| foosyerdoos
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The first thing you want to do is wear shoes that are easy to take off and put on. No laces would be best, because if you are anything like me you will be asked to remove your shoes at security. Also don't carry anything in your pockets as you will have to remove it all and put it in a little plastic tray, it's much easier to have everything in one bag so that it can all go through the Xray machine together. Even though it is an internal flight you will probably have to show photo ID (in the UK most people take there passport even for internals)check with your flight company for what's acceptable ID. Once you are through the security it is all quite easy. Find the departure gate, sit and wait untill the flight is boarding, get on the plane and enjoy. Also if it's your first flight, get a window seat and hope for a clear day.
Reply #1. Apr 04 09, 2:59 PM
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| deaconblues63
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Make sure you take something to occupy yourself. Reading material, an iPod or a hand held video game system will help pass the time both in the airport and on the plane.
Reply #2. Apr 04 09, 6:31 PM
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| BIG_Flicker
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All I'll say is, don't complain about security measures.
Everyone on the flight has to be checked, you don't want anyone unchecked on your plane.
Reply #3. Apr 04 09, 6:57 PM
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AntonLaVey 
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...and hope the pilot is sober.
Reply #4. Apr 04 09, 7:46 PM
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mjws1968
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With the flight itself, takeoff and landing can be quite intimidating the first time, but dont panic, there will be incredible acceleration when your plane taxis down the runway, and a giddy feeling as you take off, dont look outside the window at that point the first time, it will scare you a bit, you will often rise to altitude at an angle and change direction several times before you reach cruising altitude. Chewing on something when you are rising will stop your ears from popping too badly.
First time, keep the seatbelt on when in your seat, as much as for your own peace of mind as well as in case of turbulence. Dont panic if you get turbulence, the plane will rapidly drop or shake, you are not going to crash, it is perfectly normal, just uncomfortable. Landing is worse in a way, it seems like the engines are turned off and the plane dips, but its just the normal deceleration before landing, and again you get several changes in direction and angle. The ground will come towards you quite rapidly when you land, but dont panic, you are perfectly safe, and bumpy landings are not uncommon, but not dangerous in any way. Listen to the pilot and leave your seatbelt on till you get to the terminal, they dont say it for fun.
When taking hand luggage out of overhead lockers, be careful, it might have shifted and could fall out.
Listen to the safety demonstrations but dont let them scare you, they have to do it, but you will never need it.
Keep hydrated, the purified air dehydrates you twice as fast as the normal stuff, the drinks are pricey, but I suggest buying one half litre of still water per two hours of flying time in the terminal before you board, that should see you through.
And above all, enjoy it, Iwill be making my 52nd flight in two weeks and it never gets dull.
Reply #5. Apr 04 09, 9:12 PM
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Cymruambyth
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I've spent a lot of time up in the air (sometimes without the benefit of a plane, but we don't need to talk about that here!). If I had a nickel for every flight I've taken I'd be able to afford a condo in the Bahamas. In all that time, I've only had one bad experience and that was landing in a blizzard with a drunken hockey team as co-passengers. The pilot on that flight must have gone to the same school as the chap who landed the plane on the Hudson, because it was a text book landing. I've also had experience in air traffic control with the RCAF. Take my word for it, you're safer flying to Illinois than you'd be driving to Illinois!
Relax - horror stories about airlines are in the same category as horror stories about childbirth, and none of them have any real connection to the real thing.
My routine for flying:
1: Pop a Gravol before take off.
2: Wear comfortable clothing and shoes (three hours is a long time to sit in your Sunday best).
3: Take a good book.
4: Use the bathroom in the boarding lounge before you board the plane.
5: Don't carry your manicure kit, scissors or nail files in your carry-on luggage - they will be confiscated. That also goes for hair gels, lotions, etc. Pack them in your luggage for check-in.
6: Make sure you have photo ID.
7: Get an electronic boarding pass the day before your flight so that you don't have to waste time at the airport. Your airline can give you the info on how to do that.
8: Pack a lunch, or at least a banana and some cheese and crackers (airlines charge for food these days, but they'll give you juice, tea or coffee).
9: Enjoy the flight. I've met some very interesting people while flying.
9:
Reply #6. Apr 05 09, 1:42 PM
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| funnybuni
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Thanks everyone. I'm trying to save my nerves for when the time comes a bit closer (early May). My main nerves really deal with getting through security. Obviously, I have nothing to hide - they can go through my suitcase, raid my laptop, and whatnot... I guess I've been paying too close attention to the horror stories.
Will they let you bring a banana or something of the like on board?
Reply #7. Apr 06 09, 11:51 AM
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veronikkamarrz
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All very good advice. I will add, that when you pack your lotions, shampoos, etc. in your CHECKED bags, put them in a plastic bag. You don't want to get where you're going, and find stained or ruined clothing!
If you buy bottled water, do so AFTER you've been through Security, or they will throw it away. Past that, you're safe.
Flying is a piece of cake! You'll love it. Airports suck, but the flight won't. Have Fun!
Reply #8. Apr 06 09, 12:28 PM
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| foosyerdoos
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The really bad bit about flying is the custom control. Thankfully you won't have to do that. If you ever fly to another country, be prepared to stand in a line for a couple of hours and be grunted at by custom control(do those people ever smile)I wouldn't mind so much, but the way you are treated varies wildly in the U.S, Boston was OK, Detroit was good, Miami was a blinking nightmare. It put me off ever flying in to Florida again. It,s probably the same when people fly into the UK and other countries. I suspect all customs people go the same charm school.
Reply #9. Apr 06 09, 12:36 PM
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| s-m-w
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If I had to pass on one word of wisdom about flying it would be this...
Always take a seat at the rear of the plane!
Why you ask?
Well, it is an age old fact that an aeroplane will never reverse into a mountain!
Enjoy the safest form of transport.
Reply #10. Apr 06 09, 1:58 PM
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| funnybuni
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Too late, s-m-w - my seat is in the front!
I was planning on just buying new shampoo, cosmetics and other "gel" items when I get there, as I will be there for a few months. I want to make everything as easy as possible!
Reply #11. Apr 07 09, 7:56 AM
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Rowena8482
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Stick a change of underwear, large T shirt, and a pair of clean socks in your hand luggage. Then if your checked luggage goes missing it's not such a panic to find a shop just after you arrive.
Reply #12. Apr 07 09, 1:09 PM
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lesley153
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I'm glad Mike warned you about turbulence. The first time my son flew, he didn't know what was happening, and he started saying his prayers!
Loads of good advice here, and only one thing I'd like to add: There is always someone who will think it's funny to try to frighten you. Treat them with the ... respect they deserve. And have a great time away.
Reply #13. Apr 07 09, 6:24 PM
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| Arpeggionist
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What you need to worry about is what happens either before you board the plane, or upon landing. What you can expect during a flight is a really great view of northern US - a view which I've seen only twice in my life. (Though I have seen other fantastic views of the north Atlantic and Europe from planes. I've written songs about the view of Greenland from seven miles in the air.) You will probably be about six miles in the air when you see this fantastic sight, and yet with the floor of the plane cabin at your feet you'll feel no less subject to gravity than if you were riding a city bus. In many ways, plane travel is like bus travel, except that in a plane everything takes more time - getting off the runway, the transit between stations, getting back on the runway at the destination - that way you can savor those moments.
Reply #14. Apr 08 09, 3:44 PM
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milescheifetz
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Hi New Aviation Traveller!
The first thing to know is that there is no mystery with aeroplanes; they are not held in suspense in the air by a magical force. Commercial aviation is unbelievably safe; similar to the odds of winning a lottery. It is safer to fly on a commercial jetliner than to walk outside your house and cross the road. Aviation is very advanced, but also no different to 100 years ago. Engines and lift (wing airflow) keep an aircraft airborne, and even when power is cut, there is an aerodynamic force that will keep a plane in the air for some time further...sometimes up to half-an-hour. Think of this like riding a bike; when you stop pedalling you will not just stop, but continue for some time.
Aviation is a wonderful thing and today's airliners, with fly-by-wire and totally computerised flight-management systems will make your first trip a comfortable, enjoyable and memorable experience.
xxx
Miles,
Sydney.
Reply #15. Apr 10 09, 2:58 AM
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| funnybuni
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Thanks for calming my nerves... I'll have to print this out and read it on the flight. :p
Reply #16. Apr 10 09, 6:40 AM
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ozfei
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I only know about Australia but I am sure you could find out (as we can here) from your airline or a Government site, what you can and can't take as carry-on luggage.
Reply #18. Apr 16 09, 11:41 PM
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| tnrees
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If you are flying to another country eat all your fruit etc. before you land as many countries have import bans. Some do have bins so you can discard the items but most do not.
Reply #19. Jun 15 09, 3:28 PM
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Pejikr
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I've been on an airplane before, though not recently.
Reply #20. Aug 25 09, 9:09 AM
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