Everything You Need to Know For Your First Time Flying

Flying on an airplane for the first time can be SO overwhelming. There are tons of questions you may have on what is and is not permitted and let’s face it, Google does not always give clear answers. Sometimes, you even leave your search with more confusion, anxiety, or questions than when you started….not for nothing the specifications can seem overwhelming. Rest assure knowing you are not in this alone and that flying for the first time can be stressful for anyone! Hopefully this post will make it a little easier for you to not only prepare, but also to understand terminology so you can be confident in your skills to navigate through the airport for your upcoming journey-even on your own!

Terminology

TSA short for transportation security administration this is the area that you will go through prior to being able to continue on to your assigned terminal. Here you will be scanned while your carry on/personal items will go through a machine to be checked

Gate is a number assigned per each flight (located on your boarding pass) so you know where to go prior to boarding your plane.

Terminal/concourse is an area assigned per each flight (also located on your boarding pass) so you know which section to find your upcoming flight. Think of it like labeled hallways in high school. .

Carry-on is exactly what it sounds like, it is a bag/roller/suitcase that is under a certain dimension (no larger than 9in x 14in x 22 in. or 22cm x 35cm x 56cm) that you carry onto the plane with you. These items are stored in the overhead bin above your seat once you get on the plane. You will be responsible for toting this item around, so naturally you will have access to this item during flight once the seat belt signs are off.

Personal item is any bag that you carry on the plane with you that goes underneath the seat in-front of you (no larger than 18in x 14in x 8in or 45cm x 35cm x 20cm.). There is no specification on what exactly this item is; therefore, your purse, a duffel bag, book bag, laptop case and items of that nature would all classify. Your personal item is one item per person. You will be responsible for toting this item around and it will be easily accessible to you inflight. In-fact, right at your feet!

Checked bag is any bag/luggage/item that you have the airline “check-in” for you. Basically before you do anything, you drop this item (or multiples) off at the counter. The airline will store this under the plane for you. The beauty in this option is once you drop it off, you do not have to worry about it at all until you reach your final destination. Yes, even if you have a connecting flight/layover the airport will still transfer your bag for you and there is nothing needed on your end. These bags should be no more than 50 pounds and are commonly around 27in x 21in x 14in. but equate to 62 total inches (158cm).

Baggage claim this is the area you go to once you have reached your final destination to pick up your checked bags. It is a big labeled area where everyone’s luggage is loaded onto a looping conveyor belt. You wait around with everyone else until you see your luggage, at which point you go up and grab it. Double check the tag on it to be sure it is actually yours!

Boarding pass this is your plane ticket. This has all of your information on it, your name which needs to match your ID, your flight number, your gate number, boarding times and terminal letter. All of your boarding information for them to scan as you load onto the plane.

Flight number this is a number that tells you what flight you are on. This is important because it helps you know where to find your assigned aircraft, if there are delays or changes in your flight

Group/Zone is something indicated on your boarding pass that will tell you which group you are assigned to board with. Think of when you go to the DMV and have to take a number, sometimes they section you off based on your needs for going in and then given a number. Only with airlines they determine the group/zone by various things like customers who need to pre-board due to health concerns, limitations, or traveling with young children, class or status of flight (ex. first class), and other reasons.

Position/Seat this is your assigned (or not assigned) number for your seat. Let me explain, most airlines do give you assigned seats that will be indicated by a number and a letter. The number tells you how far down to go on the plane to find your row (they are labeled on overhead bin strips) and the letter (A,B, or C) tells you if you are an isle, middle, or window seat…these are also labeled. However, not every airline assigns seats and instead has something called “open seating”…in which case the position number assigned on your boarding pass is simply an indication of what number you are in your group to board the plane. So again, think of this like that DMV ticket….the first letter indicates where you fall priority wise on boarding and the number next to is what your position in line is. In open seating situations, once you get onto the aircraft you have free range to pick any seat that looks good to you.

Clear as mud on the terminology now, right? Perfect, that means we can move on to some general questions…..here we go

What can I pack in my checked luggage?

Checked luggage is stored under the plane and you will not have access to this once you check it in. This makes the stipulations different thus, it is a little easier to bring some of those not so friendly TSA items with you on your journey. Here are some things you CAN ONLY put in your checked luggage per TSA guidelines, aerosol insecticide (must be non hazardous), alcoholic beverages (must be unopened in original packaging, no more than 70% alcohol, and if between 24%-70% alcohol the bottle cannot be more than 5 liters/1.3 gallons) this means nothing over 140 proof., ammunition depending on the airline (must be packed a certain way, so read TSA guidelines on their website ). Really, there are so many things you CAN put in your checked luggage that this would be a very long list.

Basically, if you’re going on vacation everything you can think of that you might need to take with you, more than likely you can pack. Hair dryers, straighteners, beard trimmers, large bottles of perfume, shampoo, cologne… are all okay. Heck, bow and arrow, breast pumps, even blenders can go in here. So yes, those souvenirs or gifts can too. Just remember your checked bag is transported under the plane and if you’ve ever watched them load/unload the stowed baggage, they definitely are not gentle. So breakable items need to be securely wrapped or in your carry-on (if allowed). No vape pens in that checked bag though!

what can I pack in my carry-on or personal item?

A lot! Clothes, straighteners, snacks, laptops/electronics, cameras, water bottle, shampoos, lotions, vape pens, makeup, disposable razors, inhalers, medications, toothbrush, gels, that can all go in these items too. The only thing is, you need to be mindful of HOW MUCH of certain items.

TSA has a 3-1-1 rule for liquids, aerosols, and gels (mouthwash, lotions, toothpaste, shampoo, you get the point) on personal or carry-on items. The rule means that the items must be 3.4 ounces/100 mL or smaller in one quart sized bag and one bag per person. It can be a bit confusing to understand so let me just make it simple for you, go out and buy quart sized zip lock bags, make sure all your perfume, shampoo, mouthwash, lotions, and everything alike is 3.4oz/100mL or under. Put all of those items you want to take into that quart size zip lock bag and if it fits, you’re good to go.

What about food?

You can take bags of chips, chocolate, homemade sandwiches (in a container or zip lock), and a long list of other items on the plane with you. When I left Texas, I brought back a zip lock bag full of my leftover BBQ. When I left New Orleans I brought back a bag of the beignets from Cafe Du Monde in the little white to-go bag they came in. When I left Washington I brought back some cookies not in a zip lock. You see the trend here? Just remember no liquids until after you get through TSA. I will explain more on this later.

Both your personal and carry-on bags are accessible to you during your flight. Again, your personal item will be the MOST accessible, because it will be right at your feet! The carry-on will be overhead so if the fasten seat belt light remains on for the entire flight you may not be able to get to these items. Be mindful of this when you’re packing your bags.

How much will my checked, carry-on, or personal item cost me?

The simple answer, it depends on which airline you are flying. Each airline is different so the fees vary from one to the next. Some airlines you even have to pay for your specific seat aka seat selection fees (unless you allow them to randomly choose). I personally have flown many airlines and prefer Southwest for their hassle free accommodations, but not everyone feels this way- and that is totally okay. To better inform and prepare y’all, I have created a list with the most recent prices for the top ten most used airlines within the USA. ***Note these are for standard purchased tickets, not including discounts, military, card holder perks, rewards, or any of that.

Airline	Checked	Carry-on	Personal Item
Delta	1st-$25 2nd-$35	free	free
Alaska	1st-$30 2nd-$40 **free if flying within Alaska	free	free
JetBlue	1st-$35 2nd-$45	free	free
American	1st-$30 2nd-$40	free	free
Southwest	1st-Free 2nd-Free	free	free
United	1st-$35 2nd-$45	not allowed with economy ticket	free
Hawaiian	1st-$30 2nd-$40	free	free
Allegiant	1st-$30 2nd-$45	$18-30	free
Frontier	1st-$41 2nd-$51	$40	free
Spirit	1st-$30 2nd-$40	$35	free

Just a cautionary statement here, baggage fees ARE SUBJECT to change and are generally CHEAPER when you purchase them ONLINE WITH YOUR TICKET. They WILL be more expensive if you purchase them at the airport the day of your flight, are over the 50lb limit per bag, and as you add additional checked luggage. Heed my warning-any bag intended as a carry-on, but does not fit their requirements will be subject to a handling fee($25?) in addition to the checked luggage fee-depending on the airline.

It is also noteworthy to mention that if you are traveling with a baby/child, their larger necessities check fo’ FREE and do not count toward your checked baggage i.e. strollers and car seats. Assistive devices (oxygen tanks, diaper bags, and such) typically do not count as carry-on/personal items…psst this means you get to tote extra crap at no extra fee.

Do not stress yourself about the stroller(s), because you are able to use them throughout the airport. As you go to board your flight, an attendant will come to load your stroller for you. Once you get to your destination, they will also unload it and have it waiting for you as you exit the aircraft.

Musical instruments that are within the size guidelines can be used as a carry-on and stored in the overhead bin. Now that, that is over…let’s move on.

What do I need to fly?

Assuming none of this is out-of-country, a valid photo ID (drivers licenses, state ID, DoD) and your boarding pass

Can I take my drinks with me?

Yes and no. Yes, you may take beverages onto the aircraft with you. No, you may not take them through TSA. Unless it is within that liquid rule I covered in the carry-on section. So what this means is, prior to going through TSA empty your reusable water bottle (my personal favorite because it can be clipped onto your bag), but once you get through TSA go find a water bottle fill station and refill it. You can also purchase food and drinks in the food areas (after TSA) and take those onboard as well. So if you have a quick layover and want to grab a bite to eat in the terminal before your next flight, or need a little Starbucks pick-me-up feel free to take those with you onboard!

What am I not allowed to pack in my carry-on or personal item?

• scissors with blades longer than 4inches/6centimeters
• liquids over 3.4 ounces/100mL
• aerosols
• sharp objects
• knives
• razor blades
• lighter

To summarize……

there is a lot to be covered and it can all be overwhelming…. but it is not as scary as it seems. Follow these very basic guidelines and you will be fine

• pack wisely and use common sense
• do not forget your boarding pass and ID
• do not leave your carry-on/personal items unattended
• use the billboards posted to double check your flight information and times

If I left anything out please do not hesitate to ask or if there is something you want clarification on. I will do my absolute best to break it all down and if I am unable to, I will direct you to a reliable source that can.