First Flight?

Taking your first vacation by air? Visiting friends or family in a distant state? Or is it your first time out on business travel?

For those who are new to air travel, the experience can be exciting and anxiety-provoking. Between security screening, figuring out what to do with baggage, and navigating a large airport, there is a lot of new information to process.

Keep these tips in mind to become a savvy air traveler!

Before you go

• Preview airport you will be using online. Maps and parking information will be included in the airport website.
• If you will be driving yourself to the airport, take the time to make a test run. Scope out the traffic flow and location of parking you will use. Remember that private satellite parking lots may be a better deal than on-site airport parking. You may even find a coupon online for a parking lot near your departure airport.
• Consider whether you will check luggage or use a carry-on only. You will be allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item (such as a purse or briefcase, but not both). If you opt for a carry-on, be sure you pack light enough to be able to hoist the bag into the overhead bin on your own. If you check luggage, you need to allow time for this process at the airport, and to go to the baggage claim at your destination.
• Be aware of requirements for packing your carry-on.
  • Liquids or gels (such as hand sanitizer) may be transported in containers no larger than 3 oz. This means you cannot bring your own beverage through security. If you are en route to a tropical destination, you cannot carry on a large tube of sunscreen. Either check these items or plan to buy them at your destination.
  • All liquids, including cosmetics, should be placed in a quart-size Ziploc bag.
  • Remove any sharp instruments such as pocket knives from your pockets or purse. Leave these at home. TSA will not hesitate to confiscate these items, and no, you don't get them back.
• Pack any prescription medications in their original container and place in your carry-on or purse.
• Label your luggage with an ID tag. Place a second identification tag inside your bag in case the tag on the outside of your bag is separated or lost.
• Do not lock your luggage. TSA must have access to all items being carried on board.
• Select your seat online if your airline allows this option.
• Check in for your flight and print your boarding pass before leaving for the airport. Be sure you know your airline's policy on check in. Most airlines allow check in 24 hours before departure time.
• Dress in layers for your flight. Planes can be chilly. Slip on shoes make security screening simpler.

Arrival at the Airport

• Plan to arrive two hours before flight time. Lines and delays at security are difficult to predict. You might expect long lines during the week at peak business travel times, but Saturdays can also be busy with family travel.

• If you are being dropped off at the curb, airports have "departure" lanes clearly marked. Your driver can drop you in front of the doors designated for your airline.
• If you are arriving in a shuttle from a parking lot, inform the driver of what airline you are taking. You will then be dropped off at the correct terminal entrance.
• Check your luggage at the electronic kiosk or with a curbside skycap. It is customary to tip the skycap for his/her assistance. Have your boarding pass and photo ID ready.

Security Clearance

• Keep your boarding pass and photo ID in hand.
• Proceed to the security screening area. Your boarding pass and photo ID will be checked by a TSA employee. You will then be guided into a line for security screening.
• Take two plastic bins from the stack. Place your carry-on luggage and purse on the conveyor belt.
• Remove your laptop from your bag and place in a plastic bin of its own.
• Remove your shoes, belt, and jacket. Place these in the second plastic bin.
• Remove change and cell phone from your pockets. Place these in a small plastic bin.
• Proceed to the security clearance area. Do not walk through until the TSA worker waves you forward.
• Pick up your personal items from the conveyor belt area. Proceed to the chairs near the end of the screening area to tie your shoes, replace your belt and personal items, and put your jacket back on.

On the Way to Your Gate

• Double check the electronic departure screen to verify which gate your flight is departing from. Keep your eyes and ears open - gate changes may occur!
• Purchase snacks for your flight and a bottle of water. Airport restaurants and shops are not going to offer many bargains (after all, you are a captive audience!) However, healthy snack options are available. Water during your flight is a "must" due to the dry air on board.
• If you didn't bring a book or magazine, now is the time to select one.
• Move to your gate and have a seat.
• It's fine to use your cell phone, but keep your voice level low.
• Many airports require a special fee for Wi-Fi access at the airport.

Boarding

• Gate agents will announce the boarding procedure for your airline. Passengers requiring special assistance will board first, followed by first class and business class passengers. Some airlines board passengers by zones. Others board passengers by rows, starting at the back of the plane. Southwest Airlines has a unique process of boarding passengers by the number on their boarding pass.
• Present your boarding pass to the gate agent as you prepare to board.
• Move quickly down the jetway.
• Locate your seat by row number. Seats "A" and "F" are most often the window seats.
• Stow your carry on in the overhead bin closest to your seat. It is best to avoid using an overhead bin located behind your seat because you will not be able to get to it until the passengers behind you have disembarked.
• Place your purse or briefcase underneath the seat in front of you...all the way under!
• Be seated and buckle up.
• Put your water bottle and book or magazine in the seat back pocket in front of you.
• You may make cell phone calls or listen to your iPod until the flight attendant asks that all electronic devices be turned off.
• Listen to the flight attendant as s/he reviews safety procedures for your plane. Glace around and be aware of where the nearest emergency exits are. In the seat back pocket, you will find a brochure that outlines safety features for your plane.

In-Flight Etiquette

• Follow all directions given by the flight attendants and crew. Do not argue about "needing" to hold your purse during takeoff.
• Make requests in a courteous - not demanding - way. The crew has a great deal of work to do throughout the flight to assure the safety and comfort of all passengers.
• It is fine to chat with your seat mate, but do not expect him or her to keep up lively conversation for the entire duration of your flight.
• Remember that the plane is a small, closed area and your voice may carry. Speak quietly.
• Leave all electronic devices turned off until you are cleared to use them by the flight attendant.
• You may request a blanket or pillow, but be aware that some airlines now charge for these amenities.
• Soft drinks, coffee, and juice are served during the flight and are complimentary. Alcoholic drinks are available for a fee; have a credit card handy, since flight attendants do not accept cash or make change.
• In flight snacks are limited to nuts or crackers. Pull out your own snack if you are hungry. On longer flights, food items may be available for purchase; again, have a credit card handy.
• Keep your seat belt fastened at all times when seated.
• Rest rooms are available but for security reasons, a line is not permitted to form at the rest room near the cockpit. If you are seated in a center or aisle seat, try to limit trips to the rest room to minimize interruptions to your seat mates.

Once You've Landed

• Passengers will disembark row by row, beginning with the rows nearest the exit.
• You may use a cell phone after landing to call anyone who may be waiting to pick you up.
• Be cautious pulling your carry-on out of the overhead. It's easy to hit yourself or someone else on the head!
• Move quickly up the jetway and into the terminal. Do not stop at the entry to the terminal - others are coming up quickly behind you! Move to one side to get your bearings.
• Follow signs to baggage claim if you have to pick up a bag. Electronic signs will indicate which carousel your luggage will be on.
• Follow signs to ground transportation for taxi service or hotel shuttles.
• Private vehicles may pick up passengers at the exits near baggage claim. However, parking in those lanes is prohibited, so your pick up driver will need to wait with the car.
• Many airports have a "cell phone lot" where drivers can wait for a call from the passenger saying that they have their luggage and are ready to go. The driver can then pull up to the appropriate door and pick you up without delay.

What if My Flight is Delayed?

• Most delays are short. Be patient. If an incoming plane is held up by bad weather at its point of origination, there is nothing you can do about it.
• If a longer delay is caused by mechanical factors, ask the gate agent if you can switch to another flight.
• When the line is long at your gate, tempers may grow short. You may have better success by calling the airline's toll free number. Let the agent who answers the phone know that you are at the airport and are delayed. Work with this person to problem solve your situation and get you ticketed on another flight.
• Weather delays are viewed as "acts of God." If you are caught in the midst of a snowstorm or other weather system, quickly scope out hotel options for the night, in case this becomes necessary because all flights are cancelled.
• Do not leave the airport unless your flight is rebooked.

From the time your purchase your ticket, the first time air traveler can take many steps to be aware of all that s/he needs to know to have an enjoyable flight. First time flyers who are well prepared need not feel anxious about their air travel experience. Sit back and relax, and enjoy your flight!