southwest airlines and use Los Angeles airport, Baltimore, and Chicago-Midway. Unfortunatly, when they show BWI, it is usually something going wrong with unruly passengers. They either get wasted before the flight or misbehave so dont be suprised if you see any of that. They wont let those kinds of people fly. You will have to see for yourself. Check it out. While you wait for your flight, the your gate will have a huge window and if you might be able to see planes take off and land.

Have fun :) Sorry for the long answer btw. Good luck