Flying for the first?

[JulieB]

I need some tips. In August I am going to being getting on an Airplane for the first time. I have read all the tips but knowing that a lot of teams travel via airplane. I know the robotics community will have some better tips for me and my mother (who has also never flown).

Note: I searched this topic and to my surprise didn’t find any topic like this one.

[Joe Matt]

Like what tips? Arrive really early?

Generally, when I fly, pack light, put everything you don't need in your carry-on that you would need during flight (iPod), don't purchase anything big in the airport, eat lighter than you normally would before and during the place, use Airborne (get it at CVS), and don't sweat it. Really, flying is safe, fun, and after you get passed security, hassle free. Just remember to pop your ears

[Michelle Celio]

Originally Posted by Joe Matt

Just remember to pop your ears

I find gum really helps with that.

[KathieK]

Originally Posted by Fruity Pebbles

I find gum really helps with that.

If you have sinus or ear problems, taking over-the-counter sinus medication about a half-hour before flighttime helps. Use the restrooms in the airport - much easier than on the plane... if you can juggle it, take anything you want to have in your seat with you (iPod, magazine, etc.) out of your carryon before you board - you don't want to be standing in the aisle trying to get your stuff out of your bag so you can stow it above and holding up everyone else who is trying to board. Take one set of clothes in your carryon in case you go to one city while your luggage goes to another! Try to get a window seat - you will enjoy the view. Check the flight meal situation - you may not get a meal or may have to pay for one and might want to eat prior to boarding or bring something along with you. Take into consideration that you could be delayed after boarding on the runway which could add time to your flight (and you might get hungry!) If you have connecting flights, do not put your ticket into the seat back in front of you (where you might forget it)- and let the airline employees know when you exit the plane - they should be able to direct you to the gate you need ot be at to catch your next flight, and if you're running late, they can call the other flight to let them know you are on your way.
Oh, and unless you're flying first class, airplanes are smaller than they appear on TV!

[anna~marie]

Airplanes don't really bother me much but I always try to have snackage and beverages because I hate getting thirsty or hungry on a flight.
If the people around you are friendly be sure to talk it up! It makes the flight go a lot faster and its really neat getting to know those people
If they aren't, a book comes in handy
Wear layers, sometimes its cold, sometimes its not
You'll be fine, planes are cool

[JaneYoung]

Hey JulieB:
Congrats on air travel for you and your mom. I hope your flights are smooth and on time.

You have probably inhaled all the information you can get but if you haven't done it, get on line and look at the layouts of the airports you are going to be in. The layouts help me figure out what I'm doing esp. if I'm making connnections.

The airline folks at the gate can be helpful if you have any questions esp. if you get there early. Also once you board and are seated, hit the call button and tell the flight attendant that it is your first time flying. He/she will check on you and your mom during the flight.

Check in your luggage and carry as little as possible on the plane. The storage compartments are small these days. I like to slip right through security so I take off my shoes and let them go through the scanner. I wear very little jewelry so as not to trigger the system. If you or your mom do trigger the alarm, don't panic. They will take you to the side and use a wand to go over you checking for the item that triggered the system. It's usually earrings or a belt buckle or something in the shoe, just stay calm and don't make jokes. Also, I carry very little on board with me, keeping it light for security and for me, I'm not a mule. There are shops and food places along the way for you to pick up what you need but they can be expensive.

If you get cold easily, layer your clothing and they also have small blankets and pillows in the overhead compartment on the plane. When you deboard there will be signs to point you to the baggage claim and you can also ask the person at the gate to help you with directions. If someone is picking you up, make arrangements ahead of time for where you will meet. I like meeting in baggage so they can help with that if they want to. Make sure you exchange cell numbers with the people involved in your travel.

edit - there are emergency exits on the plane at the front and the back.
You might want to check your seat assignments and if they are next to the emergency exit, decide if you want to stay there or be moved to another seat. You can explain that you are new to this and the flight attendant will probably be understanding and helpful with your decision.

Enjoy yourself.
Jane

[Michelle Celio]

If it's going to be a long flight, and if the opposite of what Anna~Marie said (the talking part) have something to do with you, an iPod may help but that can only entertain your ears. Try getting a soduku*spelling* book, or maybe a word search for when things get boring.

[nehalita]

1) Food. Some flights don't offer meals and sometimes the snacks aren't enough. Bring a snack.
2) Bring something to do, the flight might provide a movie (which I would take advantage of if you can) but if it doesn't, you'll want some music to listen to or a book to read.
3) If you think you're going to want to take a nap, get one of those pillow that curves around your neck. I have trouble sleeping beause my neck hurts so I just recently got one of those pillows for my future flights.
4) Comfortable shoes. If you want to take them off, go ahead but make sure they're easy to put back on.
5) I usually layer. Sometimes the flight gets hot, sometimes it gets cold. A thin 3/4 shirt with a jean jacket is usually sufficient for me but I keep a sweater in my carry on in case.

relax. if you have a window seat you'll find it quite exciting. I've taken amazing pictures on airplanes =)

[Josh Goodman]

I love flying but the worst part, if it is a long flight, is staving of boredom. Definatly as everyone else said bring some sort of music device. If you get carsick easily, I would suggest not reading. A lot of times I bring a portable game device (ex. gameboy, psp, DS) that keeps you busy. But the best thing is try to enjoy yourself. The window seats are the best!!!

[Dan Petrovic]

The Sky Mall magazine they have in the pouch in front of you is a great way to waste time while waiting for the airplane to take off.

There are lots of crazy things that are easy to make fun of.

Depending on the length, you might want to bring something to do (exc. gameboy, laptop, magazine, coloring books?) I remember I was stuck when my friend took out his gameboy and I had nothing. On the way back we played Worms Armageddon and Truck Dismount on a laptop.

Before you leave double check your bag before you leave your house and make sure that there isn't anything you wouldn't want the security guards to find. Going through the metal detector is no big deal. Some, if not all, airports do random searches. If you don't have anything the security guards wouldn't like, it should be no problem. Every security guard is different. My sister's bag was searched and she was afraid they were going to take her Tech Fusion (279) button. They didn't.

Have fun on the airplane. These are people you most likely wont ever see again. Make conversation with people around you.

[KenWittlief]

First time I flew (enroute to Coast Guard boot camp) I had my nose glued to the window the whole way.

All you need to know is one thing: for thousands and thousands of years people watched eagles and hawks soar on the thermals and they yearned to be able to fly.

100 years ago all the money in the world could not buy you what we can experience today for a couple hundred bucks: a window seat at 35,000 feet, going 600 mph.

Forget about everything else. Enjoy the experience.

[anna~marie]

Oh oh try for a window seat!!!!

[Wayne C.]

Originally Posted by JulieB

I need some tips. In August I am going to being getting on an Airplane for the first time. I have read all the tips but knowing that a lot of teams travel via airplane. I know the robotics community will have some better tips for me and my mother (who has also never flown).

Note: I searched this topic and to my surprise didn’t find any topic like this one.

go see "Snakes on a Plane" first (see other thread)

[Carol]

Well, I'm the opposite of some of these posts. I try to fit everything on my carry-on (if it's s short trip) to avoid the hassles of check-in luggage. I have twice - on non-stop flights - had my baggage not arrive until the next day. That said, you do have to be careful what you put in your carry-on. They are supposedly less strict now but I was flying with a friend who had his corkscrew confiscated from his carry-on.

We try to always get the emergency exit rows (you need to request it when you check-in). You get more legroom and the seats in front of you can't recline. There is nothing more annoying than to have the person in front of you lean back as far possible. The seat always hits my knees (and I am short!) and the backrest is only inches from your face.

Second best is the bulkhead seats - again more legroom, no one in front of you, and you deplane faster. But you have to use a smaller side tray instead of a tray from the seat in back.

Actually, first class is the best - I only flew that way once but it certainly is the way to travel! (But unless you have frequent flyer miles or are rich, you can only look upon them with envy).

[KathieK]

I just remembered the tip that I just learned that I like so much... bring a ziplock baggie with you - slip your jewlery, hair barrettes, wallet, coins, lifesavers, gum, whatever stuff you have in your pockets, into that and then as you approach the security checkpoint, you can easily slip off your shoes and place them into the plastic bin they give you, along with your baggie of stuff. It decreases the chance that you will set off the detectors, and is easy to grab on the other side of the xray machine. Your fellow passengers will also appreciate your not holding up the line fumbling to empty your pockets. (Your purse can go through the xray machine without being emptied). Keep the baggie for the return flight. It's handy to travel with one anyway, in case you have a wet bathing suit or something to pack for the flight home. I also put my shampoo, etc. in one so they don't leak out into my suitcase. And I put my name, home address and location where I am staying on a piece of paper on the top of my stuff inside my suitcase, just in case it goes astray.