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Help! First time flying. Do I have everything I need to board plane and what do I do at airport!

7 replies

jess3692 · 22/08/2014 14:26

Hi all,

I am flying to Greece from London Gatwick with Thomson.
I checked in online so I have my boarding passes printed.
I was also emailed some flight e-tickets - at what stage do I use these?
Apart from the above and our passports, is that all I need?!
And it would be amazing if someone could actually explain the process, from turning up to airport, to boarding the plan. p.s. we don't need a parking space.

Is it right that as soon as we get there we go to a desk(?) and show our boarding passes and hand in our suitcases? then make our way to security and then head over to where we need to wait for our plane. but then what are the flight e-tickets for? Sorry, I sound so useless but don't want to turn up and walk around like a headless chicken. I just want to know what to expect! thanks very much!

OP posts:
BonaDea · 22/08/2014 14:40

Now that you have checked in and have your boarding passes, you won't need your e-tickets. I'd print them and take them with as proof of purchase etc, but you won't need them.

When you arrive at the 'departures' area of the airport, look for the banks of tv screens which show all the flights which are departing in the next few hours. Find your flight on the screen (it will be referenced by flight number and destination as well as time of departure). That will then tell you which check in desk to go to. As you have already checked in, you will probably just be heading for the 'bag drop' queue, where you will stand in line with your cases. At the desk, the staff member will check your boarding cards and passports, then weigh your cases, label them and hand your documents back. Your cases are then gone until you land.

You will then be told which 'gate' to head for. Follow signs for departure gates. You will at this point come to a further check of boarding cards, as only passengers are allowed beyond that point. When someone has checked that, you will follow the directions (no where else to go!) and end up in a line for security. You have to place your hand luggage on the conveyor belt so that it can be scanned for bombs / liquids etc. At this stage you will be asked to remove any jackets or cardigans / loose clothing as well as belts and sometimes shoes. All go in a tray on the conveyor belt to be passed through a scanning machine.

You will then yourself walk through a person scanner. If you 'beep' you will be given a brief pat down to check you're not carrying anything. If not, you just walk through to the other side and collect your hand luggage from the conveyor belt. REMEMBER - you are not allowed to carry any liquids, including water or other drinks - in your hand luggage if the container of the liquid is over 100ml. Anything you do have (such as a small bottle of perfume, or deodorant) you have to put in a clear plastic bag. They have these at the security part for you to use.

When you've cleared security, you then walk through in to the departure areas, where you'll find duty free shopping, bars, sandwich shops etc. You can browse here or get food etc. You will see other banks of screens. These will have your flight on, and when the flight is maybe 45 minutes from departure, the screen will say "go to gate" and will list the departure gate for your flight. You then follow the signs to the departure gate where there are normally seats etc and wait until the flight is called, meaning they announce it is ready to board. Often they board flights by seat row, so they may say "would all passengers in rows 10-26 please board now". As you approach the gate to board, your passport and boarding cards are normally checked again.

Finally, you walk through onto the plane, find your seat and sit down!

At the other end, when you get off the plane, follow signs for baggage reclaim, check the screens to see which belt your bag will be on, wait for it to come round, take it off and head for the exit.

If you are on a package holiday with Thomson, you should look for people with clipboards from Thomson - these are reps and will tell you where to go next.

Good luck and have a great holiday!

TheBuffyBot · 22/08/2014 14:49

Hello!

You don't sound useless at all - you sound like you have everything under control really.

You need to make sure you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before your fight leaves. Yes, you need to find the Thompson check in desks when you arrive (they'll have your flight number and destination showing) Hand in your e tickets and passport and they'll weigh your luggage and take it off you. Give you/hand back your boarding passes and tell you what time the boarding gate will open for your flight.

Then you'll need to head through security where you'll need to show your boarding pass again and they'll scan your hand luggage etc (make sure your not carrying large amounts of liquids otherwise they'll be taken off you. Small 100ml liquids are allowed but you'll need to put the bottles in clear see through bags available at security)

We recently flew from Manchester and also had all electricals in one bag to make it easier as they were being switched on and checked for some flights the US I think?

After you've got through security head through to the departures lounge - plently of shops cafes etc for a bit of a wander but keep an eye on the screens dotted around as they will show your flight number and destination and tell you what boarding gate you will need to get to in order to board your flight/time it opens etc.

That's when you'll need to show your passports and boarding passes again before you finally get on the plane!

Have an amazing holiday Smile

jess3692 · 22/08/2014 15:03

you are Amazing - thank you. you couldn't have made it sound any simpler. that's washed my nerves away. thanks again TheBuffyBot ! Grin

OP posts:
jess3692 · 22/08/2014 15:04

you are both Amazing - thank you. you couldn't have made it sound any simpler. that's washed my nerves away. thanks again TheBuffyBot and BonaDea !! Grin

OP posts:
specialsubject · 22/08/2014 18:28

just to check you have travel insurance and EHICs.

also never board a plane with an empty stomach or a full bladder - you'll be stuck in your seats for at least half an hour. Dress in comfortable layers and expect a delay. Then be happy if you don't get one.

enjoy your holiday - flying is the necessary evil to get there!

InkleWinkle · 22/08/2014 21:06

Exactly what JESS & BONA said!

And there's always somebody to ask so don't be afraid to check anything when you're there.

You'll need layers (as advised above) because it'll be raining when you leave, fairly cool on the plane & bloody scorching when you get thereGrinGrin
My favourite feeling in the world is that moment when you step out the plane & the wave of heat hits you. Grin

Have the best time everGrinGrin

InkleWinkle · 22/08/2014 21:07

Oh no - you're Jess OP so I meant BUFFY

sorry

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