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Traveling Alone for First Time
Cervetus
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I haven't ever traveled alone (without my parents planning everything) and I haven't flown on a plane since I was 2 years old. Now I want to take a trip to Denver in the end of May, and I don't know what I'm doing at all. When should I buy my plane tickets? From where? Are airports really as awful as everyone complains about? I'm sure there are a myriad other questions I should ask too, but mostly I need to know how and when to get my plane tickets.
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The best time to book tickets, I've found, is on Tuesday or Wednesday. They seem to have the best deals then. Where are you coming from?
buy tickets as early as possible if you know when you'll need to fly. you can buy directly from the airlines or use a website like travelocity etc to search for the "best" rate for you.
airports are like malls, security is a pain sometimes but just show up early, wear comfortable (BUT NOT LOOSE) clothing, easy to slip on and off shoes and no sharp objects or liquids above 3 ounces in your carry on bag. if you plan on checking a bag it may be 15-25 dollars but you can put as much liquid and as many knives in there as you want. all large electronics like laptops and ipads need to be scanned seperately so pack them on the top.
you will need a photo ID (passport if its to another country)
Otherwise they will yell at you.
If you are stranded for some reason, talk to one of the folks behind an airline's counter. I've had way more luck being nice and super polite to them, and they've made some major adjustments(corrections) without any cost to me.
Also, you won't be able to use the restroom until like 15 minutes after takeoff, and you can't use it 15 minutes before landing, so plan accordingly.
Make sure that when you're figuring out your budget, you include things like baggage fees, cab fare, and (if you're doing this) parking fees. Those can add up a couple hundred bucks in a hurry.
I never really have had a bad experience in an airport. Flown out of LaGuardia, JFK, and LAX, which supposedly are some of the worst airports, but I have always gone through security and in my area in like 30 minutes or so.
Also, it's sad that you have to even think about this, but if you're a heavier person, don't fly southwest. Supposedly they're the worse ones when it comes to pulling people out of flights.
Good tips so far.
I put my watch, phone, and keys in my laptop bag just before I go through the screening, as it keeps those things from making you buzz.
Keep your wallet on you (unless it's on a chain), and have your ID and ticket in hand.
Have you got luggage yet? I like Victorinox, and generally garment bags; either the smaller shoulder style, or the type with wheels.
A protip is to know which airline is the least busy at your airport and use their security line; as long as they connect, of course. Like Delta is a good place in O'Hare.
Individual airlines vary, but the more ticket-related stuff you can do before you get to the airport, the better. Southwest lets you 'check-in' 24 hours in advance and print out your ticket at home (or print it out from one of their kiosks), so you can skip the ticket counter and go straight to security.
If possible, put all your stuff into a carry-on (depending on how long your you might need a suitcase). Not checking a bag saves a lot of time. Before you get to security, just empty your pockets into the carryon - wallet, keys, change, pens, jewelry. Just keep your ticket and your ID with you.
Don't worry about speeding through all the security rigamarole; just take it step by step so you don't forget anything.
No!!! Absolutely not
there's nothing wrong with the airport, I actually kind of like doing all that stuff by myself, its very low stress. I'm not really sure what you've heard about airports, but they're honestly completely fine. Just be smart about what you're taking with you, nothing sharp or potentially dangerous. Also make sure all your liquids and gels are 3oz or less (so ridiculous, I know, but oh well). Don't worry if you have something like contact solution, since its a medical item they'll let you take it on even if its over the limit
Maybe you'll get lucky and you'll be early enough that there won't be a big crowd! I fly out of portland a lot and there's never a crowd, the TSA people are always so nice and friendly to me! Probs because everything is so relaxed
What kind of carry on are you taking? A backpack is nice because its easy to carry around, but its nice to have a little rolling bag as well. Don't forget to bring something fun to do for the plane and while you're waiting around in the airport! Sadly, airport food is ALWAYS expensive, but sometimes you just have to deal with it.
Also, don't be a silly goose and forget stuff.
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At most airports I've been to (all over the continental US and Europe), there's a ton of food options past security.
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Expensive ones. If you've got the time, might as well save a few bucks.
Bring some snacks with you and buy your water when you get through security, or the empty water bottle is actually very smart too.
Be patient, don't be afraid to ask around for help if you are not sure what to do. Smile and have good humor.
Leave your self plenty of time, if you don't feel rushed the whole process becomes so much easier.
No more than anywhere else. It's just standard stuff (fast food/chain restaurants). Booze is pricier, but the food remains at the same level as far as I've ever noticed.
However, it is usually easier to eat at the airport, simply due to carrying so many things around (which is why Subway sandwiches are ideal), but it is a good idea to bring snacks that are small. Granola bars are great as they're compact and can get squished. Chips are bad as they'll get pulverized in any sort of luggage. It's great to just pull out a granola bar, or beef jerky, or some other compact snack when you're hungry, rather than hunting for a simple snack or waiting for the flight attendants to serve a snack (if they serve a snack).
Airports in general: People say that airports/flying is terrible primarily because it's expensive and full of seemingly arbitrary rules. The "Up In The Air" clip is entertaining because it really shows the different perspectives -- if you KNOW you must fly, and you learn all the rules and simply follow them, flying is pretty easy. But people are offended at the body scanners, the limits on liquids, baggage fees, schedule changes, layovers, delays, and so on. Add to that the fact that timing/scheduling for flights are dictated by the airlines, air traffic control, and the weather, travelers have very little control over the flight -- and that frustrates them, especially when they need to be somewhere at a certain time, or left early only to find a delay and they sit in an uncomfortable chair for an extra 2-3 hours.
The majority of the inconveniences can be addressed or even enjoyed if you plan a little, like the discussion of food & snacks. Bring a book or small portable electronic thing to give you something fun to do, plan to be a little early to account for your own delays and security (remember that planes board 30 min before takeoff time, so if your flight leaves at 1:30 you'll start getting on the plane at 1:00).
Very true. I ALWAYS have a an entire set of spare clothes in my carry luggage (underwear, trousers everything). I could never shake the feeling it was a waste of time until an airline lost my luggage between Sanfransisco and Vancouver. It took them four whole days to track it down and give it back. Luckily I was able to wear my spare set and wash the ones I wasn't wearing, but yeah that could have been a very uncomfortable four days.
Not to mention the fact that if the flight is more than a few hours and you've had a day of running around airports before even getting on it, having a fresh T-shirt to change into when you get to your destination can be a god send.
Other basic rules from a fairly well seasoned flyer include.
1) Bring a book. No seriously bring a couple. It doesn't have batteries, flight safe modes or any of that noise to worry about. It's small and easy to stow away at a moments notice. It's a life saver during the innevitable lengthy waits that happen even when everything is going right.
2) Be at the airport a couple of hours before your flight leaves, get to the gate ASAP. It's better to wait there than somewhere else and have to find it in a hurry. Just give yourself enough time to allow for things not going perfectly to plan, as they frequently don't.
3) When getting off the plane, if in doubt, follow the crowd. This will lead you to baggage collection and from there it's usually simple enough to follow signs to your destination. Airports are surprisingly foolproof as far as navigation goes, and from someone who gets lost as much as me that's saying something. So don't worry too much.
4) To get through security without being searched just make sure you take off your belt and shoes, empty your pockets (especially of change). Take off your jacket and make sure your laptop is in a seperate tray out of its bag. If you can have any toiletries in small clear bags (under 100ml only). Pretty much ensure all thats on your person is your shirt, underwear, trousers and socks.
All in all airports and flying isn't hell if you know what to do, it just somehow manages to be stressfull and mindnumbingly dull mostly.
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There is this. If you don't have someone picking you up, a taxi to anywhere populated is going to be way more expensive than at any other major airport. They really screwed up on predicting where the Denver metro area would expand, DIA is literally miles from anything else.
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You do not need photo ID to fly domestically. Should you be on your trip and lose your wallet, don't freak out that you won't be able to make it home, or if you get to the airport on the way there and can't find your ID don't risk missing the flight to go home and get it. You'll get taken aside by TSA, they'll contact the TSA Office of Intelligence and you'll have to answer a series of questions related to you to help verify you are who you say you are.
If you have naturally stinky feet don't take your shoes off on the plane unless you have something to deodorize them. You can be removed from a flight for having a non-medically related odor that passengers complain about, and that includes the people who feel the need to use half a can of Axe body spray on themselves.
If you do bring food to the airport just make sure it doesn't have a gel, liquid, or paste component. A hamburger is fine, but don't try bringing through a bunch of packets of ketchup.
Which airline are you booked on?
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It depends on a variety of factors: The weather, what airport you're using, the time of year, the time of day... Better to show up early than late. The airport in my town, I don't need to show up more than an hour early, but traveling from someplace like Denver or Atlanta? Better to do an hour and a half or two hours.
If you can pack everything into a schoolbag backpack, your doing exceedingly better than 90% of flyers. Yes, there are a few airlines, United ESPECIALLY that are cracking down on carry ons. They've expanded their groups from 4 to 8 sets and usually the back half of 7 and 8 have to check their luggage (atm for free) to their final destination. They've actually created this mess because of overcharging for checking bags in the first place.
It makes it a headache for me because I have a backpack for clothes and a carry-on for my work tools/equipment. I've lost luggage before and I sure as heck aint loosing my livlihood to some goon paid 2$ above minimum wage.
/end venting.
Usually flying is pretty decent. For me, its part of my job so Im just getting tired of it after 5years. now personally, I'd rather drive Seattle to Boston than fly it. Seems like a perfectly good use of my time, and if I had a buddy, gas is the same as airfare
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2. This only happened to me once on a 12 hour flight to London, but if there's a business class section on the same floor as you with a lot of empty seats, don't be afraid to ask to sit in one of them.
Exactly. If you know your terminals and how security will be, then plan accordingly, but if you show up early and have to spend an hour waiting at the terminal, it means you get to pull out your book/device from your carry-on and relax. If you show up with exactly the right amount of time, you feel every second -- did you get in the right security lane? Are you spending too much time at the ticket counter? Is your gate at the far end of the terminal? And everything ends up a rush as you worry about potentially missing your flight.
And if you show up 5 minutes late, you may miss your flight entirely and end up on standby.
I gave myself an hour and a half for a transfer in Philadelphia to Toronto and ended up only just making my flight after my incoming flight was half an hour late, the baggage carousel broke down for 45 minutes and we had to wait 15 minutes whilst they de-iced the jetway.
Then the door on the plane to Toronto was iced shut and I was bumped to a flight 3 hours later anyway.
I didn't have a single US dollar on me and survived off chips and snacks from the US Airways lounge.
Some airports have free WiFi. Most don't, so be prepared to pay through the nose if you need to get online.
book a place to stay online and look up how to get there
pack your stuff
Rock up on the day and fly across the country
Catch a bus or what have you to where you need to sleep
You have succeeded
I travelled europe alone for 2.5 months, it was rad