Getting On A Plane

[dUSt]

hot stuff has the best advise. Follow it all. Well, except for the water. Just ask the flight attendant for a bottle of water as you board the plane, then you won't have to pay for one.

Don't forget the ear plugs. It's the most important part of making the trip pleasant, and can always be used when your neighbor tries to talk to you. I was on the flight where the guy next to me was talking to me for a few minutes, then I looked over at him, pointed to my earplugs and mouthed the words "I can't hear you". It was awesome.

Also, as you walk by first class, look down at one of the guys in a suit in the aisle and say, "You got my upgrade, but I told 'em to let you keep it. Here's my business card, I build websites."

[Mercy me]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' post='1265813' date='May 6 2007, 09:01 AM']Yeah, I thinking the same thing. I haven't been to the Pittsburgh Airport, but unless it's a tiny airport (why would Pittsburgh have a tiny airport?) they stay open.[/quote]

Most airports close meaning that the workers leave. You might be able to get into the building but only a few security guards will be there and they will keep you in one area and the airline counters and shops are all closed. Here our airport opens at about quarter to 5am and closes at about 1am depending on if Delta is running on time. I had a really early flight out of Rome and found out that the open at about 430am.

[Jaime]

The earplugs suggestion is great! I have head phones.

I also love the business card idea!!

[Megz]

I'm going on a plane for the first time....this is a really cool thread

I'm scared to death....and I want flavor water!!! Im addictcted.

[bonoducchi]

First class - they [i]truly [/i]are a higher class of people...I always scurry through so I won't disturb them

Honestly, I always feel better on a flight when I know there is an orthodox Jew or a bishop...don't ask me why.

I very frequently wind up on flights with one of the bishops from my diocese (they never fly on the same flight). We always look startled to see each other, as if to say "How dare you get on my flight!" All in good fun of course. It's always nice to run into them. At official functions, its always rushed, but in a plane, we can just chat a bit.

[Brother Adam]

[quote]Try to pee before you get on the plane. Preferably use a bathroom[/quote]

You mean those plants...I wasn't suppose to... oh my.

I should be all set. I just printed my boarding pass (love the "check-in at home" thing on Continental's website). I only have one bag, and its a carry on, so I should be able to get myself through security pretty easily and be on my way. The only thing that has me bothered right now is the line of severe thunderstorms in the middle area of the country, I don't know if that will end up causing my flight to be canceled. Also, my boarding pass doesn't have a gate number on it, just says "Not Yet Assigned". I guess I'll have to check when I get there. Since I don't have to get a boarding pass or check bags when I get there I plan on just getting there about 90 minutes early. I looked at a layout of the whole airport so I should have a good idea of where to go when I get there.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

This is specific to the Pittsburgh Airport

Adam, when you get to the airport:

1. Either park and walk in or pull into the drop-off section with a Continental sign. If Teresa comes in to see you off, you'll need to park. Do not leave the car parked at the drop-off lane; security will tow it (in case there's a bomb inside).

[color="#FF0000"]Skip 2 and 3 if you already have a boarding pass and aren't planning on checking luggage.[/color]

2. Go with your luggage to the Continental counter inside. Wait in line.

3. When you get to the front, have your ID out and give them your name. They will look up your flight information and give you your boarding pass. They will ask you if you want to check any luggage. If you want to, give it to them. If not, just say no.

4. Go to the escalator and take it down to the lower level. You should see an Au Bon Pain bakery. The security area is right next to it. Have your boarding pass and ID out. Prepare to get all metal stuff out of your pockets.

5. Stand in line. Remove your shoes.

6. Let the person have your ID and boarding pass. S/he is verifying your identity.

7. Put your luggage in a bin if it is small enough or else put it on the counter by itself. Put your metal items and any loose items in a bin. Put your shoes in a bin. Slide all the bins forward.

8. The TSA agent will ask you to come through the metal detector. Have your ID and boarding pass ready in case s/he needs them. Be sure not to touch the walls of the detector.

9. Once you've gotten through, go to your bins and luggage, pick them up, and get going.

10. Ahead you will find two terminals for a train. The train takes you to the airplane terminals. Get on.

11. Once it stops, move with the flow of traffic out and up the escalators.

12. When you get to the big open area at the top, look at your boarding pass to find out which gate you are leaving from (or better yet, check the big screens marked "departures," just in case their was a change).

13. Once you know the number (D-89, for instance, is a Northwest Airlines gate), find which hall you need to walk down (your gate should be in the range listed on above that hall).

14. Walk down the hall to your gate. Ask the attendant at the counter to check and make sure you're in the right place (you don't need to do that every time, but it might help this first time).

That's it.

[Old_Joe]

Here's some tips I learned from the movie Airplane:

Don't eat the fish!

Never sit next to a burned out pilot.

Be sure at least one of the passengers can speak jive.

Don't call anyone Shirley!

It's a good thing you're married.

There's a sale at Penney's!

Leon is getting larger!

I can't tell you it's classified.

A hospital is a big building with patients, but that's not important.

The crew cannot face unpleasant facts.

Never try to put on makeup in the bathroom while the plane is experiencing turbulence.

The plane looks a big tylenol!

Ground crew always picks the wrong week to quit smoking, drinking, etc.

Is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?

Get me Hamm on five; hold the Mayo.

[MIKolbe]

[quote name='VaticanIILiturgist' post='1265929' date='May 6 2007, 10:25 AM']First class - they [i]truly [/i]are a higher class of people...I always scurry through so I won't disturb them [/quote]

it's nice that someone finally GETS it!

sheesh

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='Old_Joe' post='1266860' date='May 7 2007, 01:15 PM']Here's some tips I learned from the movie Airplane:
Be sure at least one of the passengers can speak jive.[/quote]

And if it's Mrs. Cleaver, all the better.

[Totus Tuus]

The thing that helps me the most is reminding myself that flying is safer than driving

[homeschoolmom]

Yeah, it's a real comfort to realize that you've more likely to die on the way to the airport than you are once you get there...

[N/A Gone]

[quote name='MIkolbe' post='1265112' date='May 5 2007, 02:12 PM']I pray the Rosary when flying.....it helps ..especially one time we had really bad turbulence....[/quote]

That is where I prayed my first one. I was scared like crazy cause we were landing and it was really nasty. And I could not think straight.

Dont jump...it hurts, trust me.

The less you can bring on, the better. It just is not fun having to keep track. I am leaving on thursday for San jose and I will bring my id/wallet/phone/HVB and MP3 (maybe laptop-have not decided yet)

[Ora et Labora]

[quote name='hot stuff' post='1265848' date='May 6 2007, 11:03 AM']I fly just about every week so here's some tips. (some are for your comfort and some of them are for the other passengers)
Only wear sandals if you never ever ever have a foot odor problem. If its ever crossed your mind, socks.
When going through security, be mindful that there will be people behind you who are running late. Have your ID and boarding pass together in a pocket. have everything metal in your carryon PRIOR to getting in the line. (Glasses will not set off the metal detector, nor will the cross around your neck.)

Unless you have a trial sized tube of toothpaste, don't pack it. Same goes for any hair product. You'll lose them. If you do have trial sized, put them in a plastic bag prior to getting to the airport and have at the top of your bag in the line.

Keep your boarding pass and ID in your front pocket after the initial security check. They'll ask for the boarding pass again.

When you're unfamiliar with the airport, be conscious of where you stand when trying to figure out where your gate is. Most non travelers don't realize that they're standing in everyone's way when they're trying to figure out if they need to go left or right. If you want to meander, feel free but don't meander in the middle.

After you get through security, buy a small bottle of water. Its easy to get dehydrated on a plane.
Try to pee before you get on the plane. Preferably use a bathroom
If you want to put both your backpack and carryon in the overhead, have what you want out of the backpack PRIOR to boarding the plane(if its more than a book, just keep the backpack under the seat). You want to be able to put the bags away as quickly as possible and sit down. There will be a hundred people standing behind you while you rummage through your bag. (This is forgotten by every single person who does this. Then they look up and say "Oh are you waiting for me?" At that point I make sure that my briefcase brushes against their head as i pass)

As you board, when you pass by the people in first class, do not look them directly in their eyes. They are better than you.

If you're in an aisle or middle seat, don't buckle up until the boarding door is shut (They'll announce it). You'll probably have to get up again.

After the Continental video is shown with safety instructions, stand up and shout "ITS OK EVERYBODY!! I'M CATHOLIC AND PRAYING FOR A SAFE FLIGHT!!" This will immediately put the rest of the passengers at ease.

Don't use the call flight attendant button unless the person sitting next to you is bleeding out profusely. You will only get glared at
As for where to sit, that's a personal preference. I prefer the aisle. There is nothing to see out the window. Most the time, I have work to do on my computer so I'll make the window guy shut his shade.

I generally wait to break out my rosary until after the beverage service AND they have gone through to collect garbage. I find that there are less interruptions at that point. Also people have the opportunity to ask you about it when you're done.

OK that's about it![/quote]

why do you fly every week? what a head ache!!! flying is so boring. i flew last week and it was lightning and thundering outside. my flight was delayed twice, and i hate the houston airport. it's too big.

[Jaime]

[quote name='Ora et Labora' post='1266965' date='May 7 2007, 12:42 PM']why do you fly every week? what a head ache!!! flying is so boring. i flew last week and it was lightning and thundering outside. my flight was delayed twice, and i hate the houston airport. it's too big.[/quote]

I fly because its just part of the job as a highly sought after male supermodel.


Houston is not too big. And they have the cutest little electronic train between concourses in the basement.