I will be boarding a plane for the first time and I'm quite nervous. Mostly I am afraid of being confused/lost in the airport and missing my flight, or my cell phone dying and being stranded. Please give me any advice you think I should know. It will be LAX on a Friday evening/night and I will arrive in Austin roughly 3-4 hours later, so any specific advice about LAX would be appreciated.
any specific airlines I should try to board, or try to avoid? any specific items I should avoid bringing so I don't have to experience security autism? I will only be bringing one carry bag, to avoid luggage issues. Is losing luggage common, because I planned on bringing a fairly expensive laptop with me? A walk-through of the whole process would be appreciated as well
I will be boarding a plane for the first time and I'm quite nervous...
oh and what are the best sites for purchasing a ticket? expedia?
>Friday evening/night
Arrive early. If possible take mass transit rather than driving or taking a cab, the traffic is going to be brutal.
>I am afraid of being confused/lost in the airport
See pic related. Your airline will tell you what gate number you depart from when you check in. By the way, you need to check in a certain number of hours before the flight for most airlines: This confirms your reservation (though you've already been charged) and will let you get your boarding pass.
If you're really nervous, PRINT OUT a physical copy of your boarding pass, though you can probably get one printed out for free at the check-in.
Bring photo ID: Either a current driver's license or a passport. Many other forms of ID are not sufficient because they need to meet federal RealID standards.
>my cell phone dying and being stranded
There will be places to charge your cell phone in the terminal, though they can be tough to find during peak hours. Just make sure you've got a charger in your carry-on. That's the most important thing after your boarding pass and photo ID.
>Is losing luggage common, because I planned on bringing a fairly expensive laptop with me?
Carry-ons are never lost because you carry them on the plane. Make sure your carry-on isn't a full-size suitcase though because they may mandate you to check the bag.
That said, I've never had an airline lose my baggage. While I assume it still happens from time to time, they have gotten astoundingly good at it in the last 20 years if only because of post-9/11 security.
Continued...
We told you all this the other day...
>any specific items I should avoid bringing so I don't have to experience security autism?
The obvious things are weapons (including small pocket knives), firearms, explosives. More annoying things would be certain smoking things (I forget what the lighter rule is; I think butane torch lighters are no-go, while cheap bic lighters are okay, but you need to check ahead). Aerosols are also no-go, I think.
The most annoying is the liquids rule. Here it is:
All liquid containers must be 100 mL or smaller (this means even if the container has 100 mL or less in it, if it's a larger container you won't be allowed to bring it). All of your liquids must fit in a single ONE QUART zip-loc bag.
You will probably be required to remove your belt and shoes when you go through security, and will almost certainly have to do a low-energy X-ray (but you can refuse and get a pat-down instead).
My last and best tip: If you're confused at any point during the security screening process, DO NOT BE AFRAID to just say, "I'm sorry, this is my first time traveling so I'm confused. What am I supposed to do?" You will not get in trouble for the vast majority of ways you could fuck up.
In fact, being polite and asking for help works everywhere in the airport. You're not the only person who will be a first-time traveler.
I use Google Flights actually. Some airlines might not show up on them (or Expedia or others). Southwest used to be like this (which is a shame because I love Southwest).
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how do I know how many hours before flight I'll need to check in? anything that could cause me to miss my flight is what I'm most concerned with. Also, can any bag be a carry-on as long as its small enough? I was just gonna bring a hiking backpack. appreciate the long detailed posts very much
wanted more help
Two hours is what TSA says, three of you want to look for NSA bathroom play.
Yes, a backpack is carryon.
>any specific airlines I should try to board, or try to avoid?
Spirit and some of the budget airlines are really rough about their super-cheap fares. Like they charge extra for overhead bin use, and checked bag prices are really high. Also they have different prices for different seats in coach; ones with more legroom are more expensive, etc. Lots of other annoying things. I *think* Frontier is like this as well.
I like Southwest, but if you're not taking a checked bag it's probably going to be cheaper to go with another airline. The main draw for me is two free checked bags.
American, United, and Delta are all okay. JetBlue is supposed to be okay.
>how do I know how many hours before flight I'll need to check in?
In most cases you are able to check in when you arrive at the airport, but for many airlines you want to check in as soon as the check-in window opens (usually 24 hours before departure). On Southwest for instance, it affects your boarding order, which means you might get a shitty seat. Most other airlines use reserved seating but it's still a good idea to check in ahead of time and get your boarding pass.
>Also, can any bag be a carry-on as long as its small enough?
Generally yes. Airlines vary on what they consider a carry-on, but I've seen smaller wheeled suitcases be acceptable for carry-on. A hiking backpack SHOULD be okay, but be aware of what your airline's carry-on policy is (it should be easy to find on their website).
Arriving 2 hours early is a good rule of thumb honestly. Given you'll be in the weekend rush you SHOULD be fine, but hey, nothing wrong with showing up early and hanging out. I love the airport.
My last tip is to make sure you've got a bottle of hand sanitizer in your liquids. Air travel is a great way to catch a cold or the flu. Keep your hands clean, try not to touch your face.
Oh and when I say "check in" I mean, you go to the airline's website where it says "check in", and enter your itinerary number and such, and get your boarding pass. I don't mean go to the airport and tell them "I'm here!".
This one should just check in at the counter and have them give him his boarding pass...
wait so I don't actually have to be at the airport to check in, I do it from home? I was under the impression that it was something I do there at a terminal of some sort
and is there anything to do while waiting when I arrive early? why do you love it?
I assume its easier because they will give me a physical pass? I don't mind getting a shitty seat too much
another question, how do stops work? do I have to get off and board another plane? what if my first plane is late and I miss the second one
>wait so I don't actually have to be at the airport to check in, I do it from home? I was under the impression that it was something I do there at a terminal of some sort
Check-in just means confirm that you're actually gonna be there so they don't give your seat away to someone on standby. Nowadays, you can do it at home from your computer.
You can still get a physical copy of your boarding pass at the airport despite having checked in at home, either by using the self-check-in terminals at the check-in counter, or by going to the check-in counter itself.
While I agree with that going up to the counter is the safer option, given you're not checking bags and that you're traveling during rush hour, it may make for an extra wait in line that you don't need to deal with.
>and is there anything to do while waiting when I arrive early? why do you love it?
You can get a drink, or a snack... food at the airport is usually decent though not cheap. I like sitting in the terminal and people watching, fooling around on my phone, taking pictures of the planes pulling into the gates. It's fun, at least for me.
You're going LAX-AUS: I seriously doubt nonstop flights will be more expensive. But I'll give you the explanation:
There are two types of flights with stops. First is sometimes called a direct flight: It's where you do not get off the plane because the same plane is flying from the middle airport to your final destination.
The second is where you have to make a connection, i.e., change planes. If the first plane is delayed and you miss your connection, at the very least if you're on the same airline for both flights, the airline will put you on the first available flight to your final destination at no charge. If you have to wait overnight, some airlines will put you up for free, others will give you a voucher for a good discount on a hotel room at the airport hotel.
It sucks but it's not life-ending.
In fact, I just checked. For flights from LAX to AUS, the nonstop flights are the cheapest.
Departure 6/29, return 7/6 would be $273 for non-stop on at least three different airlines. If you delayed your trip a week or two it might go down to $251. If you could depart on Saturday, it might be as low as $237. These are all round-trip and include taxes and fees. Southwest would be around the same price actually.
Oh another thing, if it's feasible for you, you could also fly out of John Wayne Airport (SNA) instead of fucking LAX, price would be about the same, but your frustration level would be about half.
When we lived in socal, we always flew out of SNA instead of LAX. It's just so much nicer.
Oh wait, I spoke too soon. It's the same price but you'd have a layover either at Dallas or Houston. Still, if LAX gives you panic, SNA is fucking nice.
Compare pic related to here:
In addition to everything else here, some airlines let you pick your seat at no extra cost OP. You either want a window seat (view when taking off and landing, no one climbing over you to get out, more room because the plane is a tube, something to lean against) or aisle (easy to get out and walk about, stick your legs out when the cabin crew aren't running trolleys down). No one wants the middle seat, it's shit.
Depending on the airline If you're nice to the staff at the check in desk, they'll give you an exit row, which means more leg room. Some airlines charge extra for these. Others just want younger, healthy people who can open the doors in an emergency. I get offered them because the gays love me and tell me I'm tall and could do with the space (I'm a decidedly average 6'0 max).
You're unlikely to be upgraded to club/business/first as these are either sold off at last minute discounts or offered to frequent/business flyers.
Talking of frequent flyers, join your airline's frequent flyer program. Even if you don't fly much. They're far less likely to bump a member than a random they don't know.
I'm not American, but when I've flown domestic in America I've always liked Virgin America, now merged with Alaska Airlines.
I asked about stops because the Ontario Airport (ONT) is very close to me, but most of the flights have 1 stop (with the exception of a Frontier flight, which apparently is a rather iffy airline). What do I need to show the desk people for a physical boarding pass? Just my ticket off my phone?
And when booking seats, if you see a taken aisle/window, take the corresponding window/aisle in the same row. If it isn't a full flight, chances are no one will take the middle in that row, giving you more room.
You get given a boarding pass when you check in. If you check in in person you get a paper boarding pass. If you check in online you get a boarding pass emailed to you, which you can show off your phone or print out.
Phones are pretty smart these days and will bring up the boarding pass automatically when you're in the airport.
>No one wants the middle seat, it's shit.
Yeah definitely this.
>What do I need to show the desk people for a physical boarding pass? Just my ticket off my phone?
You need a photo ID, plus you need your itinerary number or the credit card you bought the ticket with (which helps them look up the itinerary number). Your itinerary number is like a confirmation code. You don't get a physical or even electronic "ticket".
>Ontario Airport (ONT) is very close to me
Well, I'm not familiar with ONT. If I were you, I'd be fine with layovers (with no plane change). As to plane changes... my last bad experience was about ten years ago, and it was because of severe weather and the fact that my first flight was a night flight, so missing the connection left me stuck in Atlanta overnight.
The flight tracker websites have gotten really good at telling you about "average delay" of flights, so if you look up the flight number before buying, you can get a better handle on whether the one-hour window (or however long the layover is) will be enough to make the connection.
But, if it makes you nervous, go with LAX and just ask for help. It's really not as bad as you think, it'll just be crowded and bustling.
>If you check in in person you get a paper boarding pass. If you check in online you get a boarding pass emailed to you, which you can show off your phone or print out.
Even if you check in online, you can "check in" again at the kiosk when you arrive and get a paper copy of the boarding pass. At least that's how I always do it.
This is true but some budget airlines charge for it.
>This is true but some budget airlines charge for it.
Wow. Did not know that. Fuck budget airlines.
I'm fine with layovers as well. how do I tell if its a layover or a plane change?
any airlines your guys recommend besides whats already been posted? I've noticed they all have pretty bad online reviews except delta
>how do I tell if its a layover or a plane change?
The website will tell you.
>I've noticed they all have pretty bad online reviews except delta
Don’t worry so much about the reviews. You just want to get from A to B without getting screwed with some silly hidden fees. American, United, Delta, and Southwest are your safest bets for predictably.
okay. frontier is tempting for the cheaper price but I know its iffy
Check what their carry-on policy is. If it’s larger than a “personal item” (won’t fit under the seat) it costs AT LEAST $30 extra.
The personal item dimensions for Frontier are 8x18x14 inches. Any larger and it’s a carry-on and costs extra.
google.com/flights
Don’t stress OP. Just show up 3 hours early to the airport. It’s pretty idiot proof desu. There are signs guiding you everywhere. Once you’re there you will see how simple it is
To add, if you’re bring only a carry on there is no way to lose your bag unless you lose it yourself. You’ll stow it in the overhead bin
Frontier is the move, but make sure to buy the tickets at the airport ($20 cheaper) and avoid all the fees. Do it if you're not retarded.
>but make sure to buy the tickets at the airport ($20 cheaper)
How is that? If they sell more tickets this week, the price could go up considerably
Okay because you asked, I'm going to give you the pro's guide to frontier. (last week I flew round trip across the USA for $50).
buy the tickets 2-3 weeks in advance. always on tuesday. Wednesday is generally the cheapest day to fly, so buy them for a wednesday. Buy them at the airport, there's a $20 fee you have to pay (this is what I was talking about) if you buy them online. never take a carry-on or check a bag. Personal item = anything without wheels. You can have a pretty big backpack as long as it fits under the seat in front and doesn't have wheels they really don't care. Good luck and godspeed
God I wish I weren’t fat. I’d be doing this everywhere.
Hey you don't gotta be fat to ride a plane. The seats are the same size as all the other airlines (just less legroom).
does frontier have any other fees besides the carry on?
Frontier has fees for reserving seats (meaning they give you a random seat for free), checking a bag, any food or drink while on the plane (I mean they don't give you any snacks, bring your own food), printing your boarding pass at the airport (print it out at home), cancelling, changing your flight, basically anything that's not what one would normally do is a fee.