My girlfriend is American and I'm Canadian. My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Calgary AB to see my sister in law, my brother and my Nephew in Aug this year. I'm a rookie plane person and have any flown once in my life. I don't know what to expect being a canadian citizen flying out of the USA. We plan to go Aug 10-14, 2010 and fly from Cleveland with 1 layover in Denver. Is this a good idea? What is there to do in Denver? We arrive at 9:47am in Denver and don't leave Denver until 12:20pm in the afternoon.

Any tips, helpful hints, what we can do as for carry on's etc? I don't know much about flying.

Thanks

N1Hawk

You both need passports for the trip. If you don't have up to date passports, apply now. Getting a passport takes weeks. You start the process and get the paperwork at the post office. You will need two passport photographs.

You won't have time to leave the Denver airport during your connection. Your options will be eat at the food court or sit at the gate.

You should visit TSA's web site to learn about what you can carry on and what you can't. If you intend to carry on your luggage pay attention to the maximum size of liquids and that all liquids must be in a separate zip lock bag when you go through x-ray.

Air fares begin to increase 28 days in advance of departure. If you know the dates of your trip, for best rates, book at least 28 days before.

I second everything stumpworks said. Also, I would get to the airport with plenty of time before your departing flight. Airlines usually recommend at least two hours, although I've heard some recommend up to three before international flights (check with your airline, but usually two is sufficient). You will need time to check in, check your luggage if necessary (though for five days, I would really do carry-on only), go through security and find your gate. I do all of that before wandering off to get breakfast or shop, and I get back to the gate at least 30 minutes before takeoff. Keep checking TV screens in the concourses to make sure your gate doesn't change while you're roaming around.

Regarding security: Keep your ID and boarding pass easily accessible - the TSA workers will need to see them. Wear shoes that are easy to get on and off. Don't wear a lot of metal; usually jeans buttons and jewelry don't set the scanner off, but just in case, I keep it to a minimum. Put your cell phone in your bag or the bin, not your pocket. Keep your liquids/medications in bags that can easily be taken out and put through the scanner separately. Double check your carry-on luggage to make sure you don't have more liquids or a Swiss army knife or anything that you forgot about. If you're taking a laptop, put it in a separate security bin.

Mostly - have fun! Personally I kind of enjoy the process of flying - not only do you get to go see your family, but you're almost forced to slow down a little.

Has anyone here ever flown into Denver Before? Thanks for all the info you guys have give me? Is Denver a Big airport like say Chicago?

I have, but it's been a few years. It's not bad at all - and it's likely, if both legs of your flight are on the same airline, that the gates you land at and depart from will not be too far apart. (That's not guaranteed, but usually all the Delta gates are together in the airport, for example.)

I flew into and out of Denver airport recently, but we didn't have to change planes. The airport is very big, very modern, with good shops and good restaurants (and it had free WiFi a few years ago, but not sure if that's still true)

Once you get there, be sure to get up to Banff and Lake Louise and take a couple hikes or just sightsee--beautiful mountains and lakes. One of my favorite areas to visit.

LindainOhio,

Yes my Sister in Law lives there. She will be taking us around