[teney7]

I am a student that will be flying home alone next weekend, but I have only flown once before and that was with a large group of students awhile ago, so I have a couple questions about airport stuff...

I have TWO connecting flights... if the plane is delayed or I miss one, what happens...?

I am taking my 12'' PB and a host of other electronic things (iPod, camera, cell, AEX, etc.)... how does security work with those things... any electronic things that need special care in/on the Xray machine?

Some people have told me to avoid checking bags at all costs... agree?

Philly International... hard to get around..? I have to go from terminal F to D

Any other flying advice? I have been all over the country and in tons of big cities before, but I always drove, so flying is like the coolest of cool stuff. From the way it sounds, I may just now be entering the 20th century of transportation.

PS... I have an AEX question that I really need help with that is posted in the Networking forum, the "official" AEX problem thread.. check it out if you feel like being helpful

[waxcrash]

Originally Posted by teney7

I have TWO connecting flights... if the plane is delayed or I miss one, what happens...?

They try to put you on the next available flight.

I am taking my 12'' PB and a host of other electronic things (iPod, camera, cell, AEX, etc.)... how does security work with those things... any electronic things that need special care in/on the Xray machine?

If your camera is a film camera, the x-ray can effect the film so notify the TSA agent at the x-ray that you have film. If it is a digital camera - no need to worry.

The only electronic device they make you take out of your bag is your laptop. When you are in the security line, be ready to take your laptop out of its bag to be run through the x-ray.

Some people have told me to avoid checking bags at all costs... agree?

I avoid checking bags if I can because you don't have to worry about your bags getting lost and you don't have to spend extra time at the baggage claim.

[Dork.]

Since they're cramming more and more people into planes lately, there is not as much overhead room as there used to be. If you can fit all your stuff in a moderately-sized duffel bag and a bookbag, you should be OK. Make sure the bookbag isn't too stuffed, so that it can fit under the seat in front of you. If you don't have to wait for checked baggage, you'll get out of the airport 15-20 mins. quicker.

If you have much more stuff than that, I'd recommend checking a bag, since if you don't you'll be carrying all your stuff through two airports. But keep all your valuable things on you.

Airport X-ray machines will not harm your equipment. Put your laptop through in one of those bins, as well as your jacket and ALL the metal in your pockets. Make sure the bin and your duffel don't go through, though, until you're ready to go through the metal detector (and the person in front of you has gone through successfully). Your task should be to make sure you get through the metal detector with no problems, so you can get to your stuff on the other side quicker, and make sure no non-security people "inspect" it too closely....

Leave your PB on, but sleeping. Some security checkers like to see that the computer wil actually power on before letting it through. If it was shut down, you'll have to go through the startup sequence before turning it off again.

If you miss a flight because of delays, they will generally find some way to get you to your destination on another flight. This is where not having checked bags can help you: it's a lot easier to give you another flight when they don't have to intercept and redirect baggage.

[Randman]

I travel quite frequently and have a Radtech case for my PB. Some airports, I can leave it, some I have to take it out. But I rest it on the cover in the plastic tray to keep it from being scratched.

If you missed your flight (doesn't happen THAT often), you might stand a chance of being upgraded on the next flight.

[mdc]

i've missed many connections due to customs when i'm entering this country (i'm on a student visa). they always put me on the next flight. just speak to the first person you see wearing the logo of your airline and tell them you missed your flight, they'll help you out.

[Dork.]

As long as you missed your flight due to things outside youe control (i.e. customs, weather, or other delays), sometimes if all the flights are crowded they'll put you on "standby", which means that just before the next plane leaves, if there's a seat available on the next flight because of some cancellation or because someone else is late, they'll put you in that seat. Even if it's in First Class, hence the upgrade that Randman talked about. You won't know for sure if you'll be able to get on that flight until just before it takes off.

Other times (especially when there are lots of empty seats on the next flight), they'll just take your old boarding pass and give you a new boarding pass for the new flight with a reserved seat.

[tooki]

Questions numbered for clarity:

Originally Posted by teney7

1. I have TWO connecting flights... if the plane is delayed or I miss one, what happens...?

2. I am taking my 12'' PB and a host of other electronic things (iPod, camera, cell, AEX, etc.)... how does security work with those things... any electronic things that need special care in/on the Xray machine?

3. Some people have told me to avoid checking bags at all costs... agree?

4. Philly International... hard to get around..? I have to go from terminal F to D

5. Any other flying advice? I have been all over the country and in tons of big cities before, but I always drove, so flying is like the coolest of cool stuff. From the way it sounds, I may just now be entering the 20th century of transportation.

1. They will find you another flight. If something of their fault causes you to miss a flight, they'll pay for a hotel or return transportation to your home. (This just happened to my mom... her flight was cancelled after we dropped her at the airport, so they paid the 1 hour cab ride each way to bring her back home and then back to the airport the next day.)

2. They will require your computer to be run through in its own bin. The bins are hard plastic, often with residual grit in them that could damage the Mac's nice finish. They have become a bit more lax, and have not complained when I have placed a soft item (like my laptop sleeve) under the computer to protect it. The computer must be completely exposed.

Every couple of people, they pull you aside and swab the computer or bag down with a little pad, which goes in an explosives detector.

Video cameras have similar rules. All other electronics can just go through with the rest of your stuff.

Also, save yourself the hassle and remove all jewelry, belt, coins, and shoes before going through the portal. Put all your stuff in the bins except for your boarding pass -- keep it in your hand (no paper clips!).

3. Well, I wouldn't say that. I think it's a pain to have to squeeze a big carryon onto the plane (and if it's too big, they won't let it on, and will require you to check it. I carry only essentials in the carryon, and check the rest. Don't check anything fragile, it can get damaged. Remember not to check toiletries in squeeze bottles, they can pop open from the low pressure in the cargo hold! (I know from experience... grumble...). Lock your checked baggage -- but be sure either to get a lock with a TSA logo on it (it has a special key hole so that TSA inspectors can open the bag without destroying the lock), or use cable ties to close the zipper pulls. (I use colored ones to make it easier to identify my bag on the carousel.)

Lost baggage does happen on occasion (it's happened to me twice in something like 30 flights), so if there is anything absolutely essential (e.g. medications), carry it on! Once they track down a lost or delayed bag, they'll send someone to deliver it to your home.

4. I have no idea.

5. Chew or yawn frequently during ascent and descent to help your ears acclimate. (If you have trouble, take Sudafed.)

Check the TSA website to make sure you don't accidentally bring any forbidden items.

Bring extra beverages onto the plane -- flying dehydrates. Never turn down the drinks offered.

Don't forget your ID.

If you're flying Southwest, check in online as soon as you can -- it guarantees you get in the A group, giving you first choice on seats, even if you have to wait in line to check your bag. You print out the boarding pass at home.

Most airlines' websites these days let you set up automatic alerts to your cell phone, informing you if your flight will be delayed.

Keep your boarding passes and ID in a safe, but easily accessible place.

Eat before going to the airport -- the food there is expensive!


Hope this helps!

tooki

[ReggieX]

Originally Posted by teney7

Some people have told me to avoid checking bags at all costs... agree?

Disagree. It doesn't take that long for the baggage to arrive, and it's better than hauling it around on the plane when you're making a couple of connections. Plus carry-ons can only be so big.

[Randman]

Depends how much stuff you have with you. For short trips, a gym bag works nicely.

[iMOTOR]

I "almost" miss connecting flights in denver all the time. Gate attendants know if a passenger on another flight is late, and they usually keep the gate open as long as they can (United Airlines).

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by tooki

1. They will find you another flight. If something of their fault causes you to miss a flight, they'll pay for a hotel or return transportation to your home. (This just happened to my mom... her flight was cancelled after we dropped her at the airport, so they paid the 1 hour cab ride each way to bring her back home and then back to the airport the next day.)

That is not entirly true. It depends what CAUSED the delay or missed flight.
If it is weather related, they might NOT pay you a hotel.

A couple of months ago, I was faced with a 2 hour departure delay. I had to make a choice: either take my chance and try to get on that delayed plane and hope I would get the connecting flight, or go home and try again the next morning. But the airline (Delta) told me upfront that if I went on the first leg, and wouldn't be able to get the connecting flight, they would NOT pay for a hotel.

-t

[tooki]

Weird. It was weather that caused my mom's first leg to be cancelled (well, actually delayed until after her second leg departed). They sent her home, at much greater cost than a hotel would have caused, and she also flew Delta.

tooki

[turtle777]

Delta told me that they don't guarantee it when weather is involved. They might, but you have no right to demand it. It's an act of God. It's different if the airline messes something up within their sphere of control. Like technical issues or so.

-t

[misc]

A note about film: Any speed film under 800 should have no problem with the X-ray's...

[paul w]

depends on how many times it goes through. If you're going through security more than once that's twice the exposure. That and there's no guarantee exactly how strong the x-rays are. The best bet, for anyone still using film, is to take it out of the canister and put the rolls in a clear plastic ziploc and let the security agent look over the film. It's what I used to do, and it always worked.

[moonmonkey]

Tooki, sorry to hear about your mums leg.

[tooki]

Hahahaha!

tooki

[teney7]

OK, thanks for your answers... it is a little bit embarrassing that I don't know this myself.

anyway, I have two more small questions:

E-tickets... present your web order and ID and they give you the boarding pass, right (the tickets are from Expedia)

And, playing movies with VLC on my 12'' PB... is that a processor-intensive, battery gobbling task? Can I get a 2.5 hour movie out of a charge with no BT, AirPort, and dim screen?

[bradoesch]

I would think vlc would be more battery friendly than powering your optical drive with a DVD.

[ghporter]

Flying isn't as much fun as it used to be (yet another reason to be ticked at 19 dead men...) but it can still be enjoyable. Just be prepared for a few things.

Security is there, and you have to go through it. Once you understand that this is NOT a planned method of messing with your head or your luggage, you'll be fine. Tooki's suggestions about getting through security are good-have your ID, and ticket IN HAND when you get to the x-ray machine. Put your change, wallet, KEYS, anything else you can get out of your pockets into your carryon BEFORE you get there. Be cooperative and don't let yourself get overwhelmed if there's a crowd.

It used to be that you could be at risk for having your laptop stolen from the out-belt of the x-ray machine, but that's not true anymore. TSA employees make sure you get YOUR stuff because they need to match stuff to passengers; NOBODY runs off from security nowadays!

One thing not properly mentioned above is that if you get there early enough to avoid crowds, the airport will be a very boring place to wait. Taking your laptop is one way to get around that, but batteries don't last forever, so take a book and/or your iPod as well. If you can afford it, an airliner power adapter is a good thing to have-but not all coach sections support them, so don't depend on them. You can often find an outlet in the gate area, but they're limited in number so don't be surprised if six businessmen have already staked out all the available outlets; charge your laptop fully before you leave. Be prepared to be bored, and have backups-like a thick book-to keep your nut firmly screwed down. (I get really, REALLY bored sometimes, so I always keep a pack of cards with me as well-solitaire is useful in making the time go by.)

Airliner air is DRY. REALLY DRY. Your mouth, lips, throat and eyes will feel it, guaranteed. Not only should you work on hydration, you may want to also take eyedrops and lip balm on long flights. You'll also want to get up and move around a little to keep from getting stiff and cramped. Drink what they provide you and what you bring; if you go for more than a few hours without needing the restroom, you're not drinking enough. And going to the restroom gets you up out of your seat, too!

Airlines will bend over backward to get you where you have tickets for, even if there are delays. With that said, I have been dropped at one gate at O'Hare and had to rush to get to a gate at a different CONCOURSE in about 20 minutes--and they were waiting for me. They know when you get on the feeder flights and where you're going on to on your connecting flight. You will NOT miss a flight by a few minutes. A long weather delay on the other hand means that the airline will work hard to get you onto the next available plane to your destination. This doesn't happen as much as some people think, and airline ticket sales and travel agents work hard to give you plenty of slack time between arrival and departure to help keep you from missing that flight. I've never missed one.

Finally, don't be embarrassed to ask a gate or flight attendant when you need to know something. Those of us commenting didn't just magically learn this stuff. We had to go through it and find out one way or another. "There's a first time for everything." So your first solo air passenger trip is one of those things. Have a good attitude and it will be fine.

Let us know how it goes!

[moonmonkey]

If you plan to fly regularly, grab a stack of departure cards so can fill them out at home.

Always take a pen with you (sounds stupid but people always forget)

Take a plastic bottle of water with you and skin moisturizer, on domestic flights in India an air-freshener is useful.

Its always better and faster just to hand-carry if don't need many things.

If you do check in luggage make sure its easily identifiable as your own

If you are hungry or thirsty on the flight, walk to the galley and ask them for something, on long haul flights food an drink will probably be left out for you, just ask politely, they want you to be happy.

Check in early, you will get better seats, there are some terrible seats on most aircraft. The best seats are usually the seats behind the emergency exit, not the seats in front which may not recline.
I always ask for an aisle seat on the edge row (the seat next to the window seat). Window seats sometimes have bulky equipment on the floor to power the entertainment system, so avoid them, but anything is better that being stuck in the middle of the middle row.

If you are lucky enough to be on a empty flight, feel free to lye down on the middle row and get some sleep, if the armrests are fixed down, there is usually a secret catch at the bottom that lets you lift them up.

[tooki]

Originally Posted by teney7

And, playing movies with VLC on my 12'' PB... is that a processor-intensive, battery gobbling task? Can I get a 2.5 hour movie out of a charge with no BT, AirPort, and dim screen?

Apple's DVD player uses less CPU than VLC. Use MacTheRipper to rip the DVD to the hard disk first, and play the ripped VIDEO_TS folder.

tooki

[meelk]

Your carry on bag should be smallish and flat, and contain 1 pair of pants (jeans), 2 shirts, 2 underwear, 2 socks, 1 pair of shorts (to sleep in) rolled or folded tightly (dont worry about creasing you can always throw them in the dryer when you arrive at destination). Should also contain your laptop, toothbrush (leave toothpaste), and your shaver of choice along with your deodorant, and any meds you take (shaver, deodorant, toothbrush and meds all go in baggies).
Check everything else (1 bag is best if you are going to check a bag) I might not have travelled as regularly as some people here have, but I have never lost a bag, and dont believe the problem is so frequent that you should worry about it. The extras you have included in your carry on will help you make do should you have a problem.
Also, take a pack or two of gum, and chew it on the plane in flight. It will help to "pop" your ears while the plane is in flight.
I personally love airports. I dont know what it is about them that I enjoy either. Enjoy yourself, dont worry about missing your flight, enjoy the flow of humanity and buzz around you. They are experiences in themselves.

[Kerrigan]

Michael Jackson was found innocent

[macroy]

I fly on a bi-weekly basis - and I always check my bag.

But it really depends on the amount of stuff you have and personal preference. I have no desire to lug around anything that you can't carry around your shoulder (remember, you have to take that stuff EVERYWHERE in the airport) - especially if travelling alone. What some folks try is to do a gate check-in - the bags are too big to bring on, so you check it at the actual gate. This way, you are virtually guaranteed that you won't lose your bag since they take it straight from the gate down the stairs to the airplane. But to be honest, I've only 'lost' my bags once.

For a good guide on which seats to get - http://www.seatguru.com - just look up the airline and plane model - it'll tell which seats to avoid. Exit row seats are typically good as you get more leg room (be warned though - on planes with two exit rows over the wing you want the second one as the first will not recline). Bulkhead's are good as well except you typically will lose your luggage compartment (they usually have equipment or first-aid kits above the bulkhead seats).

If you can - check-in online the night before. You may even be offered first-class upgrades for cheap (like $40). I had that happen to me a few times this past quarter. Also, unless you are a member of the airlines frequent flier program - the more desired seats (i.e. exit row) typically only open up the night before (so I'm told)... so they may be taken already if you check-in at the terminal. You can still check bags there.

And if you have a e-ticket, the only thing you need is your govie ID. Although the reservation code from the airline is also useful in case something happens.

[Josh Reid]

It used to be that they (at least USAirways) only assigned emergency row seats on the day of the flight at the airport. If you got there early enough and checked-in (even using self check-in), you could usually find a few open e-row seats (which I prefer). However, I believe they changed that and now open up the e-row seats, like you said, maybe a day or so before the flight, allowing online-checkins to choose those seats as well.

Macroy, which airlines have you been offered the upgrades on, using online check-in? I almost always fly USAirways (not by choice but out of necessity), and since I rarely check bags I certainly could use online check-in, but thought I would have a better chance of getting a good seat checking in on the day-of, in person. Maybe I should start giving online check-in a try?

Thanks for any info!

[macroy]

I've been offered 1st class upgrades on NorthWest, and AA. I am a AA Platinum member - but these upgrades were (I believe) given regardless of your status. In fact, I've also flown on AA using their "1st class for coach" programs - which I was offered before disclosing my status. That's where you get to fly 1st class for a coach fare. Not sure how that works.. but the only relation is that I flew out of Reagan National (DCA) each time, and the flight left at 6am in the morning (thus, you're leaving your house at 4am).

The last opportunity I got was with NWA. And that was basically through checking in online. The only thing was that I did have to swing by the ticket counter to have my ID validated. But for 1st class, I didn't mind it too much.

[Josh Reid]

I'll have to give it a try...I usually do those same super early morning flights, either from LGA, JFK, or EWR...Thanks for the information.

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by tooki

The computer must be completely exposed.

That's odd. I've flown quite a few times since the TSA was created (most recent being April 2005) and I've never had to take my computer out of my RadTech sleeve.

[tooki]

Interesting! I eventually stopped asking if I could leave it in the sleeve, because they always told me "no". The rules seem to be ever-evolving; the next time I fly, I'll ask again! (It wasn't until this year that they even let me leave the sleeve in the same bin: they insisted that the naked computer go in a bin absolutely alone.)

tooki

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by tooki

Interesting! I eventually stopped asking if I could leave it in the sleeve, because they always told me "no". The rules seem to be ever-evolving; the next time I fly, I'll ask again! (It wasn't until this year that they even let me leave the sleeve in the same bin: they insisted that the naked computer go in a bin absolutely alone.)

tooki

I've never asked. I've just taken the laptop out of the bag and placed it into the bin with the sleeve on. They've never said anything to me. I figure if it's an issue, they'll tell me to take it out. But they never have.

Also, I've put computer, Palm PDA, iPod (in its hard case), and video camera in the same bin... as long as they're not touching or stacked on each other, nobody's ever said anything to me about that either.

But you're right... the rules seem to change literally every day. When I flew to Greece at the end of February this year they didn't make you take your video camera out, but when I came back a month later, they said "Video cameras out too." They told me that rule went into effect two weeks earlier.

[Randman]

Originally Posted by Person Man

That's odd. I've flown quite a few times since the TSA was created (most recent being April 2005) and I've never had to take my computer out of my RadTech sleeve.

Same here. As I said earlier, it depends on the airport. And it depends on the people working as I've had different experiences in the same airport.

One thing not to do is what my wife did earlier this year. We were flying out of LAX and she kept getting the security checks. Really thorough while I passed on freely. It wasn't until we were about to board that I figured it out: She was wearing a shirt that said Hard Rock Cafe: Dubai.

[turtle777]

I stopped argueing with the security guys. They have to follow their rules, even if it is ridiculous.

One time I asked if I needed to take my shoes off. They said no. So I walked through, and the shoes were ok, NO alaram was triggered off. Yet, because I didn't take my shoes off, they subsequently strip-searched me, because I now was suspicious, not willing to take my shoes off.

WTF ? %$^# *$^#*

-t

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by turtle777

I stopped argueing with the security guys. They have to follow their rules, even if it is ridiculous.

One time I asked if I needed to take my shoes off. They said no. So I walked through, and the shoes were ok, NO alaram was triggered off. Yet, because I didn't take my shoes off, they subsequently strip-searched me, because I now was suspicious, not willing to take my shoes off.

WTF ? %$^# *$^#*

-t

They searched my father because he "had a suspicious accent." Um, hello? The guy's Greek (and a light-skinned one at that-- and NO beard and NO mustache) and has only lived in the U.S. for 32 of his 65 years. Of COURSE he's gonna have an accent!

Not to mention that he has a valid U.S. Green Card.

[Randman]

One time I was asked to take off my shoes. I said I had just flown in from Singapore and had been wearing the same socks for about 20 hours but if they really wanted a whiff...

I passed through without incident.

Still, it's better than some places. Flying into the US right after 9/11 was a nightmare. Once, in Taipei, we had to get out of the plane and go through a strict test (like even toothpaste I had in my backpack was opened and tested). Then we sat in a room for almost an hour (no shops and only vending machines if you had Taiwanese coins). Then we had to go through the same checks getting back on the plane.

Still, most of the domestic security checkpoints are a joke.

[teney7]

I kind of forgot about this thread, I know ghporter wanted me to say how it actually went.

The way out to ORD was fine, the way back my last connecting flight out of PHL was canceled due to weather, so I had to stay alone in a hotel in Philly for one night. US Air didn't pay for it, oh well. I missed class the next day, but hey, it makes a good story. I will probably fly again for Xmas, not Thanksgiving because HOLY CRAP those tickets are expensive...

[tooki]

How was the security checkpoint?

tooki

[Randman]

If your flight was canceled, you are owed some kind of compensation. I'd be raising hell about that. At the very least, you might get a class upgrade on the next flight.

Also, be aware that Thanksgiving is the busiest weekend for flying in the US. Plan ahead and plan well. Also, budget time for any weather-related delays depending on where you go to.

[waxcrash]

Originally Posted by Randman

If your flight was canceled, you are owed some kind of compensation. I'd be raising hell about that. At the very least, you might get a class upgrade on the next flight.

They will only compensate you if the cancellation was their fault like a mechanical problem, etc. Weather is an "act of God" and out of their control, so they don't owe any compensation. This is all stated on the fine print of the ticket.

[monkeybrain]

If you have a beard, you'd better shave it off. Every terrorist has a beard. I have a beard and if someone gave me a bomb I suppose I might blow something up, so their logic is sound.

Be very afraid of all those guys with machine guns, but don't show your fear, they can smell fear and shoot anyway who is afraid. Their job is very boring, so expect to be shot at at least a little bit, especially if you're Asian.

[teney7]

The security checkpoint was fine... only once did they PICK UP MY PB and move it so it was under the case that I usually let it rest on in the bin. The lady dragged out the case from under the PB, not the gentlest way to do it, but I was in no position to argue (though i wanted to be like, :Hey, watch it please...". On the way back from Philly on the rescheduled flight I put my computer, shoes, watch in the bin but forgot to take off my backpack and almost walked through the detector wearing it, they sure gave me an earful. "Sir, PLACE YOUR BACKPACK ON THE BELT!"

I like flying, so I wil go again for Xmas, not Thanksgiving, it is too crowded. I was told that the weather did not allow US Air to compensate me for the trouble of the hotel but they gave me a special "distress rate" whatever that was. I hope that I am lucky enough to fly on a day where weather isn't a problem, but since I buy tickets very far in advance, that is hard to judge.


On a related note, a friend of mine is planning to take his Dell PC (just the tower/box) as a carry-on for his flight home at Xmas, since our break is about a month and a week long. I bet him a dollar that there is no way they would let him do that... who is going to win...?

[DigitalEl]

On a related note, a friend of mine is planning to take his Dell PC (just the tower/box) as a carry-on for his flight home at Xmas, since our break is about a month and a week long. I bet him a dollar that there is no way they would let him do that... who is going to win...?

I worked for a discount airline at Denver International Airport a few years back. Our ticket counter was right next to Mexicana. It was always entertaining to see the stuff people would try to take back to Mexico on an airplane... I kid you not: Big-arse TVs, giant 80s-style boom-boxes, A LAWN MOWER... You name it. I think if your friend's Dell will fit in the overhead bin or under a seat, he'll be able to take it.

Of course, working in the west, I watched people with these odd, pyramid-shaped pieces of luggage and it took me 6 months to figure out they were carrying their cowboy hats in them.