General Questions About Taking A Flight

Factual Questions
1

So I’m traveling on a plane for the first time in almost a decade. I know a lot has changed, from being charged $10,000 for a bag with three pretzels in it to scanners that use gamma rays to turn me into the Hulk. At least, I think that’s how it works now.

I’m also traveling with a lot of baggage -namely four musical instruments. The flight leaves from either JFK or LaGuardia (the flight’s being booked for me by my employer and I don’t know which airport yet) and goes to Jacksonville, FL. What should I expect during my travels? Are they going to go through my stuff? How long before my flight should I plan on arriving at the airport? I’m just looking for a general idea of how this is all going to go down.

2

You’re going to have to check your instruments at the check-in counter (why so many?) and once it’s on the conveyor behind the counter there’s no telling what they’re going to do to them. They’ll most likely just x-ray them but it’s possible they could open them up and look at what’s in the cases. Depending on what airline you’re flying, there may be a per-item charge of up to $25+.

As for carry-on bags, basically the same deal. They’ll just go through the x-ray and there’s a small chance they’ll look through it. I don’t know what the size limit on liquids is, but I would just not take any of that kind of stuff. I’m reasonably certain they have toothpaste, mouthwash, and hand sanitizer in Jacksonville. Basically don’t carry anything onto the plane that you’re definitely not going to be using on the plane.

Show up at the airport about 90-120 minutes before your flight is scheduled to leave. I strongly advocate taking as little through the security gate as possible. Wear pants that don’t need a belt, don’t wear any clothes with a lot of metal, wear slip-on shoes if you have them, and don’t have a bunch of stuff in your pockets.

3

That is a lot of baggage but I suppose you can pay for it at check-in… Air travel isn’t that hard. I would plan to get to check-in no later than two hours prior to your flight assuming it is a domestic flight. That doesn’t mean arriving at the airport at about that time. It means actually there and at least standing in line. You don’t want to get separated from your baggage and earlier check-in’s give them extra time to sort it and get it on the right plane.

Buy some travel containers available at almost any drugstore or big box store for any liquids you really need to take. You can have several 3 oz bottles in a bag but it is usually better just to leave them at home and buy whatever you need when you get to your destination. They have most items everywhere so don’t overpack.

Have a printed copy of your boarding pass and your iitinary and minimize the complications of your clothing. You will need to take all metal and your shoes off in security. Make sure you have a current photo id like a driver’license or a passport easily available. You will need to show your id and boarding pass several times. Have some one dollar bills handy for tipping at both ends of the trip.

Other than that, it is pretty easy. Check as much as you can and keep your carry-on’s to essential items only. That is just to help you get through security more efficiently. Anything you have on you may have to go through an explosives residue swipe and you may have to go through a body scanner or you could be pulled off for special scrutiny. I have had all of those happen. It is no big deal. Just be polite and cooperate and it only lasts a minute or two.

4

The tip I’ll add is don’t be afraid to ask questions. It is normal and the various employees you’ll encounter are ready to answer you. When you get to the airport ask where you need to be to check in. If you have trouble with the automatic checkin machines ask for help. Ask the check in person how to get to your terminal and gate. When you get to gate ask the gate person of you at the right gate for your flight, and ask when and in what order your flight is boarding. These are normal questions and your mind will be put at ease by asking and making sure.

5

The TSA web site will answer a lot of your questions, known and not.

6

Not to scare you or anything, but don’t give the airport security personnel any reason to deal with you any more than they have to. Bear in mind these are low-paid, minimally trained rent-a-cops with virtually unlimited authority.

Basically, treat them like you would a policeman that’s pulled you over; don’t talk to them unless they talk to you, and only answer questions you’re asked. Don’t get defensive if they ask to open your bag: the only correct answer is “yes,” and never, ever argue with them. Like with a policeman, even if they do violate your rights, your best course of action is to just do what they say and call a lawyer later.

Again, not trying to scare you, and it’s extremely unlikely you’ll ever have an issue with airport security, personally I’ve never, nor has anyone I know ever had any problem, but just be aware that you are in a relatively high-security area, at least when you’re going through the security gate, and you should act accordingly.

7

If you don’t want to look like a n00b going through security:

Once you get past the agent that checks your ID and boarding pass, put those away in a pocket on your person.

Then as you wait in line for the metal detector or microwave scanner or whatever that airport has, start taking off your shoes and anything with metal in it. Before you get up to the conveyor belt. Just helps keep things moving. Once you get up to the belt, grab all the bins you need and lay them out.

Don’t put your shoes in a bin, that’s just nasty (everyone uses those bins, and nobody wants shoe-sole residue on their stuff.) Put shoes directly on the conveyor belt.

Laptops need to be taken out of any bags and placed naked in a bin.

Tablets, kindles, etc. - I’ve been leaving those in a laptop bag and have never gotten called on it.

Literally everything, everything that’s metal needs to go in a bin. Coins, belts, jewelry, billfolds, everything. Also any outerwear - coats, jackets, sweatshirts. And don’t stack things in a bin, if you have more stuff than will fit in a single layer grab another bin. Most airports have the metal detector set to “super sensitive” these days, and failing the detector means you either hold everyone else up or have to get a “personal” search. I got tripped up a few years ago when I kept my leather money clip in my pocket. I tripped the detector twice and got sent to the “personal search” area. I threw my hands up, said, look, guy, I ain’t go no metal - he said, “It’s in your pocket. Do you have a money clip?” :smack: I did, and forgot that though covered with leather, there is a metal clip in there. Also - pulling it out, I handed it to him - with about $80 visible cash clipped to it. He stiffened up and said “Please take the money out of the clip, sir”. So take your cash out too, just looks bad :rolleyes:

Once you’re through the detector and/or scanner, collect your bins and move to the end of the line (or better yet a bench further down) before you start putting your shoes/belt/etc back on. Don’t hold up the line by collecting your gear right where it comes out of the scanner and redressing right there.

Just be cool, and everything will be copacetic. :wink:

8

With so many bags, consider curbside checkin if you are traveling alone. Get a cab or limo and get dropped off.
You aren’t a frequent flyer, so you’ll have to go through regular security. These lines can vary with the time you are traveling. Monday AM early, very busy. Wednesday noon; not so much. Weekends/holidays–variable. You might consider how early you want to go based on that.
If you know anyone who flies those airports, ask which security lines tend to be the best.
No big deal to get there early and find a place to sit and relax if you get through early. Outlets might be hard to find if you don’t use the lounges, which are expensive if you pay by the day. Start with a fully charged laptop. Wi fi will be about 6-10 dollars per use basically, a one-day charge.

9

missed the edit:

Also, when picking a security line (there are usually a few) look for business people. Typically age 25-55, dressed in business attire. These people are typically frequent travelers and know how to get through security quickly. Try to avoid lines with casually dressed families, especially if they have children. Small children and especially strollers are agonizingly slow. Also the elderly. Not hating, but these types of travelers tend to take much longer figuring out and getting through security.

10

[ul]
[li]How to Fly With a Musical Instrument[/li][li]New Rules For Flying With Musical Instruments Should Make Touring Easier[/li][li]Airline Travel with Musical Instruments[/li][li]Google is your friend[/li][/ul]
Gleaning from the above links, the type of instrument determines whether you use checked baggage, carryon baggage, or you buy a seat ticket and buckle it in the seat next to you. Some instruments must never be checked baggage.

11

Thank you, everyone! I am legitimately shocked at how much things have changed, and you’ve all helped me tremendously with your responses.

I’m playing a cruise in the Bahamas: alto sax, tenor sax, flute, and clarinet.

I know there are other musicians on the SDMB, so I figured one of them may have some personal wisdom to impart.

12

Check with the airline about their baggage policy, especially if you’re traveling with four instruments (and I assume at least some other luggage). Airlines have set very strict limits on how much property they will accept and that’s above the usual limits. You don’t want to find out at the airport that they’re only going to accept a maximum of three items.

If you can, check with several sources - the airline’s counter at the airport, the airline information number, the airline’s website, etc - and see if they all give you the same answer. Sometimes you’ll find that different places have different understandings about what the policy is. You might be told by the airline that you’re okay and then have the people at the check-in counter refuse to take your baggage because they have a different rule of their own.

If you’re flying out of a big airport like JFK or LaGuardia, two hours before your flight is the bare minimum you’ll want to get to the airport. Don’t be surprised when you walk inside and see literally a thousand people lined up waiting to go through the security checkpoints. You’re safer getting there three or even four hours before your flight is scheduled to leave.

They will make you take off your shoes. Wear a pair you can get in and out of easily. Same thing with stuff like belts and jewelry.

13

These are not required to be separated from your luggage.

14

Great post. Just want to add that the new body scanners don’t like paper either. I’ve been asked to take those out of my pocket as well.

15

But depending on who you get, you may be told to take them out. If it happens, don’t argue, it’s not worth the blood pressure meds.

16

A very strong suggestion: pay a few extra bucks and ship your instruments via UPS or FedEx or whatever, and insure them for the full replacement value. Don’t put them on the plane; they will be used as substitute Frisbees and the airline will tell you to go fuck yourself if you try to claim they were at fault.

17

That is a pretty good idea and I endorse that plan. Dealing with 4 instruments at both ends of the trip (both ways) isn’t something I would want to do even if they didn’t break them or lose them. I have had my baggage lost an incredible number of times by several different airlines. It isn’t fun and they certainly don’t want to give you much money for anything they lose or break. FedEx and UPS are much more reliable and the cost to ship the instruments through them would likely be about the same. You could probably have them delivered to something like a UPS store at your destination for pickup.

18

I also recommend NOT trusting your musical instruments to the airline.
I only fly once or twice a year, usually with a change of planes each time. So over the past , say 10 years, I’ve checked in and out of about 40 airplanes. And I’ve had baggage get lost at least 6 times that I can remember.
For me, it’s usually not a big problem…the suitcase arrives a day later.
But for you–I assume that your instruments are your livelihood–if they get lost, you wont have a job.

19

This is what I would suggest as well. Even without anything as sensitive as musical instruments, my wife and I do this often just for the convenience factor.

20

OTOH, assume your checked bags with be lost or delayed and think of what is not replaceable – like medications, electronics, etc., that you may not use on the plane but will need later.