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

My Best tip for security is to be organised when you pack your hang luggage. Have your liquids ready in a clear bag at the top of your hand luggage is you can easily pull it out. Have a think about what electrical you’re taking and, again, ensure they’re easily accessible. Make sure there is nothing in your pockets. If you have a chunky watch then it’s easier to just take it off and put it through the scanner. Don’t panic if you realise you forgot to take something out or they pull your bag for further checks. I am terrible for not realising I have a random fruit pouch at the bottom of my bag or forgetting I have my laptop with me. They’ll simply check your bag and put the item through the scanner again on its own. You’ll do fab and most importantly, enjoy your trip!

I love takeoff because it feels magic. Hate anything like rollercoasters, it's nothing like that.

It feels like going very fast in a car - too fast - and you will feel stuck to your seat, which I think is actually acceleration, not gravity.

Pick somebody who looks chilled/like they have flown before and decide you'll only panic if they are panicking. If anything unexpected happens, look to see how they respond. It's probably normal. The most unexpected thing for me was the loudness of the engine noise.

I like boiled sweets to alleviate ear pressure but chewing gum works v well because it lasts longer.

Don't pack your passport in your suitcase!!

Keep a jumper with you, because it gets cold when you're up in the air.

Oh, a tip I found out by accident. I was flying with DS3 who gets blocked ears very commonly so I took some of this nasal spray that helps unblock a blocked nose, as his doctor has recommended it for his blocked ears.

It just so happened on that flight I got the most painful blocked ear, I kept sipping water, sucking sweets and swallowing while holding my nose - nothing was clearing it and I was nearly crying with the pain. I decided to try a squirt of the nasal spray, which I think is just saline, and within about ten seconds the pain got suddenly worse and then I heard this crackling kind of noise and all the pressure in my ear disappeared. I will never fly without it again!

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

They tell the cabin crew take off is over, they then normally announce you need to stay in your seat with your seat belt until the pilot turns off the seatbelt sign.

After about 30-60 seconds of take-off the pilot will put the brakes on to stop the plane going higher, it can feel like the plane is going back down, but it's not.

When landing, it can get bumpy when going through the clouds, look out the window and wait until the plane is below the clouds when it should be smooth.

Nobody likes turbulence, so if you have any you won't be the only one worrying!

The plane might bounce a bit on landing, also not a problem.

Also I don't know where you're flying to but there are some airports near the coast and it can feel like you're going to land on water.

With regards to the clear bags for makeup/toiletries- is it best to use the airport ones? I am flying from Heathrow next month and just taking hand luggage.

I can put them all in a makeup bag so when I get there, all I'd have to do is transfer to the clear bag. Also, am I allowed more than one or is it one clear bag per person?

Also random people get swabs taken where they wipe a little wet cloth over your hands and luggage checking by for explosives. Happens to my teenagers quite a lot for some reason but nothing to worry about

I'm flying from Newcastle
I'm excited but nervous at the same time
I'm only allowed 20kg luggage so will take hand luggage
Think I'll pack all liquids in my actual bag

Also random things count as liquid - I got caught out by a jar of jam.......

I think it's paste / gel / liquid really.....

Of course jam would be counted as its not a solid

It's liquids, gels, pastes so toothpaste, deodorant, hand cream, hand sanitiser, etc. If in doubt put it in the clear bag and make sure each container is 100mls or less

It's one resealable clear bag per person max size 20x20cm. I've never had an issue using a small resealable freezer bag

20kg is a good sized suitcaseful including some heavy items like liquids.
Hand luggage is needed for what you want on the journey plus at least enough to cope if your suitcase arrives late. DHs is usually mostly taken up with his medicines.... if you've got any of those make sure they're in their packaging, with a copy of your prescription, not random pills in some other container.

Thanks- will have to try fit all my makeup and toiletries in one bag then.

My DC recently flew for the first time, they were very nervous about take off but it ended up being their favourite part. I don't think I would describe it as having a stange feeling although obviously your ears can feel a bit strange so take some sweets you can suck on, I've never needed them but DH's ears are always quite bad.

Good luck, I love flying.

A tip from someone that flys a lot...
Take a large ziplock bag that will hold all the bits from pockets your watch and belt your phone etc and pop all those bits into the bag before entering security. Then place that bag along with your liquid bag in the tray when you get to the other end of the security tray carousel you can easily pick up both bags your hand luggage and shoes and walk away to put them on away from the security area. It makes everything a whole lot easier as it's all together. Use a big ziplock for this as then it's laid out flat for the security scan ( x-ray).

The actual scanner you walk through feels like nothing at all as depending on the type it's either an x-ray or metal detector and both have no sensation at all.

This link from the Civil Aviation Authority gives you the most up to date information and other links that can help. www.caa.co.uk/passengers/at-the-airport/checking-in-and-security/

@ohohohitsofftowork Link to info from the airport you are flying from may help to

www.newcastleairport.com/preparing-for-travel/security-advice/

Newcastle's a really easy airport as it's a fairly small. Whenever I've travelled from there the staff have been great- so if you're not sure what to do just ask. There are loads of signs in the security area reminding you about liquids etc.

If you don't need to take liquids in your hand luggage I wouldn't bother- if you're not sure what to do at least that's one concern off the list. I always travel in comfortable clothes that I'm not likely to have to remove to go through security (eg. no heels, large pieces of jewellery, belts etc). I often find it's really warm in the airport but can get cold on the plane so I tend to take a jumper that can be put in my hand luggage. I also pack one change of clothes in my hand luggage (eg. swimsuit and shorts/T shirt if it's a beach holiday) just so I know I'm ok for day 1 if there's any problem with my luggage. Other than that I try to keep hand luggage to a minimum so there's less to worry about going through security and less to have to lug around the airport.

Thankyou everyone
I feel so much better now I kind of know what I'm doing ha ha
We are staying at the hotel at airport night before too -so another less thing to stress about
Our flight isn't until 10.45 am so I'm hoping for a relaxed morning.
Will have a couple of gins night before to hopefully calm my nerves