Sci and I were looking at the different way that we can get to Charleston for the convention, and we noticed that the cheapest ones have a stop in them. Otherwise it is a bit of money. Anyway, we were wondering if anyone has taken a flight with a stop in it before. Is there something we should be looking at? I've been searching the internet to see if there is any info on how flights with stops work, and couldn't find any. Could anyone offer any advice? :flowers:

Most have stops, esp. into Charleston (I grew up there!). Usually they go through Atlanta and then you take a "puddle jumper" into Charleston. CHS is the SMALLEST airport, I swear! *laugh*

Changing planes is no big idea. I usually make sure there's at least 45 minutes layover, you just go from one terminal to the next flight. No big deal, you don't have to check in or anything, you will already have your boarding pass.

Will they tell you where to go (in the airport), or will it be on the ticket? Oh! and would we have to grab our luggage? :unsure:

Your boarding pass for the second flight may or may not have your gate number on it. But they have monitors at the airports where you can find the gate number. They also usually have airline employees at the gate who you can ask and they send you the right direction.

You only need to worry about your carry on bags. Your checked baggage will be checked in at your originating point and then you pick it up at your final location.

Yeah... your luggage sometimes gets to take a direct flight! :lol:

Though depending on where you're going it might take the same plane you do.

Or you could fly direct from Cincinnati to Colorado Springs and they could send your snow skis to Atlanta... 'cause they'd do you so much good there even if you weren't halfway across the country.

Oh ok, thanks Candie, alsgal, and pepper. :flowers:

This will be my first time, so I wasn't sure exactly how it worked.

Yeah some cities you almost always have to connect through. One thing to note though when you're discussing flights, there's a difference between a stopover, which means you stay on the same plane but you're just stopping over in that city to collect more passengers, and a connection, in which you change planes, 95% of the time staying with the same airline.

Though I don't fly as much as some people, I've had my luggage lost or misplaced 3 times when switching planes. One time, I arrived in Key West with nothing but the winter clothes I was wearing when I left Boston and my luggage didn't arrive until 2 days later! :o So needless to say, I had a good excuse to go clothes shopping once I got there. :D

Now with all the restrictions on which toiletries you can bring in your carry on, I've been kind of mad about flying. I use a lot of all-natural products and to try to get everything in 3 oz containers or less is a huge PITA. But I would NEVER put it in my checked baggage either. Too much change of it exploding and ruining my clothes for one, what with the extreme temperature changes that checked baggage sometimes goes through, and also, I refuse to be without it.

I know! I don't use all natural stuff.. but I also don't have the money to go buy all new stuff when I get there either. And some stuff I just want with me on the plane, like contact solution.

I get why the airlines are concerned about having that stuff in carry-ons, but it pisses me off that I also can't trust them to not lose my luggage... and that I don't feel comfortable enough to not keep at least one change of clothes and my toiletries in my carry on because I'm not confident I won't need it when I get wherever I'm going!

Heck my luggage usually gets to our destination before me. I have the worst luck with flying. I can always expect delays or long layovers. I haven't flown since they tightened up on carry-on restrictions, but I'm going to be in a pickle if and when I do. I like to have my own bottle of water, some food and hand lotion. Plus I always have my make-up, toothpaste, etc. and a change of clothes in my carry-on bag because I tend to get stranded at airports. In fact last time I flew, I didn't even have any luggage to check, just my carry-on backpack. Not sure what I'm going to do if the situation arises again.

I don't think I've ever taken a direct flight in my life. :blink: :lol: All my traveling has always been...2-3 hour drive to the nearest airport, plane #1, layover, plane # 2 (and if I'm not lucky, planes 3 & 4!)....

Don't worry Turtle -- it'll be no problem. It's really normal so things are pretty set up for it. Yeah, you just look at the big screens with the charts on them, and it'll tell you which gate to look for. If you're staying with the same airline it'll be a short walk, and if you're switching airlines (which happens to me a lot since so many companies own several airlines now) then it'll be a slightly longer walk 'cos you'll probably have to head to a different area of the building to switch terminals. (Note -- try to avoid switching terminals at JFK unless you're familiar with using city bus systems!! I've been through a kazillion airports in the US and that's the only one that made me go :blink: )

And Cherie and Pepper -- if you can, instead of buying all teensy products, mail your toiletries to your hotel before you leave! And then mail them back home on your way out the door! That way you can just buy regular sizes of things, and yeah you'll have two of each thing going but it'll be like having a replacement ready to go later. Stupid freakin' terrorists, to make bringing your tooth paste a major ordeal!!! :angry2:

Actually that's a good idea. I do have dupes of a lot of things already since we keep spare everything in the RV. But with my face cleanser, emu oil, hydrosols, and a lot of other raw, natural ingredients that I mix together as I go, it's a matter of putting some of each of them into smaller bottles and all since I don't have extras. But I like your idea of sending things ahead for some things... thanks for the suggestion! :kiss:

I'm probably not doing the convention this year as a few of us are going to Rites of Spring at the end of May, and we're also planning a trip for Ostara/the Equinox somewhere around here. But that doesn't mean I won't be flying later in the year, to California or Florida...

Depending on the city you live in, you generally have to make a stop. More often than not it will require changing planes. This isn't that big a deal as there are monitors in the terminal telling you what gate your flight will leave from and the airports are clearly marked. Even if you get confused, just go up to a gate agent and they will direct you. The only places I can flight direct to are major airline hub cities (Dallas, Washington DC, NYC, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago)...anywhere else I have to add a stop.

Regarding toiletries. Most hotels have shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Some have lotion and mouthwash. the hotel we are staying at should be a Marriott by then; this means that you should have all of the above in your room. You can carry on 3 ounce gels and liquids in a quart size bag. If you check the items, you can put them in anything and there is no restriction on size. You can always buy little containers to put your stuff in. I think our dollar store has some. NOTE: When carrying on your gels and liquids, make sure you put the bag somewhere that it is easy to access. This bag must be removed from your luggage and be scanned separately when going through the security checkpoint.

Lost Luggage. Over the last 10 years, I've traveled a lot. For 2 years, I was only home 8 weeks. I've only had my luggage delayed twice. Once about 8 years ago on a trip to LA and once last year on my trip to Manila. I've never lost but I suppose there is a chance it could happen. In general, make sure you have a luggage tag on your bag. Also, be sure you have the name, address, and phone number (or your cell number works) of where you will be staying. That way if your luggage gets lost, you can tell them exactly where to send it. Note: if there is a system-wide problem, such as the huge winter store we experienced last month, luggage service deteriorates with the degree of the storm. In other words, it will probably be faster to retrieve your bag yourself than wait on them to deliver it to you.

I will check my luggage to the convention because it will contain lots of books (yikes, I better start saving them up)! No way am I lugging books on an aircraft.

Getting through Security Quickly and Easily or How to Undress and Redress Quickly: Once you get past the first security checkpoint, put your ID away. You will need your boarding pass to get through the screening area so keep that handy. You will need to remove shoes, jackets/sweaters and sometimes belts. I wear shoes that are easy on/off like slides. Nothing that has to be tied. Also, you will need to remove everything from your pockets (change, gum, phones, ipod, etc) so I don't put anything in my pockets. If you are carrying a laptop, you will need to remove that from the carry-on as well as your liquid/gel bag. Once on the other side of the xray machine, you get to redress and repack. My recommendation is to pack with TSA screening in mind. BTW: I've never been asked to removed my cellphone or ipod from my carry-on bag so don't worry about those.

See you in Charleston!

Nou, you've been incredibly lucky with lost luggage... but my Aunt is the same way. She travels all the time and though she has some doozies of stories about her travels (she emailed me about crocodiles in Chicago and I honestly didn't know if she was being literal or figurative... if anyone would have issues with crocodiles in Chicago, it would be Cindy), only one or two of them have involved lost luggage.

Now I on the other hand, have flown... I believe 8 times in my adult life. 2 of those my luggage has been lost/delayed - once when I was staying with a friend in her dorm room and once when I was going skiing and it was my skis that they sent to Atlanta - and those have to be checked for special handling because they're so long! 25% of the times that I've flown, I've lost stuff. That's not such a great record.

Although, both the lost things were early trips, so maybe I'm over my run of bad luck...

Still... I'll always have at least my contact solution & glasses, a change of clothes, and anything that I won't be able to get at the hotel in my carry on.

By the way, Nou, are you a frequent enough flyer that you qualify for the super fast security screening line yet?

Well, really the only product that I REALLY want to have with me is my contact solution. I'll inevitably take them out on the flight at some point - the air in the cabin drys them out, and if I want to sleep I need to - but I'll want them in when I get on or off the plane 'cause I'll be wearing sunglasses.

Everything else I can check or use the hotels... but I'll still keep a change of clothes and anything truly irreplaceable in my carry on.

I am paranoid about checking my luggage. I've never had any lost, but I've met so many people who have that I just started trying to cram it all into my carry ons. And don't get me started on that liquids rule. :angry2:

When I flew a few weeks ago, I forgot to take off my belt, so I set the alarm off and the security guard almost had a heart attack. :rolleyes: Then on the way back, I took my laptop out of the bag, but they wanted it in a completely separate bucket for screening, so I had to go back through and put it in another bucket. Then the flight had a baby and a cat on it and they both cried the entire five hours. :bash: I swear, I hate flying.

I've flown a couple of connecting flights before and haven't had any problems. Of course it all depends on the amount of time between your flights, your flight's general on time percentage, and most importatly, the airport you are flying out of.

I have to connect to get down to Charleston on United or US Airways.
United connects through Dulles (which is ok for connecting but the flight could be in a different terminal), and Chicago (which I would never DREAM of trying to catch a flight through).

US Airways connects through charlotte (ok for connections), laguardia (no way), washington national ( would prefer not to specifically because toronto-National requires an additional security check), philadelphia (ok - maybe i can meet you on this flight?? lol).

If you want to see the on time percentage of your flight, you can go to http://www.flightstats.com and enter in the flight number which the airline should show you when you're browsing for your flights. (Click on Historical Ontime Flight Rating rather than Flight Status).

My bf knows about all this kind of stuff so if you have any questions let me know and I'll see if him and I can sort it out!

Then only thing I can add that hasn't been said is make sure you give yourself plenty of time. Sometimes security gets backed up or the check-in line is long. I've stressed myself out more than a few times with my tendency to run late or not alotting myself enough time to do everything I need to do and get where I need to be at the airport.

Thanks everyone for all your advice. It puts my mind at ease.
There is 1 question though I have. What about a digital camera? I was reading in one place to take your camera in your carry on and take the film out. For the x-ray thing can damage it. than I read to put it in your check in luggage for the same reason. They had nothing about digital camera.


Turtle and I were looking at the flights with the 1 stop. A hell of a lot cheaper. And the 1 stop has a different flight number. Also it says change planes.

I probably will take my bc bag as a carry on and put a change of clothes, boarding pass, ID, cell phone, etc. in it as well. I decided not to carry any gels. I'll just pack them in suitcase along with any jewery, and books like Ann is doing. And am I right that I don't have to pack my toiletries w/body sprary in a plastic bag when in checked in luggage?

Oh yeah what about my wedding ring it does get a little tight on my finger. Maybe I should just carry it in my pocket? Oh yeah yet another question. What does Turtle use as his ID ? The only thing he has is his school ID and I have his birth certificate

Well, you don't HAVE to put your stuff in a plastic bag if its in your checked luggage... but I personally would. Keep in mind that your luggage will be exposed to drastically changing temperatures and pressures as well as be tossed around a lot, possibly opened, and stacked under several other people's luggage.

There's a distinct chance one of those bottles might burst.

With the flight you're looking at, you'd get to one airport, disembark, and go to another gate in the same terminal. They'll probably tell you at check-in which gate, but pay attention when you get there anyway, because the gate could change while you're in the air.

A digital camera will not be affected at all by an x-ray machine. I put mine in my carry on... but that's just because I don't trust airlines. I don't check anything I would have difficulty replacing if I can possibly avoid it. Anything really expensive... anything with sentimental value... most of that stays at home when I go on vacation because I don't want to risk losing it, but if it's something I need to bring with me, like a camera, I keep it in my carry on. The one difficult to replace item I ever checked were my skis, and they went to Atlanta while I went to Colorado Springs, thus proving my theory. :lol:

As for Turtle's ID, I BELIEVE that since he's not yet 18, his birth certificate will work, but I'd ask the airline. He may need to go to the DMV and get a State ID card since he's over 15. It's not a bad thing to have, and in Ohio anyway, they cost about $20, I think.

When I bring my digital camera, I keep it in my backpack and I've never had to take it out and get it scanned seperately. And it's always worked after :lol:

I would try not to bring an umbrella with you. Apparently they think you're going to shove something in the metal tube of the umbrella and they always look at you suspiciously if you take one. It usually needs an "additional check" too.

Sometimes your flight steward may be able to tell you which gate you are connecting at. Also, if you look in the seat pocket, there are usually maps of all the airports they fly to so if you know what your gate is (off your ticket or what have you), you can use the map to figure out where you need to go.

I keep my rings and watch on when I go through the metal detector and they don't beep or anything. (hmmm... not real metal? lol)

Turtle! Get a passport! :whip: :lol:

Real jewelry will not set the detector off. I went through with a wedding ring, an engagement ring, a bracelet, a necklace, 2 hollow plugs, and five hoop earrings and did not set it off. Real gold and silver will not set it off and good, surgical grade body jewelry will not set it off. :wink: It's the cheap belt buckle that will do it.

I've never taken my digital camera out either but I've seen signs saything that you are supposed to. It will just depend on the airport TSA people.

Yeah...what Breeni said about jewelry. I don't take it off although I usually only wear my wedding band, diamonds, and my watch. However, I've seen big honking men's watches set it off.

Thank you again for the good advice.

I probably will pack my digital than on my carry on.. I do have extra batteries. I hope that doesn't make a difference if I have to take things apart?

I made a decision not to bring my laptop. Even though I really want to. But it will only bring one more thing I have to worry about.

And a great idea for Matt to get a state ID. Since I don't drive I have one too.

Ok airplane tickets have been bought now. We are going on USAirways and stopping at Charlotte . Than off to Charleston. With a 43-45 min wait. Same airline for both. Coming back we decided we wanted to stay for a little longer than having to leave early in morning. USAirways for both here too. Although we will be coming home late :giggle:

I took extra batteries in my camera bag in my carry on, and had no trouble. They didn't even ask me to take it out or anything.

That's a good airport to have to connect in.

If I don't stop in Dulles for a visit with the bf I'll try to get through Charlotte as well :)

Maybe I'll see you there Lauren ;)

I checked back to confirm seating on our flight from NC to Philly. And I noticed a security update. That all airports that we will be at require boarding passes. We would be getting an e-ticket.

So now I have to search to get boarding passes. I called airline up and they told me I can either check in on the website. or go to those kiosk's.

I looked in the check in online looks like it's not that diffcult. But when I was talking to the girl from the airline she said I couldn't print out my return info til the day before or that day. And I'm guessing that the confirmation code is the same ? I only have one. Guess I'm going to have to go to one of these kiosk's on return ?

Sci, it is not a problem at all getting boarding passes at the airport. You can get them from these little kiosks (super easy touch-screen things that usually have a much shorter line if any at all) or you can get them from the ticket counter when you check in your baggage. I've never gotten a boarding pass online, but then again you can only do that for domestic flights on some airlines. Since I had been living in Toronto most recently, all my flights were international so I couldn't get one online anyhow! No stressing about the boarding pass. That is the easiest part!

Oh, and the kiosk will ask for some sort of ID that you can scan in so they know who you are. A credit card in your name works fine. You don't need to use the same one that you bought the tickets with either. Pretty amazing.

Having said all that, Charleston is a pretty small airport, so you will probably just have the only option of going up to the regular ticket counter anyway! :lol:

I always checkin online if I can. I've found that internationally it saves you huge lines because there are special lines if you've checked in online. It worked this morning..oh, I guess it was last night EST...but morning in Hong Kong.

If you aren't checking a bag, it is a huge time saver because you can go straight to security...not need to stop by the counter. Or if you are checking a bag, you can check it in outside.

I'm all about avoiding lines if I can!!

:lol: I never check in online cause I'm paranoid there will be a gate change or something that will put me in the wrong place.

Thanks again. by the time the trip gets here you all will be pretty tired of asking my questions. I'm sorry about that. I haven't even been in a airport for years. so I even forget what it looks like inside let alone what the security is all around.

I'm guessing at the counter where the airline is is not where the security checkpoint is?

I used to watch that show airline where they would take you through some of things that would happen at SouthWest Airline. Whew! that was scary to watch some of them. :duh:

The entranceway between the counter and the gates is blocked by security. You have to have a boarding pass to get to the gates and vendors, so that's where you'll get screened. If you have any doubts, just ask any attendant or security guard. It's much better to ask because if you accidentally go the wrong way (like I did!), they automatically assume you're trying to bypass their system and go into a frenzy. No one without a boarding pass is allowed in with you, so whoever brings you can't go past the ticket counter.

Thanks Breeni.
Since Matt and decided to get our boarding passes at the counter it makes it easier for the security check not be right on top of us.

Ok new question. I went on the tsa site and it tells you alot what you can bring on plane. But I don't see how I'm to pack prescription medicine. I only have 2-3 pills to take a night. Can I use a pill box or need to bring the actual bottle and store it in the plastic bag?

You can put them in a separate container. You don't need the original pill bottle.

Besides my prescription allergy pills, I take about 10 other tablets per day, multis and various herbal supplements. So I usually just count off enough for the days I'll be away and put them in one of those clear little Tupperware things that you can use for salad dressing and the like. :)

I missed this thread the first time around, but I loved reading it :)

I got an allergic reaction or exzcema or something and cannot wear my wedding ring for longer than a day or two at a time, so now I almost always wear it on a gold chain as a necklace pendant. I have seen a few other women do this, and I'd say most people recognize that it must be my wedding ring. [The rest of the time they assume it's some sort of LOTR tribute :bash: ] If I were you, I'd feel a LOT safer having my ring on a necklace than just having it loose in my pocket.

I'm with the others here. Better safe than sorry - put it in a zip-lock bag so that if it leaks at all, it doesn't wind up staining the shirt you were doing to wear the next day.

Don't forget a book to read! :giggle: And an extra one in case your flight is delayed.

Cherie's answered about the pills while I've been editing, which is good. I was going to say the same - I don't think you need the actual pill bottle unless you're travelling internationally (and then it's mostly to be safe in case they get pernickity).

Have a great trip! :waves:

If it's a prescription medicine, I'm pretty sure you do need the bottle. They also suggest you pack your prescriptions in a separate baggie and pull it out for them to inspect. Over the counter meds are not limited, but you may still need the bottle to identify them. When I went to LA, I just put all my meds in one baggie and laid it separate with my liquids baggie. Didn't have any trouble.

Your checked items do not require a plastic bag although I've used them for years because you don't have to worry about leaks and when they become gross I just throw them away.

You will need to have your boarding pass and photo ID ready when you get to the screening area. Once TSA has checked your photo ID, put it away...you won't need it again. HOWEVER, you have to have your boarding pass in your hand when you walk through the xray machine.

I can't remember if we talked about this before. When you get to the xray screening area, you will need to take off your shoes (I ALWAYS wear slip ons to simplify this process), sweaters, jackets, and sometimes belts. You will need to take everything (but paper) out of your pockets. Even the foil around gum can set the machine off. And don't forget to take your bag of liquids and laptop out of your carryon. There are tubs where you can put all of these things. The laptop must go in it's own tub.

Medications, ipod, cellphone, etc. are all good to leave in your carryon. Cameras may go either way...I've been in airports where they ask you to remove cameras but I never have. Oh, if you are bringing film, you may want to remove it before it goes through the xray machine...otherwise there is the potential that it could be exposed.

TSA and the airlines randomly select people for handscreening. This is a random process so don't worry if you are selected.

The hardest part is re-dressing. I try to put on as much as I can quickly then carry everything else out of the way of the screening area. It helps get everyone through the screening area faster.

Okay I've never been on a plane before, so have no idea what it was like before or now with heighten security, have to ask...curious...although this has to be a dumb question :duh: what do they do when it gets to ...ummm.. wired support garments? I mean they can SEE the belt and they make you remove it.
They must just scan and understand ... right?

:lol: Good question! If you're talking about what I think you're talking about, mine has never set off a metal detector.

But I think if it did they would just ask you to step aside, and then they would wave a wand metal-detector across your body and identify that it was that garment causing the bleep. They might also frisk you / pat you down - that would usually be done by a security officer of the same sex as you - I'm sure it would be all right to ask politely, "I'd prefer to have a woman do this."

Yes, That is what I'm talking about. LOL. :lol:



Can you imagine some poor guy at screening ... :rant: . look maaa'am I told you, we have female screeners for that and you don't even have a plane ticket..... BEAT IT !!! :rofl: