Layovers And Security

[the171]

OK. So I am booking flights tomorrow. Looks like I'll have a layover on the way to in MINN, and one on the way back in ATL. I've never been to either of these airports. I'm departing from HOU. All of these airports are huge. Any tips to navigating? I'm flying alone (I've flown before) for the first time. I know the 3-1-1 rule and all those other things. What do you do during layovers? How do I avoid having to talk to people? Someone please ease my paranoia.

[Nihil Obstat]

You will not need to talk to anyone, unless you have to ask for directions. But thousands and thousands of people have to get from one gate to another every day, so you will find everything to be very clearly marked. There are signs everywhere pointing you to wherever you need to go.

Just make sure you know your flight number and your gate information. Pay attention when you get to your gate to make sure the information all matches, because gates change sometimes.

 

I am quite paranoid with things like that, things relating to potentially getting lost, so trust me, airports are the easiest. :smile3:

[the171]

I just don't want the person next to me to try to strike up a conversation. No thanks.

[Nihil Obstat]

You could have a pair of headphones on, even if you are not playing any music. That is one deterrent people still seem to understand. At least usually.

I love friendly people and all - really, I do - but talking to someone who is trying to read is just not very polite.

[the171]

You could have a pair of headphones on, even if you are not playing any music. That is one deterrent people still seem to understand. At least usually.

I love friendly people and all - really, I do - but talking to someone who is trying to read is just not very polite.

 

[Nihil Obstat]

That certainly might work as well.

[the171]

I'm just freaking out because I'm flying alone. Like, what the heck. I'm slowly stepping into some sort of thing called adulthood. This is a big deal.

[Nihil Obstat]

I know what you mean. :) I flew alone for the first time towards the end of grade twelve. It was a lot of fun, actually. And like I said, I am really paranoid about getting myself lost.

I actually love airports. I hate airport security, but airports themselves, and traveling by plane, I really enjoy all of that. Yeah, airport food is not that great, and it is always expensive. Yeah, you sit around a lot and sometimes people are rude. But airports are a really cool kind of in-between place. Once you pass security, you are not quite where you were a few moments ago. You are kind of in a place that is neither here nor there - somewhere between your origin and your destination.

Plus when you travel alone, airports are great for getting a bit of alone time. You rarely need to talk to anyone, so you can just take some time for yourself, catch up on some reading or watch a movie, or eat some fast food and candy without anybody judging you. :smile3:

 

Treat it like an adventure, just have fun. :) You will not get lost in the airport, and the plane will not leave without you.

[the171]

the plane will not leave without you.

 

REALLY?!

[Nihil Obstat]

REALLY?!

Basically. Once you are checked in, and especially once you have checked your bags, they absolutely do not want to leave without every passenger accounted for. It is partially a security thing. You can imagine that they definitely do not want a bag on board if its owner suddenly decided not to get on - that is kind of troubling. They will call for you over and over and over again and delay the flight an inordinate amount rather than take off without you.

[the171]

I always have my breviary, books, and music. So... wooh.

[the171]

Basically. Once you are checked in, and especially once you have checked your bags, they absolutely do not want to leave without every passenger accounted for. It is partially a security thing. You can imagine that they definitely do not want a bag on board if its owner suddenly decided not to get on - that is kind of troubling. They will call for you over and over and over again and delay the flight an inordinate amount rather than take off without you.

 

Oh, good.

[Nihil Obstat]

I always have my breviary, books, and music. So... wooh.

You are all set then.

 

I always tend to overpack my carry-on. I take three or four books, when realistically I only need one, maybe two at the most, plus my computer.

 

This is probably not relevant to you as much as it is to me, but subjectively speaking I find that I have a much easier time getting through security when I dress up a bit, kind of to business casual levels.

[the171]

You are all set then.

 

I always tend to overpack my carry-on. I take three or four books, when realistically I only need one, maybe two at the most, plus my computer.

 

This is probably not relevant to you as much as it is to me, but subjectively speaking I find that I have a much easier time getting through security when I dress up a bit, kind of to business casual levels.

 

I'm probably going in a t-shirt and skirt with some running shorts packed because I'm not sure how I will be put to work once I arrive at the camp or if we'll be going straight to the chapel. I'm a really light packer, but when it comes to books I overpack. I think I'll be better with this because the sisters have a library and all, but I do have some books that are a "must-pack."

 

Are there any chapels in MINN or ATL? I am going to need somewhere quiet to escape to after being around so many people for so long. I shudder. 

[the171]

Googled it. Nvm. I'll just chill in a restaurant with some coffee.