Flying
 

Warning - this post is about to expose how incredibly neurotic I am.

I'm getting ready to fly for the first time in about seven years. I've flown several times, but not since 9/11 and never alone. Now that I live in DC, 500 miles away from my family, I'm going to be flying a lot more often. I'm not at all worried about the actual flight - it's only an hour and a half. I'm just nervous about the new security measures, checking in, checking my luggage, possibly missing my flight, etc. Any advice to make getting on the plane go smoothly?

Get there early and do not take a lot of carry on luggage that they need to search.

I fly from National Airport all the time, but not since the new carry-on rules.

I haven't had any bad experiences there. Just get there early, be patient in the check-in and security lines, enjoy the airport's many stores, and don't forget to breathe.

(I get nervous while traveling, too.)

check out tsa.gov for bagage guidelines. with the new regulations in place, i think it's best to check your luggage.

get to the airport about 2 hours before your flight. that should give you time to get your ticket, check you bag, and get through security.

just know what you have with/on you when you go through security. take out electronic items (ie laptop, and even mp3 player) and place them in a separate bin. expect to have to put your shoes and coat through the scanner if they're thick.

everything should go smoothly.

I'm actually flying out of BWI, which adds to the nervousness since I don't have a car. So I also have to worry about the Metro bus running on time, etc.

Wear shoes that are easy to take on/take off.

Check whatever you can, and unless it's absolutely necessary, don't take your laptop.

Apparently Airborne freaks the x-ray machines out. I learned that the hard way last weekend...:rolleyes:

Mel,

Are you flying during the week? If so take the MARC train from Union Station to BWI, it's much easier and you don't have to add the traffic factor or waiting on the bus at Greenbelt.

Definately check as much as possible. If you are flying on Southwest you can check-in early online and you will avoid most of the lines. I was at BWI Labor Day weekend and things were not any busier than usual.

I'd check my bag so you don't have to worry about the security regulations. I've flown about 20 times in the last year :( but not since they went into effect. I'm planning on checking my suitcase from now on so I don't have to worry about my makeup, contact solution, etc, and am planning on just bringing a purse with my iPod and a few books through security.

If you can, wear flip flops. It'll speed up going through security by a few minutes since you won't have to take your shoes off.

I've had to take my flip-flops off in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Boston. Apparently my Havianas look suspicious.

Wow. I have never had to do that in JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, or the Dominican Republic. That's crazy. You can pack so much explosive material into those straps...

Oh that's a great call with the MARC train - thanks! I'm flying AirTran, and I'm pretty sure they have online check-in too.

Ummm, I just did it last weekend at Laguardia, and at Atlanta. Apparently, the rubber freaks out the walk-through x-ray machines.

Hey, Candice...if you want more Havaianas, my Brazilian grocery store sells them for $8/pair. They're legit, too.

OMG are you serious? Candice may be needed to place an order with you. Candice is planning on wearing her Havianas until it starts snowing in MinneCambridge, because she's crazy like that.

I still like wearing flip-flops when I fly even if I have to take them off because they're much easier to get back on than other shoes.

I basically fly for a living - you can 100% tell a 'business traveler' from other fliers. What I do:

-It's annoying, but check more baggage, not less. The more stuff you have with you, the worse your check-in process will be. Caveat: I've never had a bag lost, so I might be particularly rosy here, and your mileage may vary.

-Prepare ahead of time for taking off shoes/belt, getting everything out of your pockets, etc. Do this in line, before you actually get to the scanners.

-Again, it's also annoying, but seriously get there 2 hours before your flight. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays are the worst days to fly, so definitely get there early on those days, and don't ever be the "MY FLIGHT LEAVES IN 20 MINUTES OMG PUT ME TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE" guy.

If you're a nervous flier, take stuff to do - this also helps offset the super-annoying 2 hours you'll have to kill before the flight. I take the laptop, my iPod, a Nintendo DS and something to read.

Are you serious? I paid like $15 for each of my pairs.

I don't know if this is an option for you, but I highly recommend half an Ambien (half of a 10 mg pill) or a valium before take off. If you need to go the over-the-counter route, try some Tylenol PM.

All of the above take off the edge and make the flight a little bit more bearable.

I agree with this.

I live on an island so I have no choice but to fly. I'm used to flying, but take off and the few moments right after still drive me nuts. Before I fly I usually pay a visit to the doc, who'll prescribe me Ambien (Valium always makes me feel like shee-it when I wake up), and when I'm flying to the west coast (at least 5 hours), I take a whole pill. I feel fine when I land.

Not sure about that. Every time I have flown in the past year, everyone has taken what ever they were wearing off.

I think it really depends on how thick your flip flops are and/or what airport you're at.

I fly out of HNL, and I've never been asked to take off my Reefs. 90% of the time at mainland airports I've usually been able to keep em on as well.

I agree. I bought a travel vest from Filson. 15+ pockets that one can put everything into and just let it go thru X-Ray.
NOTE:The following is a direct link to vest information. If not interested, do not click. LOL
http://www.filson.com/product/index....entPage=family

At least on pocket big enough to carry Sunday newspaper!

Great for walking around town afterwards.

Y'all, I'm really not at all worried about the flying part - drugging myself won't be necessary :). It's a really short flight.

I'm just neurotic and I hate looking like I don't know what I'm doing...looking for more advice like KSigRC's. I'm transitioning into a job where I may end up flying a lot, and since I'm already younger than everyone else I hate acting like I don't have it completely together.

I've had to take off flip flops since last year sometimes (flying from/to such locations as newark, orlando, honolulu, atlanta, san franciso, and a few others.) I now where sneakers and socks because I know I'm going to have to take off my shoes and I get grossed out by walking barefoot in the airport.

Liquids- yeah, the new rules are annoying. Check everything possible, but remember to put liquids in plastic bags because it sucks when your conditioner explodes all over your clothes, which is why I used to bring it on board but I digress. If you are bringing any acceptable liquids (ie, I'm an asthmatic so I have an inhaler, I also wear contacts so I bring my 4oz of solution on board) put them in a clear plastic baggie and declare it to the TSA employee. I hand them the bag for inspection, somtimes the TSA person says to put it through the Xray machine anyway, sometimes they check it and hand it back to you. Depends on where/when.

Some airports now have the blower type scanning machines that are in place of metal detectors. Just follow the screeners directions; no one really knows how they work yet.

Try to wear as little metal as possible. Sometimes the most random things set off the alarms. Ie- when traveling last year my friend and I had the same victoria secret bra on. Mine didn't set off the alarm, hers did. Who knows.

Get there early, because sometimes even when we get there early things still get messed up. My last flight, I was at the airport 2 hours before hand and still ran to the gate because something happened with the electronic check in system at Newark.

Bring your own travel pillow/blanket...that just might be my nuerotic thing, but I find it kinda gross. I don't know who used it last.

If I think of anything else, I'll post it.

While I have a much longer list of trip and travel sites, the following are comfort and safty related:
http://www.seatguru.com/home.shtml
http://www.seatexpert.com
http://avoiddelays.com
www.airsafe.com
http://aviation-safety.net/index.php
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/index.shtm
http://www.airline-safety-records.com/
http://www.flightexplorer.com/
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm
http://travel.state.gov/
http://www.flightarrivals.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Flights

If you are going to take the MARC remember you can buy your ticket on the train if the lines at the self-serve kiosks are super long. I think there is a $5 fee and you have to pay in cash, but if you think you are going to miss your train it's worth it.

You are going to have to take your shoes off. I even had to take shoes off of the babies.

Also, it's not just liquids, it's gels, lotions, etc. I had to hand over the Eucerin I use for diaper rash cream.

If I'm on a long flight (2+ hours) i always brng my own...good advice

Lipgloss and chapstick also...drove me crazy on my flight from Auckland to LAX....

Question: I once checked my laptop, and of course, it was the one time when I had trouble with my baggage (Dulles, fyi). I was told by an airline employee that the airlines are NOT responsible for checked laptops, even though they will cover the cost of everything else when lost. Needless to say, I've carried mine ever since.

Is this true, or (hopefully) is that old information?

No clue, but I wouldn't risk my laptop being thrown around like they throw around the stuff...it'sn ot worth the risk.

Good timing on this thread because I'm flying for the first time in 2 years tomorrow. Short flight, only an hour and a half. I'll be sure to get to the Pittsburgh airport in plenty of time, but i'm a little wary of being able to get to Louisville in timie on my way home because when exactly the deposition will be done is a little shaky. Thankfully it seems like a smaller airport so it may be easier to get through quickly.

Curse those stupid would-be hijackers... I could easily do just a carry on (only there for one night), but of course I have to check everything. I think i'm going to have to put extra stuff in my suitcase to keep everything from bouncing around, I really don't have much to take.

I'll also be renting a car for the first time... any tips on that? (besides the insurance being a rip off)

Fill up the tank at the end of the trip yourself; otherwise, they charge you something crazy like $5/gallon at the rental place. But, if this is a work expense, it really wouldn't matter so much.

The insurance isn't as big a ripoff as a lot of people say. Someone once hit me while I was in a rental (while PA was "No Fault"), and since I didn't have the car rental insurance, my rates skyrocketed, to say nothing about having to pay the deductible. Same scenario a few years later, I got the insurance, and didn't have to pay a cent.

Expect a teeny tiny plane for Louisville! You can "carry on" everything (that you're allowed to pack), which you'll leave at the end of the walkway, and pick it up when you leave the plane.

My aunt once had FOIL GUM WRAPPERS set the stupid alarm off.:rolleyes: I think that machine was set to "Overkill".

i take the MetroBus to BWI all they time (Greenbelt). they run ON SCHEDULE, i've never had a problem with them. Just be sure to give yourself enough time to get from the bus upstairs to your checkin and through security. The Metro should be the least of your worries. :)

You can definately get thru Louisville quickly. You can drop off car, check-in, and get to your gate in less than 30 min usually, but I would allot an hour.

The car rental is onsite so you can just walk out to your car from the terminal. I would get gas thru the rental place that way you don't have to worry about finding a gas station before you go back to the airport. Ask for it when you are renting the car and they will give you a rate close to what it is locally.

I know that Delta has a policy against checking laptops:

http://www.delta.com/traveling_check...ance/index.jsp

First, the obligatory "don't worry about the dep running long, it's much easier to swap flights 'on the fly' than you'd think" blah blah chow meow - especially with 'linked' airports like the ones you'll be going through (there should be a flight every hour).

Rental car tips:

-No insurance - not just b/c it's a total rip off (of course, it is), but also because your insurance should cover it more than effectively (or your firm's).

-Unless you're killed for time, just fill it up yourself when returning - they'll usually charge about 40% more if you do the 'pre-pay for gas' bit. Obviously you're passing the expense through, but it's still weak.

-You can often 'trade up' for minimal (or no) cost, especially if you negotiate with the counter. This will be easier at some stations than others, but yeah - if you're scheduled for the 'economy', know that you're locked to that rate but they'll often give you a different classification of car depending on space. They'll say something like "Malibu 4-door OK?" then you play the "Oh . . . well, is that all that's available?" card, and work from there. You can also do this the other direction, if you want a smaller car. The exceptions are minivans and SUVs, which usually cost a ton more.

-If they have a key drop, use that and get the receipt up front, that should save some time on the drop - this means you'll have to hang on to everything they gave you, in case they charge for 'phantom damage' . . . I've never had it happen, but there are horror stories.

Past that, almost all rentals are unlimited mileage anymore, and the cars should all be very new (like, if it's not a 2006, you probably shouldn't drive it) - car rentals are sick easy anymore.

Don't bring any snakes.

Damn. Go and ruin all my fun :(

If people can bring their dogs on planes, I should be able to bring some snakes!


Thanks for the info, KSig RC, very useful!

jhujenn, I figured Louisville would be like that, it looked like a smaller airport.