This may have been done, but the search function wouldn't work just now.

Ok, this may sound crazy, but I have never flown before. I just bought a ticket for my trip to Montana this summer. I don't understand some of the terms, and was wondering if someone can tell me what exactly I have to do when I get to the airport.

My specific questions are:
What does it mean by "online flight check in"? Don't I have to let them check in my luggage?
Do I have to print my ticket information, or isn't there a counter where I can pick up my tickets?
Has anyone ever had a bookbag (with my laptop, camera, and purse in it) for a carryon?

I've looked at the policies for both airlines and I've gotten most of my questions answered, but not these.

Thank you for your help!

4/27/2008 11:33:14 AM

What does it mean by "online flight check in"? Don't I have to let them check in my luggage?

you can check in on the website, as opposed to from the counter or a kiosk. where it's the most beneficial is if you're not flying southwest and you're not checking luggage, or if you are flying southwest and if you're checking luggage or not... check in online to get your seating assignment... it's a means of transitioning your ticket to a legit boarding pass, and printing the boarding pass at home as opposed to at the airport. most places you can do this like 24 hours in advance... even if it's like usair and you check in online, and you're checking baggage, you'd still have to either a.) go through the counter or b.) use curbside checkin.

Do I have to print my ticket information, or isn't there a counter where I can pick up my tickets?

see above

Has anyone ever had a bookbag (with my laptop, camera, and purse in it) for a carryon?


the carry-on dimensions are pretty standardized, and you should be able to find them online. a standard sized backpack you'd have no problems with.. unless by backpack you mean one of those humongous hiking packs. like, if im only going for a few days or so i'll carry-on my wheely suitcase and my computer backapack or messenger bag. you'll be fine with just a backpack.

have fun!

4/27/2008 11:56:45 AM

online flight check in means you can check in on their website & print your own boarding pass. if you are checking bags i would recommend the course of action below

and yes, you can bring a backpack with camera & laptop on the plane with you

show up at the airport and find your airline ticket counter. if this is your first time i would not recommend self-check in kiosks. give the agent your ID and tell them where you are going.

they will ask how many bags you are checking and ask you to set them one at a time on a scale (50lbs or less is the rule for domestic travel)

they'll put tags on your bags & give them back & ask you to take them over to TSAs screening machine (usually a couple feet away) and will hand you a paper jacket with your boarding pass(es) inside and your baggage claim stickers on it. keep this until you have your bags because if they get lost they'll want the bar codes that match your luggage.

proceed to security and keep your ID & boarding pass out

there will be someone at a small desk checking IDs and boarding passes. once you get past them you can put your ID away but keep your boarding pass out.

take off your shoes & jacket & anything in your pockets or jewelry that might set off the metal detector.

put your laptop in a bin with NOTHING else in it. get a second bin for your shoes and jacket. put your misc. items in your carry on.

go thru the metal detector one at a time & show your boarding pass to the person at the other side.

collect your items at the other side, put yourself back together & proceed to your gate

4/27/2008 12:00:49 PM

her case isnt really made any stronger by her choice of destination

wolfy nailed it though

as we are both apparently individuals who travel a lot, nothing is worse than being stuck behind some asshole/asshole-ette who are wide eyed as a newborn fucking baby about the whole process

seriously though, as soon as you get to the start of the security line, just start taking care of your shit. there should basically be nothing in your pockets, because you will be the douchebag who holds up the rest of your line...just throw everything in your carryon bag, you can take it out RIGHT AFTER you get through security, im pretty sure you wont miss a call or an email

take your shoes off before you even reach the bins, unless youre concerned about the cleanliness of the floor...or just wear shoes that are easily removable and go back on easy.

make sure your laptop is easy to get to in your bag, and subsequently easy to put back in after the fact. it's very easy to make this a very smooth process...but some people try especially hard to fuck it up and it slows EVERYONE else down


my ire for slow people through airport security rivals is almost unparalleled.

[Edited on April 27, 2008 at 4:01 PM. Reason : .]

4/27/2008 3:57:05 PM

Quote :

"nothing is worse than being stuck behind some asshole/asshole-ette who are wide eyed as a newborn fucking baby about the whole process"

I am completely aware that this would be annoying, it would be annoying to me as well to not know a single thing to do once I get there - hence, why I made this thread.

Thank you NCSUWolfy and pilgrimshoes, I was hoping someone like you two would reply, because I know that you (especially Wolfy) travel a lot and would be nice enough to help.

Quote :

"her case isnt really made any stronger by her choice of destination"

Yeah, because you totally know the details and reason for my choice.


Anyhow, thanks a lot for the help, feel free to add anything else you want that pertains to my trip. I really am excited, I haven't seen my Godmother in 10 years and I can't wait to travel around out there and see all the national parks. I plan to cover at least 3 states and check out Canada once my boyfriend gets there.

If it helps any with the details, I am flying United and US Airways. I saw that one only allows one checked baggage, and the other allows 2... I will be there for 5 weeks, and I need to take quite a bit of stuff since I know the weather changes at the drop of a hat this time of year.

I also don't plan to take any liquids that are allowing now like shampoo, I'll have all that once I get there, or can buy more then.

One more question, do you have to pay for using internet while in the air? I've heard both, and don't know which is correct.

[Edited on April 27, 2008 at 5:43 PM. Reason : o]

4/27/2008 5:38:17 PM

be prepared to pay anywhere from $25 to $50 extra for the second checked bag

4/27/2008 5:43:05 PM

Yeah, the site said $25 for US Airways, which is 2 planes of the 3 I am taking. I wonder if I will have to pay that twice, or just once.

4/27/2008 5:45:10 PM

i've never heard of only allowing one checked bag. must be a US Air thing. you'll probably only have to pay the fee twice (once when you check in for you flight out there and once for your flight back).

this is sort of common sense, but i'll mention it because no one else has. if you have to change planes you don't have to go and get your luggage and re-check it. it will (theoretically) follow you to your final destination.

be sure you are aware of what you can have in your carry-on. i haven't flown in a couple months, but the rule was no liquids or gels in containers greater than 3oz and it must all fit in a closed one quart zip-lock bag. you can have pretty much whatever in your checked luggage though.

4/27/2008 6:01:25 PM

Quote :

"I also don't plan to take any liquids that are allowing now like shampoo, I'll have all that once I get there, or can buy more then."

as ^ said . . . you can put all that in your checked baggage without any problems.

4/27/2008 6:16:48 PM

Quote :

"do you have to pay for using internet while in the air? I've heard both, and don't know which is correct."

at this time this is in the test phases and you will not have this option

some airports have free wireless internet access but if its not free you have to pay for it (usually $10-20 depending on the airport for the whole day)

while you're in flight..

dont forget to turn your cell phone off

dont turn on your ipod or laptop until they make the announcement over the intercom. also don't recline your seat until you're in the air. they'll make an announcement about 20-30min prior to landing telling you to turn off electronics, put your seatback up and put your tray table up.

i'd recommend bringing your own snack bc airport food sucks and you'd be lucky to get anything on an airplane. you can buy a bottle of water or soda once you get through security

if you're worried ab the luggage check thing-- pack one large suitcase worth 50lb to check and use (buy or borrow) a smaller roller to carry on & put in the overhead bin (WHEELS FIRST!! please do not put it longways unless thats the only way it fits-- thanks in advance) and put your backpack under the seat in front of you. on the airline that allows 2 checked bags you can check both and on the one that doesnt you can just use the second smaller bag as the carry on

also when you get your boarding pass it'll have a zone number & they'll board that way. don't congregate near the doorway like a bunch of other assholes will do. i promise you will get on and there is a seat for you!!

bathrooms on airplanes suck so go before you get on the plane

dont worry, once you do it once you'll know what to expect and you'll be a pro in no time. its really not that hard once you know what to expect.

ah last piece of advice. always check the monitors in the terminal for your flight info. dont trust your ticket for gate info. also once you get to the gate, there is a board behind the counter naming the destination and departure time with flight number. make sure all that matches your ticket and take a seat. be on the look out for gate changes-- they usually announce them but sometimes things get crazy. if you're nervous just ask the person at the counter.

and if they ask for volunteers to give up their seat bc they overbooked. see if the next flight time they are offering works for you and if it does-- DO IT!! free airline tickets are the best ever, i collect them throughout the year then use them to fly home for the holidays on whatever flights i want without worrying about how much it costs

and if you're going to canada-- i know you have a passport, right?

[Edited on April 27, 2008 at 8:05 PM. Reason : dkfjgjkdfg]

4/27/2008 8:02:37 PM

from my experience, there is no in-flight internet available. Most people just watch movies or something on their laptop. Also, on those airlines, I believe that there are no normal plugs as well, so make sure your battery is charged. You generally need some kind of adapter that's only worth flying if you're going to be flying a lot.

If you're going to be going somewhere that has laundry facilities, maybe you can just get/borrow a larger suitcase that can hold all of your things. It's pretty difficult to make a 50 lb suitcase, but I usually go on shorter trips.

FWIW, you can generally bring with you a carry-on bag AND personal item, such as a purse or laptop bag. Your second item can probably be of a reasonable size, like a full laptop bag or something like a shopping bag. I've gone through with a stuffed bookbag and a stuffed shopping bag post-Christmas with no problems.

When checking in, if you want a window or aisle seat, feel free to ask the ticket agent. hey can usually move you around pretty easily.

You can usually bring food on the plane. They give you a drink and some pretzels, but if you're gonna be on there for a while, bring on a wrapped up sandwich or somethign couldn't hurt. I don't think the rules on this have changed.

If, by chance, you have a mobile internet capable device, http://www.faa.gov/wireless/ is a really handy website to use to check up on flight delays and status, especially when switching airlines or generally having a layover.

good luck with the flying. I've had mixed experiences with it, but I think that's more due to the fact that I'm tall and rely on the available of exit row seating to be comfortable in an airplane.

Security checkpoint notes (some may have been said):
- shoes off and in a bucket flip flops may be a good idea just cause they're easier
- it is a good idea (as was said ^^^^^*?) to put your phone/change/everything in your bag while going through
- laptops have to be removed from the bag and placed in a separate bucket to go through xray

These are just all my experiences.

4/27/2008 8:07:08 PM

Quote :

"pretty much everything in this thread you can figure out on your own if you just pay attention and have a little common sense you guys are treating this like it's her first day of school or something, damn"

the thought of flying mindfucks a lot of people and tons of people have serious anxiety-- even if they have flown before

the more you can tell someone about what to expect, the more you can minimize their anxiety about it.

also its nice to show up and know what to do -- ESPECIALLY AT THE SECURITY LINE

don't be such a hater

4/27/2008 8:09:12 PM

Chop I actually only bought a one way ticket, because my boyfriend is coming out for a week and we'll fly back together (and xac dates haven't been picked). His travel agent hasn't gotten back up with him yet, so we don't have our tickets for the trip back yet. And we definitely want to sit together. So, the 3 planes are just for the trip out there. Greensboro - Charlotte - CO - MT.

NCSUWolfy I didn't know that internet wasn't available on planes yet. It will only take me about 7 hours to get there, so the snack thing is a good idea. I'm hoping the airports won't be too crazy during the week and hopefully I'll hear if anything changes. I'll definitely keep the idea of giving up my seat to someone else! That could be a free flight home!

Muzition00 I'm definitely going where there are laundry facilities! I'll be staying with my Godmother. But, I'll also be going a lot of places, and I know it sounds silly, but I don't want some of my pictures to be of me wearing the same stuff! haha, I don't want to be wearing the same shirt in Glacier that I'm wearing at Yellowstone. But really, I probably am just overplanning. I do have a smaller rolling case for carry-on that's acceptable size that I'll put an emergency set of clothes in in case they lose my luggage, my makeup bag, and some other stuff that won't fit in my suitcase; and my second carry-on will be a bookbag with my laptop, camera, and purse in. Also, I booked with Travelocity, and they're supposed to warn me if something major happens, but thanks for the website, because we know how reliable some services like that are!
I didn't know that you could just ask for a special seat and they could shuffle you, I thought it was just a done deal! I really like knowing that because I selected window seats on the flights that I could get them, but the site said they couldn't be guaranteed. So, I would really like window seats for my first time. I will definitely be asking about that. Thanks a lot for that!

Do I have to go to a new ticket counter/check in at all airports? Like I said before, I will be stopping in 2 airports and changing planes/airlines at each one! Do I have to be checked at security at each airport?

[Edited on April 27, 2008 at 9:29 PM. Reason : ]

4/27/2008 9:25:28 PM

if you're just connecting you can go to your next gate. check the tv screens to find out where to go and follow the signs

your luggage will go automatically, as someone else said

if you're flying two different airlines (which it sounds like you are?) you can ask them to transfer your bags for you. some will, some wont

if they wont you will have to leave the 'secure' area, get your bags from baggage claim, go back to the ticket counter and go back through security

sounds like you have a pretty complex schedule given this is your first flight!

4/27/2008 10:36:03 PM

if you have to go to the bathroom there is indoor plumbing both in the airport AND on the plane

4/27/2008 10:42:18 PM

^yep, he's right. there are also generally a lot of eateries and shops in the airport for your convenience as you wait for you flight!

4/27/2008 11:04:44 PM

all the posts about bethaleigh being a yokel got deleted

4/27/2008 11:05:40 PM

I noticed that. Thats hilarious. Its almost like they are protecting the sheltered girl from the truth. But really, if you are 21, in college and never been on a plane you have some serious issues.

No offence.

4/27/2008 11:09:11 PM

Quote :

"But really, if you are 21, in college and never been on a plane you have some serious issues. No offence."

It has nothing to do with having serious issues. Some people come from families where they don't have the money to fly or maybe have a large family where it is impractical to fly.

I'm 24 and the first time I flew on a commercial plane was this past spring to go on a job interview. My family traveled a lot up and down the east coast while I was growing up but the only plane I ever flew in was a small Piper Cub for a 20 min sky tour. When you have anywhere from 3 to 7 people traveling together, it was and still is much cheaper to drive most places that we would go.

4/28/2008 12:00:47 AM

No one has mentioned it yet, but are you positive you won't be one of those people who cry/whimper/wig out on airplanes will you? Carry some dramamine or antivert with you so that by the time you get to charlotte you'll know. I find the take-off/landings fun and the actual flight boring, but there have been times I was completely irritated on smaller planes where someone sounds like they're having their foot cut off and they have to be constantly calmed down by the flight attendants. Also remember when the air pressure in the cabin changes from the plane rising or landing and pops your ears, just either yawn or swallow your saliva to release the pressure.

4/28/2008 1:13:26 AM

the first time i flew by myself was going over to fucking sweden, and i was 20 years old. so i had a hell of a lot of anxiety.

but flying domestically really isn't bad.

i think the best advice is to give yourself plenty of time at the airport, more time than you think you'll need. you have to check in, get your luggage checked, get through security and find your gate. then you'll want to relax a bit before boarding.

4/28/2008 1:57:50 AM

Quote :

"Chop I actually only bought a one way ticket, because my boyfriend is coming out for a week and we'll fly back together (and xac dates haven't been picked)."

You should expect to have SSSS on your boarding pass. You'll be pulled aside for further screening when you go through security.

4/28/2008 8:28:51 AM

Dang, yea one-way tickets get the full cavity search :-)

The best thing to do is to buy a refundable or reschedulable return ticket, that way you don't draw suspicion, but still have flexibility.

Another tip: Make sure you drivers license hasn't expired and won't expire while you are gone. That will also result in hassles in the security line.

[Edited on April 28, 2008 at 8:42 AM. Reason : ?]

4/28/2008 8:34:12 AM

There's nothing wrong with not having flown, for whatever reason, until you are in college. Get off your high horse and quit being the stereotypical immature bourgeois college kids everyone expects you to be.

4/28/2008 8:44:14 AM

Quote :

"It has nothing to do with having serious issues. Some people come from families where they don't have the money to fly or maybe have a large family where it is impractical to fly. I'm 24 and the first time I flew on a commercial plane was this past spring to go on a job interview. My family traveled a lot up and down the east coast while I was growing up but the only plane I ever flew in was a small Piper Cub for a 20 min sky tour. When you have anywhere from 3 to 7 people traveling together, it was and still is much cheaper to drive most places that we would go."

bingo. my family didnt have the money or need to fly anywhere growing up. im 23, out of college, and working and still havent flown . Im going to start flying a lot this year for work though, including this coming thursday to Arkansas on a twin engine cessna.

and ^ agreed.

[Edited on April 28, 2008 at 8:56 AM. Reason : ]

4/28/2008 8:54:44 AM

Oh please, if someone's in college, it's a guarantee that money has been wasted on all kinds of bullshit. If a college aged person has the desire to get out of their microcosm and expand their horizons a bit, they will. Plane tickets are not that expensive.

The whole "I didn't come from a rich family" excuse is trite.

As is the use of the word "bourgeois." Please stop jerking off to your Che Guevara poster.

4/28/2008 9:32:00 AM

hey, as another note since its a long flight

take an empty nalgene with you through security.

as long as it's empty when you go through the scanning and the like, you can just attach one to your bookbag strap and they wont have a problem with it.

then fill it up with a water fountian on the other side, and again during your layover (if you empty it during the first leg).

it's better than paying the like $4/bottle at the gate stores, and it's nice to have water handy.

4/28/2008 9:34:10 AM

^^well my family could not afford plane tickets growing up thats a fact. so whether you think they are expensive or not is irrelevant. driving was cheaper for us, and honestly I had a lot of fun on the family road trips.

I didnt waste money on all kinds of stuff in college, so that is not a guarantee for all people. I spent VERY little money in college as I didnt have any money to spend. The only luxury item I bought all of college was self-building one desktop computer. Other than that it was food, rent, gas, movies. Basic stuff. I chose to make music in a band instead of work (one of the best decisions i made in college) in my free time. So it was by choice that I was low on cash but I definitely did not have the money to be flying anywhere regardless.

Also it has nothing to do with getting outside your "microcosm", it has everything to do with the fact that you DO NOT have to FLY to do that! Sure to get to europe or something, but if I couldnt afford a plane ticket in the US I sure as heck wouldnt have been able to afford a trip to europe and the plane ticket that would come along with it. Just because I didnt fly doesnt mean I didnt get to go places. In fact Ive never had a reason to fly until this year. Obviously youre going to have your own opinion but I dont expect you to understand that not everyone comes from the same background and we cant all be grouped into 2 categories.

and PS I have a friend who has NEVER been on a plane but has been in 48 states (no Hawaii or alaska heh). He just enjoys road trips.

[Edited on April 28, 2008 at 9:42 AM. Reason : ]

4/28/2008 9:40:26 AM

I've never had a reason or the time to go anywhere that I needed to fly to, that's why I have never flown. Since I have been in college, I have taken summer school all but one summer, and that one summer, I had a full time job. I'm more concerned with making money rather than spending it, and now I have saved up some money and can afford to go. Mommy and Daddy don't spoon feed me and hand me gobs of money when I want it, either. I make my own money and spend it on my own choices/bills. I chose to buy a car, pay it off, sell it, buy another, and pay it off while I have been in college - while paying my own way through school. So, I've had other priorities than flying just to say I've done it. I'm not at all trying to say that I've not wasted any money at all, but it has been FAR less than most. But, really, the fact and reason I have never flown don't matter.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chief I don't foresee myself being like that. I will still take some Dramamine with me just in case though. I prefer not to have to take any 'medicine' because my longest flight is only like almost 3 hours, and I don't want to get drowsy or anything like that. However, if I get up in the air and get anxious, I don't want to make a scene any more than someone else wants to hear it; and I would definitely take something then.

wilso I plan to get to the airport about 2 hours before my plane actually leaves. Do you think that is sufficient? I won't have time to relax on my other layovers, though! The first one I change planes (same airline) in 30 mins, and second I change planes and airlines in like 50 mins. If I have to get my own bags and all that stuff, I just hope I can get through everything correctly!

Neil Street and Patman Great! So I should take some lube? jk, but seriously... how bad are the extra security measures? I mean, I have nothing to hide, so I don't really mind as long as they aren't mean to me, and as long as they don't really cavity search me!

pilgrimshoes The empty nalgene is a great idea, thanks. Just as long as security don't think I have a secret flu stored in there or something!

It sounds like CalledToArms is one of the few who understand where I am coming from. Still, I appreciate all of y'alls help! You're going to make my first flight SO much easier on me and other passengers.

4/28/2008 2:04:08 PM

we really should have taken this opportunity to completely misguide her like you would do to your little brother/sister about going to the dentist for the first time

imagine the stories we could have made up about security and flying conditions

Quote :

"I've never had a reason or the time to go anywhere that I needed to fly to, that's why I have never flown. "

well, when you have to hunt your own food down every day rather than buying it like the rest of the civilized world, i guess i can understand that


seriously though, it's not that big a deal, you'll be fine. when in doubt, just do what everyone else does, unless they look like BobbyDigital. then probably do the opposite.

4/28/2008 2:08:20 PM

I don't have to hunt, its something I enjoy and I choose to do it. But can we not go there...

Really though, think about it... most of the population travels by plane for work or to see family. I don't have a job like that yet, and my Godmother is the only person 'in' my family who does not live in NC or come to visit in NC. Other people go on expensive, far away vacations. Personally, I LOVE the beach or the mountains. I like to ski in WV, so we drive to all the places I want to go. I've always wanted to go to Yellowstone, but its just not been practical in years past. And I've been planning to go sometime after I graduated college, but I get to do it earlier! Unfortunately, because of my parent's jobs, they never get whole weeks off where it would be practical to fly somewhere as a family, so we would just drive to the beach for a couple days or something like that. I'm happy with stuff like that and I don't NEED more than that.

Quote :

"we really should have taken this opportunity to completely misguide her like you would do to your little brother/sister about going to the dentist for the first time"

Hence why this thread is in The Lounge and not Shit Chat.

[Edited on April 28, 2008 at 2:24 PM. Reason : ]

4/28/2008 2:24:07 PM

2 hours is probably fine

i don't know about the layovers though. it depends on if you have to change terminals/go through security again.

4/28/2008 2:26:34 PM

where are your layovers at? With just 30 minutes, you might be cutting it close. When I went to FL last month my first flight out of RDU was delayed about an hour and a half and on the return it took probably 45 min to taxi in Atlanta. E

4/28/2008 2:36:49 PM

was it significantly cheaper to fly from greensboro? seems like you should've just left from charlotte, especially if your layover is only 30min -- there's a good chance your luggage won't make it (not the end of the world, just seems like the hassle of a 2nd layover could've been avoided by just driving to charlotte)

4/28/2008 3:22:10 PM

agreed

but again

she probably didnt know any better

plus she's going to be gone an extended period of time, and if you cant get anyone to take you, that's a long time to pay for a car to sit

might end up equalling out in cost

[Edited on April 28, 2008 at 3:57 PM. Reason : or horse, i dont know what you rednecks use for transportation these days]

4/28/2008 3:57:17 PM

^ Well, with the growing prices on grain, I can't afford to park my cow outside the airport for that long. And it would be too tired for a return walk. It was just more economical to have a team of dogs pull me and my stuff to Greensboro, and my parents can pick them up later in the afternoon, since I'm such a poor redneck that I can't afford a car. You think you're beng funny, but you're really just immature.


^^^ My layovers are in Charlotte and Denver. I am going midweek in the morning, so I really am counting on the lines not really being that bad.

^^ Yes, I did check on that and it was cheaper to leave from Greensboro. I checked the same flight from CLT and it was more expensive, plus after the cost of gas there and back for my parent's it really wasn't worth it. Not that they would have cared if it would have saved ME money, but still...



ALSO, I just saw on the news that within the next 2 weeks, United and US Air may be merging, so HOPEFULLY they do and HOPEFULLY they'll allow 2 checked bags for free!

[Edited on April 28, 2008 at 6:23 PM. Reason : ]

4/28/2008 6:22:51 PM

since you're gonna be there for a while, you could always just box some stuff up and mail it there.

4/28/2008 7:52:47 PM

Quote :

"so HOPEFULLY they do "

that would be terrible because it would decrease competition, decrease the number of available seats, and 20 years from now, when you'd be on pace to take your next flight, you wouldnt be able to afford it anyway

4/28/2008 8:03:44 PM

its funny how the way you're raise influences these types of things (flying on airplanes)

i flew to my dads every summer for 13 years

plus my grandparents flew me up to see them all the time

by the time i got to college it was commonplace and i'd fly places for the hell of it to see friends

given the cost of fuel, plane tickets are extremely cheap in my world well, they were before i stopped paying for gas

have fun on your trip & the extra search in security is no big deal, just do what they say

4/28/2008 8:04:48 PM

Quote :

"Neil Street and Patman Great! So I should take some lube? jk, but seriously... how bad are the extra security measures? I mean, I have nothing to hide, so I don't really mind as long as they aren't mean to me, and as long as they don't really cavity search me!"

It's really not a big deal. Just factor in an extra 5-10 minutes for the extra time in security. And while you may have nothing to hide, just think that you won't want to have something in your carry-on that might embarrass you (I don't know what that might be, just make sure that you think about what's in your bag).

Most of the other stuff you should need to know has been answered by others in this thread (now you only need to separate the relevant advice from the bs).

4/28/2008 11:55:14 PM

i just booked my 31st and 32nd flight of 2008 on southwest alone tonight

4/29/2008 12:03:40 AM

pass me some of those rapid rewards!!

i drive way more than i fly now

ive put 5000 miles on my car in under 2 months

as a comparison, before this job i put 18k miles on my car in 2 years

4/29/2008 12:26:16 AM

ive been averaging about 2500 a month since i moved to SC a little under a year ago :/

4/29/2008 1:15:11 PM

Bethaleigh, are you going to be doing any hunting??? The elk are coming down from the mountains where I am (Northern CO). They wander the streets of our neighborhood regularly. We had a snowball fight last week with about 30 deer in our backyard.

BTW, I'm not sure if it's been mentioned, but if you can get a window seat, DO IT. If you are flying into Denver for a layover and heading North, you'll be over the Rockies most of the time. As long as it clear, the view is awesome.

4/29/2008 1:51:04 PM

Unfortunately, I will not be doing any hunting. I'm pretty sure the season is closed right now. At least I'm pretty sure elk follow the same cycle (within a couple weeks anyway) as our whitetails. I know the cows should be pregnant and the bulls should have no antlers, or starting to grow in velvet. I plan to scope out some properties and make some connections so that me and my Daddy can go back out there either next winter or the following, and do some hunting then.

I definitely want a window seat, I'll be sure to ask the ticket people to make that happen. Or I could use my 'first flight' for pitty with the people sitting in my row! jk, but I will be asking about it. I was thinking I would be near the Rockies, but don't know about the fly zones and such, but that's very exciting!! Thanks!

4/29/2008 5:21:57 PM

People need to stop with the whole "I couldn't afford it" bullshit. I flew roundtrip to Seattle for $280. Flying is not that expensive at all. Once again, its a personal choice for some people I guess, to not venture out and see whats out there. Stop living in your little sheltered lives and realize there is more to the world than the South Eastern United States.

4/29/2008 5:38:13 PM

wtf are you babbling about?

4/29/2008 5:57:02 PM

How about we stay on topic now, k? Thanks!

4/29/2008 5:57:21 PM

Quote :

"but seriously... how bad are the extra security measures?"

its not a big deal. you either get a quick pat down or step in machine that blows air at you. an extra 2 minutes tops. not even that if you don't have to wait for them to do someone in front of you.

another tip that hasn't been mentioned, even though your boarding pass and monitors say your flight is leaving from a particular gate, be aware that sometimes there's gate changes. just check with the gate agent that you're at the correct location.

there's really no need to get to the airport super early. i waiting around to board the plane. i generally shoot for 1.5 hrs before departure, it generally ends up 1 hr before departure, but that's at ATL. the smaller regional aiports can be terribly slow though, but that's usually because the ticket counter lady is also the gate agent, baggage handler and traffic director. (marquette, i'm looking in your direction )

4/29/2008 7:06:40 PM

Quote :

"Or I could use my 'first flight' for pitty with the people sitting in my row! jk, but I will be asking about it."

you probably wouldn't even have to look for pitty. A lot of people don't care and I'd imagine someone around you would be willing to switch if you just asked.

do your ticket reservations say what kind of planes will be on?

4/29/2008 10:22:08 PM