J
Jetfire
Guest
I have never flown in a plane before and in the near future I may be taking a trip and I was wondering how this sort of thing goes???
Are airports confusing?
Are airports confusing?
J
Jetfire
Guest
Chicago O'Hare Intl? Actually Richmond Intl (RIC) To Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD).
I haven't been to Chicago, but most airports have signs who are pretty easy to follow.
Depends a bit where you are flying from. If it is Europe allow plenty of time for security nonsense & make sure you read up on all the conditions of what you can carry or else you may have to leave stuff behind or pay surcharge.
Some people get scared flying but there's no need - try to get window seat & enjoy views you won't get anywhere else. Even the clouds are a treat - one of my best flight was when the plane was trying to break through storm clouds and there were semiblack, fulminous ramparts all round.
Some people get scared flying but there's no need - try to get window seat & enjoy views you won't get anywhere else. Even the clouds are a treat - one of my best flight was when the plane was trying to break through storm clouds and there were semiblack, fulminous ramparts all round.
J
Jetfire
Guest
I am afraid of getting lost and missing my plane...but that is silly. 
Just get to the airport super early if you've never flown before. My parents were taking me to India while I was still in diapers so I can't imagine what it's like being on an airplane for the first time as an adult.
I'd say, maybe look at a map of the airport ahead of time and make sure to fully plan out how you're getting there, parking, whatever. Like I said, get there way in advance since you're a first-timer and make sure you have whatever ID you need, handy. Look up regulations for carry-on luggage since that has changed so much. Be ready to take off your shoes at the security check (I'm sure there are websites that tell you what to expect at a security check). Once you make it through there and find your gate, all you have to do is sit back and crack open a book and wait for your plane to begin boarding!
Listen for announcements though, in case there's a gate change or something like that. Or check the departure screens for updated info. Also, O'Hare FTW!
I'd say, maybe look at a map of the airport ahead of time and make sure to fully plan out how you're getting there, parking, whatever. Like I said, get there way in advance since you're a first-timer and make sure you have whatever ID you need, handy. Look up regulations for carry-on luggage since that has changed so much. Be ready to take off your shoes at the security check (I'm sure there are websites that tell you what to expect at a security check). Once you make it through there and find your gate, all you have to do is sit back and crack open a book and wait for your plane to begin boarding!
Listen for announcements though, in case there's a gate change or something like that. Or check the departure screens for updated info. Also, O'Hare FTW!
J
Jetfire
Guest
So if my flight is at 7 am...I want to be at the airport at 6 am? Or do I need to be there earlier???
J
Jetfire
Guest
^
Ok, Thanks.
Ok, Thanks.
J
Jetfire
Guest
So I shouldn't travel on Monday or Friday? Is there a good day to travel on???
Perhaps you should review you airport's and airline's websites to find out specifics.
Also, be sure to point and laugh at the incompetent TSA goons you will encounter along the way.
And remember to be afraid every time you hear "The TSA has raised the threat level to orange" announcements. They happen every 15 or 20 minutes on the dot.
Seriously, I would try to be at the airport at least two hours beforehand if it was an unfamiliar airport or my first flight. I've never been through Chicago, but from what I understand, it is one of the busiest airports in the world.
Yes.
Just think of the them like this; Airports are shopping malls in a police state -with all the hassle of a theme park and none of the benefits.
You stand in line forever only to check your hat and coat (well, suitcase), then there's the x-ray devices (where everything you carry is subject to a closer personal inspection (be prepared to explain any- and/or everything in your bag or on your person to people that have never even heard of such things before) and the up close and personal hand-held metal detector and you might be told take off your shoes at this point or even be escorted into a room where you might be subjected to anything from a patting down to a full cavity search. During this process you must not look nervous about anything because then 'they' will think you have something to hide! Plus you must not joke about anything -in airports humour can be dangerous and certain words are taboo ('gun' and 'bomb' of course, but also prayers; only do those in the designated areas!). A lot of items are also prohibited; nail files, lighters and some bottles of water even, to name a few.
Smoking is only allowed in in an outdoor cage way on the other side (from where passengers are kept) of the airport.
After this you are left to wander the halls and corridors of a pricey shopping mall with only very expensive food & drink to sustain you until it's time to get back in line to board your plane.
I'm pretty sure that if such a place as hell existed it would be precisely like an airport.
Richmond is a smaller airport than Chicago, so it shouldn't be too hard to navigate. When you arrive your priorities are (in this order):
1) Verify you don't have anything sharp in your carry-on, or large amounts of liquid. All liquids/gels in your carry-on must fit into a small zip-lock bag. Anything questionable, put it in your checked bag.
2) Find the line for your airline to get your boarding pass and drop off your bag. You'll need a driver's license or other ID for this part. Some airlines have an online check-in option which allows you to go to a (usually shorter) "bag drop" line instead, but that depends on the airline and the airport. I haven't been to RIC. Plan to wait in this line for 15-20 minutes or so (although it can be much shorter or, occasionally, longer).
3) Once you have dropped off your checked bag, find the security checkpoint. Make sure it's the right one----sometimes there are multiple checkpoints accessing different gates. The security line will often be another 15-20 minutes.
4) To streamline security, just make sure:
a) If you have any liquids or gels in a zip-lock, they go in the bin.
b) If you have a laptop, it goes through separately.
c) Everything in your pockets goes in the bin.
d) If you have a belt or other article with metal parts, bin.
e) Shoes go in the bin or separately.
f) Hang on to your boarding pass! They probably checked your ID for the last time further back in the security line, but you still need that boarding pass when you go through the metal detector. Don't put it in the bin.
g) Don't make jokes about bombs. TSA personnel do not have a sense of humor they're aware of.
5) Now all that's left is to find your gate. There will be prominent signs directing you to the proper concourse, but keep an eye out for food along the way---especially when you're early, a place to get a bit of breakfast is a good thing.
1) Verify you don't have anything sharp in your carry-on, or large amounts of liquid. All liquids/gels in your carry-on must fit into a small zip-lock bag. Anything questionable, put it in your checked bag.
2) Find the line for your airline to get your boarding pass and drop off your bag. You'll need a driver's license or other ID for this part. Some airlines have an online check-in option which allows you to go to a (usually shorter) "bag drop" line instead, but that depends on the airline and the airport. I haven't been to RIC. Plan to wait in this line for 15-20 minutes or so (although it can be much shorter or, occasionally, longer).
3) Once you have dropped off your checked bag, find the security checkpoint. Make sure it's the right one----sometimes there are multiple checkpoints accessing different gates. The security line will often be another 15-20 minutes.
4) To streamline security, just make sure:
a) If you have any liquids or gels in a zip-lock, they go in the bin.
b) If you have a laptop, it goes through separately.
c) Everything in your pockets goes in the bin.
d) If you have a belt or other article with metal parts, bin.
e) Shoes go in the bin or separately.
f) Hang on to your boarding pass! They probably checked your ID for the last time further back in the security line, but you still need that boarding pass when you go through the metal detector. Don't put it in the bin.
g) Don't make jokes about bombs. TSA personnel do not have a sense of humor they're aware of.
5) Now all that's left is to find your gate. There will be prominent signs directing you to the proper concourse, but keep an eye out for food along the way---especially when you're early, a place to get a bit of breakfast is a good thing.
/\
Don't forget that they also randomly change the location where your plane is supposed to be and don't tell anyone.
Heh, that happened to my 78 year old mother who was sitting and waiting for her plane. It suddenly dawned on her that EVERYONE sitting at her gate was Japanese! The airline had changed gates and she never even knew it!
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