I’ll never forget my first flight! I went on my first commercial flight on my 16th birthday. It was the most incredible experience and would shape my life in ways I could never have dreamed of. A 16 year old can sit and watch in awe and dream of one day becoming a flight attendant, and envision a life filled with travel. I doubt my parents sitting next to me on that flight from Atlanta to Houston had any idea the magnitude of that first flight.
Before Your First Flight
When you are packing, make sure that the things you may want to access during flight are in your carry-on bag. It isn’t convenient to pull your suitcase out of the overhead and dig through your clothes to get your headphones! If you need more packing tips I can help!
If you are flying I recommend downloading the app for your airline. You can check in for your flight right from the app and will have an electronic boarding pass. If you aren’t checking a bag you will be able to arrive at the airport and head straight to security. You can also select the option to have the notifications turned on for the flight so that you will find out when gates change or flights are delayed. I have found it to be even quicker for finding out about flight delays than waiting for the announcements from the gate agent.
When you get in line at security in some airports the employee standing there will want to see your boarding pass (but will not need id). They are checking to be sure you are getting in line for the correct terminal.
When you get to the TSA agent you will need to present your photo id (or passport for international flights) and boarding pass. If you are using the electronic pass you will place your phone screen down on their scanner so they can scan your boarding pass. Get more tips for getting through security with kids!
At Security
You will need to remove your shoes, coat, jacket, and large jewelry and of course anything from your pockets such as keys or phone. I do like to wear large bangle bracelets and big earrings, but I put them on after I get out of security…. just so I will have one less thing to do when I am going through.
There are big gray bins to place your belongings in. If you have a laptop, ipad, kindle, or large camera you will need to place it in a bin with NOTHING on top.
Your liquids or gels must be 3 ounces or less and in a clear quart size plastic bag. Each passenger is allowed one bag.
If you have food that is a mushier food it will also need to be removed from the bag. I didn’t know this and my bag was pulled because of my cornflake candy…. praise the lord they didn’t take it, but I did have to wait while they examined my bag more closely.
You can carry medications through and they are not under the same liquid rules. We travel with children’s tylenol and benedryl. On my most recent trip the liquid tylenol was still in the box. It is 4 ounces, but I placed it separate from the others and told the agent.
Children’s toys must take a ride in the bins. My daughter wasn’t pleased that her “teeny tiny baby” had to go through the machine, but if she wanted to go on the trip she had to take the short ride.
I love to carry a water bottle for each of us when we travel. If you have to buy bottled water it can get costly. (Check out more of my money-saving tips for traveling.) If you have a water bottle make certain it is empty before you enter. I always carry mine empty from home so that I don’t forget and lose my bottle. As soon as you are through security you will be able to find a water fountain and most are equipped to handle filling a bottle easily.
After you get through security you should check the monitors to be sure your gate hasn’t changed. If you are early feel free to explore. Many airports offer exhibits, and some have children’s play areas. Look at the website for your airport to find out what they may have. There are so many airports with children’s play areas, check my list to see if your airport has one!
At Your Gate For Your Flight
If you are traveling domestically and have your seat assignment you won’t need to check in with the gate agent. If you are awaiting a seat assignment you can check monitors near your gate area on Delta and United to see your name, what number you are on the list and how many seats are availabe. When you are cleared you will see your name on the cleared list as well as your seat assignment and zone number. If you are traveling as a non-rev passenger, check out these tips.
Many airports have art or museum type displays to check out! (San Francisco SFO airport)
Flights Board By Zones
Passengers that need special assistance will board first, families with children under 2 can also board early.
Your boarding zone or group helps to make the process go much quicker. Wait for your zone. There are some gate agents that will not allow you to board outside your zone.
You are allowed one carry-on bag as well as one personal item on your flight. Your personal item will need to go under the seat in front of you and you can place your carry-on bag in the overheard bin.
If you are traveling on a regional jet (my old plane) you will do a really awesome thing called gate check or valet your bag. The overhead bins on most of these are not large enough to accomodate the typical carry-on bag. You will get a special tag for your bag (usually brightly colored)! You will carry your bag to the plane and leave it just next to the door. A ramp worker will take those bags and place them in cargo for the flight. You will NOT have access to your bag during the flight. As with any bag that will be leaving your sight, take out any electronics that might get broken as well as any medication. When you arrive at your destination your bag will be brought to you plane side once again.
If you have a stroller you will need to tell the gate agent so that you can get a special tag. When you walk down to the plane you will leave it next to the main cabin door and when you arrive you will pick it up next to the main cabin door.
Welcome Aboard Your First Flight
The flight attendants are greeting you, but they are also checking to be sure rules are being followed. There are so many rules that the FAA has and they must be complied with. Some are rules you may never know exist and others will be pointed out to you.
The flight attendants will go over safety features of the aircraft as well as cover some of the rules in their safety demonstation. Such as you can’t smoke cigarettes or e-cigs on flights, ALL carry-ons must be stowed for take-off and landing. Your tray table must also be stowed for taxi, take-off, and landing.
If you are sitting in a bulk-head (a wall in front of your seat instead of a seat) all of your items will need to go in the overhead big. Purses, laptops…holding them isn’t counted as being secure…. neither is tucking them behind your legs. They must go up! Everything has to be under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin so that your items don’t prevent egress of you or fellow passengers in the event of an emergency situation.
If you are seating in the emergency exit row you must be willing and able to assist the flight crew if an evacauation is needed. If you don’t think you would be up to it… finding someone to trade with you will be a piece of cake. If you can’t communicate clearly (yell) and get the exit open the flight attendant will be able to find someone that will gladly swap with you. Also, children are not allowed in this row.
You are on your way!! The hard part is over. Now you can relax, enjoy a movie on your device or read a book.
What Are All Those Bells
The pilots and flight attendants are in constant communication with each other. They are separated by a locked cockpit door so communication comes in a variety of methods. You will hear lots of bells and dings.
The pilots will either announce for the flight attendant to be seated for take-off or call or ring the bell.
When the plane is below 10,000 feet it is the most critical phase of flight. The pilots are very busy and the flight attendants will remain seated. Once above 10K the pilots may make an announcement themselves or you may hear more bells.
When the seat belt sign goes on and off you will hear bells, you will also hear bells when the pilots call the flight attendants and you will sometimes hear bells in there is imminent turbulence and the pilots want the flight attendants to sit down immediately.
Beverage and Snack Service
Once you are through 10K feet, the flight attendants will begin preparing to do a beverage service. You will need to check with your airline to see what drinks and snacks are offered. For Delta and United the drink choices are Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Apple Juice, Orange Juice, Tomato Juice, water, hot tea and coffee. They have complimentary beverages and a small snack. On longer flights both offer snacks for purchase. Snack choice depends on the time of day and the distance traveled. Adult beverages are available for purchase using a credit or debit card. You can NOT bring your own alcoholic beverages onto the aircraft.
Stay hydrated!! I always carry our water bottles and fill them at a fountain once inside security.
Planes encounter turbulence! Planes fly in less than favorable weather. It might make you uncomfortable, but the planes can handle a lot of jostling around. The pilots are highly trained. They went through a lot to get to this point in their career, so rest easy knowing they aren’t just qualified, but experienced.
In Preparation For Landing
Anything that you took out during the flight will be to be stowed again. Tray tables must go back up and your seat belt must be fastened.
If you have trash the flight attendant will be happy to take it. The planes have a short amount of time on the ground before getting ready for the next one, so it is a huge help to keep things running on time.
When your plane is almost to the gate they may have to stop for a moment before they are there. Wait for the seatbelt sign to go off before you stand up.
Welcome To Your Destination
When you enter the terminal you will be able to find signs telling you the way to baggage claim/ground transportation. If you have a connection there are monitors throughout the terminal to tell you the gate. Some airports will require you to leave the secure area to get to your connection which will mean going through security again. Be sure this is the case for you before you leave the secure area. (This is more likely to happen if you are changing airlines or switching to an international flight.)
I hope that your trip is amazing and please let me know if there is something that I left out that you feel may be helpful to others.
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