Flying for the first time.

[drwaffles]

1. Arrive earlier than you think will be necessary.

2. Don't carry anything sharp or liquid in your hand luggage.

3. This doesn't really apply to you since it's a short flight, but always bring enough stuff to keep yourself entertained. Flying is boring as fuck.

4. Be prepared to set off the metal detectors and get frisked. If you're anything like me you'll manage to set those things off even if you're completely naked. Also don't wear shoes that are hard to remove - one time I set off the detectors and had to remove these really tightly-laced walking boots. It wasn't a pleasant experience.

5. Don't attempt to make conversation with the passenger next to you unless you're committed to keeping the conversation going for most of the journey. Silence between snippets of uneasy chit-chat is far more uncomfortable than one that doesn't break from start to finish, at least in my experience.

[Osede]

Some additional reminder:

Always bring the itinerary with you.

If you have the habbit that putting the coins or small items in pocket instead of pulse, it is better to get a small bag to store the coins and put it into your hand carry bag. Having too many small items in the pocket when going thru the security check point is annoying as fuck.

[The Stig]

Pulled from Something Awful's airport guide:

Phase II: The Interrogator. This person, operating under the clever guise of a seemingly harmless ticket taker, will assault you with a series of questions which have been designed by the nation's top military psychologists. They are used to weed out the "innocents" (regular passengers) from the "evil terrorist threats" (you), and consist of the following two questions: "have all your bags been personally packed by you?", and "are you carrying any bags which have been given to you by someone you don't know or have been out of your possession?" You should think long and hard before answering both of these questions, because your answer is what will determine whether you'll be staying the next night in the Howard Johnson's or prison (although both have remarkably similar characteristics). Here's a quick guide I have compiled from my many years of airport experience:

Question: "Have all your bags been personally packed by you?"
Correct Answer: "Yes."
Also Acceptable: "Yes, and I didn't pack any bombs either, if that's what you're insinuating."
Also Acceptable: "Yes, and I am also able to cut and chew food by myself! Aren't I amazing?"
Incorrect Answer: "No."
Very Incorrect Answer: "I am a terrorist."
Question: "Are you carrying any bags which have been given to you by someone you don't know or have been out of your possession?"
Correct Answer: "No."
Also Acceptable: "I don't let nobody touch my bags, if you catch my drift." (Winking)
Less Acceptable: "I talked to the guy at the tram for at least 20 minutes, so I think I know him pretty well by this point."
Incorrect Answer: "The United States is a white devil that must perish in the flames of righteousness."

[Ragnus]

Bring gum to chew on during the flight since your ears might start popping. If it's only a two hour drive then it's going to be a jump jet flight where you'll be starting to land as soon as you're done taking off.

[Mojo]

Woozie is the Leonard McCoy of BG

[Mayareira]

You can also pop your ears by blocking your nose and blowing air out....its the fastest/best method.

[Chun Liroy]

You can also pop your ears by blocking your nose and blowing air out....its the fastest/best method.

Yeah, but chewing gum still helps a lot. I have trouble adjusting to pressure and gum is just fine.

[Cream Soda]

Take window seat, seriously. And if someone else has it, let them know that if they don't switch with you, that you will not be willing to get up if they have to go to the bathroom. Just make sure you go yourself before the flight and you should be good to go. You also have control of the window. Nothing worse than a tourist ass mothafucka opening and closing the window waking you up w/ the light shining in your eyes

If possible, carry on your luggage. Checking bags is a fucking bitch, but if you have to check a bag, put something on it to make it recognizable. Like a keychain or something. This will help you find it much more quickly when the bags come out.

Also, if you can't get a window seat, get aisle. The middle is the fucking absolute worst.

[Chun Liroy]

If possible, carry on your luggage. Checking bags is a fucking bitch, but if you have to check a bag, put something on it to make it recognizable. Like a keychain or something. This will help you find it much more quickly when the bags come out.

Also, if you can't get a window seat, get aisle. The middle is the fucking absolute worst.

Oh yeah forgot about that. When you're checking bags make sure that they have something recognizable about them, specific ribbon color, a little card attached or something. Will make it much less of a bitch.

[Mizango]

Niggas tryina get you arrested, son.

I do it. Sometimes with cellphone, other times with my small Sony camera. I guess my swag just lets it happen.

[Celestialstrife]

Best part is when the plane is starting to take off, it's like being on a roller coaster. Landing kinda sucks

[Wintermute]

Oh yeah forgot about that. When you're checking bags make sure that they have something recognizable about them, specific ribbon color, a little card attached or something. Will make it much less of a bitch.

I use cable ties on all my baggage, nice and cheap.
Just loop it on the handle and not the lock/zips otherwise security may get ideas.

Getting there about 2 hours early is recommended but not entirely necessary, but you'll pretty much avoid any long queues to check in if you do. Most people show up about 1hour earlier than the flight.

If you need a guide on carry on sizes or weight restrictions for luggage the airline who you're flying with should have the dimensions/weights for it on their website. Some airports also have baskets littered about with the idea being that if your bag fits in the basket it's cool for carry on.

MP3 player, handheld consoles, or laptop help kill time fast.

If you're on the wing be sure to get a window seat. Nice to see the flaps do their thing on your first time around in a plane.
Also a great time to pull out your best Shatner impersonations.

[Akanei]

I've only flown without a window seat once.

I ended up taking a nap (14 hour flight) and was smacked in the head by a passing stewardess' hip/thigh.

Never again.

[Tomiko]

I do it. Sometimes with cellphone, other times with my small Sony camera. I guess my swag just lets it happen.

I didn't have any issues with my camera either when I flew to NY.

And as others said, window seats ftw.

[Waef]

And remember...your first time flying, you might feel a little...woozie.

[lovehatehero]

What Does That Airline Ticket Really Cost?

[lovehatehero]

And yes, Window seat ftw. Depending on the airport and airline flying and time of day, get there like an hour before. 2 If it's a large/busy airport during midday-early evening. Then just sit back and enjoy. Id say go first class your first time. But, thats just me. Im used to getting bumped to first for free cause i travel home in uniform but meh. Just a better overall experience.

[Franzer]

also if you're kevin smith, you'll be kicked off for being too fat, so lose some weight before

[greenhills]

I use cable ties on all my baggage, nice and cheap.
Just loop it on the handle and not the lock/zips otherwise security may get ideas.

This ^ seriously.
I used to lock my bags, but in more recent years it seems that habit has become more of a attraction for security to break them open and go through your panties.

[Wintermute]

This ^ seriously.
I used to lock my bags, but in more recent years it seems that habit has become more of a attraction for security to break them open and go through your panties.

I still lock my bags, you'd be stupid not to considering how they're manhandled by luggage crews, and most security crews should call you over the PA system if they think they need to go through your bags instead of just ripping that shit open.
But if you're adding any rope, ribbons, or whatever to the bag to help you ID it later on keep it on the handles.