How to fly!
Tips and Advice:
My mother doesn’t travel much and when she does she describes it as a daunting if not terrifying and anxious experience. The last time I flew with her she just kept saying “how are people suppose to know what to do?”
1.) Arrival at airport – long stay carparks are convenient but expensive usually starting at about £35.00 per day and then dropping to around £20.00 over a period of time. Take public transport or bug a friend and talk to a taxi man – ask how long it takes to get the airport and make sure you arrive about an hour before hand.
Related Tip a.) If you’re getting a taxi, especially during the summer months, book in advance as actually quite a lot of people need taxis at in the morning and many companies will be fully booked.
Related Tip b.) You have to check-in online now so make sure you remember to do so and don’t leave it to the least minute. I missed a flight because my internet, neighbours internet, public library internet were all down for some reason and I couldn’t get my booking pass. I also know of folk who have saved their booking pass onto their computer’s in advance but forgot that they were out of printer ink to print the stupid thing out! (See – stress before you even begin)
2.) When packing, keep important items (like your wallet, passport, phone, booking pass and documents AND liquids) easily accessible so you don’t spend half an hour poking through your luggage at the airport.
3.) When checking bags, rucksacs and things with straps are usually labelled and then you have to take them to the outsized luggage area for security. Check with your airline to see the permitted weight of luggage, pack, step on bathroom scales and weigh yourself and then get on again with your luggage and subtract the difference. If your luggage is overweight you will have to pay extra unless you’re travelling as a family and then sometimes they will combine the luggage weight of everyone travelling.
4.) Don’t even bother trying to take sharp or pointed objects even a nail file – they will be confiscated. Some aerosol cans, batteries etc can cause problems too. Once when I was travelling my thieving friend nicked the cutlery from our flight over and the airline confiscated their own cutlery on the way back, even though it would be provided again on the plane!
5.) No liguids, make-ups, creams, gels, etc over 100ml are allowed. Not even a bottle of water and will be removed.
6.) Make sure you have a pound or euro coin on you as you have to display make-up and liquids in a clear plastic bag which they sell in dispensers at the airport for £1.00. some people bring their own food bags but the last airport I was at rejected that bag as not regulation. Others buy the clear make-up bags and again some airports will allow this and others won’t. if you’re not sure if it goes in the bag, put it n anyway as if the baggage scan shows a potentially threatening lip gloss they will put your bag aside to search it, rescan and check the sealable plastic bag for chemical residue. Also at the last air port we were at we were only allowed one of these tiny bags per person so if you love your make up you may be forced to leave it behind.
Related tip: Remember that wherever you’re travelling to it is likely that they will have many shops that sell shampoo, shower gel etc so you don’t need to spend a fortune buying travel sizes or going to the chemists in the airport shops after you’re through security. If you don’t really need it – don’t bring it!
7.) As you approach security have your boarding pass ready, take off your coat and take your liquids. When you get there you will have to take laptops and some electrical items from their cases for examination. Take off metal jewellery, empty your pockets and you may be asked to remove your shoes if you have heels that could contain a concealed apartment.
8.) Check hand luggage size allowances on your airline before you pack. When you buy luggage now they usually come with the dimensions printed so you can make sure it will pass regulations.
9.) Film Camera photographers – the smaller scans for hand luggage are fine but the big machines for the hold luggage will strip your negatives, so if you’re packing your camera, carrying on your film.
10.) When through security check the monitors for updates on your flight, as the time of embarking approaches a Gate number will be provided and there are many signs to point you in the right direction but make sure you leave yourself enough time to get there as larger terminal buildings can be so vast as to take you 20minutes to walk to the gate.
11.) Smokers – once you’re through security you can’t leave and can’t smoke!
12.) Once you get to the gate passengers will be called to board. Most cheap flights have unallocated seats so you need to be at the start of the queue if you want to sit together. Priority boarding passengers will be called first. You need to have your boarding pass and passport (or photographic ID – check which your airline accepts) out for inspection. Don’t put your boarding pass away again as you will be asked to show it when you board the plane itself to make sure you’re on the right flight. Don’t walk under the wings when approaching the aircraft.
13.) Hand luggage must be stored in the overhead compartments or (if it’s small), underneath the seat in front. You will be asked to turn off your phones and all electronic devices including MP3 players though the latter may be used once you’re in flight and the seat belt sign goes off.
14.) Before departure all passengers must be seated with seat belts buckled, chair in the upright position (there’s usually a button on the side of the arm rest for reclining) and trays closed (there are usually food trays on the back of the seat in front of you). If you are sitting on the seats at the wings and emergency exit you will not be allowed any baggage cluttering the floor.
15.) They will do the mandatory healthy and safety skit and will offer you every product under the sun from the passing trolleys which will bang your arm if it’s too far out into the aisle.
Many thanks for your attention!!!
