Jul 11 2010
Fly Content: Minimizing Airport Stress
So youre really excited to go to your friends wedding in the Bahamas. You found your lost U S passports, and youve packed your bags. Youre already to go but… youve never flown before. You hear that airports are nightmares and that planes are as sanitary as a public restroom. Youve never flown before and just the thought of it makes you nervous. Here a couple pointers for first time fliers.
The first and most important thing you can do is to just relax. Get yourself in a frame of mind where you can think rationally. Flying is extremely safe; driving your car is more dangerous than flying. Flying seems so scary only because all you hear about are dramatic stories covering crazy plane crashes.
- A bee sting is more likely to kill you than a plane crash.
– If you spend everyday on a plane, it will take almost 20,000 years before you would get in a crash.
– Training a pilot takes the same amount of time and money as training a doctor does.
– Everything on a plan has a back-up system, along with three autopilots and three computers.
– The airplane goes through 12 hours of inspection and maintenance for every hour theyre in their air.
– Airplanes have a designated flight path that is ten miles wide that no other plan is allowed in.
All these facts are correct. Hopefully this can put into perspective how safe flying actually is. Now there are other things you can do to prepare for your flight. Decide whether you want to check your bags or carry them on with you. Generally, a weekend trip that requires only a small bag can be brought on with you, while a large bag gets checked. It is recommended by the TSA to get to the airport at least two hours before your scheduledflight time in order to have enough time for getting your boarding pass, checking your bags, going through security, and navigating the airport.
Try to find a friend to drop you off at the airport. Having to park is sort of a hassle, but its really not that bad, just expensive. When you walk in to the terminal, look for your airlines front desk. This is where you will check in, get your boarding pass, and check your bags. An employee can help you with all of this, this is exactly what they are there for.
Next is security. Make sure you have your boarding pass, ID, and new passports out. Wait in the line, and when you get to the x-ray machine, take off your shoes, take your laptop out of its bag, and put your purse or backpack on the conveyor belt. You will be prompted into a metal detector, and once you pass through that, youre finished.
With some encouraging facts, a brief look at how to handle flying under your belt and passport in hand, you are ready to go. Once again, there is no reason to be nervous, except maybe for the airplane food. The safety codes and regulations are very strict and even more strictly enforced, so you can feel safe traveling and maybe even have some fun. So replace your lost USA Passport, pack your bathing suit and your sunscreen, and get ready for take-off.
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