I'm arranging a trip to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure for my girlfriend and her 13 year old son. She's never been on a vacation, and has only flown once. I don't believe her son has ever flown.

I've arranged for a non-stop flight from Atlanta to Orlando (flight time 1.5 hrs). I've converted their e-tickets to paper to eliminate the need to stand in line at the ticket counter.

I'm going to contact Delta and ask if they have a "first time flyer" program so they can just be aware she might be a bit nervous.

I haven't flown since 9/11 and wondering what the opinion is on carry-on -vs- checked baggage. If you check the bags, you can basically just wiz through the security checkpoints but if you carry on you have to get your bags screened/searched. I used to always do carry-on since I just want to be able to get on off the plane without worrying about my bags. But with security now, what's the better approach?

Any other hints for first time flyers?

I've carried on and checked my bags depending on how much I have. I generally prefer to check them because it's more convinient - no hauling my stuff through the airport, no hang ups at the security gate. It's not that big of a deal to carry on though since you can only take 1 small suitcase and a personal item like a purse or small backpack. So if security decides to go through your luggage, there isn't much to go through.

Well, there was no need to convert to paper tickets - their e-ticket itinerary/receipt would have gotten them through security just as easily as a paper ticket.

On the issue of baggage, unless you are flagged or something suspicious is seen by the x-ray machines, having a carry-on should not slow you down at all - you still have to go through the same procedure and wait in the same lines whether you have a carry-on or not.

Now if you check your bags, you will have to wait in what can sometimes be very long lines at Hartsfield (sometimes not - just depends).

If the bag is of legal carry-on size and it not difficult to negotiate (i.e. not too heavy) I would recommend not checking it. Good luck.

A few things:

-- The E-ticket doesn't eliminate the need for holders to be issued boarding passes. If the airline doesn't offer a kiosk for self-check-in (like Continental), or if you don't check in on the Web (American), you will need to stand in line at the ticket counter or at the gate. And I'm not sure that you can get through security with just an E-ticket receipt.

-- Carry-on limits vary from airline to airline, but usually it's two items allowed in the cabin; "personal items" like purses or laptops now count as one of those items on some airlines. I would do carry-on exclusively if at all possible, simply to avoid the hassle at baggage claim.

I have never understood why anyone would want to lug multiple large bags around with them from the curb to their gate (which could be a long walk esp in Atlanta) and THEN try to stuff it in the overhead compartment. Planes are small and crowded enough without that. To me, there is nothing better than checking your heavy bags and just sailing through the airport with a purse. She may be confused enough about finding the gate, going through security, etc without having to lug luggage around.

How long is the trip? Your friend might not want to pack light if the trip is for more than 3 days or so. Does your friend have suitcases of the regulation size to be carried on? Does she realize that if she does carry on she can't pack nail scissors, tweezers or other sharp objects and that things like hair spray might trigger the screening machines?

All in all, I would say check the bags, just make sure to tell her not to put any valuables in the bags and not to lock them.

If you can get maps of the Atlanta and Orlando airports she may appreciate that. You can often find these on websites. They will show terminals, ground transportation as well as restaurants and shopping areas in the terminals. You could also look into ground transportation options in Orlando like taxi, bus, etc., where she can find ground transportation after baggage claim, and how much a taxi or bus might cost. A map of Orlando may also be helpful.

Right after I posted that re: using an e-ticket itinerary to get though security, I remembered that some aiports require an actual boarding pass.

I'm fairly certain this is NOT required in Atlanta (at least it wasn't in January 2003), but I was not able to find any more current information on this. Anyone have more current info?

Tell the boy, and his mom, that the sounds of the engines are supposed to change from time to time, and this is normal, so don't worry about it.

And it's often better to go to the bathroom before you get on the plane than it is to wait until you are on the plane, because there are all kinds of rules about when you can move around.

And a window deat is a good thing, because you get to see a lot of interesting things from the air. Try to get a seat that is not over the wing.

Long-time travellers get jaded, but for kids, well, an airplane is a miraculous thing, and the views can be great, so have a good time.

BAK

I would not recommend carrying all your luggage on board.Even though Delta flies wide bodies--767/777 exclusively between Atlanta and Orlando,flights will be very heavily booked.Just check them and be done with it...one less thing to worry about.You will all have a great time....

You have gotten good advice I won't repeat but it is very important to be aware of what you have in your carry on. It is very embarrasing to be stopped at the check point because you have a small pair of nail scissors or other small thing. Size doesn't matter. Dump out your purse and only take what is necessary, never know what 'forgotten' sharp object is at the bottom. If you need it on the trip then pack in the checkable luggage. The smaller the carry-on bag, the quicker it is to check if you do get chosen.

It isn't a long flight but a book or magazine would be fun. We always buy a special travel magazine that we don't get at home and I always have a book.

Hope they have a great time!

b:

Most of the airports I have flown into & out of recently (BWI, DCA, CMH, ORF) require you only produce an e-ticket receipt at the security checkpoint. If each airport's policies are different (as it sounds like from the other postings), you might want to visit the websites of both ATL & ORL airports for specific info.

Call me old-fashioned, but I like paper tickets. Despite what the airlines say, paper is still king when it comes to any problems. I'm going to Europe next month, and if they try to foist an e-ticket on me, I'm going to tell them to "put it in their cyberspace."

As far as checking in, it's been a while since I've used Delta, but I took them 2 weeks ago, & they now have those ridiculous computer touch screens to check you in. I refused to use them, because I think this whole technology thing is getting quite out of hand (I know, I know, I'm on a computer right now, but in a customer service situation, I still want to talk to an actual live human being!!!).

I have never heard of a "first time flyer" program, so I'd be interested in hearing if DL offers one. But, I suspect that with all of the stupid penny-pinching policies the airlines have been putting into effect, I seriously doubt they do.

One thing you might want to check is the average wait time at the security checkpoints. I've really experienced a wide variety of delays depending on the airport. I can tell you that DCA is pretty good, CMH is so-so, and BWI is absolutely horrible (I think Jimmy Hoffa is still waiting to get through). So, be sure to have them arrive at the airport with adequate time to get through the checkpoint, because I have yet to see them make any exceptions for people who are running late.

As far as luggage, I always try to do carry-on, as again, depending on the airport, the wait time for your bags can be irritatingly long (again, BWI stinks at this, too!). But they have gotten very strict when it comes to carry-ons, and the whole "what you can & cannot check" thing can drive you crazy. Since this is a pleasure vacation, I'd have them check their bags. But again, have them be careful as to what they pack, as I got delayed at ONT several months ago for having Pepto-Bismol in my suitcase (apparently those new luggage x-ray machines don't like it!).

Hope all goes well!

Tell her to buy those tiny little bottles of liquor once on board and drink them whenever the mood hits. Should do the trick. Her son is on his own, though.

Found it. Here's a list of airports where boarding cards are necessary (neither paper tickets or e-ticket receipts will suffice):

http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=87&content=529

Neither ATL or Orlando are on there.

And here's a link to what can/cannot be taken in your carry-on:

http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=12

Nail clippers, tweezers nailfiles & even corkscrews are allowed now.

I'm laughing so hard at the previous poster who hates the electronic check-in kiosks. I travel at least 1 time a week and I thank the airline gods for these wonderful machines! While other people are waiting in lines of several hundred people and worrying about making a flight, I've whipped out a credit card, rec'd my boarding pass, gone up to security (always get behind the business people who know what to do - get the shoes off, computer out, etc) and am well on my way. Those kiosks have saved me soooo much time and put more control back into my own hands! Sorry, just have a completely different view.

re: electroniv -vs- paper tickets

I converted the e-tickets to paper to reduce the possibilities of problems/headaches (waiting in ticket line, brkoen kiosks, etc.).

Also, I purchased the tickets on my credit card so she won't have access to that card at the airport.

FYI, the self check-in kiosks do not require you to insert the same credit card with which you purchased the tickets. Any credit card that is tied to the person's name who is flying will work.

Just an FYI, the paper tickets are like money. If you lose it, the airlines may require you to purchase a new ticket. With an e-ticket, all you need is your drivers license or ID.

Converting e-tickets to paper tickets is NOT a way to save time and hassle; it is a way to potentially ADD it. It improves nothing at the ticket counter and in fact, it forces you to use the ticket counter when you could have avoided it. (So do yourself and everyone else a favor next time and DON'T do that, okay?) The 1.5 hours of "flight time" between Atlanta and Orlando includes a lot of time set aside for boarding, taxiway time on either end and de-planing. It's a very short flight, so it's perfect for a quick taste of the experience, but not a lot of time actually in the air.

Carry-on vs. checked baggage has more to do with quantity, vs. time savings. If everyone's stuff fits in legal carry-ons, I GUARANTEE you that it will be much quicker to skip the baggage carousel at your destination than to go through security outboud with carry-ons.

It's good to recognize that it's a new experience, but "over-preparing" might create its own issues. Relax and have a great time!

Flyboy, you're basically right-- E-tickets don't offer an advantage to travelers. They do, however, save the airlines time and money by not having to issue (and send) paper tickets. In fact, some carriers charge extra for issuing paper tickets. Cheap *&#$#@$s.

Thanks everybody.

re: first time flyer
I spoke with the ticket agent and she said that she added info to the ticket record that they were both first time flyers. Don't know if that does anything. Oh, this flight is way booked up. The only seats they had together were one in front of the other, not side-by-side. Agent said to ask the gate agent if any seats will be released that would allow them to sit together.

re: eTicket -vs- paper
OK, so I fudged a bit. I haven't yet converted the eTickets to paper. Went to Delta's ticket office. Problem is girlfriend doesn't have a credit card and wont have my card which was used to buy the tickets. She's not a Delta Skymiles member either. Ticket agent says Delta has now modified the eTicket kiosks to let you just enter a confirmation number (dont need a credit card anymore). She also said that even if you get a paper ticket, Delta requires you to get a separate boarding pass at the gate (go figure).

re: checked -vs- carry on
I'll give her the pros and cons of each so she can decide what's for her. I guess I'd still go the carry on route since I hate messing with checked bags and the dreaded lost luggage.

I'm sure they'll be able to get someone to swap a seat so they can be together, especially if they are one in front of the other. It's worth a try if nothing opens up before flight time. I'm sure they'll have a great time; you're certainly thinking of everything possible to make sure they do!