First time flying advice - Page 3

Ainhisg · ‎03-09-2010

@YanksFan, oh, my word!!!! Thank you so much! I will be watching YouTube videos all afternoon. Thank you; thank you!!!!

Ainhisg · ‎03-09-2010

@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:
2 things -

If you're not taking direct fights, be aware there are some airports that are best to avoid. Someone recently told me they'll never go through Houston again (they had to keep changing gates only to end up at the original one).

Go to youtube and do a search for 'positive travel affirmations' and play thsose daily until you leave.

I will be flying into Dallas and then into Austin likely on American. I hope those are easy to navigate airports. I have flown into Dallas several times in the past, but those trips are easily 30 years in my rearview mirror, so I remember nothing about the airport. Thank you for the positive travel affirmation information and for taking the time to help me.

Yahooey · ‎07-09-2010

@Ainhisg

OMG - i flew into dallas once for business

everything is bigger in TX -

the airsport is its own city

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

@jlkz wrote:
@Ainhisg

To ease the packing, checking in, baggage claim issues:
when we snow bird, we send our stuff to the condo and arrange for delivery the day after we arrive. Of course, all meds stay with us as well as one change of clothing.

If you're staying with your friend, work out the delivery with them.

To return, reverse the delivery to your home. Staples seems to be everywhere as well as UPS in shopping centers.

Enjoy your visit !

Excellent idea! When I would go to Florida to visit mom I often would ship my things in advance. It may cost more but I have found flying very stressful so I have done whatever I can to make it less so.

I realize that you just don't fly much at all but for others who do I found that getting TSA pre check a great stress reliever. The last few years that I've flown I also went either first or business class....it's much smoother and they treat you better. I realize that's not doable for everyone but the additional cost was worth it to me.

One thing that I found to be stressful over the years is going through security when traveling alone. I always take most jewelry off and put it in a spot in my carry on easy to find.

Try not to wear any metal if you can ( I do wear an underwire bra) because that might trigger them to scan you more...all while your things are going through the security system. I try to go through the same time my bag is going through.

Make sure nothing is in your pockets. My brother forgot to take his wallet and phone out of his pocket and they made him put them in a bin....these items should be securely placed in your bag.

He almost lost his phone because it didn't come through with his other items. He kept asking them and they finally found it. Don't let this happen to you.

Ainhisg · ‎03-09-2010

OP here. I cannot thank everyone enough for answering my questions. You have been very kind and patient with your responses, and I appreciate it so much. For those of you who fly often, I'm sure you think I've been living under a rock for the last gazillion years, and in ways, I have. My elderly mother needed a lot of care, and I was afraid to go anywhere requiring a flight, because what if she passed or got bad while I was gone? A fear I couldn't shake or overlook. And then when Mom passed in '21, my two pups both developed issues where we couldn't really leave them anywhere for a length of time, and because my husband still works, I needed to be here to take care of them. They both passed last year, so I am ready to venture out into the world again.

Yahooey · ‎07-09-2010

@Ainhisg

it is hot in TX and i get hot easily

i always pack somethign i can change into in the bathroom

so if u live in a cooler area and waring a sweatshirt

dont want to be a puddle as u get to ur destination

Ainhisg · ‎03-09-2010

Excellent idea! When I would go to Florida to visit mom I often would ship my things in advance. It may cost more but I have found flying very stressful so I have done whatever I can to make it less so.

I realize that you just don't fly much at all but for others who do I found that getting TSA pre check a great stress reliever. The last few years that I've flown I also went either first or business class....it's much smoother and they treat you better. I realize that's not doable for everyone but the additional cost was worth it to me.

One thing that I found to be stressful over the years is going through security when traveling alone. I always take most jewelry off and put it in a spot in my carry on easy to find.

Try not to wear any metal if you can ( I do wear an underwire bra) because that might trigger them to scan you more...all while your things are going through the security system. I try to go through the same time my bag is going through.

Make sure nothing is in your pockets. My brother forgot to take his wallet and phone out of his pocket and they made him put them in a bin....these items should be securely placed in your bag.

He almost lost his phone because it didn't come through with his other items. He kept asking them and they finally found it. Don't let this happen to you.

@haddon9 thank you for the additional information! 1) So you can't keep on your jewelry while going through security? I can put my jewelry like in a little case or bag and just keep it in my carry on? (It won't be a lot.)

2) All I wear are underwire bras. Does that usually trigger the scanner? Do I just tell them that's what it is, or do I just stand there and let them scan me?

3) So it sounds like I would need to take my liquids bag out of my carry-on to put in the tray, and I also need to put my phone in the tray? Do my glasses need to be taken off and put in the tray? I know I need to put the actual bags in the tray(s) but have no clue what needs to be removed from them to be scanned.

Yahooey · ‎07-09-2010

@Ainhisg

this is what i do - doesnt mean it is right or wrong

i put my 1 qt in my backpack - so i can whip it out and wont disturb my luggage if they want to look at it

take ur jacket off and place in bin along with ur 1 personal item (handbag backpack)

i also have my phone on the bin - i dont wear jewelry - empty ur pockets - dont carry keys - coins - they will set the alarm off for sure

you will be fine - anything that is not done

they will ask you to pls do this or that -

dont be in a rush - even though it is in our nature

bc u dont want to leave something behind bc of so many items

which is why i stuff my jacket in my luggage - so i less item to carry

piperbay · ‎04-03-2013

@Ainhisg I don't fly much but a must for me is take Bonine, a chewable motion sickness pill (2) about an hour before flight and to pack gum.

Chewing gum when taking off and landing helped with my ears not popping so much.

Ainhisg · ‎03-09-2010

@Yahooey wrote:
@Ainhisg

this is what i do - doesnt mean it is right or wrong
i put my 1 qt in my backpack - so i can whip it out and wont disturb my luggage if they want to look at it

take ur jacket off and place in bin along with ur 1 personal item (handbag backpack)
i also have my phone on the bin - i dont wear jewelry - empty ur pockets - dont carry keys - coins - they will set the alarm off for sure

you will be fine - anything that is not done
they will ask you to pls do this or that -

dont be in a rush - even though it is in our nature
bc u dont want to leave something behind bc of so many items
which is why i stuff my jacket in my luggage - so i less item to carry