Teach me how to travel on an airplane?

[Anonymous]

TSA prohibited list: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items

TSA "3-1-1" policy for liquids and gels: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/3-1-1-carry-ons

[Anonymous]

Definitely wear shoes that can slip off easily for security.
DD can keep her shoes on.
Limit jewelry so you won't need to spend time taking it off to go through security
Avoid a belt if you can
iPad can stay in your bag, but you will have to take a laptop out.
Super Shuttle is terrible. Take anyone but them. Just get a cab and pay the extra money. Especially with LA traffic...just no.
Get DD some small gift to use midflight. Kids can get antsy on a long haul, even older ones.
I prefer an aisle seat on a long flight, but I go to the bathroom a lot. The window can be exciting for a first time flier.

Have fun, and spring for a cab!
Have fun!

[Anonymous]

"Take out my hair"???? Like a wig???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Take out my hair"???? Like a wig???

No. In certain jails when you visit they make you take out any barrettes or clips in the process of searching you before letting you in to see a prisoner. I was asking if it's like that, because if it is, I won't bother doing a french braid.

[Anonymous]

I would go to a dollar store for your dd for cheap little presents to keep her entertained. iPad will work wonders too.

Don't worry so much! Everyone acts like an idiot when flying, so no one will notice if you're nervous that it's your first time. Trust me you will be just fine!!!!! And remember the flight attendants are there to help you. Don't be afraid to ask for help if needed. You don't have to explain yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Take out my hair"???? Like a wig???

No. In certain jails when you visit they make you take out any barrettes or clips in the process of searching you before letting you in to see a prisoner. I was asking if it's like that, because if it is, I won't bother doing a french braid.

Ha! I was just thinking that (I worked in prison).

It is not the same level of security as prison/jail. You won't need to take out your hair and you won't need to do a pat/search unless you set off alarm. Also, unlike when you go to prison/jail - they can not take away your flight (or make you feel like you did something wrong) so don't be nervous about going through security.

Let me second (or third, or fourth) do not take the super shuttle. It's terrible. Cab, bus or metro is better.

Also, while you can't bring liquid on the plane, I usually bring snacks on the plane because depending on the flight - the food is terrible. If you have a 10 year old, she may get hungry. Granola bars, or something else may be helpful.

[Anonymous]

Also don't worry about travel with your daughter. I fly alone with my 3 yo twins all the time and security with them is a total breeze. We don't have to use the large machine (that goes around you)- just want through the old school one. TSa I've experienced is a lot friendlier too when I have them. Easy going and more flexible. I've never been patted down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Take out my hair"???? Like a wig???

No. In certain jails when you visit they make you take out any barrettes or clips in the process of searching you before letting you in to see a prisoner. I was asking if it's like that, because if it is, I won't bother doing a french braid.

Ha! I was just thinking that (I worked in prison).

It is not the same level of security as prison/jail. You won't need to take out your hair and you won't need to do a pat/search unless you set off alarm. Also, unlike when you go to prison/jail - they can not take away your flight (or make you feel like you did something wrong) so don't be nervous about going through security.

Let me second (or third, or fourth) do not take the super shuttle. It's terrible. Cab, bus or metro is better.

Also, while you can't bring liquid on the plane, I usually bring snacks on the plane because depending on the flight - the food is terrible. If you have a 10 year old, she may get hungry. Granola bars, or something else may be helpful.

Thanks. I'm not bringing snacks or toys on the plane. She can make do with what they offer, and will live being bored for a while. Unfortunately, Super Shuttle is the cheapest option door to door by a very long shot, so we will simply have to deal with it, however bad it may wind up being. But I am optimistic they can get us from one major destination to another.

[Anonymous]

they patted my pony tail a few weeks ago, FYI. But they didn't make me take it out.

[Anonymous]

I would seriously also recommend you taking some sort of relaxant. You seem genuinely terrified of flying - where is your sense of adventure? If you stress, the kid will stress. Every airport has very good signs and directions-you needn't worry about getting lost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would seriously also recommend you taking some sort of relaxant. You seem genuinely terrified of flying - where is your sense of adventure? If you stress, the kid will stress. Every airport has very good signs and directions-you needn't worry about getting lost.

Getting through each day is a harrowing adventure as it is. I don't need to travel. LOL, I am not taking a relaxant and am not terrified of flying. I am stressed about taking a child through bigger crowds than we've been through before and losing her far from home. But I am not afraid of flying in and of itself. It's fine if the kid stresses a bit - she'll live.

[Anonymous]

Not bring snacks is a mistake OP. They will not have food on the flight and it's a long flight for a hungry kid from DC to LAX. Throw some granola bars in your purse. Also expect the super shuttle to take 2-4 hours.

[Anonymous]

Getting through each day is a harrowing adventure as it is. I don't need to travel. LOL, I am not taking a relaxant and am not terrified of flying. I am stressed about taking a child through bigger crowds than we've been through before and losing her far from home. But I am not afraid of flying in and of itself. It's fine if the kid stresses a bit - she'll live.

Do you live in DC? Because the crowds at an airport are less than the crowds at a mall at Christmastime or an elementary school play, or the halls on back to school night. The one time when there will be a number of people in close proximity is when you are in lines ti be scanned and then there are cords to keep the line organized. Your kid would have to make a special effort to run away, and if she did you'd have airport security everywhere to help you find her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Take out my hair"???? Like a wig???

No. In certain jails when you visit they make you take out any barrettes or clips in the process of searching you before letting you in to see a prisoner. I was asking if it's like that, because if it is, I won't bother doing a french braid.

Ha! I was just thinking that (I worked in prison).

It is not the same level of security as prison/jail. You won't need to take out your hair and you won't need to do a pat/search unless you set off alarm. Also, unlike when you go to prison/jail - they can not take away your flight (or make you feel like you did something wrong) so don't be nervous about going through security.

Let me second (or third, or fourth) do not take the super shuttle. It's terrible. Cab, bus or metro is better.

Also, while you can't bring liquid on the plane, I usually bring snacks on the plane because depending on the flight - the food is terrible. If you have a 10 year old, she may get hungry. Granola bars, or something else may be helpful.

Thanks. I'm not bringing snacks or toys on the plane. She can make do with what they offer, and will live being bored for a while. Unfortunately, Super Shuttle is the cheapest option door to door by a very long shot, so we will simply have to deal with it, however bad it may wind up being. But I am optimistic they can get us from one major destination to another.

Why not? They will give you 1 soda/juice, a small bag of pretzels or nuts. That's it. For 5+ hours. Why would it be so hard for you to pack some apples, grapes or bananas? A couple of granola bars? I would take gum at the very least since your ears will pop.

[Anonymous]

OP here with an update:

We missed our flight. I checked in online the day before. DD awoke with a nervous stomach and was puking and sharting all morning. She threw up on the train on the way to the airport. I didn't know they might change the gate the plane departs from and didn't realize that had happened. We finally sorted it out and got to the right gate after they had closed the door, which apparently they can't re-open.

We waited two hours and a nice flight attendant got us on a different flight. DD puked on the plane. I was so proud of how neatly she puked.

But other than that, everything went smoothly.