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Flying somewhere for the first time by myself in 4 days... Need advice

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nuttynutskin

nuttynutskin

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Long story short I'm going on a trip for 9 days to see a woman I met online. We developed a long distance relationship first through posts on a different forum, then emails, then phone calls and she eventually ended up coming up here to see me last summer. Things went good so now I'm going down to see her.

Anyways Wasn't really feeling nervous about my trip until just today. Not so much nervous about the actual flying, but just making sure everything goes as planned especially at the airports. The only time I ever flew on a jetliner was with my family when I was 4 or 5 and I have no recollection of that.

So I guess I'm wondering if anyone has tips on making my check in and airport stuff go as smoothly as possible. I'm only doing carry-on so i don't have to worry about luggage, and I'm doing an electronic ticket (from priceline). One thing I was wondering is once you get the boarding pass is that good for all your other fights? Also is bringing my prescription xanax going to cause any problems? That's probably enough for now...

Anyone? :(
 
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get to the airport early. like an hour or more before you depart. make sure your prescription is really your prescription -- with your full name on the bottle and everything. if you have multiple flights, you should be given multiple boarding passes when you check in. god i fucking hate flying.
 
What Kenickie said but I'd recommend getting there 2 hours early just to ease your anxiety some. Make sure you have your liquids sorted out (3oz or less per container/bottle) and in a 1 gallon clear plastic bag. Double, triple check that your ID is good. Wear shoes that are easy on/off for security, dont wear a bunch of metal stuff because you just have to take it off at security anyway. Be patient in line because TSA is slow as hell + other people (especially older or folks with kids) can take a ton of time getting their things inspected/scanned. Be prepared to put your laptop (if you are taking one) in its own bin for scanning. Tablets, thank Jesus, do not need to be scanned alone. Make sure you have nothing sharp or could be misunderstood as a weapon in your carry on or you will be escorted for private questioning. Check the TSA website for things you can and cannot carry on with you.

Last thing, take a book or magazine with you.
 
Wyld 4 X said:
What Kenickie said but I'd recommend getting there 2 hours early just to ease your anxiety some. Make sure you have your liquids sorted out (3oz or less per container/bottle) and in a 1 gallon clear plastic bag. Double, triple check that your ID is good. Wear shoes that are easy on/off for security, dont wear a bunch of metal stuff because you just have to take it off at security anyway. Be patient in line because TSA is slow as hell + other people (especially older or folks with kids) can take a ton of time getting their things inspected/scanned. Be prepared to put your laptop (if you are taking one) in its own bin for scanning. Tablets, thank Jesus, do not need to be scanned alone. Make sure you have nothing sharp or could be misunderstood as a weapon in your carry on or you will be escorted for private questioning. Check the TSA website for things you can and cannot carry on with you.

Last thing, take a book or magazine with you.
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I've taken several flights in the last few months - tablets now need to be removed from your hand luggage as if they were a notebook. It's nothing major though and not something that would delay you or cause you problems.


I would say make sure that your ID is in order, you have the appropriate travel documents, boarding cards, visas (if necessary) passport with enough time left on it for travel, enough Paper money to cover expenses during transit and a credit card. A fully charged phone with international calls authorized can also give you peace of mind incase you get stuck somewhere.
 
*I'd say be two hours early, even if it's a small airport.
*The boarding passes will be good for all your flights.
*Keep your shoes untied, if you're using laces.
*Prescription meds shouldn't be a problem in carry-on, but you're kind of limited on what you can take through; note that they won't even let toothpaste go through if that's in your bag.
*Take a whizz before you get on the plane. There are toilets on the plane, of course, but--yeah, just go before you get on the plane.
*Take a book or mp3 player. I'd also recommend bringing a light snack through security, if you want to avoid overpriced airport fare (not to mention that it could tide you over through the flight itself).
*DO NOT get visibly drunk; the effects will get even worse once you're at altitude and they lower the cabin pressure. They will not let you board.
 
Thanks Belisarius and everyone else. I have a better idea of what I'm doing now. I guess I won't get too drunk, maybe 8 drinks or so a couple hours ahead of time. I'm pretty good at hiding it tho and have a high tolerance. lol
 
I'm always prepared to be more drunk. lol

Seriously tho, what is this altitude thing? I know the cabins are pressurized and all that. Now that I think of that I don't really know what that means either. lol
 
most airlines only take credit/debit cards for in flight purposes. so if you want to buy any food or drink, make sure you have a credit/debit card with you.
 
nuttynutskin said:
I'm always prepared to be more drunk. lol

Seriously tho, what is this altitude thing? I know the cabins are pressurized and all that. Now that I think of that I don't really know what that means either. lol
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I don't know about getting drunk on a plane, but I do know from personal experience that drinking at altitude will cause your tolerance to drop significantly.

don't forget your music- iPod, mp3 player, or walkmen, this shit is fucking vital.
 
Something about lower pressure makes people absorb alcohol more quickly, or metabolize it more slowly. In any event, the same amount of alcohol will cause you to become more intoxicated at a higher altitude than it would at sea level. This is noticeable even when (lowland) drinkers go to say, Denver for a weekend bender.
 
It will be fine!

I find flying by myself a far more relaxing and enjoyable experience, I don´t have the stress of everyone else thinking they´ve forgotten X, will be late for Y, and accidentally packed Z..

Window seat is best for sleeping, Aisle seat is best for legroom and/or a weak bladder :P All there is to it.
 
nuttynutskin said:
Seriously tho, what is this altitude thing? I know the cabins are pressurized and all that. Now that I think of that I don't really know what that means either. lol
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the cabin is pressurized, but not to sea level - it's the equivalent of being at about 8k ft above sea level, which not coincidentally is right below where the average person starts to develop problems with altitude. if you're sensitive to altitude it can be a real problem, though.
 
Thanks guys I'm not too nervous now. Although vodka and xanax will definitely be my friends. lol

Due out the door in about 2hrs. Feeling pretty good about things. lol
 
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i get hammered every time i fly. not because i'm scared of flying, but just because i like getting hammered. airport bars are pretty much the greatest places on earth.
 
I hate being drunk in airports/airplanes! It's too cumbersome to use the airport/airplane bathroom while carrying two bags and a coat. Plus its stuffy and crowded and flying gives me a headache anyway.... I just try and stay hydrated so I can drink when I get to wherever I'm going.
 
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