flying all by myself

[DeltaSigStan]

Originally posted by GeekyPenguin
Man, and I thought living across from the green Delta Sig house was bad.

I'm sorry you don't like Delta Sig. S'all good tho

But yeah, I was just experimenting with something.

[CatStarESP4]

I, too, am scared of flying, but I have flown many times in my life. I have also flown by myself several times, so I feel for you. It is a very scary propect, but you are going to be fine! Just check in two hours prior to departure, go through security procedures, walk around the terminal area (I find that it calms me down), eat or drink something light, if they have food or beverage kiosks at the airport, pay attention to the screens listing departing flights and a few minutes before they announce boarding time, sit in your gate's waiting area and take several deep breaths for relaxation. Good luck!!

[DeltAlum]

SEMI HIJACK

As I was thinking about airports, I wondered which ones really are the busiest:

Here's the answer:

http://geography.about.com/library/misc/blairports.htm

I've flown through 17 of the twenty.

A couple quick things about the Denver International Airport -- the airport is called "DIA" by locals (like LAX for Los Angeles), but the actual airport code is "DEN." Also, DIA is the largest airport in the world in physical size at 56 sq. miles of land. It's sixth runway, the world's longest at 16,000 ft., just opened. That's necessary for the "heavy" long range intercontinental jets to take off in thin summertime at our mile high altitude. There is room for six more.

Someone finally planned for the future in a public works project.

End of highjack.

edited to add: It's probably not a good thing to use the words airport and hijack in the same post, is it? If the Feds are reading my posts, there is no relationship between the terms -- just slang. OK, then.

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by GeekyPenguin
DeltAlum, the newest member of al Qaeda.

Ahhhh!!!! No, no. Not in this lifetime. Don't like sand and hot temps (with appologies to Arizona).

Although I have been to a "Safe House" in Milwaukee. Is it still there?

[OUlioness01]

i flew for the the first time ever, and completely on my own back in February. i even had to switch planes. read the signs giving you directions! i was in the Charlotte airport and i was so confused but i managed to figure out where my next plane was by following the signs on the walls in the airport. don't be afraid to ask for directions too. sometimes you have to do that. i even asked the people at the desk in front of the place where you get on the plane to explain ot me what i was suppoed to be doing. good thing, because i only had the ticket to my first flight for some reaosn. they forgot to give me the other. everything will be fine. i was terrified but i made it through, and so will you.

Originally posted by DeltAlum
Although I have been to a "Safe House" in Milwaukee. Is it still there?

It sure is! My fiance and I usually go once a month or so for our most recent doses of "Spy's Demise" and "Mission Impossible"

tsk tsk tsk... Kathleen that needs to change!

Just tell me when, and we'll have a Milwaukee GC get-to-gether... you, me, and Blaine... (and any other Milwaukee area GCers that I'm forgetting) at the ol' Safehouse

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by Ginger
tsk tsk tsk... Kathleen that needs to change!

Just tell me when, and we'll have a Milwaukee GC get-to-gether... you, me, and Blaine... (and any other Milwaukee area GCers that I'm forgetting) at the ol' Safehouse

YAY! It can be a pre-Chicago get together.

[aephi alum]

So the flying thread has been hijacked... why am I not surprised?

Some security advice from a former business traveler:

If you're checking bags, carry on only what you'll need on the flight and what you can't do without. This means your wallet, cell phone (you can't use it in flight but you don't want to lose it), reading material, prescription meds, prescription glasses, toiletries (nothing metal like nail scissors), etc. Pack neatly and don't lock your checked bags - at many airports, TSA does hand inspections of checked luggage, and if you lock your bag they'll break the lock. Your checked bags should have ID inside and out to increase the chance they'll get back to you if they're lost.

Wear as little metal as possible. A bra without an underwire is a good idea. Make sure your shoes either (a) don't contain metal, or (b) can be easily slipped off for the x-ray. (I found out the hard way that my favorite pumps contain metal )

If you have a cell phone or laptop, keep it easily available as it has to go through the x-ray by itself (not in a bag).

I have a blazer that I always wear when I fly - the "Frequent Flyer" jacket from Norm Thompson (I don't know if they still make it). It has a lot of pockets, many of which have zippers. I throw my keys, wallet, jewelry, etc. into the jacket, then run the jacket through the x-ray, and make sure no one else walks off with it!

As for navigating the airport, most airports are well signed, and you can always ask airport staff for directions. When you check in, ask for directions to your gate, and you'll be all set.

Oh, watch the monitors for gate changes and delays. The last time I flew, the gate was changed 5 times

You'll be fine! Have a safe trip.