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.
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