Are there any good resources for a young woman flying alone for the first time?

Question

i need tips for packing light and dealing with security and saftey rules and stuff.
Ive havent ridden on a plane since i was little and i have to switch planes and stuff and im just nervous about doing it alone.

Answer 1

Information...Knowledge is your strongest compatriot. Go to the TSA website and get the latest info. Check to see if you can get your boarding pass ahead of time. Some airlines allow that. Call the airline, as a former cust service rep. I can tell you we have had all the questions there could be. So ask the questions. We want you to fly and have a comfortable time doing it. Give yourself time. Something new takes time to learn. Relax don't rush the whole airport scene consider it part of the trip. Lot's of drama and people to watch, so try to enjoy it. If you are transferring aircraft you most likely won't have to go through security again, Most likely! Look online for concourse maps, print and put them with your tickets. Check it out as you wait for you plane. the airline rep should be able to tell you what gates you are going to use in the transfer. Then you will know where you are going before you get there.
Plan ahead, arm yourself with knowledge of the airports, airlines and relax. Don't get caught in the frenzy take the zen traveler approach and let the frazzled, hurried people flow over and around you. The crazed rushed drama that you will for sure see all around you may even make you laugh. Have fun on your trip!

Answer 2

fnsurf pretty much covered all the bases. The concourse maps you can get by searching for the airports you're going through, and once you're on your first flight the airline's magazine in the seatback pocket in front of you should have the maps as well.

A couple of other things to keep in mind. If you can select your seat assignment, do so. If you're flying on an Embraer regional jet (ERJ), for example, I prefer the left-hand seats as these are single seats by themselves, so you have both a window and an aisle seat at the same time. SeatGuru.com is a good place to check out, with seat maps for all the airlines, and with evaulations of the various seats available (which ones you want, and which ones you don't).

Also, customer service has deteriorated badly over the past few years, due to cost-cutting measures. You're lucky if they actually give you a whole soda can, and not just one of their mini-cups. Snacks are available on some airlines, but some (Northwest comes to mind) charge exhorbitant prices for their 'snack-packs', and it's cash-only, plus exact change required for the most part. So . . . bring something to snack on, but buy a bottle of water or soda in the airport after you've passed security (or they'll make you throw it away).

Wear shoes that you can take off and put on easily, no lace-up boots for example, just in case they make you remove them when you go through security.

Lastly, the Sept. 11th attacks have given the security folks (as well as at least some of the airline customer service folks) all the justification they need to treat everyone as if they were convicted criminals just released on parole. They have no sense of humor, and they have all the law enforcement procedures and policies on their side. There's always some bozo who gets lippy with them, and they'll ruin that guy's day every single time. Air travel used to be fun, but most of that's gone, and it's more of an ordeal to be endured than anything else.

Answer 3

Do you mean as an unaccompanied passenger or as a pilot? If it's the first, then all you have to do is alert the flight crew that it is your first airplane trip alone and they'll take special care and see to it that you are comfortable and safe.

If it's the second, a Bible can't hurt! Seriously, after taking enough lessons so that you're qualified to solo, you should have the confidence to embark on a solo flight. If you don't, then postpone it until you do.

Answer 4

I think you'll probably need a chap to do the important stuff. Most have.