Teach me how to travel on an airplane?

[Anonymous]

I have never been. Yes, I'll wait for you to pick your jaw up off the ground.

So this Friday I am flying somewhere, and I have some questions.

1. I am aiming to get travel sizes of my toiletries because I'm only taking a carryon bag and not checking luggage. I will be staying at a hotel, but can you tell me if I'm forgetting anything?
contact lens solution, conditioner, moisturizer, and hair styling stuff (I'll squirt some in a tiny bottle?). I am relying on the hotel to provide hand soap, shower soap and shampoo.

2. I'll be using Super Shuttle to get from the airport to the hotel and back. Am I to tip the driver?

3. I am really scared of getting lost at LAX and not being able to find Super Shuttle. Help me to not cry.

4. I'm going to have my purse, which can fit my iPad, and a carryon bag that's big for a purse but small for even a small suitcase. The plane people will let me on the plane with both of those, right?

5. TSA will have me take off my shoes, I read. Will they also have me take out my hair, or is it okay to have it in a braid?

6. If I am picked for a random extra screening will they let me keep my child with me? I am very scared of losing her in a big crowd at the airport.

[Anonymous]

I can only answer some of these

1. That sounds fine. You can always buy stuff if you need it at your destination
2. Never used Super Shuttle sorry
3. There will be signs, but you can also ask. No one is going to bite your head off.
4. Yes, you are allowed one personal item (purse, diaper bag, laptop bag) and one carry-on
5. No, you do not have to take out your hair
6. No, they will not separate you from your child. They will have her stand to the side while they pat you down/wave the wand over you, but they are not going to leave a child unattended.

I know this is your first time flying, but you almost seem to be overthinking things and causing yourself more anxiety. Just be polite and calm. If you stay like that, people are much more likely to be patient and helpful.

[Anonymous]

Don't worry! there will be signs everywhere. You should follow the signs to super shuttle, but if it's not there, go to the taxi stand signs.

Yes you tip super shuttle. Normally I tip about 15% but read that taxis generally get 10%.

Breathe! Flying is really easy. Just a lot of walking and waiting in line.

[Anonymous]

1. Your toiletries, including cosmetics that are liquid or gel (foundation) need to go in a separate bag. If you don't have them in a separate bag, there are usually bags provided there that you can put things in. They go through the x-ray outside your carry on bag. If you find that you forgot something, you can usually acquire at the hotel. Hotels also usually have a basic body lotion. Don't forget toothpaste!

2. I don't know about Super Shuttle as have never taken, sorry.

3. It's been years since I've been to LAX, but Super Shuttle will likely pick up at "GROUND TRANSPORTATION". There will be many signs for this area. It is usually near or just past the baggage claim. If you get lost, please ask an airport employee. They are there to help. Note: not an airLINE employee. They often have other stuff going on.

4. They will let you take both of those items on the plane. Your purse will fit under your seat and your larger carry on will go in the overhead bins. If you have trouble fitting it up there, a flight attendant will help. Worst case scenario, you will have to gate check it, which means that they will put it under the plane and will bring it back up and you will collect it on the jet bridge. Other worst case scenario is that they'll have to put your bag a couple rows back, which will mean you'll have to get back there to get it. Someone will help - someone always does.

5. You will be asked to take off your shoes, belt and outer jacket. You will remove any big metal jewelry (I have a cuff bracelet that I wear almost all the time that I always have to remove). Then you go through the scanner. You don't have to take your hair out of a braid. If you are traveling with a young child, you will go through the regular x-ray machine with the child. You will not be separated from your child. The "extra screening" takes place right through the security line. You will not be out of sight of the rest of the passengers unless you request to be screened in private.

Have a good flight!

[Anonymous]

1. Sounds good. If you are missing anything, grab it at a wallgreens or whatever at your destination, not a big deal.

2. Yes, tip the driver.

3. Nah, there are signs anywhere, and if you can't find it, just ask someone. It'll be ok. Usually there are signs near the pick up area outside of baggage claim.

4. Yup, one personal item (purse or backpack) and one small carry on luggage (small suitcase, duffle, etc.)

5. Fine to have your hair in a braid. It's shoes and things that will make the metal detector go off like a metal belt buckle that you will have to take off, but they leave your hair alone. Also be prepared to take off a jacket or bulky sweatshirt.

6. No, they'll have her standing near by. It would be pretty hard to loose her. Don't worry too much about it.

Mostly just try to relax. Your child will be able to tell if you are tense and will probably act worse if they perceive your anxiety.

[Anonymous]

Mostly just replying to your last question OP - I recently flew with a 2yo. TSA was great with her. They were very careful not to freak her out while we were getting her in/out of her stroller to put it through the x-ray, they made sure to hand her lovey back right away after it went through the machine. They were very polite while checking her sippy cup of milk for explosives

It was an easy experience and like PP said, you can ask anyone if you're confused or need help. People who work at airports are used to it.

[Anonymous]

You missed deodorant. And, I agree with earlier poster who said NEVER take Super Shuttle. I took one once in LAX w/my then small DD. It was a total nightmare. We drove around for 3 hours and were the last people dropped off. Also had a nightmare here in DC returning from BWI. We finally just asked the driver to let us off on the highway because we were going around in so many circles. The guy seemed like a convict or something...really crazy. We never reported it...seemed like a hassle and we were afraid the guy might come after us.

Otherwise, your list sounds fine. Just relax and don't call any attention to yourself. Ask people for help if you need it. You'd be surprised how helpful folks can be if they understand you are stressed and a first timer.

[Anonymous]

1. I am aiming to get travel sizes of my toiletries because I'm only taking a carryon bag and not checking luggage. I will be staying at a hotel, but can you tell me if I'm forgetting anything?
contact lens solution, conditioner, moisturizer, and hair styling stuff (I'll squirt some in a tiny bottle?). I am relying on the hotel to provide hand soap, shower soap and shampoo.

Toothpaste.

My carry-on kit has travel sized toothpaste, mouthwash, moisturizer, facial scrub, and shampoo. When I travel with a young child I also have a bottle of kids tylenol on hand. I never carry soap as I find it to be widely available Bed Bath & Beyond has a great selection of travel-size items, btw. Pack all the liquid items into a single quart sized ziploc and pack it somewhere accessible so you can pull it out at security screening. You child can either pack her own items and pull them out (if she is old enough); you can pull them out for her; or if you can fit them all together, they can all go in your ziploc.

3. I am really scared of getting lost at LAX and not being able to find Super Shuttle. Help me to not cry.

You'll need to figure which terminal you are flying into. Each airline gets its own bank of gates, so you figure your terminal by cross checking which airline you are flying:
http://www.lawa.org/LAXAirlines.aspx

Here are maps of LAX terminals.
http://www.lawa.org/welcome_LAX.aspx?id=256

6. If I am picked for a random extra screening will they let me keep my child with me? I am very scared of losing her in a big crowd at the airport.

They will. How old? If the child is old enough to just wait for you, that should be no problem at all. If your kid is younger, you will be allowed to carry them through the screener. If you're selected for secondary random screening, tell them that you are traveling alone with a child and that you need a safe space to put her down. If your kid is a 2 year old who is liable to bolt given the opportunity, you might ask if you can be screened in a private room, with your child present. I'll note that you probably arent' terribly likely to get a random screening. Anecdotal evidence suggests that wearing a skirt increases the likelihood.

Other things to know/random tips:

I bring empty water bottles and fill them at water fountains after security. You can find water fountains outside the restrooms.
Bring food on the flight with you. The purchase options for in-flight food are expensive and lousy.
As well as shoes, I generally take off my belt, because the buckle makes the metal detector beep (but not all the scanners are the metal detector type any more).

You'll be fine!! Have fun.

[Anonymous]

Remember your quart size zip lock bags for your liquids. And bring extras for the way home in case anything spills on the way there. It's been awhile since I've taken the Super Shuttle but isn't there a way to pay extra so that you get a direct ride instead of the multiple stops that the pp's have described (or at least fewer stops). Otherwise, compare the difference in price with the cost of a taxi or car service. Given the long flight it might be worth the splurge to get you and your dc to your hotel (or wherever you're staying) quickly. Have a safe and fun trip!

[Anonymous]

OP here: thanks everybody! I will remember toothpaste and not wear a skirt.

Does my deodorant need to be miniature sized too? Also, can we bring (closed) food from home onto the plane?

DD is 10.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: thanks everybody! I will remember toothpaste and not wear a skirt.

Does my deodorant need to be miniature sized too? Also, can we bring (closed) food from home onto the plane?

DD is 10.

They may or may not care about big deodorant (I think many regular sizes are less than 3oz anyway?). It's liquids that they are concerned about. To that end, you can bring food from home thorough gate but nothing liquid - soups, juices, etc. There is usually (expensive, and often unhealthy) food that you can buy after you go through security, but I would definitely bring snacks - think fruit, trailmix, crackers/cheese, etc. I have had almond butter taken away from me so that counts.

[Anonymous]

You can bring food from such as granola bars, whole fruit, trail mix but not anything that could be considered liquid so no yogurt, jello, apple sauce, soup, pasta with sauce..

[Anonymous]

I can address LAX.

Relax, OP. You follow your fellow plane departees and go past any restaurants, then down to baggage claim (you cannot get lost; security won't let you go the wrong way) and then walk out to the street.

On the street, there's a sidewalk that you are now standing on, and then a little street and then another island for pedestrians before the big street.

One of these islands will be where you stand for the shuttle. There will be signs. There will be people to ask. If you miss the shuttle there will be another one coming.

The weather will be gorgeous and people will be happy to help.

Just so you know, LAX is a giant one-way circle so if you WERE ever to be driving, you'd just go around if you miss your terminal. And if you ever are stuck for a while or for your return flight if you get there too early, there is The Encounter restaurant in the spacey-looking structure in the middle of the circle which is very fun and a bit famous, too.

[Anonymous]

PP here--forgot to say, in an airport, a good 50% of people are wandering and a bit lost. It's to be expected. The other 50% know what they're doing.

So the airport is set up for the many who have never been there before (or never been to that terminal or gate before), and at the same time there are people everywhere who can help you, both passengers and all the people working for the airport.

[Anonymous]

Solid deodorant (as opposed to gels or aerosols) don't need to be miniaturized or fit in your ziplock baggie. Sold ones don't count as "liquid or gel," so you can put those wherever and carry your usual size.

I often keep my chapstick separate, as well as facial scrub (more gritty, and not liquidy or gel-like) separate, without incident. But lotions, creams, toothpaste, conditioners, etc do count as "liquid or gel."