Jump to content

First time flying...


Recommended Posts

Rollercoasterr

Yes, when I go to see my SO on October 10th it will be my first time ever flying. I'm not so much scared about the flying part, it's the security check-ins and I'm usually pretty awkward in places I've never been before. And since I'll be flying alone and stopping in Atlanta before going on to Vermont that's 2 chances for me to get confused and miss my flight.

 

In short, I'm freaking out very very much. :(

Link to post
Share on other sites

You'll be fine -- and there are airport personnel who will help you find your gates if you need it.

 

You will have a fabulous time -- and really flying isn't difficult - at least for those of us who don't have to worry about flying the plane! lol

 

Have a GREAT visit. Just enjoy each other. :love:

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • Author
Rollercoasterr

The flying isn't what worries me, lol. I actually think that part will be fun. It's the fact that I have no sense of direction that bothers me. :)

 

I'll be the one that's gonna run up to the airport employees and be like "It's my first timeeeeee! Help mehh!!!!!". Fun, fun, fun.

 

After October 10th if no one hears from me again, please contact Atlanta airport and tell them that there's a lost girl in there, and to please return her to the Lexington, KY airport. haha

Link to post
Share on other sites

Some help from a frequent flyer (I was just in Atlanta T2 yesterday on a mileage run)....

 

ATL is a HUGE airport. The good news is that it's laid out very well and has great transport (the concourse train). If you're flying Delta (it's their hub), it's a no brainer. DL (that's Delta's airline code) employees generally are very professional and Delta has excellent informational screens in the concourses and at the gates to assist travelers. I also find ATL's airport employees to be quite friendly, in general. I was there, wandering in T2 (that's mainly United, American and some DL), for about 10 hours yesterday and watched people plenty :)

 

Some tips:

Pack light. There are checked bag charges now (can't remember DL's, but it's on their web site). Also, if you're checking a bag, bring just a small carry-on and a purse. Makes moving around the airport and finding space on the plane much easier.

 

Security and the "dreaded TSA".....Pack a minimum of liquids. Yes, that liquid inspection is still going on. Bring an extra quart bag in case yours busts or fails. Put your name on it. I've been called back to security many times because I left my liquid bag (remember, this is out of hundreds of transits since 9/11). TSA isn't the enemy. Most are quite nice and smiling and engaging them as people goes a long way towards a pleasant experience. If you aren't sure what to do, ASK! They're happy to answer questions. Take all the metal off your body. I barely squeak through the magnetometer with a leather belt, my eyeglasses and a wedding ring. Any more and it beeps. Add studded Levi's and it beeps. Just be aware it might beep and don't worry about it. They'll help you. At worst, they'll hand wand you. No biggie. If you by chance see a big red SSSS on your boarding pass, that means you're a random selectee for secondary screening, which means looking through your bag, wanding you, a light physical pat-down (sometimes) and sometimes a sniffer test (if the airport has those machines). Again, no biggie. I've been through worse in Australia, Africa and Asia.

 

Above all, stay calm! Airports are huge, busy places, but you'll get through it. Focus on what you're doing and where you need to be. Leave plenty of time, especially if checking bags. Since your connecting in ATL and flying out of a smaller (I presume) airport, 90 minutes should be plenty. We recently got a friend to our local (small) airport only 25 minutes before her flight. She checked her bag, went though security and was on the plane in less than 10 minutes. Not saying to do that, but sharing that it is possible. She was far more worried than I was, as I had been through that airport dozens of times....

 

Hope you have a safe and pleasant trip. Oh, also, I would recommend getting a frequent flyer number with the airline(s) you expect to fly the most, even if you don't think you'll fly much. With that and a bit of work, I can teach you how to fly in first class for little to no money, where the food is marginal (but still exisits) and the alcohol is free and the refills endless :D

Link to post
Share on other sites

Atlanta airport is pretty easy to navigate around...plus there are signs everywhere to tell you where to go. Are you worried about having to go to a different concourse after you get off the plane to catch the other one?? You will not be going through security check in in ATL anyway...you will just get off your plane from KY and you will have to find the gate for your connecting flight to Vermont. Not as hard as you think.

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • Author
Rollercoasterr

I'm flying Delta. I'll be leaving from Lexington, KY, flying to Atlanta, and from there going to Burlington, VT.

 

My mom flew to Iowa last year so I know all about that liquid thing and packing light and stuff, I'm just a very cautious person, and the whole thing just freaks me out. I think that if I wasn't going alone I'd feel much better. But I should be fine on the way back, since I will have already done it once before.

 

I will be landing in Atlanta at 8:38, and my flight for Burlington leaves at 10:30ish. That should be enough time to get to where I'm supposed to be, right?

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • Author
Rollercoasterr

haha, if I had to go through security again I think I might have a heartattack.

 

I'm just generally a very lost and confused person when I'm in a new place, especially buildings with lots of people inside. It's just the worry that I'll miss the sign, go the wrong way and have to trek all the way back, and miss my flight.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I regularly do over 100k air miles a year, and at peak did 250k in one year. It's nothing to really be afraid of, though I know new situations can be intimidating.

 

So, let me ask you a few questions:

 

1 - do you know how to get your boarding pass?

2 - do you know how long the drive is to your airport, and what time you plan on getting there in advance of your flight?

3 - is airport transportation arranged?

4 - do you plan on checking a bag, or carrying on? How many bags will you have?

5 - if you are carrying on, are you familiar with the TSA requirements for liquids, gels and aerosols?

6 - when you hit the security line, you will need to show your boarding pass AND a valid and current photo ID (drivers license). Once past the first checkpoint, you can put your ID away - you wont need to show it again, BUT, you will need to show your boarding pass again, so keep it accessible.

7 - when you hit the actual line, you will see stacked gray plastic bins. TAKE ONE. lol In it, you will place your shoes, any jewelry (mine always sets off the alarm), your jacket (you cant wear one going through the detector), your toiletries (only if you are carrying on will this be an issue) and your handbag. If you have carry on luggage, put it on the conveyor belt along with your bin and it will go through on its own. A TSA employee will ask to see your boarding pass, and then invite you to walk through the detector. Once on the other side, gather your belongings, and proceed to your gate.

8 - do not bring or buy any drinks before security - they will make you throw it out.

 

Hartsfield is the nations busiest airport - what airline are you flying? Im assuming Delta, since you are connecting. Hopefully your connecting gate will be in the same area, and not too much of a trot.

 

How long is your layover?

Link to post
Share on other sites
I will be landing in Atlanta at 8:38, and my flight for Burlington leaves at 10:30ish. That should be enough time to get to where I'm supposed to be, right?

 

Yes, no worries. I've made <30 minute connections at ATL. The only caveat would be if there are weather issues at LEX or your plane has a mechanical. Since it appears (not knowing your dates) that DL4440 is the only ATL-BTV flight operating, if something goes amiss, they'll probably route you into DTW (Detroit) or JFK (New York Kennedy) and on to BTV (Burlington). DTW is an easier airport to transit. JFK has more flights to BTV.

 

Being aware of your options is the secret to peaceful flying. Knowledge is power. :)

Link to post
Share on other sites
Yes, no worries. I've made <30 minute connections at ATL. The only caveat would be if there are weather issues at LEX or your plane has a mechanical. Since it appears (not knowing your dates) that DL4440 is the only ATL-BTV flight operating, if something goes amiss, they'll probably route you into DTW (Detroit) or JFK (New York Kennedy) and on to BTV (Burlington). DTW is an easier airport to transit. JFK has more flights to BTV.

 

Being aware of your options is the secret to peaceful flying. Knowledge is power. :)

 

I wouldn't worry about being rerouted in October...

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • Author
Rollercoasterr
I regularly do over 100k air miles a year, and at peak did 250k in one year. It's nothing to really be afraid of, though I know new situations can be intimidating.

 

So, let me ask you a few questions:

 

1 - do you know how to get your boarding pass?

2 - do you know how long the drive is to your airport, and what time you plan on getting there in advance of your flight?

3 - is airport transportation arranged?

4 - do you plan on checking a bag, or carrying on? How many bags will you have?

5 - if you are carrying on, are you familiar with the TSA requirements for liquids, gels and aerosols?

6 - when you hit the security line, you will need to show your boarding pass AND a valid and current photo ID (drivers license). Once past the first checkpoint, you can put your ID away - you wont need to show it again, BUT, you will need to show your boarding pass again, so keep it accessible.

7 - when you hit the actual line, you will see stacked gray plastic bins. TAKE ONE. lol In it, you will place your shoes, any jewelry (mine always sets off the alarm), your jacket (you cant wear one going through the detector), your toiletries (only if you are carrying on will this be an issue) and your handbag. If you have carry on luggage, put it on the conveyor belt along with your bin and it will go through on its own. A TSA employee will ask to see your boarding pass, and then invite you to walk through the detector. Once on the other side, gather your belongings, and proceed to your gate.

8 - do not bring or buy any drinks before security - they will make you throw it out.

 

Hartsfield is the nations busiest airport - what airline are you flying? Im assuming Delta, since you are connecting. Hopefully your connecting gate will be in the same area, and not too much of a trot.

 

How long is your layover?

 

My ticket is electronic. I have no idea what that means, but I assume I'll have to get a boarding pass from some little area once I get there. I'll be staying at my uncles house in Lex the on the 9th, and he'll be taking me to the airport the next morning, so that shouldn't be too big of a deal. Since I'm only going on friday and leaving on sunday morning, I wont have to pack a whole lot, I might only need my carry on bag. I checked Delta's website and they allow you to have one checked bag, one carry-on, and a personal item. That should be plenty, and I might not even have to check a bag at all. I'll land in ATL at 8:39 and depart for Burlington at 10:28, and then arrive in Burlington at 1:00pm.

 

 

Yes, no worries. I've made <30 minute connections at ATL. The only caveat would be if there are weather issues at LEX or your plane has a mechanical. Since it appears (not knowing your dates) that DL4440 is the only ATL-BTV flight operating, if something goes amiss, they'll probably route you into DTW (Detroit) or JFK (New York Kennedy) and on to BTV (Burlington). DTW is an easier airport to transit. JFK has more flights to BTV.

 

Being aware of your options is the secret to peaceful flying. Knowledge is power. :)

 

My flight is DL1619.

 

I'm just going to be glad when the initial flight is over. Once I'm there with him everything will be much, much better, even if it is only for 2 days. It's well worth the hassle of being a first time flyer.

Link to post
Share on other sites
My ticket is electronic. I have no idea what that means, but I assume I'll have to get a boarding pass from some little area once I get there.

 

You can do this one of two ways. You can go to the delta.com website, and check-in for your flight 24 hours in advance. There is a tab at the top that says ITINERARIES AND CHECK-IN. I would recommend this, as then you can avoid a kiosk or ticket counter in the airport.

 

I'll be staying at my uncles house in Lex the on the 9th, and he'll be taking me to the airport the next morning, so that shouldn't be too big of a deal.

 

Cool. :)

 

Since I'm only going on friday and leaving on sunday morning, I wont have to pack a whole lot, I might only need my carry on bag. I checked Delta's website and they allow you to have one checked bag, one carry-on, and a personal item.

 

Agreed. I RARELY check a bag, so for a short trip, I'd really avoid it, if possible.

 

But, be cognizant of the rules about your toiletrie items that you can bring on-board with you. You can now only bring ONE quart-sized ziploc bag filled with your liquids, gels and aerosols. And each of those can not be more than 3 oz. each. So, if you can use your BF's shampoo and soap, you can avoid that. He also will have toothpaste and such. Most large-size deodorants are under 3 oz, etc. My carryon bag has small jars I use for my face creams and such, and I bring a trial-sized toothpaste, etc. Just make sure it all fits in the one bag, and to place it in the gray bin when you go through security.

 

 

That should be plenty, and I might not even have to check a bag at all. I'll land in ATL at 8:39 and depart for Burlington at 10:28, and then arrive in Burlington at 1:00pm.

 

Oh, you have a nice long layover! So, even if your connection isn't close, you will have plenty of time to catch it AND grab some dinner.

 

:)

 

 

 

My flight is DL1619.

 

I'm just going to be glad when the initial flight is over. Once I'm there with him everything will be much, much better, even if it is only for 2 days. It's well worth the hassle of being a first time flyer.

 

Totally! And once you've done it once and are over the anxiety of it, you will feel like a pro.

Link to post
Share on other sites
regularly do over 100k air miles a year, and at peak did 250k in one year.

 

Wow, JB, that's impressive. Need someone to manage your miles? :D Most I've ever done is 135K BIS (in 2006) and that about whooped my ass, especially the long haul trips in economy. I'll assume you fly for business. All mine is fun travel so there's a limit to my budget, that being the stick in wifey's hand that awaits me when I return :D

 

I wouldn't worry about being rerouted in October...

 

Oh, trust me, after spending a few fun hours in Harrisburg, PA (diverted) a couple weeks ago due to Hanna, I know better. The ride back to IAD *through the storm at 10K ft* was especially memorable. :D I planned for issues, so didn't have to re-route, but easily could have, an, in fact, did get auto-rebooked during the diversion for the next day and the service director at IAD had to reconstruct my original itin, because they canceled it. Then they downsized me out of business class with an aircraft swap. Cr@p!

 

I get rerouted all the time because the best mileage running weather is always during tricky times (typhoons in Asia; hurricanes in the Caribbean; and anytime the wind blows in Chicago ;) ).

 

She'll get rerouted if for any reason ATL sheds slots, since LEX slots are low priority, and she then misses her connection or if her plane has a mechinical at LEX. With only one flight to BTV from ATL, they'd have to route her through DTW, CVG or JFK, or interline/endorse her. 3 out of the my last 7 flights out of our local, Skywest had mechanicals on their EMB-120's. If the airport wasn't their central service facility, we would've been SOL, but they pulled another one out of the hanger and got us going. Then there's all the time slots get shed due to fog at SFO. Don't get me started on that :D In fact, Monday night's run was the first in memory that left on time :)

Link to post
Share on other sites
Wow, JB, that's impressive. Need someone to manage your miles? :D Most I've ever done is 135K BIS (in 2006) and that about whooped my ass, especially the long haul trips in economy. I'll assume you fly for business. All mine is fun travel so there's a limit to my budget, that being the stick in wifey's hand that awaits me when I return :D

 

 

 

Oh, trust me, after spending a few fun hours in Harrisburg, PA (diverted) a couple weeks ago due to Hanna, I know better. The ride back to IAD *through the storm at 10K ft* was especially memorable. :D I planned for issues, so didn't have to re-route, but easily could have, an, in fact, did get auto-rebooked during the diversion for the next day and the service director at IAD had to reconstruct my original itin, because they canceled it. Then they downsized me out of business class with an aircraft swap. Cr@p!

 

I get rerouted all the time because the best mileage running weather is always during tricky times (typhoons in Asia; hurricanes in the Caribbean; and anytime the wind blows in Chicago ;) ).

 

She'll get rerouted if for any reason ATL sheds slots, since LEX slots are low priority, and she then misses her connection or if her plane has a mechinical at LEX. With only one flight to BTV from ATL, they'd have to route her through DTW, CVG or JFK, or interline/endorse her. 3 out of the my last 7 flights out of our local, Skywest had mechanicals on their EMB-120's. If the airport wasn't their central service facility, we would've been SOL, but they pulled another one out of the hanger and got us going. Then there's all the time slots get shed due to fog at SFO. Don't get me started on that :D In fact, Monday night's run was the first in memory that left on time :)

 

I think she'll do just fine not to worry about these kinds of things for her first trip out, Car. :) This isn't flyertalk, so most of this is well beyond her knowledge needs right now, me thinks.

 

Most flights stay within schedule.

Link to post
Share on other sites

If there was more than one flight to Burlington per day, I wouldn't have posted anything about re-routes.

 

OP, DL1619 is your flight from Lexington to Atlanta; DL4440 is your flight from Atlanta to Burlington. DL1619 is what I call "mainline metal", meaning a big DL-operated jet (MD-88) but the flight to Burlington is operated by a small regional carrier on a regional jet. Jilly's right that most flights run close to schedule so you likely will not have any issues. If you do, remember "reroute me" or "endorse me to another carrier". Since your stay is only two days, you want to get there, especially with who's waiting for you :)

 

DL1619 has an excellent on-time record over the last 3 months

DL4440 is a lot more variable, anywhere from on-time to 2 hours late

Hence, you should get to Atlanta fine, since the big jet has "priority", but could end up at your destination late. No biggie. That's what information does :)

 

So, JB, do you know me from Flyertalk? A couple of names are now coming to mind ;)

Link to post
Share on other sites
If there was more than one flight to Burlington per day, I wouldn't have posted anything about re-routes.

 

OP, DL1619 is your flight from Lexington to Atlanta; DL4440 is your flight from Atlanta to Burlington. DL1619 is what I call "mainline metal", meaning a big DL-operated jet (MD-88) but the flight to Burlington is operated by a small regional carrier on a regional jet. Jilly's right that most flights run close to schedule so you likely will not have any issues. If you do, remember "reroute me" or "endorse me to another carrier". Since your stay is only two days, you want to get there, especially with who's waiting for you :)

 

DL1619 has an excellent on-time record over the last 3 months

DL4440 is a lot more variable, anywhere from on-time to 2 hours late

Hence, you should get to Atlanta fine, since the big jet has "priority", but could end up at your destination late. No biggie. That's what information does :)

 

So, JB, do you know me from Flyertalk? A couple of names are now coming to mind ;)

 

Carhill - she is taking her FIRST flight.

 

I think it behooves us to assure her that her flight will most likely, 99%, go off without a problem or concern as most flights do. :)

 

As a first time flyer, I think everything else has left her with glazed eyes. lol

 

And no, I don't know you from flyertalk, but I do know the site well. Just saying that this level of lingo is far beyond the comprehension and interest of a first time flyer (or most leisure travelers, for that matter - lol). Only the warriors would get it, and it's the kind of dialogue that occurs on FT where the junkies froth at this kind of thing. :)

 

Roller - you really have nothing to worry about, hon. The weather will be clear in October, you won't have to worry about hurricanes or snow, so delays or re-routes are terriblly unlikely for your trip.

 

Bring a good magazine, some fun snacks, and enjoy your trip.

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • Author
Rollercoasterr

I'm not worried at all about the weather or anything, to be honest. I just want to get there. I've got no problem extending my visit if I have to. :) As long as I get there and see him waiting for me, I'll be perfectly fine.

 

I've already told him not to expect me to be all dolled up, because I'm going to more than likely be wearing jeans and a t-shirt(or hoodie, since I'm expecting it to be chilly when I get there).

 

Thanks, guys. I'm actually feeling much, much better about this whole thing, and have moved on from nervous to excited! Just expect some posts from my Blackberry the night before and during my layover. It might not be the same story then. ;)

Link to post
Share on other sites
I'm not worried at all about the weather or anything, to be honest. I just want to get there. I've got no problem extending my visit if I have to. :) As long as I get there and see him waiting for me, I'll be perfectly fine.

 

I've already told him not to expect me to be all dolled up, because I'm going to more than likely be wearing jeans and a t-shirt(or hoodie, since I'm expecting it to be chilly when I get there).

 

Thanks, guys. I'm actually feeling much, much better about this whole thing, and have moved on from nervous to excited! Just expect some posts from my Blackberry the night before and during my layover. It might not be the same story then. ;)

 

LOL.

 

Definitely bring something for the plane - layers are always good, as you never know how the captain will heat or cool the cabin. Plus, airports can have crazy hot and cold pockets.

 

Its going to be TOTALLY fun. Mainly for the people watching - man, the stories I could tell you of the crap I have seen in airports... ;)

Link to post
Share on other sites

OP, glad to see my nerdy zeal didn't phase you. I remember my first plane flight, to Denver, on the way to New York, and on to Johannesburg, South Africa. I remember thanking the captain for such a smooth landing (that was back when the captain would come out and say goodbye to the passengers) and he laughed and said "don't fly much, eh?" :D :D. As I was to find out later on that trip, he was being modest in the extreme.

 

I remember JFK (New York) being the the airport which overwhelmed me on that trip. Ended up asking a bus driver (the inter-terminal bus) how to get there (from the UA to AA terminals) and, in usual gruff NYC style, he told me :) It was smooth sailing after that.

 

Oh, lastly, since you have a good layover, go people-watch as Jilly suggests and walk your concourse (if not changing via the train) and look around for a good eatery. Don't settle for the first one you come across. There's a lot of good airport food to be had these days. All you'll get on the plane is a beverage service, if that.

Link to post
Share on other sites
×
×
  • Create New...