Before You Go: Practical Tips for New Airline Travelers

I remember my first commercial airplane trip and how nervous I was. I wondered what to do to get from point A to point B without making any big mistakes or getting lost. I also remember my first international trip, first trip on a train, first encounter with customs and trying to get from a European airport into town without spending all of our expense money on a cab ride or getting irretrievably lost.

But somehow, in all of that I forgot that I made a lot of mistakes on the way to being the international traveler that I have become. I have become critical of air-newbies who block hectic foot traffic in the terminal or on the airplane because they just don't 'get it'.

But on our usual Friday night shopping trip to the store, I was nicely reminded of where I used to be. My husband and I were walking through the store when I overheard two girls talking about the first trip one of them would be making. She was talking about checking her suitcase in as cargo because she didn't realize that cargo isn't the same as checked luggage. It can cost more. She also wasn't planning on taking any carry-ons because she thought it would cost to do so. I stopped her and gave her some, hopefully, useful advice and in the process I realized that I could be more helpful by giving some tips on surviving your first trip rather than snickering and complaining over those who haven't yet learned what I have been fortunate to learn.

The advice in this article is divided by the travel time line.

Before you Go:

Book your flight on-line. Use Booking Buddy or Kayak to find out which booking agent offers the lowest current deals. Don't call the airline directly unless they have a better deal than the on-line booking agents because they usually will cost more. Southwest is the only airline which you would need to book your flight with since they don't go through the agents. The two better agents, right now, have been Hotwire and Orbitz. Once you have booked your flight, copy the confirmation code and log onto the airline you got your ticket from. Paste the code into the search engine for "managing reservations" or click on the link for "itineraries and check in" or for "air" depending upon which airline you may be going with.

If you didn't do this when you booked your flight then make sure to choose your seats at this time. Some people prefer the aisle seat because they are easier to get in and out of. Some, like myself, prefer the window seat because it's as far away from the carts, elbows and feet of passersby that can inflict pain on the aisle seat passenger. The window seat does also tend to have more legroom than the aisle seat although not as much as the center seat. It also has the best window view and is the most private. Both the aisle and window seats have the most arm room. The center seat passenger can often lose all arm room to the other seat passengers, but it does have the most legroom. The center seat is the least popular on the plane.

When you have finished selecting your seats print out your eticket/itinerary and put it in a safe place. You will need it to check-in for your flight.

Check out the different links in the menu. Especially get familiar with the baggage policies, what is expected in the airport and on the plane. Find out about checking in to your flight online before leaving for your flight. Read about the 3 ounce liquid regulation and what is and is not allowed in your carry-on and checked luggage.

When you do check-in with your airline, up to twenty-four hours before you are due to leave, make sure to print out your boarding passes. If you aren't able to you will be able to at the airport.

In the Terminal:

Watch the signs carefully as you enter the airport and make sure that you are choosing the right routes for your airline and for a departing flight. When you arrive at the terminal unloading zone your driver won't be able to come in with you unless they park the car. Some airports do have curbside and red cap check in but usually at a price.

When you approach the ticket counter be sure to have both your eticket/itinerary and legal photo ID out for the agent to see. If you feel unsure in the airport don't hesitate to ask the ticket desk agent for help. If you ask nicely they are usually very helpful. Most of them will also help you in dealing with the ticket kiosk, which you will need to use if you are checking a suitcase. You can also reprint your boarding pass if you want. They can direct you to where you need to go to find your gate.

When you leave the ticket desk and go toward your gate, you will encounter at least two more things which you need to go through:

You are required to go through a security check point where you must show them your boarding pass and legal picture ID.

You will next need to go through a security x-ray where you may need to show your legal picture ID again and sometimes your boarding pass depending upon the airport you're in. Take your shoes and any jacket or coat off and put it in a bin along with your one quart sized bag of 3 ounce liquids, laptop, umbrella or anything else that is required to be put in plain sight. Also put your carry-on bag and any other item you are carrying with you onto the conveyor to go through the x-ray machine. Wait for the security agent to allow you to go through the metal detector.

If you are one of the people selected to go through the x-ray machine you can choose between going through

the machine or having a pat-down from a same sex agent. Be polite to them and don't complain even if they aren't being nice to you because they can prevent you from flying and have you arrested if they choose to.

As you move through the terminal on your way to your gate, watch for the signs for your gate just as you would for the freeway signs.

When you are stopping or coming out of a shop or the restroom look around you to make sure you aren't blocking someone's way. If you need to stop, do what is advised in the New York City guidebooks. Step to the side of the entrance or as close to the side wall or the people mover as you can because the person you block may be running from a late arriving plane to a plane about to close their doors or to a plane that is finally leaving after waiting for hours for takeoff. Your wrong action could cost them their flight.

If you do use the people mover make sure that you use the side which is designated for what you are doing. If you are standing, stand to the right with your entire luggage also on the right. If you are walking then you are to be on the left along with all of your luggage on your side.

When you arrive at your gate feel free to go up to the gate desk, which they call a podium, if you have any questions. The agents are usually happy to answer you. Make sure that you are at the right gate since they can sometimes be changed often.

When you find a seat to sit in, in the gate area, be sure to keep your luggage close to you. You will want it where it doesn't block anyone and is where you can easily see it. If you need to use the restroom, take all of your belongings with you.

Listen carefully to all announcements coming from the podium for your flight so you know what to do. Carefully check out your boarding pass to see which zone or seat number you are listed under since that is usually how your seat will be called for you to board.

When your number is called, take your belongings and get in line just as you would at the grocery store, at the end of the line. Don't go before the others already in line unless they invite you to.

If you are disabled or need extra time to board because you have a child ask at the podium and they may watch out for you, since you are new at this. If they don't, listen for the special boarding instructions for your category.

On the Plane:

When you get on the plane there are several things that you can do which will either make life easier for you and

and your fellow passengers or more difficult. Here are some suggestions:

Yes, I know, the aisles are unrealistically narrow after Business Class. However, there is a way around it short of carrying nothing on board or wearing a backpack. Put the hand, that you use to pull your rolling carry-on, in the small of your back and hold the handle of your bag with your hand under the handle instead of over. It should position the bag right behind you so that it will not hit the seats on either side or fall over, if you walk down the center of the aisle. Also, take whatever else you carry and hold it right in front of you so that it is over the aisle and not hitting every passenger as you go to your seat.

When you arrive at your seat, put your smaller carry-on in your seat and put your rolling carry-on in the overhead bin, with the top handle or wheels facing out. Then, get all of you, including your legs, feet, arms, or even head out of the aisle so others can get to their seats. If you need to get something out of your bag in the overhead bin or move something around in your seat requiring your being back in the aisle, there will be a little time to do that after the plane has been loaded. There will also be time after the plane is in the air and the seat belt sign has been turned off.

If there is an empty seat between you and your seat neighbor share it with your neighbor unless they have indicated that you take it.

Make sure that your smaller carry-on is completely under the seat in front of you. You can put it under the seat in front of the seat beside you only if that seat is unoccupied.

Since 911 the Business and Main Cabin passengers have not been allowed to use each others bathrooms. Your designated bathroom is probably behind you if you're on a domestic flight, in the main cabin. There are sometimes bathrooms in the middle of the plane, but only for the larger planes which fly the longer distances.

On most flights you will need to bring your own snacks and meals unless you intend to buy them on-board. You can get better snacks for less at your local grocery. Soft drinks, coffee and juices are served for free in-flight. I usually ask for no ice so that I get more of my drink, unless they serve the entire can.

Upon arrival at your destination make sure that you have picked up all of your items. Be careful about leaving your seat because there will suddenly be a lot of people out in the aisle with varying levels of consideration. Waiting a bit for those who are in a big hurry to leave first, will make it easier for you to get your things down from the overhead bin and arrange them so that you can take them off the plane.

When leaving the plane and arriving in the terminal look around for the closest overhead monitor to find if your flight is still at the gate printed on your boarding pass and if it is still on time or if there are any changes. If you have any questions go to the nearest occupied gate podium for direction. When you step out of the gate onto the main concourse, the main thoroughfare, look for the overhead signs to see which direction you need to go in and for the nearest bathroom if you need it. Unless I have several hours for my layover I make a point of getting to my gate first to make sure it is the right gate, then I do any shopping that I may have planned. If the time is really close I will also wait to use the bathroom until I'm in my departure gate or on the next plane.

If your plane has arrived late and your connecting flight is taking off soon, you can tell your fellow passengers to let you by so that you won't lose your flight, all the way in to the terminal. Most of them will let you by. As soon as you are in the terminal stop at the gate podium or with the agent waiting at the gate with a clipboard and ask for directions to your next flight. There are also overhead monitors throughout the terminal displaying departure and arrival information. If you need to run to your plane then run.

On Arriving Back Home or at Your Arrival to Your Destination:

When you arrive in your destination airport or your home airport you will probably need to go through baggage claim whether you have checked a bag or not. It is usually through baggage claim that you are going to be able to connect with your ride, public transportation or the rental car agencies. Follow the signs to the main terminal, then check for the signs for baggage claim. When in baggage claim follow the signs for whichever destination you need.

If you are expecting a ride after you arrive in baggage claim or have retrieved your luggage then you need to walk outside the building to where the drivers pick up passengers. Make sure to look at the signs outside to locate yourself in the area assigned to the airline you came in on. This will make it easier for your ride to find you without having possible problems with airport security since they can't park and wait for you at the curb.

Your ride can come in and meet you in baggage claim if they have parked their car in the parking garage. Some airports offer free parking for the first hour. Look up your airport on the internet and check for the requirements for the daily parking garage.

Sources:

http://www.bookingbuddy.com/

http://www.kayak.com/flights

http://www.orbitz.com/App/Home?reset=true

http://www.hotwire.com/

http://www.southwest.com/

http://www.usairways.com/en-US/traveltools/default.html

http://www.delta.com/

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/default.aspx