Questions, Questions, & More Questions!!!

Flying is WONDERFUL. I love it.

This is the link to Newark Liberty International airport.

http://www.panynj.gov/airports/newark-liberty.html

You can click around and find all sorts of good information. On the right is a link about TSA, which will give you a good idea on what you need to pack, etc.

Enjoy!

Check the TSA website - http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm for items that are restricted. Each airline determines carry on size and quantity and if you have to pay any additional fees.

I love to travel, and so I love to fly!

All the standard airlines are fine, and are similar. I usually use www.kayak.com to find the best prices. When choosing a flight, make sure you look at total travel time and not just price. Your 2 hour flight could end up a lot longer if you accidentally pick a flight that goes from Newark to Chicago by way of Charlotte :) So look for the fewest number of stops (hopefully non-stop) and the shortest travel time.

I arrive at the airport at least 1 hour before my flight. When I'm travelling with my kids, I get there as much as 2 hours before. Once I'm past security, we find a restaurant and eat. You need to be at the gate where your plane is at least 30 minutes before the scheduled takeoff.

If you carry on your luggage (and it costs extra to check it, so you may need to carry on so you don't rack up expenses), remember that all liquids and creams need to be in small (less than 4 oz) containers, and all the containers need to fit in a quart-size ziplock bag. I usually just take the sample toothpaste that the dentist gives me, and I pick up the small sample size hairspray for a dollar from Target for trips. Here is the TSA website for official rules on what to take, what kind of ID you need, etc: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm

I don't know about sleeping through the flight - I always get a window seat because I love to watch the countryside go by.

ETA: Dress comfortably. Do NOT wear boots, etc. if you have a heavy jacket? leave it at home - if you can check the weather in Florida prior to leaving - I would - you may be carrying stuff you don't need. Do NOT wear complicated shoes. When I went to Austin in December - I wore my slip on shoes. Easy-peasy.

Original:

You have never flown on a plane before?! WOW!!! How exciting!!

Are you flying out of Newark or JFK?
Depends on where you are flying to - you say the flight is 2 hours - so I will assume it is a U.S. flight? Not international? If it's international - 2 hours is plenty of time to clear security - passport checked, etc.

I would arrive 1.5 hours prior to departure time.
I would have my carry on ready to go through security - no shampoo, hairspray, knives, etc. you can go to TSA.gov to see what is acceptable to bring abroad - the 3 - 1 - 1 rule I believe is still in affect - no more than 3 ounces, 1packages (1 quart ziploc bag), 1 bag per traveler.

Southwest is what many call a "cattle call" - there are NO assigned seats. When you check in you get a Letter and a number - A10 or B or C or D. The later the alpha - the later you board.

If you want to have your shampoo, etc. with you? put it in a large ziploc bag and put in your checked luggage. Same with perfume.

You can have food - but no drinks - any drinks you purchase BEFORE you go through security will HAVE to be discarded. You can ONLY purchase from vendors once you have passed security.

Have your ticket ready along with a photo ID for you and your kids. We used the Ident-a-Kid ID and the security crew loved it. Made the kids feel great too!!

http://www.tsa.gov - this will give you all of the rules for travel.

I wouldn't take ANYTHING to sleep through a 2 hour flight - that is me. If you have ear problems - check with your ENT prior to your flying. I use Advil Sinus congestion to help with ear pressure. Chew gum. That helps as well.

RELAX!! ENJOY THE FLIGHT!!!

My biggest tip is to make sure that you and your entire family wear slip on shoes - crocks, sandals, etc... They even make babies take off their shoes. Untying and then re-tying 4+sets of shoes is not fun.

Be prepared to take off any bulky clothes such as sweaters or jackets. Don't wear any jewelry or belt with metal - it all causes the machine to beep.

Make sure you pack a change of clothes for each family member in a carry on. Every time I have flown since 9/11, my checked baggage never arrives at my final destination for at least one day.

Do you get carsick? Even if not, you may want to buy some dramamine and take with you just in case since it's your first flight.

Arrive at least 1 hour before your flight departs. I usually arrive 1 hour and a half beforehand.

Check the TSA website and whichever carrier you go with for their rules and regulations about liquids, etc... Also, make sure you don't have cuticle clippers in your purse or they will confiscate them. I've lost several pair because I have forgotten to take them out.

Good luck! Flying is not what it used to be, but I hope you experience a good flight.

Wow,your first time!

You'll be fine!! We fly all the time. I book our travel directly with the airline of choice... American or Southwest.

Check the TSA website for rules and regulations. I'd much rather go through TSA than have a repeat of 9-11 and it is not a big deal, gees...I can't believe how another poster is so avid against TSA.... to each his own.

Eve is correct, you go to any federal building, visit monuments, etc you are going through the same security as you do at the airport or you won't go in. Some people need to lighten up a bit and remember 9-11 and what happened then to change our world.

Remember that the pilots will not fly the plane if they do not feel it is safe and you'll notice that they also go around the inspect the plane before departure.

Most airlines have fees for bags unless you are a platium level flyer. Thanks to all of hubby's travel we do not have baggage fees. Southwest does not charge fees.

Relax, make it an adventure for your children. Try not to let them know you are terrified.

Get there about an hour and a half before departure, especially since you are a newbie. The Southwest rule is you have to check in 45 minutes before departure to guarantee your bag on board. We often check in about an hour before departure and breeze through security. Hubby has a pass for that as well (frequent flyer perks) to go through a different line which is never crowded with both American and Southwest.

Manda said she refuses to fly, but it's not only airports that do this... I went to a federal building the other day and it was just like getting on a plane. Shoes off, everything through x ray, and present a photo id or you're not getting in. I set off the beeper b/c of my belt that was attached to my dress so I got to stand arms spread and have them wave the metal wand at me.

I remember flying pre 9/11 and I remember watching in horror on 9/11 so it may be a pain and feel a little intrusive, but I'm glad for it if it means that we don't ever lose almost 3,000 lives again in such a terrible way.

Back to your question... do wear easy shoes, but I'm not sure about TOO easy to slip off. I've had to sprint through the airport to reach my connecting flight and I wore shoes that came off too easily, so I ended up having to hold them as I ran through the airport in my socks. So, keep that in mind if you have a connecting flight.

http://www.tsa.gov/ check this out for more information on traveling with children and what is allowed, etc.

Good luck and don't be scared!! Flying is a lot of fun in my opinion and my dad always says the most dangerous part is the drive to the airport!!! Have lots and lots of fun!!

The only time I refuse to fly is if the pilot refuses to fly because of the weather or a mechanical problem. You have to figure if the pilot is willing to go and so is the co-pilot, its safe to fly. They want to get home to their families too.

If you want to drink something on board, take an EMPTY water bottle. When you get past "security", fill the water bottle at the drinking fountain or at one of the vendors' soda machines that have a water selection.

Like the others said, keep the metal you are wearing to a minimum. Wear slip on shoes and leave behind nail clippers, fingernail files, scisors, pocket knives, etc. When you get a chance, drink a toast to the seal team that made Bin Laden pay for all this inconvience with his life.

With the children you are taking along, I'd take some snacks for the kids, and empty drink bottles. I choose to take wide mouth drink bottles because its easier to put ice in them and powdered drinks in them once you get past security. You need to arrive at the airport 90 to 120 minutes before your flight. When my wife and I travel, we go to Subway and get footlongs to take with us. Subways or McD's or other fast food sandwiches will pass ok through security.

Good luck to you and yours.

Get to the airport 2 hours before the flight.
Easy on/off shoes for everyone!
No liquids for the flight.
Check any airline site for liquid limitations.....
No handguns, grenades or (apparently) filled cupcakes!

I have an airline recommendation...if you don't mind a little extra drive time...fly out of Allentown PA. There is an airline - www.allegiantair.com - they have direct and cheap flights to Orlando (actually, you fly into Sanford, which is just a smaller airport, like Allentown is to Philly. Allentown's airport (code = ABE) is nice and small and easy to navigate. Allegiant doesn't offer flgihts every day...but just about every other day. And they generally leave around 8am, if I remember correctly. They have normal sized planes (not a "puddle jumper") and they used to do raffles on the plane - I think it was a 50/50 raffle and I believe they also gave away other trinkets. Anyway, check it out!

Don't pack any liquids for yourself, but you can bring a reasonable amount of food/drink for small children. I've brought breastmilk, formula, milk, and yogurt, before with no problem. (However, the fewer liquid/liquidy items you bring, the easier it will be.) Make sure you tell the TSA agent you've got liquid food items for your kiddos. They'll generally take them and run a test on them (a non-invasive check for explosive residue). If you are checking a bag (generally $25 each way), chuck all of your liquid/gel hygiene items in there. It's so much easier.

I've rarely been patted down and never when traveling with my kiddos. I don't think this is a major issue.

Go to the airport atleast 2 hrs early since you are travelling with kids. Once you get your luggage checked in , you may/may not have long lines (depending on day/time/airport) at the security. Keep your ID handy. At the security, you need to put everything out for scanning - that includes your carry on luggage, shoes,belts, jackets, handbag or wallet, phone or any electronics, any liquids ( everything should be within specified limits and in a clear ziplock bag) - You can't have any liquids inside your carry on , you need to take it out. You then walk through the human scanner ;) or get patted down. You can then collect all your things and go to your terminal. In case they find anything in your bags (esp liquids) while scanning, they will call you aside and bring your luggage and manually look through your luggage. So keep all liquids out if you don't want to get delayed here.

Once you are done with security clearance, you can spend time in the airport , you will find a lot of shops and restaurants. Most airports have play area for the kids. You can go to your terminal when they start boarding the flight(usually 30 mins before departure). You will see electronic displays in the airport with flight information - you can see if your flight is on time or delayed or boarding etc. Make sure you know how far your terminal is because sometimes you end up walking a LOT or taking transit trains to get your terminal(I am not sure how big Philly airport is)

It's a very short flight , so I wouldn't worry about sleeping much. You can carry a neck pillow for the flight if you need one. Depending on the airline, you might have TV's for each seat. This would be great to keep yourself and kids entertained. If not, you can take some books , games etc for the kids. They might serve you snacks and drinks shortly after take off(depends on the airline).But it's good to bring some from home esp for the kids.

Once you book your flight ticket , go to their website and look for guidelines on what you take and what you cant. There are also restrictions on the size of your carry on luggage , weight limits for both carry on and check in luggage(this again depends on the airline) . All this info will be available at their website. or you can also call them if you have any specific questions.

Also, if you plan on taking a stroller for your little one, I would suggest checking it in at the gate. You would then be able to use it in the airport and also it will be available to you immediately after landing.

Hpe you have a safe flight and a wonderful vacation! :)