Ok all you experienced travelers...

[Kitte]

I am flying for the first time in like a hundred years...seriously the last time I flew you could still SMOKE on planes.

I am nervous about alot of the little details... Like... I dunno... stupid stuff... like what can I have on me and what cant I..I mean obviously I have to leave the dynomite at home...but I mean normal things I MAY not think would be not ok..ya know... Like my lighter??? It is explosive I know but HOW ELSE am I gonna light my smoke when I get there??

Yes I OVERTHINK EVERYTHING...so give me travel tips...pretty please.

 

[LukkyKnight]

Even the file on a nail clipper can annoy them now.

Don't tamper with the smoke detectors in the lavatories.

 

[Ezarc]

Just make a list of what and where and then enjoy the flight.

 

[Mia62]

You can't smoke on planes anymore.
Be prepared to have your CD player examined...take out the batteries before you go through the security...same with any vibes.
Do not carry tweezers or nail scissors in your carry-on luggage...they will be removed.
I will post more as I think of them.

 

[Mia62]

Oh yeah...have BOTH your birth certificate and passport with you...just in case. They like two pieces of ID...must be the lucky number or something.

 

[lobito]

A lot of the airlines have the info on their websites. but no knives, for obvious reasons, no nail clippers or cuticle cutting devices, etc.
They aren't as aggressive now as they were at first, BUTm, wear comfy shoes you can slip off easily, no botts or clunky shoes, because you MAY have to take them off.

Have a safe flight,
Lo

 

[Guest]

no box cutters, no fingernail scissors, no pins, no bazookas, no Gatling guns, no molotov cocktails, etc.
Its gettin' so you cant have fun anymore

 

[Kitte]

Oh yeah...have BOTH your birth certificate and passport with you...just in case. They like two pieces of ID...must be the lucky number or something.

I dont HAVE a passport..The airline just said I would need my license and birth certificate...so I have both... arrrgh Im so nervous!!!

 

[Purrde Flower]

Put your shampoo and toothpaste in a ziplock bag. Make sure it is actualy zipped shut.

Try not to go to the bathroom. You hit turbulance you just might fall off the potty.

Chew gum.

Bring a book.

Look out the window if you aren't afraid of heights. Just to make sure the wings aren't on fire.

Arrive 1 hour early.

Carry on as much as you can. A small suit case or a gym bag is the acceptable size I think.

Be sure to write your name in your underwear and on each limb of your body with a permanent marker.

Remeber. Take deep breaths! It's all worth it when you get there.

 

[HeavyStick]

You can't smoke on planes anymore.
Be prepared to have your CD player examined...take out the batteries before you go through the security...same with any vibes.
Do not carry tweezers or nail scissors in your carry-on luggage...they will be removed.
I will post more as I think of them.

have you traveled recently... or did you help someone pack? ;-)

 

[lobito]

passport is preferred, but not needed, unless leaving the country, obviously. Batteries aren't a problem most places, either. Be prepared to turn electronics on, to prove they work, and if you take a laptop, turn it on, and send it through x-ray, like that, it won't hurt it.

 

[Sillyman]

Shamanic magic is less effective the closer you are to an airport.

 

[Kitte]

passport is preferred, but not needed, unless leaving the country, obviously. Batteries aren't a problem most places, either. Be prepared to turn electronics on, to prove they work, and if you take a laptop, turn it on, and send it through x-ray, like that, it won't hurt it.

Im not bringing any electronics... a book an apple..and umm some Xanax...

 

[Rubyfruit]

Oh yeah...have BOTH your birth certificate and passport with you...just in case. They like two pieces of ID...must be the lucky number or something.

Having two pieces of photo ID is a really good idea when traveling.

The last time I flew, I lost my driver's license, so not only could I not rent my car at my destination, but I had a hell of a time boarding to go home.

 

[Mia62]

have you traveled recently... or did you help someone pack? ;-)

This was last year when I went to California.

Kitte...sorry, you are right, I forgot you are coming up here. You would only need the passport if you travelled internationally. You only need the two pieces of ID for when you are going to Canada or Mexico...sorry about the scare!!

Xanax will be ok as long as it is in the prescription bottle...don't carry them loose.

 

[ma_guy]

On the lighter thingy.. Pack your lighter in your checked bags and bring a book of matches on you so you can smoke unitil you go through security... You'll have to toss them as you clear security so the throw away matches are great plus you'll have your lighter when you get there...

All the sharp pointy things go in your checked bags too.. Remove batteries from anything in your checked bags while you are packing.

The zip lock bags work well for anything liquid (shampoo, cleansers, etc..)

Oh, since your local, if you are flying out of Logan park on the 4th level if you are using Central parking. All the pedestrian crosswalks at the lower levels are closed so you are going to have to go up to the 4th level to get to the terminals anyway. Ya might just as well park up there and save yourself some hassle. If you are flying Delta Airlines out of Logan (Terminal C) be there 2 hours early. They ALWAYS have a line and they are SLOW.....

 

[tswyk]

My nail scissors were taken from me just last week. Also, several months ago, a router bit (for wood-working).

A clock that was in my carry-on caused me to go through a special search - I was totally body-scanned and my boots were x-rayed. I guess it looked like a bomb.

If you're wearing a cast, be prepared to be pulled aside - trust me on that one!

Good luck! Have fun!

t

 

[HomerPindar]

Take the train...?

Phone ahead (I think this was suggested) to your local airport for details.

Oh, and don't take the xanax with you unless you carry the perscription bottle, and maybe the perscription as well. Anything loose that can be mistaken for drugs probably will be...

HomerPindar

 

[HeavyStick]

This was last year when I went to California.

k

 

[jfinn]

If you aren't flying out of the North American continent, there's no reason for a passport usually and as they airline already told you it wasn't necessary I wouldn't sweat it.

Call your local airport the day before the flight and ask them what there recommendation is for how early to get there. Mine even has that on their voicemail and it can change depending on staffing, dates and the level of perceived threat that's been determined by the State Department.

When you're standing in line to go through metal detectors make sure anything you're not going to be able to carry through (camera's, jewelry etc) is easily accessible so you don't hold up the line. And take off your shoes if you have any metal on, or in (arches), them at all. You'll dump all of that stuff in a bin that's provided by security. They'll check it separately and it will save you a lot of agravation and an up close and personal experience 900 pound Marshall with a magic wand.

Be prepared to possibly be searched at the gate. It's random and everybody wins that lottery eventually.

Airlines rarely provide meals anymore for flights under four hours and who wants to eat that muck anyway? If it is a long flight, like Hawaii, call ahead and order a vegetarian meal, it's much better than the norm. Even long layovers are not guarantees of finding food and then when you do it's five bucks for a hotdog or Mickey D's so my advice is eat before you get to the airport or bring food. Lots of people do that now and you don't have to worry about looking like one of the Beverly Hillbillies. Water is also good to have along.

Above all don't worry about looking stupid. Since 9/11 the rules are constantly changing and nobody really has a handle on it. The best thing to do is give yourself plenty of time and ask if you have a question.

Have a good trip.

Jayne

 

[Kitte]

Thanx Everyone! Keep the advice coming... Im taking notes!

But for now I am off to bed...

 

[acitore_vuli]

Oh, since your local, if you are flying out of Logan park on the 4th level if you are using Central parking. All the pedestrian crosswalks at the lower levels are closed so you are going to have to go up to the 4th level to get to the terminals anyway. Ya might just as well park up there and save yourself some hassle. If you are flying Delta Airlines out of Logan (Terminal C) be there 2 hours early. They ALWAYS have a line and they are SLOW.....

Better yet, if you're flying out of Logan, don't. Fly out of Green or Manchester NH instead.

 

[Chantal Marchon]

Shamanic magic is less effective the closer you are to an airport.

ROFL-- Have never tried shamanic magic at an airport, but I will take your word for it.

 

[ma_guy]

Better yet, if you're flying out of Logan, don't. Fly out of Green or Manchester NH instead.

lmao You got that right!

 

[Kitte]

Ok You TWO...lets clarify..this is a lets help Kitte be LESS nervous thread....

Now I am off to bed...really this time.