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I haven't flown in a while. It's been over 15 years. Other than getting to the airport two hours before the flight, please outline what we should/must do once we arrive? Don't know about TSA's , checkpoints, what size carry one I can take on the plane. I am really clueless. We are flying to the West coast and will be there for four nights. Thanks for your help?
Yes generally arrive a few hours early, you must take your shoes, belt, etc. Off for tsa. Unless you're TSA pre but you probably aren't. You walk in, either go to one of the kiosks to check in, unless you printed out your passes the day before. Then if you have any luggage to check, you go to the desk.
1. Arrive early, like you said. If you get to the airport two hours early you will probably end up waiting around for at least an hour to depart, but it's worth it because the off chance it's taking longer isn't worth the stress/hassle.
2. Usually you can check in online 24 hours ahead then either print your boarding pass or have it scanned from your smart phone. If this is a problem don't worry, it's just for convenience and you don't need to arrive with anything but a legit govt ID.
3. If you've checked in online, have a boarding pass, and are not checking luggage you can proceed directly to the gate. Otherwise go to the checkin counter for your airline. There are probably going to be kiosks to check in, if you're comfortable with enough to use 'em go for it, if not just get in line.
4. TSA checkpoints are easy and millions of people go through them without problems, don't let the occasional online drama queen stress you out about the experience. You line up, show your ID, then just do what everyone else is doing with carryon/shoes/belts/computers/etc. If the scanner detects something a TSA agent might check you, it's no big deal and take a minute.
5. FInd your gate, it's probably printed on your boarding pass but best to check the overhead monitors near the boarding areas. Then just wait for boarding group to be called (1,2,3,4,5,etc.) and get on with your boarding group. Boarding group will also be printed on your ticket. If Southwest Airlines then boarding group will be A/B/C and when called you go stand in queue position, just follow along with everyone else.
6. Regarding carryon size it's usually 14x22, but you see people with bigger ones and depending on the personnel you might be able to get away with bigger. On full flights they often run out of space, when they know this will happen ahead of time they either ask for volunteers to check their larger carryons (with checked baggage fee waived) or when boarding the later groups they'll declare overheads full and everyone who hasn't boarded yet will have their larger carryons checked in, again with fee waived.
Most of all relax and don't be afraid to ask for help from airline staff.
Be sure not to wear shirts with metal or rhinestone embellishments. I absentmindedly wore a tee shirt with tiny rhinestones scattered all around the front. I thought they were just glued on, but apparently the back of the rhinestones must have been painted with some sort of metalliic substance that lit up the scanner. I earned myself a pat down. LOL
Make sure all your pockets are empty. Remove watches, heavy jewelry, sunglasses, and cell phones and put them in your bag (keep your phone out if you're using it for your boarding pass) It's best to do this before you even get into line (or while you're in lline if it looks like it's going to take a while). Jewelry like wedding rings, small earrings, small necklaces can stay on.
If for some reason, you get selected for a pat down, don't worry. I've been patted down dozens of times, and it's never been as bad as some people would have you believe. It's not gropey.
If you're chosen for a pat down, it's likely that they will also swab your hands (checking for traces of explosives). They have you hold your hands palms up, and they wipe a swab at the end of a wand across your hands then insert the swab into a machine. Just stand where they tell you to stand and don't leave until they tell you to.
When your bag goes through the xray, they may occasionally decide to look inside. Perhaps they saw something that isn't allowed, or they saw something that they couldn't identify (in my case, I had a glass penguin that had been a gift, and I didn't realize that it had a metallic powder inside.) They'll ask whose bag it is, then take you aside so that you can watch them while they look in your bag. Don't try to reach for anything in your bag while this is happening.
Above all, just remember that TSA agents are just doing a job, and they have to deal with A LOT of cranky passengers. Kindness goes a long way. I make it a point to greet every agent with a bright smile and a warm "Good morning!" and they really seem to appreciate it.
I flew in 2015 for the first time since the 911 era. It's not so bad.
You don't even need a ticket (carry one anyway), just hand your passport to the checkin clerk, they're expecting you. From then on, just follow the other passengers, and do what you're told.
Most airlines will just glance at your carryon, unless it looks conspicuously big or heavy. TSA won't make much of a fuss unless your carryon items are in flagrant violation. But you can't depend on that, so try to be as prepared as possible, be respectful and polite, they're mostly nice people doing a job.. Most emplyees think of "regulations" as curbs to abuse, and will let a lot of things slide.
Yes generally arrive a few hours early, you must take your shoes, belt, etc. Off for tsa. Unless you're TSA pre but you probably aren't. You walk in, either go to one of the kiosks to check in, unless you printed out your passes the day before. Then if you have any luggage to check, you go to the desk.
1. Arrive early, like you said. If you get to the airport two hours early you will probably end up waiting around for at least an hour to depart, but it's worth it because the off chance it's taking longer isn't worth the stress/hassle.
2. Usually you can check in online 24 hours ahead then either print your boarding pass or have it scanned from your smart phone. If this is a problem don't worry, it's just for convenience and you don't need to arrive with anything but a legit govt ID.
3. If you've checked in online, have a boarding pass, and are not checking luggage you can proceed directly to the gate. Otherwise go to the checkin counter for your airline. There are probably going to be kiosks to check in, if you're comfortable with enough to use 'em go for it, if not just get in line.
4. TSA checkpoints are easy and millions of people go through them without problems, don't let the occasional online drama queen stress you out about the experience. You line up, show your ID, then just do what everyone else is doing with carryon/shoes/belts/computers/etc. If the scanner detects something a TSA agent might check you, it's no big deal and take a minute.
5. FInd your gate, it's probably printed on your boarding pass but best to check the overhead monitors near the boarding areas. Then just wait for boarding group to be called (1,2,3,4,5,etc.) and get on with your boarding group. Boarding group will also be printed on your ticket. If Southwest Airlines then boarding group will be A/B/C and when called you go stand in queue position, just follow along with everyone else.
6. Regarding carryon size it's usually 14x22, but you see people with bigger ones and depending on the personnel you might be able to get away with bigger. On full flights they often run out of space, when they know this will happen ahead of time they either ask for volunteers to check their larger carryons (with checked baggage fee waived) or when boarding the later groups they'll declare overheads full and everyone who hasn't boarded yet will have their larger carryons checked in, again with fee waived.
Most of all relax and don't be afraid to ask for help from airline staff.
Thank you for the information concerning the boarding pass. That is really helpful.
Double-check your ticket to make sure you're even allowed a carryon. The standard rule is one carryon (9x14x22" or less) and one personal item that goes under the seat - but American Airlines sells Basic Economy tickets which don't permit a carryon. On a Basic Economy ticket, you're limited to a single personal item that must fit under the seat.
Also be aware that pretty much all airlines charge a fee (generally $25 one way) to check a bag, so allow for that additional cost. You'll pay the fee at the airport at the time you check your bag. (The exception is Southwest, which includes 2 free checked bags in the ticket price.)
As for security, just try not to be THAT person who holds up the line: Double check that you don't have a stray bottle of water in your carryon bag. Wear shoes that are easy to remove quickly. Any electronic device larger than a cell phone (Kindle, iPad,, laptop) needs to go in a bin. Take off your belt.
Depending on the fare class you purchased, you may or may not be able to take a carryon--either because you purchased the cheapest fare that doesn't include carryon, or because your boarding group is one of the last ones and the bins are full.
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