First time flyer -- I Need Help as to c/i experience!
 

OK SO THIS IS BASICALLY MY FIRST TIME FLYING ALONE.

I HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT HTE PROCESS OF GETTING THRU THE AIRPORT. ALL I KNOW IS THAT I NEED TO BE THERE EARLY AND THAT I NEED TO PRINT OUT MY BOARDING PASS AHEAD OF TIME. WHAT DO I DO FIRST? WHEN DO I GIVE THEM MY LUGGAGE?AND WHERE? I'M TOTALLY STRESSIN HERE!:confused:

I FLY OUT IN TWO DAYS SO I NEED TO KNOW SOON.

THANX TO NE ONE WHO OFFERS HELP!

pccmimi23: Welcome to FlyerTalk. In order for us to help you, please help us: Please edit your post to include the airport you'll be flying out of and the airline(s) you'll be flying. Once this very large travel community knows that, you will get the best help possible. Also, I'll edit your thread title to make it more specific. For the time being, I'll move your post to TravelBuzz and we'll go from there, as more info surfaces on your travel plans. Ocn Vw 1K, CoModerator, CommunityBuzz and TravelBuzz.

1) show up at airport
2) stand in the line designated for the airline you are flying. Do not stand in any line marked "first class" "elite" or anything else which you are not.
3) Stick a credit card, any credit card (it is not charged) into the fun little kiosk. verify your flight. tell it how many bags you are checking. If you are checking bags you must show ID to get tags for the bag from the person behind the counter.
4) Take your bags to the TSA bag area. Make sure bags are unlocked and HAVE ALL LIQUIDS AND GELS OVER 3 OUNCES (100 mL) IN YOUR CHECKED BAG.
5) Proceed to the TSA Screening check point. In many airports this may be on a different level. Ask when getting bag tags if you are unsure.
6) Show your ID, Boarding pass (from the kiosk), and take off shoes and take out 1 quart baggie with liquids 3 oz and under.
7) Walk through Metal Detector or "puffer" depending on airport (some may make you do both).
8) move to THE END of the belt and take stuff off. Move out of the way and put shoes back on.
9) Find monitor and search the DEPARTURES screen(s) for your flight to find your gate.
10) Proceed to your gate and wait until that big number (your boarding zone) is called. get on and take your seat.

Do the online checkin and print out your boarding pass. You should also check to see that you have a good seat - you can change it if the plane is not sold out.

Get dropped off at the designated terminal for your airline (or the designated area if a small airport).

If you do not need to check a bag, you can proceed straight to the gate. There will be video screens as you enter that will list the gate by reference to your flight number. It will also be on your boarding card, but check the screen as it may have changed. This screen will also note if there are any delays.

If you do need to check a bag, use the check in kiosk that will be located near where you entered, and hand the bag to the clerk behind the counter. Routine varies by airport, but they will probably have a designated line for this.

Follow the signs to your gate. You will have to go through TSA screening. As someone else noted, follow the new restrictions on liquids. (3oz or less bottles, all in one small baggie.) Have your boarding pass and ID (drivers license typically) ready to show.

You'll need to take off your shoes, take out your laptop and your liquid baggie.

Head off to your gate and await your flight. You will not need to check in again at the gate. You'll just need to show your boarding pass to get on the plane.

Don't stress, it is all well marked!

It's not that hard.

As said above, just follow the marked paths....

Check-in online if possible OR when dropped off at your airline's terminal there should be a little desk of men who look like they are checking luggage, those are "Sky Caps" and they can check your luggage if necessary and give you your tickets (Boarding pass) OR you can check-in at kiosk inside (depending on airline/airport) OR just go to the desk inside.

However you check-in, they'll tell you your gate.

Make sure you are going through the correct security at the correct entrance to your gate - It should be clearly marked.

If you have a carry-on bag, empty your pockets of everything and place it into your bag for xray...all change, keys, and even mint/gum tins like Altoids....BTW, I had a Nicoderm patch set off an alarm once.
Follow the instructions of the nice security people...your goal is to "not beep"
Laptop out of bag for xray.
Read the silly 3-1-1 rule on liquids and gels permissible.....chapstick is a gel, perfume is a liquid...get the picture?

Get to your gate early, sit and wait.

The best way to avoid any problem and feel comfortable that no mistakes are made is to arrive super early, far earlier than recommended, like say 2hrs for a domestic flight (1hr is recommended).
You can always sit and get a bite to eat, shop a bit, get a cup of coffee or whatever after you get in, find your gate and get your bearings.

I always get to the airport early because you just never know what can happen between traffic, security, computers, whatever...safe than sorry

Watch the weight on your baggage. Over 50 pounds per checked bag will get you over weight fees.

Don't forget to relax. If you don't know what to do, nicely ask airline staff for help.

Without details of which airport you are leaving from and whether your destination or intermediate stops are in the same country or customs / immigration area, anything posted here will be an approximation.

Exactly. That's why I did my 10 steps to not include OLCI. I usually do OLCI since I carry on, but in my little feeder airport (SYR) I have to stand in the same queue to check bags as I would to check in (since there is no OLCI bag drop). Since it's all the same line I figured I would cut out a step. If the OP is in a city with OLCI bag drop or wants to pay the sky caps then go ahead and check in online and do it that way.

If you do Online Check In and the boarding pass has a gate listed, always verify the gate when you arrive. In SYR United is always gate 26 because that is the only gate they have, but the gate on my second bording pass for ORD will usually never leave from that gate.


Also another tip: put the airline phone number into your cell phone. Many of the ticket jackets from US don't have any phone numbers listed. I call the UA line when I land from my first leg to find the gate for my second leg since i book 40 minute connections in ORD.

having read all the above manual do you think he will be able now to relax? ;)

Welcome to Flyertalk, and enjoy your trip!

The only thing I would say is your best destresser is to arrive extra early. This leaves you plenty of time to deal with checkin and security without any stress about missing your flight. Once you're at the gate, you can just relax and read a newspaper or something until your flight.

Or people watch. My favorite game is "where are they coming/going" where I look at people's outfits, factor in weather, and make up a story to myself. If you see a cluster of people with shorts and sandals in the middle of winter in Chicago...figure they are going somewhere warmer. Depending on age and family status it could be Orlando, Las Vegas, or anywhere in between.

Thanx
 

Thanx So Much To Everyone Who Offered Advice. It Was All Very Helpful!

I Feel A Lot Better Now!
I Fly Out On Wed. From Jax

Wish Me Luck!!!

Relax, smile, have fun, enjoy the flight..... kinda like us old timers used to do back in the day :p

Most airlines have someone roaming near the check in areas that can help you out if needed.

Just relax, take a deep breath and have a good flight.

Safe travels,

Tim