Never been on a plane

[amytug 996]

What's it like? I mean I've seen it in movies and I went to pick up a friend from an airport when I was 14, but What do I do!!??

I know you can order plane tickets online. I believe even from an app? If I go to our smaller more local airport I'll be on a smaller American Airlines plane. Is this bad? (For some reason, smaller plane = not as good to me. Not sure why.)

I'm nervous about the layover mostly. How do I make sure I don't miss my plane, having never been in the airport or experienced any of this before!?

Anything else I should know? I plan on packing light so hopefully I can carry it on and not worry about baggage claim.

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,145]

Take off and landing are the most "eventful" part of flying. Once you're in the air it is more often than not pretty smooth. Ask to have some tea if you're nerves act up.

Before you're getting ready to land, let the flight attendants know it's your 1st flight and ask for help getting to your next plane.

Given the nature your trip you could probably get away with carry on only. Then your belongings will never leave your company.

Amanda Rae

[Catherine Shinn Habhab 97]

some people really like flying! let's hope that you are one of them.

if you have trouble walking any distance and have close connection times, request wheelchair service. sometimes little commuter plane terminals are so far away from the main airport terminals, ask when purchasing your ticket.

several years ago my kids and i had been delayed and connection times were literally ten minutes, i told my kids to RUN the 40 some gates to the plane and told them to tell the gate employees that their mom is coming! lol

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,145]

I've read many say they were glad the used a wheelchair. I understand it made travel postop easier.

Amanda Rae

[onlymom 1]

I've been on small planes on short hops where about the time you reach "altitude" you start preparing for desent. I've been on big planes on 14 hour flights. I prefer the larger planes but only because I got used, on those long hauls, to standing up most of the flight, and there is no place to stand in the small planes. (And no time to stand on short hops.)

I like take-off, and about the only time I sleep on a plane is during landing. I like the minor pressure of take-off, and there is something about landing that is very soothing to me.

Switching planes should not be too difficult, but it depends on the airport. Most likely if you are not going abroad, you won't have far to go between your arrival and departure gates. There are boards with all arrivals and departures listed, their planned arrival/departure times, any delays, and the gate all displayed in a table. If you don't see one, ask, and if you are not sure which direction to your gate, ask again. But Amanda Rae has made a very good suggestion. You can try that. If your layover is short, that would be your best bet.

They do hold planes for delayed flights with connecting passengers. I've sat in many cabins waiting for delayed connections. And many airlines will have someone at your arrival gate who can tell you where your connection is. They will also usually announce all connections during landing.

The worse part of the flight for me is loading an unloading. In some countries, people stand up as soon as the plane stops, and it seems like it takes 15 minutes or more before they even open the doors. Then it is another 10 minutes or so while people in the aisles get their carry-ons out of the overheads. I just sit in my seat until the aisles are clear.

[onlymom 1]

I've read many say they were glad the used a wheelchair. I understand it made travel postop easier.

Amanda Rae

This is also an option. My sister's in-laws use a wheelchair when they come to visit because they don't speak English and they arrive at a major hub that requires traveling by tram from one gate to another sometimes. When you request a wheelchair, someone meets you at your arrival gate and pushes you to your departure gate. I think there is a fee for this.

[Catherine Shinn Habhab 97]

Onlymom your comments about people immediately standing up when landing made me laugh! I know I'm on my way back to the middle east just by the way people act upon boarding that last plane, move over little old ladies and small children...the stampede has begun lol!!!

[HoosierGirl 780]

Amytug - Flying....you will enjoy it!

When you get thru security and to your gate at the airport, most airlines will allow "early bording" for those that need a little extra time. They will announce this as they are ready to let folks board the plane. My suggestion is to take the early bording time since this is a first flight. When you walk from the airport down the jetway to the plane, there will be an attendant on the plane and you could mention to them you are a first timer. Most are helpful. There is over your seat for a suitcase and under the seat in front of you for a purse or bag. Once everyone is one the plane, the attendant will review safety information. Then the pilot will come on and tell you about the weather, altitude and flight time. The attendant makes sure everyone has their belt buckeled and you take off. During flight, they will make some announcements and then will offer drinks/snack. Then, you land.

When you have the layover, you will get off one plane, walk into the airport and look for monitors that tell you where your next flight will depart from. One thing I will mention about layovers....if you are traveling when the weather could be snowy or icy, I would avoid travel through Detroit or Chicago or other cold weather city. You are just asking for trouble on a layover!

I have flown on all sized aircraft and I actually enjoy the smaller planes. They are more quick to board and get ready to go. Generally, the smaller planes are for shorter flights or serve smaller airports. Some of these might be turbo prop planes and they are more noisey. But if you are able to get regional jet service, that is pretty nice!

Good luck - you are going to do great! Allow yourself plenty of time when you arrive at the airport and take it all in. It's actually pretty fun.

[AStephenson 159]

Hey Amytug...I have more fear/anxiety over my flight than anything else! This will be my first flight as well

[julielle 199]

Don't worry about the connections, I've flown many times but unless it's airports that I go to often I don't usually remember the layouts, or I go to airports that are completely new. I've never gotten lost, they mark it really well, they assume that a lot of people getting off the plane are new to the airport. It's always easiest when you don't have to switch terminals, but even if you have to switch terminals it's easy to do, just takes more time. I'd allow yourself an hour for layovers just so you're not stressed about it, it SUCKS to cut it short with a short layover, you'll be running through the airport, and any delay on your first flight will make you a nervous wreck. If you do have to switch terminals there will usually be signs, such as tram to terminal C at gate A-23 or something like that. Or "Bus to terminal B at gate C-23". Oh and recheck your departure gate on the monitors, I've had it happen several times that the gate written on the ticket was not the same as the one written on the monitors, the monitors have the most updated information so follow that.

I don't like flying, the seats are tiny and ugh, for ME take off and landing sucks because I feel such pressure in my ears. Since you don't know if this will be a problem for you or not, I highly recommend you buy a pair of Earplanes prior to the trip since those help lessen the pain if your ears are sensitive to the pressure. You can also check with your surgeon and see if you can take a decongestant prior to the flight, that helps too. I took Benadryl and it helped. Chewing gum during take off and landing can also help.

An aisle seat for me is better because I don't want to be stuck by the window and have to ask the person or people next to me to get up if I want to stretch my legs. At least in the aisle you can get up whenever you want. The annoying part about the aisle: If you have a window seat person that wants to get up 5 times during the flight

For the security, you need to have all your liquids in one gallon ziplock bag, and take that out of your carry on before scanning it. You also have to remove your shoes so slip on shoes may be easier, my husband wears running shoes and I'm always done way before him! Oh and when they tell you to remove everything from your pockets, remove EVERYTHING. I had a kleenex in there and it set off the machine

[amytug 996]

Thank you everyone! Hazels, so thorough!! Thank you!!!!

[Melody 6]

I have never been on a plane and so stressed out about every aspect of it. Not the flying part. The baggage, carry on guidelines, finding where I suppose to be. Missing my flight. Check in. I booked my flight on my iphone app.

[Happy2BSleeved 9]

I have never been on a plane and my biggest fear is being to big for the seat.

[amys 41]

I've been on a plane once, and I threw up! Im really worried about this happening, especially post op! Im most scared about flying out of all things haha so I get ur worries:)

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,145]

I have never been on a plane and my biggest fear is being to big for the seat. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I share that same worry. I haven't flown since I was 18. I'm pushing for an aisle seat. Plus my mom will be beside me.

Amanda Rae