Jessica
Well this is it, the time has come for you to fly on a plane for the first time. You’ve never been to an airport before, and it probably feels overwhelming. There are signs for airlines everywhere, and there’s a lot of people rushing in every direction. Don’t worry and don’t panic, this article is here to give you some basic tips for what to do when you arrive at the airport. If you keep these tips in mind, you should make it through the airport alright.
- Arrive Early: The most important thing to keep in mind when you arrive at the airport is to get there as early as possible. Even before the changes in airport security, it was always advisable to get to the airport well ahead of boarding, but these days it’s even more important. You should arrive at the airport no later than an hour before your flight is scheduled to leave, and some recommend getting there at least two hours early, especially if you’re traveling during a popular time to travel, like the holiday season.
- Look to the Boards for Information: Another thing to know is that the airport is full of flight information boards that can tell you where you need to go. Once you get checked in through airport security, look for a set of large LED boards. These will have the current airport flight schedules, detailing which planes are arriving and departing, and more importantly, what gate they’re departing from. Once you find that board, find your flight and double check the gate with the gate printed on your ticket. Sometimes, but not all the time, the gate can be changed. When in doubt, go with the gate information listed on the information board, that is the correct information.
- Be Prepared for Security: Third, and very important, is that you need to be prepared to go through security. If you go in prepared, the security process won’t be that hard at all. Make sure there aren’t any restricted substances accidentally packed into your carry-on. Also, as you’re in line for screening, go ahead and begin removing your belt, shoes, and metal objects. That way, when you get up in line, everything you need to take off is already off and you can just place them in the bucket for scanning. And don’t be scared by the security officers, remember, they’re just doing their job.
In conclusion, there’s a few things you need to know if you’re traveling to the airport for the very first time. First, make sure you arrive to the airport at least an hour early, so you have plenty of time to check in and get through security. Second, double check your flight information on the arrival and departure board to make sure the gate hasn’t changed, or note the new gate if it has changed. And finally, be prepared for the security screening. The more prepared you are, the easier the process will be.
