Flying for the first time.

[kyod]

For another option, look up charter buses (Lakefront Lines comes to mind) that go from Akron to Columbus. I'm fairly sure there is one. The round trip ticket might be $30-$40 at most. Flying from Akron to Columbus via Atlanta seems kinda silly, especially if there is bad weather in Atlanta your flight will be canceled.

Also: You'll be on regional jets both ways most likely. Don't bring a huge carry-on since the overhead bins are smaller than a normal plane(737, etc..).

I personally prefer an aisle so i can stretch out my legs, but I flew Window my first couple of times to 'ooooh' and 'aaaah' at the scenery. Last time I flew window I planned on sleeping, too bad this 300+lb guy was in the middle seat next to me and squished me the entire flight. The entire Santa Ana to Chicago flight was hell, never again a window seat.

[Chun Liroy]

I'm going from Fort Myers Florida to Cincinnati, then 5 weeks later from Cincy to Newark, then a week later from Newark back to Ft Myers. So I have three one way tickets, all of them have a layover/connecting flight.. The one from Jersey to Florida has a layover/connecting flight....in Cincinnati.

I had a layover flight in Dallas when I went from Louisiana to NJ....

[Counterfeit]

1. Quietly and calmly open up your laptop case.
2. Remove your laptop.
3. Boot it.
4. Close your eyes and tilt your head up to the sky.
5. Then hit this link: http://www.thecleverest.com/countdown.swf

?

[Aesctaa]

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

Don't do this, you can rupture your tear ducts easily..

[Chun Liroy]

You do realize that's how scuba divers and everyone on the planet does it...?

[Aesctaa]

I probably misread but whatever you do you don't want to be blowing out of your tear ducts.

just swallow or tilt your head back and swallow.

[Pyro]

In 26 years I've never had a problem using that method whether in the air or underwater.

[Woozie]

For the baggage fees, it says 15 dollars for first checked bag, and 25 for second. What does "checked" mean? And when my plane stops in Atlanta (at which point I assume I get off this plane and go to a different one?) does that mean I'll have to pay these fees again?

Edit: Also, can someone sort of walk me through the whole process so I know what to expect? So I walk into the airport...and then what?

Edit 2: Wait, so if I'm understanding this correctly, "checked" just means the bags that aren't carried on? So if I have two bags, I'm only paying the fee for the second bag (assuming I carry the first one on), right?

Edit 3: I plan on taking a digital piano with me. Would that be allowed as carry on? Based on what I'm reading on other sites, people aren't very careful with checked in luggage and I don't want that to break. I'd rather check in my clothes and keep the piano than the other way around, if that's the case. Either that or I'm going to have to pack this with a lot of bubble wrap or something.

Edit 4: Nevermind, it has to be 24inches maximum to carry on.

[Chun Liroy]

For the baggage fees, it says 15 dollars for first checked bag, and 25 for second. What does "checked" mean? And when my plane stops in Atlanta (at which point I assume I get off this plane and go to a different one?) does that mean I'll have to pay these fees again?

Only pay once, and the checked luggage (luggage you don't carry on) goes automatically onto your connecting flight (meaning you don't have to go to baggage claim and get it and re-check it in).

Edit: Also, can someone sort of walk me through the whole process so I know what to expect? So I walk into the airport...and then what?

Think I covered this in my first post.

Edit 2: Wait, so if I'm understanding this correctly, "checked" just means the bags that aren't carried on? So if I have two bags, I'm only paying the fee for the second bag (assuming I carry the first one on), right?

You only pay $15.

Edit 3: I plan on taking a digital piano with me. Would that be allowed as carry on? Based on what I'm reading on other sites, people aren't very careful with checked in luggage and I don't want that to break. I'd rather check in my clothes and keep the piano than the other way around, if that's the case. Either that or I'm going to have to pack this with a lot of bubble wrap or something.

Uh it depends... how long is the piano? If it's small enough then carry on, but you might not have any choice but to check it in. Ask if you can carry it on when you get there, but make sure you pack it in a shitload of bubble wrap if you can't carry it on (does it have a case?).

[Woozie]

My bad, I thought there would be more to it. The process seems short the way it's explained, but based on what I hear, the entire process takes a while.

Edit: It has a bag, not a hard (protective) case. I'm going to have to bubble wrap it because it's too big to carry on. AirTran's website says the maximum is 24 inches.

[Chun Liroy]

Eh not really, it's like a 4 step process. Check in->Security->go to gate;board->Baggage claim when you are at your final destination. The only reason it takes so long is because of the lines. When I flew home for thanksgiving, I think I arrived at the airport at 11am, I was waiting at my gate by like 11:10.

[Woozie]

I'm reading a website, and they way they're explaining it gives me the impression that I have to choose between checking my bags in or carrying them on (i.e. I can't carry on one bag and then check two others. I have to choose between carry everything or check everything).

Please tell me I'm misinterpreting.

[Chun Liroy]

You are lol. It's 1 carry on+personal item (camcorder, laptop, purses etc), and then you can check in as many bags as you want, I suppose, but have to pay for more.

[Woozie]

Okay, good lol

What happens if I carry my bags on-board, and there is no space? You’ve made it to the airport, your flight is set for an on-time departure, and you’ve started the boarding process - only you’re in the back of a long line of fellow passengers, and by the time you get on board, there is no space left in any of the overhead bins! Well what happens in that case is the flight attendants take your bag into the cockpit, where the pilot gets first dibs on your stuff...ok, what really happens is that they take your bag off the plane and check it in. So now you have to go to baggage claim when you arrive at your destination to pick it up at the baggage carousel. No big deal, right?

If this happens, would I have to pay for the carry on luggage that I wasn't able to carry on?

Edit: And what's this stuff about calling to confirm my flight? I assumed that now that I've booked my flight, all I have to do is show up. The site says I only have to call and confirm on lesser known airlines.

So what do I have to do? Do I just show up now?

[Chun Liroy]

I'm not 100% on it, but I don't think you have to pay, if there isn't any room. Though I could easily see a circumstance where you'd have to pay as well. Only time this happened was a long time ago when I was in like 4th grade and wasn't really concerned with money. lol

Edit: and if you do what others suggested, getting the back of the plane, you don't have to worry about it. There's some space under the seat in front of you as well, that's where I normally put my bag because it's such a hassle to get shit out of the overhead bin.

[Wintermute]

Like Silentroy said: You get to the airport, go to your flight/airlines check in desk, check your bags in (shit what goes in the hold), get your boarding pass, go through security, then wait in the departure lounge camping the screens so you can board your flight as soon as they make the call.

Anticipate your particular flight to board at the arse-end of the terminal.
You may need a Sherpa, the terminal your plane leaves from is never nearby.

If your carry on is the size of your average backpack you can fit it under the seat in front of you 9 times out of 10 if there's no room in the overhead bins or you can't be bothered to lift things.

If there's absolutely no room, which I've never seen happen, the steward will have it put in the hold and you shouldn't have to pay anything since it all gets done then and there on the tarmac.

As for the piano you can usually tell the person at the check-in desk it's fragile and they'll put a tag/sticker on it indicating it as such. They may also have you take said item to a different desk where they collect fragile items to be placed in the hold separate from the rest of the luggage which pretty much just gets catapulted into the plane.

[Day]

He'll be in the air for 30 mins max. First time flying, get a window seat.

nah

[toonces]

Okay, good lol



If this happens, would I have to pay for the carry on luggage that I wasn't able to carry on?

Edit: And what's this stuff about calling to confirm my flight? I assumed that now that I've booked my flight, all I have to do is show up. The site says I only have to call and confirm on lesser known airlines.

So what do I have to do? Do I just show up now?

Only have to pay if the size is considered check baggage size (is bullshit they let you carry it all the way but I have seen it happen)

[Plow]

I disagree with all the window seat comments.

Big squares of dirt really aren't that exciting to look at.

Aisle is where it's at, no climbing over people, space beside you, easier to get steward attention, etc.

[AoE]

1. Quietly and calmly open up your laptop case.
2. Remove your laptop.
3. Boot it.
4. Close your eyes and tilt your head up to the sky.
5. Then hit this link: http://www.thecleverest.com/countdown.swf

?

Quoting this shit because I found it funny.