Ok, so this is going to sound stupid. I mean really stupid. Next sunday will be my first time abroad... im going to go to france(hardly far) by plane...my problem is...well, ive never been before. Ive never even seen the inside of an airport, and have no idea what youre supposed to do there before getting on your plane. How does it all work exactly? Ill have to go alone and im pretty nervous:-S Xx
not sure about how it works in Europe... but here, it's best if you get to the airport a couple hours early, to make sure your baggage is checked and everything goes ok. Usually allowed one carry on bag (bring music or a book, since you'll be waiting in the airport for a while). Bring gum to chew when the plane is going up or down (pressure builds in the ears, yawning or chewing gum helps alleviate said pressure). Make sure you have your passport and a bunch of id with you, photo id being the best. Have someone you call when you get in, so everyone knows you landed ok (if you're travelling by yourself that is)
Just get there early and bring your passport. It won't be a hassle for you because you are an EU citizen going from one EU country to another. The flight is a different story. Even though I've flown a lot, I still get nervous.
this is pretty much what you should expect to happen. make sure you don't forget your plane ticket or put it somewhere it isn't easily accessible...my parents were pretty pissed off when i said i couldn't find my ticket, it was in one of my books, but yea...not fun. loading on the plane - they usually call by sections, just listen and when you here it (if its a small plane, they just might call your name) just go up to the person, show the ticket and you will walk down the hall way thing and then you will look for your seat. if you have any trouble, just ask questions on what to do... hope you have a great time though.
England to France is like, half an hour. What'll happen is this. You go to the big airport building. Look for the terminal you'll need to go to. Air France or whoever will be in a certain terminal. You need to be there 2h ahead of time, but get there 2.5h, so you can figure out what terminal. Best way to travel - one carryon that'll fit under a seat. Either way, go directly to the counter at the terminal, and check in your bags and get a boarding pass. Tag your bags ahead of time or in the queue, and there will be one. After you have your boarding pass, you'll be told which gate to go to. Go to that gate. Have all metal objects in an easy to put into a box item like a small purse. Don't have coins in pockets, keys in other pockets, etc. Ideally you wanna put your bag (carryon) and a small purse containing all keys and coins and metal bits into a box, which they'll X-ray, and then walk through a metal detector, without setting it off. If you do, you go into another line and your belongings sit there unguarded. The other side of the gate, now it's time to find the particular area in which you'll be leaving from. If you're leaving from gate A your boarding pass will say from A22 or something, so find #22 in the A section. Check ticket and doorway to see they match (Air France 2028 to Paris France 1345) and wait. Once you get to the other side, if you're in Charles de Gaulle, best of Goddamn luck. The architects were obsessed with Habitrail.
Oh thanx! I truly had no idea what the hell to do...ive printed that out to read! Whatll happen to my suitcase? I wouldnt be as nervous, but ive got pretty bad ears and can barely hear, so even if someones kind enough to help me i probably wont hear them(especially if theyre speaking rapid french at the other end) Ill come out at Orly. Anyway thanks everyone at least i have an idea now. -Maxi.Xx
The desk clerk at the checkin desk will put it on a conveyor and you won't see it again until you get to your destination. When you get there, there'll be an area and you get to it by following signposts for "baggages". Find the carousel your bag will be on by figuring out which one is serving which flight number.
orly is by all accounts a great deal easier than de gaul. lucky you. just read the signs, chew your gum, smile at people in airport uniforms. they can be very handy.
