The Energon Pub

Hey guys, I'm sure somebody can give me some pointers here.

Anyway, I've never flown before in my life, so I'm unsure what to expect. Obviously, a drive from Wisconsin to Rhode Island would be a tad long, so that's why I'm looking to the air.

I've been checking a bunch of websites looking for the cheapest flight I can get to Providence from Madison.

So far, I have found Northwest Airlines and American Airlines to be the cheapest. Both of their websites are offering the roundtrip flight for $326.60.

Now that's quite a bit of money to lay down on a flight for me.

Do you think I could find them for cheaper somewhere else? Or is that about as low as it will probably go?

Check out travel sites like Travelocity and Orbitz; round trips on those can be cheaper than what the airlines are offering. In some cases, you can also rent cars and book hotel rooms on these sites. (That's what I did with a trip to Florida a couple years ago).

My experience is with Travelocity, so it may be different at other sites, but you can also pick what seats you want sit in. Suggestion: don't pick one near the bulkhead and get an aisle seat, unless you don't plan on taking a bathroom break while flying.

And take a book or something to keep your mind occupied.

Slightly off subject, anyone know the hotel and the dates the Botcon will be held? *Edit: Never mind, I just checked.
http://www.botcon.com

Yeah, definitely bring a book, a magazine, an mp3 or CD player, a coloring book & crayons... all those kinds of things will help keep you from losing your mind to boredom. You spend a lot of time sitting around doing nothing at the airport.

Last year, when I went on vacation to California, I was between flights in New Mexico... I got on the payphone and called up this guy who has a band out there. I've met him before, so he knew who I was. It was just kind of a random thing to do, but I had way too much time on my hands -- and my damned CD player had broken!

another site to try in priceline.com, I've had good results with them.

Also bring some chewing gum. Some ppl have problem adjusting to the pressure and if it does your ears will hurt really, really bad. Chewing gum seems to keep this from happening. Not all people have this problem though.

Spike wrote:mp3 or CD player

Every time I fly I always bring a CD player..

If the one in Madison is the one I'm thinking about, you'll want to get there very early. Crowd control is through one very tiny gate and they take forever to do the whole, off with your shoes, rummage through your crap, "bend over... this'll be cold" terror check.

If you have AAA, you can go to any of these online sites and find cheap prices and AAA [or at least the one around here] can match or do better in price. I think I always looked at Travelocity, they give you a big list of all available flights through that time.

Also, don't be surprised if you don't stop in Michigan and have to run from one end of the airport to the other.

Don't except any wooden Transformers from one legged prostitutes.


It's a scam.

A couple of days before you leave check out this site. It belongs to the Transportation and Security Agency and it you can see what you can bring abord the flight in carry on or in your checked luggage. So G1 Megs would probably be a bad idea...

The best advice I can give you is show up to the airport WAY earlier than you need to. It'll make everything go super smooth and even if something DOES go wrong you've got plenty of time to handle it.

I always show up to the airport 3-6 hours in advance. That way I get through security and everything else with more than enough time to spare. Then I can just chill and play my GBA or read a book without worrying. Is sitting around for a few hours really going to hurt, afterall?

And as others have said, try the 'deal' websites. My experiance is that Orbitz is always the cheapest, but I've only ever flown international, so someone else might be better for domestic flights.

I fly a lot for work and long trips require different needs, but since your flight is your first and fairly short, I'd recommend the following:

- If you are flying during the day, take a window seat so you can see America. If at night (or when you take longer flight) get the aisle. I also try to sit towards the front so you don't have to stand on line long when people are getting off the place.

- Check in on-line the day before going so you can confirm your seat. Airports have mostly moved to Kiosk check in, so when checking in on-line you can tell them how many bags you have already, then when you get to the airport, they just take them. I also recommend getting to the airport about 2 hours before the flight for domestic travel, 3 to 4 hours for international.

- When flying, the first half hour is taking off (climbing) and the last half hour is landing (descending). So I usually calculate air time as the time in the middle, which determines the form of entertainment needed. Most likely they'll show a movie or you can bring a magazine or something. They also serve food which breaks up the time. On long flights, a PSP is definitely worth it.

- Occasionaly the plane will experience turbulence, which feels like a car driving on a bumpy road. Don't worry, this is just the wind.

- Don't bother trying to stuff everything in a carry on, baggage usually comes pretty quick.

- Of the airlines you had, I would take American, Northwest sucks. And if you can fly JetBlue, take it, no continental air line is better (free TV, Leather seats, and Dunkin Donuts coffee on the plane).

Let me know if you have any other questions.

GetterDragun wrote:- Occasionaly the plane will experience turbulence, which feels like a car driving on a bumpy road. Don't worry, this is just the wind.

Keep your seatbelt on during the flight too, even if the seatbelt light is off. It'll save you a slight annoyance if the captain keeps turning it on and off.

If need be remember..

It's always polite to vomit towards the aisle as opposed to away from it, the backsplash of it hitting windows can cause you vomit to double it's impact zone.

NOBODY LOVES WHEELIE wrote:If need be remember..

It's always polite to vomit towards the aisle as opposed to away from it, the backsplash of it hitting windows can cause you vomit to double it's impact zone.

Stormrider wrote:

Fender Bender wrote:Hey guys, I'm sure somebody can give me some pointers here.

Anyway, I've never flown before in my life, so I'm unsure what to expect. Obviously, a drive from Wisconsin to Rhode Island would be a tad long, so that's why I'm looking to the air.

I've been checking a bunch of websites looking for the cheapest flight I can get to Providence from Madison.

So far, I have found Northwest Airlines and American Airlines to be the cheapest. Both of their websites are offering the roundtrip flight for $326.60.

Now that's quite a bit of money to lay down on a flight for me.

Do you think I could find them for cheaper somewhere else? Or is that about as low as it will probably go?

Northwest may not be the best experience for first time flyers.

Northwest sucks. Overstated flight times (to appear on schedule), what feels like Student Drivers, and dirty planes.

My favorite airlines are as follows:

Best Domestic Airline: JetBlue
Best International: Alitalia/Virgin
Best Planes: Virgin

The Virgin Atlatic planes are nuts, they have a full bar in first class where you actuall sit on stools and order from the bar tender. Plus the newer planes have water fountains to get your own drinks and an awesome entertainment center at each seat.

not yet botcon??? i am sad:sad: ... i like botcon make fun and enjoy!

The only time I ever was on a plane was 3 years ago when I went to Connecticut on my vacation

We flew the now defunct Delta Song

We had a Tv to watch but I just fell asleep

I was lucky it was only a two hour flight

mine too wheeljack, long time i rode airplane travel... me watched to window.... enjoy.

Archibald Witwicky wrote:The best advice I can give you is show up to the airport WAY earlier than you need to. It'll make everything go super smooth and even if something DOES go wrong you've got plenty of time to handle it.

Definitely. The number one rule of airline travel right there. Bring something to occupy yourself during the wait though - and maybe some food (but no liquids right now). Otherwise, you'll be tempted to buy a magazine or food at the airport, where it two to three times as expensive than it is normally - and the food always tastes like crap.

GetterDragun wrote:I fly a lot for work and long trips require different needs, but since your flight is your first and fairly short, I'd recommend the following:

- If you are flying during the day, take a window seat so you can see America. If at night (or when you take longer flight) get the aisle. I also try to sit towards the front so you don't have to stand on line long when people are getting off the place.

- Check in on-line the day before going so you can confirm your seat. Airports have mostly moved to Kiosk check in, so when checking in on-line you can tell them how many bags you have already, then when you get to the airport, they just take them. I also recommend getting to the airport about 2 hours before the flight for domestic travel, 3 to 4 hours for international.

- When flying, the first half hour is taking off (climbing) and the last half hour is landing (descending). So I usually calculate air time as the time in the middle, which determines the form of entertainment needed. Most likely they'll show a movie or you can bring a magazine or something. They also serve food which breaks up the time. On long flights, a PSP is definitely worth it.

- Occasionaly the plane will experience turbulence, which feels like a car driving on a bumpy road. Don't worry, this is just the wind.

- Don't bother trying to stuff everything in a carry on, baggage usually comes pretty quick.

- Of the airlines you had, I would take American, Northwest sucks. And if you can fly JetBlue, take it, no continental air line is better (free TV, Leather seats, and Dunkin Donuts coffee on the plane).

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Just to add, but that list is very good:

- Don't wear a lot of metal, you'll have to take it all off. I recommend you pack your belt, watch, chains, whatever, into your carry on, then put it all on "after" you go through the scanner. Also, wear shoes that come off easy. I wear shoes without laces to the ariport so I don' have to waste time taking them on and off.

- Leave plenty of extra room in your luggage so you can bring stuff back. If you know you are brining a lot back, take two suitcases, just leave one empty.

- Check in online (this is a saviour, and on some airlines, like Southwest, can get you on the plane first.) Also, if you check in online, you can go right to the Fast Bag Drop and skip the line at the ticket counter.

- You can bring a drink on the plane, but you have to buy it after you get through security.

- Make sure you have a plan to get to the hotel from the airport. A taxi might not know where the hotel is. Also, if taking a cab - make sure it's an official cab (should be parked outside in a line with others) so you don't get ripped off.

- When in Rome... while there, try local food and ask for recommendations - otherwise, why travel?

- Bring stamps. If you plan to send someone a postcard, bring your own stamps. There's always a maildrop at the airport (or at the hotel) but sometimes stamps are hard to come by.

Obitz is cheap, but I like to deal directly with the airline. Virgin and KLM are great for international flights, but all domestic airlines seem the same to me. I don't think it matters.

I'm tempted to go to BotCon, but I am in the middle of selling my house and buying a new one, so I doubt I'll go.

Heather Prime wrote:mine too wheeljack, long time i rode airplane travel... me watched to window.... enjoy.

I remember being 30,000 ft up above the clods it looked like snow

I also looked down on a farm and thought wow how small they look

When we came back it was evening

Looking at Tampa from the sky at night was beautiful

Whatever you do, don't yell bomb in the airport.

Heather Prime wrote:mine too wheeljack, long time i rode airplane travel... me watched to window.... enjoy.

true you can watch once the pilot takes the seatbelt sign down

HEATHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! long time no see!!!!!!!!!!!! we missed you

wtf where did my other post go!?!?!?!?!?

since it's im guessing youre first flight DO NOT LOOK OUT THE WINDOW TAKING OFF OR RIGHT BEFORE LANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it plays games with your mind that shouldnt oh bchew gum the whole way and get a ipod with the little buds for your ears and play it as loud as you can stand cause then you wont have stuffy ears when you land