Ok, forgive my idiocy, but how do I catch a flight?!

[IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece]

I’ve flown once in 10y but was with a friend and my anxiety was so horrendous that I don’t remember any of it. Literally none.

I’m flying EasyJet from Gatwick

I’ve checked in online, I only have carry on luggage.

Do I have to go to the check in desk or just go straight to security? Is security signposted easily?

Once I’m through security do I just wait for the electronic sign to say which gate then go straight there and wait?!

I know this is ridiculous but I need a plan in my head of what will happen beforehand

Check if the country you are returning from accepts phone screenshots as boarding pass. Not all do at the moment.

And your plastic bag thing with liquids has to be out of your hand luggage. Don't leave it in it like I did during my first time flying!

You could buy your liquids once through passport control, then you can take what you want. Some Boots even do click and collect.

Allow plenty of time which means you can take your time to find where you are going, get through security etc as that will reduce stress levels.

You can only use one ziplock bag for liquids (I once put everything in two thinking I could take more but they made me put what I could into one and I had to leave some items behind.) Medical liquids that you get on prescription such as eye, nose, ear drops, inhalers etc can go through without sanction. So they can go in a separate clear ziplock bag and don’t count towards your allowance. Take a copy of your prescription.

In security you need to put mobile phone/tablet in the tray and your coat and belt. Take loose change out of coat pockets first. Some airports want shoes removing too. Boots just about always have to come off.

If you are stressed/anxious take your time to sort yourself out once your through security. There will be tables at the back of the area where you can re pack your hand luggage, put your belt, shoes etc back on. I once left my passport in the tray as I was so stressed and that makes me forgetful. So go slowly and methodically and check you have everything before going onto passport control.

Never be afraid to ask for directions (though they’re usually very good indeed). No one minds and double checking can help you feel more confident.

You will be fine. I’m getting better at flying alone the more I do it. Get to the gate early as that means you can relax knowing you’re in the right place. Hope all goes well and you have a great trip.

Your summary of what will happen is great.

As a tip: even if things go a little differently at security, I.e. they want to check your bag or want to extra checks, do not panic. Its very normal and often it is just random. For some reason I am always chosen for random checks

As for your carry on luggage. They may well take it to out in the hold, depending on how many other people have carry on bags.
Again, it's ok. You could try to ask the crew at the gate if you can keep your bag and explain your reasons, but as this is easyjet, they may still put it in the hold.

Thank you so much! I’m slightly less stressed!

I can’t see if/how I can add speedy boarding to my ticket, if I cAn then I’ll absolutely do that but can’t see if it’s possible.

I’m getting the Gatwick express at some god awful time of the morning so that’s fine

Some brilliant tips, thank you all so much

We stay at one of the airport hotels near Gatwick (on the airport bus link) which have car parking for when your away - it is so worth it!

And hey OP remember loads of people are unsure of what they’re meant to be doing in airports even if they fly loads.I fly a lot for work and for hols and family visits and I still don’t always know exactly what I should be doing because there are some different rules or procedures for different airlines and airports etc. people are tired and harassed with luggage, small kids, wheelchairs etc and the staff know there will always be % of people who have the wrong document to hand and luggage over the limit so you really won’t stand out at all if there’s something small you don’t know.

OP, apologies if you're already aware of this but I've seen too many people caught out at the airport because they didn't realise that EasyJet changed their luggage allowance last year. The "carry-on bag" that's included in the ticket price is literally a handbag. So basically if you're going anywhere for more than a day or two and taking more than a washbag and some clean pants you'll need to pay for extra luggage. It's cheaper to do this online in advance than to wait and do it at the airport - and you'll need to do it for the return journey too.
Have a wonderful trip!

@IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece

Your summary should be promoted on every travel site, airport site etc etc, it is the clearest, most straightforward checklist I have ever seen. I fly regularly carry on only and have never had any issues but rarely with Easy Jet - when I did though, they were helpful and professional

You’ve got it covered OP

Have a brilliant time - enjoy!

I flew easyJet last week and had a tight connection . As I got on the plane I explained to the cabin crew and they sat me right next to the door .
There was room and it made getting off the plane much less stressful .
I am not saying it will work for you but it’s worth an ask . Normal cabin luggage applied . My cabin case fits under the seat which means I can always keep it .

If you can leave from Kings Cross station it’s much cheaper than the Gatwick express.

www.gatwickairport.com/at-the-airport/passenger-services/special-assistance/hidden-disabilities/

This page has some really useful pictorial guides to getting around the airport that you may find of help.

Get there early. I dont know Gatwick well but heathrow wont let you on your flight if you haven't cleared security by a set time (usually between 45 mins and an hour before departure - I think it often states it on boarding cards). And remember the departure time is departure. Boarding will start and end before then so dont rock up 5 mins before departure or you may not get on.

On cabin baggage - Jonny isn't quite right.

the guidelines are here:

www.edreams.com/blog/easyjet-luggage-restrictions/

The thing to note is that you CAN'T take a handbag as well. However, you CAN take quite a reasonable sized bag (as a family, for a holiday of a week to 10 days, we usually take 4x hand bags + 1 checked in suitcase. We did the same for 3 weeks in the US, but you can take a handbag as well as the carry on for transatlantic flights so we were laughing)

Two things I do that really helps me feel less anxious are have everything that has to go in the tray in a separate carrier bag so that I'm not rummaging around in my suitcase at security. (Liquids bag, Laptop etc)
I just empty the contents of the carrier bag into one tray, Suitcase in another.

The other is travel with a cardigan or hoodie that has deep patch pockets to keep boarding pass, passport, Phone, Headphones and credit card in......No faffing about in bags when boarding, paying for drinks on the plane, Showing passport at customs.

Just to say sometimes the sign will not say "security" but rather "gates" or "departures" - ie places beyond security.

I’ve flown with easyjet 4 times this month, the cabin allowance is absolutely NOT just a handbag. You can take 1 bag which can be a cabin size wheelie bag, what you can’t have is a separate handbag.
The easy jet app is very good, once your flight is ready to board it will send a message telling you which gate to go to.

Also you do not need to take phone, leads etc out of your bag, it’s just laptops & iPads, along with the bag with liquids

Hecateh I’ve never been told I’ve made something straightforward!

Thanks all, so much!

I have a carry on bag and no handbag

Have downloaded the easyJet app

Am good to go! Well hopefully!

I have allowed plenty of time. My train gets in at 430am and my flight is at 7 (next train got in at 530 which felt too tight for my anxiety ridden brain!!)

Look on the easyjet website for the exact maximum dimensions allowed for your carry on bag. With easyjet you are only allowed one bag unless you have priority.

But because there isn't enough room in the cabin for everyone to have a wheelie case, sometimes they make some people put them in the hold.

Or do what movin says and then if they want your suitcase, you just keep the carrier bag with you, otherwise it will need to go in the other bag.

It is best to be prepared for this outcome by having a small reusable shopping bag so you can put the things you don't want to go into the hold in it to take into the cabin - purse, phone, any medicines, book/kindle etc.

Yes agreed, i just flew with easyJet last weekend and all four of us had wheelie cases as hand luggage. Maybe it is Ryanair with the new policy? We did have to check them in on the way though (for free) as they had reached capacity. I think joining the boarding queue early would suffice to avoid this though, rather than needing to pay for speedy boarding

Ps at Gatwick there is a monorail thing (think they call it a shuttle) between the train station and north terminal. It's well signed and free and arrives every couple of minutes.

Nobody has explained the process as well as you have in your OP, OP! Your last post about timings, carry on luggage etc all sounds spot on too, you got this OP!