my first airplane trip
 

next friday (the 16th), i am flying for the first time. i used to be terrified of planes. but my family has talked me into it. we are going to Atlanta for a few days. it is only a 45 min. trip, but my dad wants to start me off slow. i wasnt crazy about this trip, but my dad has bribed me with a large amount of shopping money, so how could i refuse? i will just have to get over my fear;)

how was your first plane trip?

Relax!!! It's a bus trip without the traffic!!

I don't remember my first plane trip. I was 2. My parents took me to Cleveland to visit family.
I've done a lot of overseas flights and I'm still nervous about flying. But, I just remind myself that it's safer than driving. You're more likely to get into a car accident than have your plane crash. Most planes crashes happen during take off and landing...planes don't usually fly from the sky.
The first few minutes after take off is when I'm the most scared. The plane is ascending and it's a little bumpy. After the initial take off, you'll hardly even feel a bump. It's a very comfortable ride. You'll be ok! :)

You'll love it!

My first plane trip was to St. Louis, but I am too young to remember it.

My second was to New Orleans at the age of four. I remember it, but I was too young to be scared.

The next one I took wasn't until the summer after my Freshman year, when my school sent me and some other kids to a leadership camp. I was soooooo scared. But the flight from DC to Albany is only 45 minutes, so everything was cool.

I've flown a few times since then (including overseas). If I had more opportunity to fly places, I would.

Re: my first airplane trip
 

Everything will be fine! :D

I don't remember my first flight but I know it was when I was a youngin'. I always say a prayer before and during landing.

My first flight was while I was in college. I'm claustophobic and afraid of heights so I wasn't very comfortable. :( I'm trying to get over that tough.

This summer will be my first plane ride since 9-11. I am kinda freaked out cuz it's to Hawaii. And I always get nervous flying to Hawaii because it's ALL WATER!!!

I don't mean to add to your fear smiley... but honestly... 45 minutes will "fly by." :D

my first "real" plane ride was in the spring of 2000 on my way to a convention and to see my girl minnie mouse in orlando. it was quite good, plus i had a window seat and saw everything below. since then i have had 4 more airplane rides, none of which i paid for :p

1st plane ride was to south carolina to visit family inthe 70s and see a little parrk known as walt disney world in florida

What kind of plane is it? Your ticket or e-ticket should say.

That way you'll know what to expect.

My first plane ride was in 1999 at age 20 and it was to London, England--approximately 7 hours.

Well, technically it was the 1-hour puddle jumper from Des Moines to Chicago, but that was nothin'!

Since then, I have been on two whole other trips that required flight travel. :)

Yeah, I don't get out much.

Hell, flew everyother week sometimes more! Drink, it worked for me, I wasnt driving the damn thing!:D

Hell, safer than driving, less nuts in the air than on the gound or in trees!:)

Wear little Clothing, tank top and thong with sandles! Little carry on!;)

Oh hell remindes me when I was Caught with a Gun In Suit Case in St Louis, I was a COP! DA ME, I was running late and forgot about it! Dont carry=Gun, Knife, Fingernail Clipper, File or any other :OH Oh you cant have that on a plane!

Drove them nuts when could not light a DJeeep :Lighter, Told them is was Adult Proof!:D

Kik It Back and enjoy The Flight! Hope you get a Window Seat, what a Great View! Wear Walking shoes in Hartzfeld Airport, You walk!:(

I think those trains that take you to the different concourses at Hartsfield are cute! :)

No surprise, being that airplanes are one of two ways to get outta here, I took my first airplane trip at 6 months (even though my pediatrician warned my mom against it).

Just to get to the neighbor islands it's a 30-45 minute flight, depending on which island you go to.

The longest flight I've ever been on was 13 hours (to Seoul, South Korea) but that was when I was 3. Flew nonstop to Atlanta three years ago and that was 8 1/2 hours! For flights longer than 5 hours I'll usually pop a pill to knock me the eff out, and that's what I do right after they serve the first meal.

You'll be fine, 45 minutes will go by easy!

Don't remember my first plane trip, but I think it was a 45 min plane ride from Lombok to Bali (just two adjacent islands).

Been traveling quite often, and some highlighs are
1. Los Angeles to Taipei - the longest plane ride ever! It was like, 18 hours straight on the plane, and total trip was over 32 hours, including transits and security checks. The route goes like, Des Moines-Dallas-Los Angeles-Taipei-Jakarta. Not too fond of flying anywhere else after that.
2. London to Rome - no seats was assigned, so everybody was about killing everybody else to get the best seat, once boarding was permitted. No complementary beverages was provided, but you could buy snacks and beverages. RyanAir is a really interesting airflight company, and they do not accept Scottish Pounds on board (I just got back from Edinburgh, and all I had was Scottish Pounds), so the whole time I was thirsty like heck, wishing I had the COMMON Brittish Pounds or Euro to buy any liquid materials.
3. Des Moines to Boston - a really fun experience, with around 25 studio classmates with me. It was for our field trip to the Big Dig project, and it was a totally different experience when you're flying with lots of your friends, more like chartering your own flight.
4. Paris to Chicago - I was in a bad mood for the whole 9 hours flight, since the man at the Charles de Gaulle airport security thought I was a terrorist and it was necessary to cross check every detail, starting by asking me EVERYTHING I did the last three months in Europe, checking my Eurail ticket, the route, countries/cities, hotels, and checking my computer, opening all my luggage and carry on bags in public. Almost missed my flight, and I had to run for a long distance with my stuff.

Yeah, don't forget to wear running shoes instead of regular shoes, so you don't have to take them off to go through security. Flip flop is not recommended, since you might need a long walk. Also put all coins, wallet etc in your backpack or purse, so you don't have to put them on the tray provided. Don't wear any belts, either. All of these recommendation is to make it less hassle for you.

Atlanta airport is a neat place, and their train within the airport is one of the best in the world (since they rebuilt their airport completely for 1996 Olympics). Their concorses are arranged in linear form, so it is necessary to take the train to the main concorse if you don't want to walk for 1 hour or so.
Have fun at your first flight, keep us updated with your trip ;)

45 minutes - no customs or connections to deal with - you will be fine.

My first plane trip was at the age of 2 months to London, England - needless to say I don't remember it.

First one I can remember well was a flight on Pan Am Flight 442 from CCS (Caracas, Venezuela) to MIA (Miami) on a Boeing 707 back about 30 years ago.

Flown on most of the more commonly seen planes plying the skies today:

Boeing 707 (all retired from passenger service)
Boeing 717
Boeing 727-100 and -200
Boeing 737-100 through the -800 series (except the -600 and the -900 series)
Boeing 747 (only once, on a -100 or -200. Never flown on the -300 or the -400)
Boeing 757-200 (never flown on the -300)
Boeing 767-300 (never flown the -200 or the -400)
Never flown the Boeing 777-200 or -300.

Douglas DC-8 (short and stretch versions)
McDonnell Douglas DC-9
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
McDonnell Douglas MD-80
McDonnell Douglas MD-11
(Boeing may have bought 'em out, but they are NOT 'Boeing MD-80s' etc.!)

Lockheed L1011 (both the regular and -500) (all retired from mainline passenger service)

JAX airport is pretty nice; depending on which side of the plane you're sitting in you get a good view of the St. Johns River and downtown Jax.

The approach into Atlanta is interesting; if I remember correctly (it's been over 25 years since I lived there, but connected through the airport plenty of times) you'll fly over Southlake Mall as you make the turn to final approach. Look for the fading Georgia flag (the one with the Confederate Stars and Bars) painted on the roof of a warehouse as the plane approaches Runway 27L (all flights from the south land on the south runway complex - most flights land and take off to the west at ATL). If the day is clear and not hazy you can see downtown Atlanta clearly on the right side of the aircraft.

Eh, it's no biggie. I've flown to my hometown (not far from JAX) from Atlanta--by the time you get to cruising altitude, you're only up there for about 20 minutes before you start your approach into ATL. :D

I didn't fly much before starting college--a few trips annually to see friends and relatives. But, since Mom and Daddy are in FL, and I went to school in RI, I got used to flying a lot.

Just be glad you aren't sitting next to me.

I'm that guy that comes up with the crazy scenarios. Yea, the "damn, what if the engines all failed at once," or "what if we just started dropping right now."

Ha! It's great...

Tom, love you to pieces, but drinking on a plane is really, really bad advice!! Not only does the alcohol work stronger while in flight, but it's really bad for the complexion.

Re: my first airplane trip
 

If the plane starts shaking or virbating . . you know you are done for . .. so otherwise just relax:)

Also, your body dries out when you're on a plane--the only thing you should be drinking is water. It's a great way to get dehydrated.

Sorry. I like drinking on airplanes.

I used to fly so much, that these days I'm generally asleep by the time we reach the threshold of the runway.

AlphaSigOU...You need to catch a 777 flight. What a great airplane. Have flown on a lot of them domestically, but also internationally. I really like that aircraft.

My only other useless comment is that Airbus had more comfortable seats than Boeing.

I was 12 the first time that I flew and it was a Des Moines to Chicago to Austin, TX flight and back. The flight itself wasn't scary, but I flew alone, so that was a bit intimidating.

I think flying's a pretty great time, driving can get so stressful sometimes, especially when you hit rush hours and things like that. Not that I have to worry about that, I currently live about 5 minutes from work.

Your quote reminded me of when we sent our son from Denver to London with a young girl friend for a Theatre Course at the Tasis American School the summer between their Freshman and Sophomore years in high school by themselves -- changing planes in Dulles on the way and Newark on the way back.

Talk about a leap of faith in two, what, 14 year olds?

They did great!

I usually am only going to tennessee lately....

Seriously, tho, are you kidding, the Canadaair Regional JEt is a DREAM! Its the only jet service that goes in to East Tennessee, but you have to be going Delta and it only goes from Cinci. If you connect through ATL its turboprop all the way. If I fly Northworst, its that Damnned SAAB 340 more prop, less turbo. I am deaf by the time we land. And forget American. It was that Corporate Air knock off company (yes Virginia, there is a step BELOW American Eagle, and it isnt pretty). I think the plane held 14 people. I felt like I was on that old NBC show 'Wings." If I am not mistaken, I swear I saw Lowel getting my bags off the plane and Joe was my pilot. Of course, the airport was about liek that one. Shoullda stoped by Helen's lunch counter for a bite....

thanks for support, although some of you are doing little to set my mind at ease

Relax :) Flying is a lot of fun. I wish I could do it more often! Your 45 minute flight will feel like nothing... you'll get in the air, cruise for about 5 min., then descend.

The first time I ever went on a plane, I was on my way to Australia my junior year of high school. 24 solid hours on a plane will make you love them, hahaha. I loved it so much I just had to do it all again in 2002 ;)

If you're extremely afriad of flying, ask them to sit you away from the wheel wells or the wings.... those tend to make noises that make people jump, but they're supposed to make those noises :)

My very first plan ride was to London, England! I was 9 months, so I don't remember it. My parents took me to visit my mothers family.

You'll enjoy it. 45 minutes. It'll be over before you know it!
Bring a book or magazine to read if you get nervous.

my trip is tomorrow. i am a little freaked as you can imagine. in a way, i am not worried...but i am cause i dont know what to expect!

I like having the window seat, especially when we go to Las Vegas...I love seeing the strip as we land.

I am a very boring and relaxed person to take a flight with. Put it this way, I am usually asleep before take off! :D

If you get on a window seat on the left side of the aircraft as you approach Vegas (on the common approach to Runway 25L/7R) here's some sights worth seeing - especially in the daytime:

Depending on the final approach fix, you'll see Lake Mead and Hoover Dam. Then Boulder City and Henderson. Landing gear and full flaps usually come down when the aircraft crosses I-515 (US 93/95) right over Sunset Station. The patch of green in the midst of urban sprawl (the corner of Pecos and Sunset) is Casa de Shenandoah - Wayne Newton's ranch.

Sunset Road parallels the 25/7 runway complex; the last cross street as you cross the airport fence is Eastern Avenue. Right at the touchdown point of 25L/7R on Sunset Road is the designated observation point for plane watchers.

If you happen to land on the crosswind runways (1L-1R/19L-19R), the best view of the Strip is on the right side when landing, the left when taking off.

Most West Coast departures and arrivals (especially those from Southwest) usually use the crosswind runways when the conditions are right.

Oh... and you didn't see that plain-looking Boeing 737 with the red cheatline - that's the shuttle from LAS to certain remote and classified locations on the Nevada Test Site and a certain place with the number 51... ;)

My first plane trip was this summer, when I flew up to Michigan for the SAI National Convention. I went all by myself. It was a little scary at first, but so much fun! :D

i am still in atlanta. i just wanted to say that i LOVED the plane ride here. it was amazing! i was not scared at all. i loved taking off, and being in the air above the clouds. i cannot wait to go home so i can be on the plane again!

side note- i just spent five hours at Lenox Square Mall. that is a cool mall. i finally bought a pink burberry bag!:D i also got a kate spade wallet. i am super excited.