What happens at airport security?(first time nervous flyer)

[ohohohitsofftowork]

So at the grand age of 40 I'm finally going abroad.
What happens at security?
What things need to be put in tray?
Do I take all jewellery off?
Also on take off I've been told it's a weird sensation? What does it feel like?
Very nervous

Everything you are carrying goes in the tray, plus coats /scarves and possibly shoes and your watch.

You don't need to take other jewellery off.

There is no odd sensation...

Coat and sometimes belt and shoes off, hand luggage bag in tray and any loose items from pockets like keys and coins, plus phone, tech, liquids under 100ml in clear bags. The. The tray goes along the conveyor and you walk through the scanner. You may get patted down. Hopefully you reunite with your tray the other side.

The staff at security advise you on what to put in the machines. It's very straightforward - your hand luggage and coats.they also ask that toiletries are in clear plastic bags which are handed out as you enter the security section and ask you to get laptops and phones out of bags. That's about it.

If you follow guidance about how early to arrive this should give you plenary of time to get through security and then do sone shopping or have a cuppa on the flight side of security.

Take off is fine. Sometimes I've not noticed it as I've been snoozing or reading.

It will be fun!

Electricals go in the tray incl. Your phone
Belt and watch too
Your cabin bag goes in a tray too to go through the scanner. You may end up with a few trays!

You should have a small clear resealable bag (20x20cm) for any liquids/gels/pastes you are taking into the cabin. Each container needs to be 100ml or under and the bag needs to be able to fasten. A small resealable freezer bag is about the right size.

You remove any liquids from your carry on (which should be in a clear bag, airports provide them if needed). Each container must also be less than 100ml. These go in a tray with any electricals, iPads etc. remove your watch and belt.

the rest of your carry on goes in a tray, the. You walk through the metal detector. If it beeps they will do a quick search. If something not allowed is spotted in your bag they may root around and you’ll have to wait for the pleasure as they seem very understaffed right now.

Taking off depends on the pilot/conditions but generally fine. I’ve taken 100s of flights and always remind myself they won’t take off if it’s unsafe and they know what they’re doing so just try to relax. Have a great time.

I wouldn't wait until security to sort out a clear bag for liquids. Prepare them into a small resealable freezer bag beforehand and it will save time. Or pack all your liquids into your checked in bag.

On take off once a young lady who a sat next to me, grabbed my hand and the most awful language came out of her mouth, repeating the f word over and over. After we were in the air she let go and apologised for her language. I suggested she take a calms tablet when she next flys.

This is unusual

You will be fine OP. It’s fascinating seeing everything out of the window get smaller

Procedures can vary at different airports, for example Heathrow has clear plastic bags they give you as you enter security and these are free.
However in Newcastle you have to buy them from a slot machine for £1 before entering the security lane.
You can buy ziplock freezer bags in advance but some airports e.g. Heathrow prefer you to use theirs. I normally remove my belt and watch and put them in my hand baggage before going through security as it reduces the risk of being stopped but sometimes it’s just random as every 10th passenger is stopped for example.
There are signs as you enter security advising local procedures and you can also look at the airport website in advance.
Use a tray for your hand baggage and a separate on for you jacket and phone, they like things spread out, not on top of each other. Mug your shoes are bulky or have thick soles or wedges you may be asked to remove them.
There is a line before the metal detector arch, the security person will wave you through when it’s your turn, don’t walk through unless invited or they will send you back.
Taking off is fine, you feel a little drag backwards like going up a steep hill in the car or up the ramp to the start of a roller coaster.
Have fun

Other people have covered security so I’ll do my best to describe take off:

The plane trundles along (taxis) to the runway. This can take a few minutes. Then it will stop. You’ll hear the engines revving up then the plane will travel fast along the runway (still on the ground). It’s a definite sensation of speed and you can see from the window you’re going fast. Then you might feel the nose tip upwards and the wheels lift off the ground. It gets quieter because the wheels aren’t on the runway anymore. It can feel a little bit like you’re pushed down in your seat as the plane rises. You can see out of the window that the ground is below and as you get higher the buildings get smaller and you can see roads etc. I enjoy it. But I know not everyone does (my sister).

sometimes in the air there can be turbulence and it can feel like you’re dropping (because you are) like going over a hump back bridge. It can feel unsettling but it’s nothing to worry about. If this happens you’ll usually be asked to sit down and put your seat belt on. I always keep my seat belt on anyway.

Hope you have a lovely time.

Which airport are you flying from, as they all have different rules as to what needs to be placed out on a tray vs left in your bag? Larger electrical items such as laptops and iPads pretty universally need to be removed. Some airports don’t require you to remove liquids from your bag, though most still do. Manchester airport are by far the worst with what needs to be removed: cameras, lenses, hair straighteners, phone chargers are all things I’ve needed to remove there but not at any other airport.

Empty your pockets before going through the scanner, remove coats/jackets, watches but jewellery is generally fine. Some airports will ask you to remove shoes, some won’t.

Most airports have lots of signs with their rules, and I often ask anyway which electrical items I need to remove if I’m not familiar with the airport as it varies so much. If something does flag in your bag though it’s fine, someone will just need to search to see what it was. As long as you have plenty of time then it’s just a minor inconvenience.

Don't forgot the bonging noises, these are indicators for the cabin crew, nothing to worry about!!

Also on take off I've been told it's a weird sensation? What does it feel like?

I wouldn't say it's weird - it's exactly like being in a vehicle accelerating fast forwards and a bit upwards!

I find it easier to just not bother wearing any jewellery or a belt for the flight (can always have some in hand luggage and put it on later. The sorts of shoes likely to need removing are ones with metal lasts, which is generally heels so I'd stick to trainers or the like. Also, sometimes feet can swell a bit which is another reason for comfy shoes.

You are allowed one clear plastic bag 20cm x 20cm it must seal.
If you have a hold bag then put all your liquids in that.
Lipsticks, lipgloss etc is classed as a liquid.
Large electrical, hair tools, laptops iPads must go in tray, an electric toothbrush is fine in the bag.
Enjoy your first trip abroad and don’t forget your passport!

It's really easy OP as long as you are prepared ahead of time and you don't have loads of carry on stuff. Here's your plan

The morning you leave
Dress so you don't have to remove loads of stuff at security. Try not to wear belts, jewellery or heeled shoe or boots as these all have to come off and go in a tray. Keep your jewellery in your carry on. If you wear a jacket or cardy ensure you are decent when you remove it as thee have to come off too into the tray. This because anything metal makes the alarm go off and jackets and scarves can hide things.

Limit your carry on bag contents to essentials only. Passport, medicines, purse, phone, jewellery, specs, keys etc

Any liquids in your carry on or gels need to go in a plastic bag. Lip balms, mascara, hand cream etc. put these in a sandwich bag at home. The standard size. Don't take bottles of water or anything over 100mls

Ensure you can have easy access to passport and phone in your carry on

At the airport security
There will be people to help and guide you and you will be in a queue so watch others.

You will approach and you will need to get a tray. Take off any jackets or scarves or specs and pop them in one tray. Take any electronics eg laptops and kindle out into another tray. Your carry on bag and anything else in your pockets goes in another tray. It doesn't matter how many trays you use they just all need to be laid out flat.

Any electronics in your carry on such as laptop or kindle need to come out of you bag and into the tray. As does your bag of liquids.

Push your trays onto the conveyor and wait to be summoned through the gate. Sometimes you have to stand in a little cubicle while they scan you. Staff will tell you what to do.

If the alarm is set off you will need to wait for a few second while a female member of staff scans you with a metal detecting stick. Sometimes my underwire sets it off and if that happens they know and you get waved on. You will not have to undress and you won't be touched. Sometimes they do a standard body sweep but it takes seconds. This is why dressing well in advance helps!

Collect your trays and leave into departures where there is wine and shopping!

May seem obvious, but wear socks in case you need to remove shoes, you don't want to be walking through barefoot

I always put the things they always need me to take out (phone, iPad, laptop, bag of liquids, etc) in one pocket to hand baggage then I'm not scrabbling through my backpack to find it in the queue

And yes, try to do your bag of liquids before you get to the queue- even if they want in in "their" bags, you can just tip yours into theirs

Where are you flying from?

I've flown twice from Gatwick recently (June and September) and they no longer ask you to take your liquids or your electricals out of your bag. (You may have to take your shoes off though)

On take off the funny sensation is your ears trying to balance the change in air pressure, take some small sips from a bottle of water and your ears will ‘pop’ back to normal.

Helpful video here from 8 minutes

That made me laugh, poor woman, and poor you!

I think take off is interesting. I have slept through it, but if i have a window seat then i try not to as i like the views. The feeling of take off is of gravity holding you somewhat firmly back into your chair. That lasts until you reach some altitude, at which point there's sometimes the feeling like when you're in a car and go over the top of a hill, but it's brief.

Landing is the irritating one for me. You might be in a queue in the sky for ages going round and round the airport, drop a little, continue going round. It's incredibly dull when you're so near your loved ones or holiday destination. It's worth having a decongestant handy as this time can lead to a build up of pressure in the ears. It's not everytime and not common for most of the passengers, but when it happens it's so painful. You might see people popping a sweet in the mouth, chewing gum or doing the yawning jaw stretch to relieve the pressure in the ears.

I have 2 metal knees so I always set the alarm off. I have to have a pat down . No problem at all and very quick.

We flew last week. I was told I had to take my shoes off at security because the we're 'above the ankle' (small soft leather ankle boots). Also told to remove my wooden necklace because 'the machine hates anything dense'! There's no one-rule-fits-all I'm afraid OP - it depends on the airport. Toiletries in a clear bag and laptops and ipad in a separate tray - the rest is anyone's guess! 😁

Airport staff have a reputation for being gruff and lacking a sense of humour. I worked there long enough to say that’s accurate BUT they are used to dealing with people who don’t speak the same language, are used to different rules, are extremely tired or stressed. They will be able to explain anything twice or three times, they expect to have to same the same thing 300 times a day.
ditto other passengers, I am a terrible passenger despite spending 40 odd hours a week in an airport for years I still get in a flap when I feel rushed.
its a means to an end.

I love the feeling of take off. A lovely little adrenaline rush.

I’m scared of flying too but I’ve never had a bad experience. Sorry if I repeat things that people have already said or sound patronising.

The first thing you’ll do is have your passports checked and check in your suitcase if you have checked luggage, you’ll probably have to queue for this. The desk that you need to go to will be displayed on screens above the desk and there can be a lot of them. If you’re very early, check in might not be open yet and if you’re not sure, ask an airport worker. Try to have your passports ready and your boarding passes will probably be on your phone.
Then you’ll go straight to security and probably have to queue again. Try to just pack liquids, deoderants and your makeup bag in your checked luggage so you don’t have to bother with them but if you’re not checking in luggage, check your makeup bag to see if you have anything you haven’t accounted for. If you have a drink, you’ll need to have finished it before security or throw it away. If you’re going somewhere warm, just don’t bother with a coat.

Then you’re free to browse the shops or get something to eat. If you’re not getting a meal on the plane, have a decent meal in the airport and buy a drink and snacks/ a meal deal at the airport as food on board is very expensive and there’s nothing worse than being hungry and stuck. Also take some chewy sweets for take off an landing incase your ears pop. Maybe have a drink to calm your nerves but don’t be tempted to get drunk!

Once you’re on the plane, it’ll just start reversing when it’s time to go, there isn’t an announcement. It might look like the plane next to you is moving, then you realise it’s you! 😂. You taxi for a while and then usually stop and you’ll hear the engines revvving up and then you’ll speed off down the runway. You might feel a bit of a “dip” then you can feel yourself going up.

You feel the aircraft turning quite quickly on takeoff because you don’t always take off in the direction that you are travelling or it might seem to do quite a few turns. This is normal. As you get to cruising height you’ll feel the aircraft level off which can feel like you’re going down but it’s still very normal. You’ll also hear the wheels going up and then down for landing which sounds very… mechanical and you might hear a clunk as they click into place but that’s fine too.

I always read a book during taxiing and take off to distract me but make sure you do listen to the safety briefing.

You might feel movement during the flight, but watch the cabin crew, they’ll be going about their business as usual except for take off and the final part of landing so you know you are safe.

When you land, you’ll feel like you’re going down for a long time and you may have to wait in a queue. The final part of landing feels faster and you may feel a little bump and movement of the plane as you touch the ground but landings seem to be a lot softer these days.

At the other end, you’ll go through security again and then go and get your luggage. Put a ribbon or sticker or something on your suitcase to make it easier to spot and try not to worry if it takes a while or if one bag comes much sooner than others, they get all mixed up in the loading process and it’s actually easier if they come at different times. If you miss your bag, just wait for it to come around again.

Then go and enjoy your holiday!