Help about plane rides, etc?

[folclor]

I have about a sixth of the amount I need for my ticket!! Well, there's a sale going on right now for $450 tickets, but I doubt I'll get enough in time, so I'll just shoot for $650 still. But I'm so excited!!

Last night he and I talked a lot and he seems really excited about me going up to see him. He was talking about a lot of different things he wants to do, but then he would talk about not exactly knowing what to do. I hope everything goes well. ^^; I mean, it's getting closer and closer and I'm sooooo nervous about it. Silly things are starting to get to me and I worry about things I probably shouldn't.

But enough about my personal issues. ^^; I haven't ridden on a plane since I was about 8 years old and I'm going to be traveling alone from Texas to Alberta by plane. Thankfully, if I get the flight I want, I'll only have one layover. but what are some useful ways of getting over nervousness in flying? I know to bring my iPod and a book, and likely something to draw/write on. I'm going to pack light so, if I can, I'll only be doing carry-on luggage (though there's that really annoying rule set right now where you can only bring one carry on from Canada to the US). But if I have to check bags, does it cost extra? Do I have to pick my bag up at the layover point and re-check it? Also, most of these flights are during lunch or dinner time with not much time between for the layover so should I bring food with me on the plane? Is that allowed?

And as far as things with meeting Alex at the airport go, he's not nervous about things (at least he says he's not) but I'm extremely nervous. I've played it over and over in my head, I know I'm supposed to go through security/customs, then go down an escalator (apparently) and he'll be in a waiting area at the bottom, but what's an appropriate way to greet him? A hug? Probably something more intimate than a handshake, but I'm nervous. ^^; And I've never kissed anyone before or anything like that so is it normal to be this nervous/jumpy about it?

Sorry about the outpouring of questions, some of which might've been asked/answered on the old site, but I need help. ^^;;

[William]

It doesn't matter; it'll be odd anyway. We see each other every month and the airport hello's are still awkward after 10 times.
I'd go for a nice tight hug; you can't go wrong there

Edit: You have more questions
If you have an international flight, a bag is usually included, but it differs for every airline.
You don't have to pick up and re-check your bag at the lay-over point; they'll get it from plane to plane for you
As for food on the plane: I think you can take your own food, but they're very strict on liquids, so you might have to buy a drink on the plane if it's not included.
And being nervous? It's always easier than you think, and the excitement of finally meeting each other is bound to be so overwhelming that you'll forget all about the stress.

[seshei]

I was really nervous to fly in November, as well. I hadn't flown in so long. I wasn't nervous so much about being in the air, just getting to where I needed to be when I needed to be there.

But if I have to check bags, does it cost extra?

Usually does. But, on the airline's website it will tell you how much. You can even pay that fee online in most cases, and save some money that way.

Do I have to pick my bag up at the layover point and re-check it?

No. They tag it, and it gets moved from one plane to the next- or that's how it should work anyway!

Also, most of these flights are during lunch or dinner time with not much time between for the layover so should I bring food with me on the plane? Is that allowed?

There's places to grab food once you've been through security and you can bring that food and drink on the plane with you.

And as far as things with meeting Alex at the airport go, he's not nervous about things (at least he says he's not) but I'm extremely nervous. I've played it over and over in my head, I know I'm supposed to go through security/customs, then go down an escalator (apparently) and he'll be in a waiting area at the bottom, but what's an appropriate way to greet him? A hug? Probably something more intimate than a handshake, but I'm nervous. ^^; And I've never kissed anyone before or anything like that so is it normal to be this nervous/jumpy about it?

I was really nervous about that part too when I first met my SO. So, I told him how nervous I was before he left to come here, and that I wasn't sure what to expect. That way he knew I'd be nervous and not mistake any of that for something else, and so we could talk about what we'd both be ok with. When he came through customs, and to the waiting area, he gave me a hug and said we said Hi and stuff. A few awkward minutes and it was over. We had a three hour drive when he got here from the airport. I stopped being nervous when he asked if he could hold my hand in the car. We didn't put any pressure on ourselves or each other at the airport. He kissed me when we got back to my place for the first time. So it wasn't until after we'd spent a few hours together, and were more comfortable with the idea that happened. I was glad for that. With my luck, I'd have laughed myself silly had he tried to kiss me at the airport because I would have been so nervous.

[dynomitegurl]

First off I know that it is nerve wrecking to be on a plane again, I know it was for me. But things will be fine. As for your questions, I really only know about flights from the states to Ireland but I'd assume it is similar. As for checked bags, you will have to check with the airline you fly through to see how many checked bags you are allowed and how much they can way before you have to pay for them. Your second question, no you don't have to collect you bags at your in between stop and re check them in. As long as your ticket is continuous to your destination they will be transferred from each place you stop to the other plane. It depends on the airline but your ticket should tell you whether or not you get a meal on the flight. As for taking food on, you would also need to check about bringing food or drinks on the flight. On some of my flights I was allowed to take snacks and drinks but on others they make you dispose of them ( this was usually when going through security as I had to when I went from Amsterdam to Dublin..so it all depends). Lol if this is first time meeting I definitely know what your nerves are about for meeting for the first time, but once you get there I'm sure you those nerves or anxiousness will go away. Meeting for the first time, I gave ( my now boyfriend) a hug, but it all depends on what you comfortable with doing the first time you meet. And of course, it is normal to be nervous or jumpy about your first kiss...I was! But don't be and trust me even if it is your first time...everyone knows how to kiss. Hope this helped some and good luck and have fun on your trip

[asianbarbie0917]

Well I'm guessing you havent met in person since u're nervous of the level of intimacy to show him. Maybe not a kiss (i believe a guy should go in for that) but my boyfriend loves it whenever I jump up and squeeze him . I really dont know how to calm you down with the flight anxiety I personally love flying, but I suppose that if u have a choice, sit away from the window, listen to music to keep u from thinking too much, maybe a book? that or get a flight where u can sleep through it...

[Jackie]

But if I have to check bags, does it cost extra? Do I have to pick my bag up at the layover point and re-check it? Also, most of these flights are during lunch or dinner time with not much time between for the layover so should I bring food with me on the plane? Is that allowed?

I had these same questions before my first international flight! Don't worry though, everything will be very easy so long as you do everything right.

1. Usually for international flights, depending on the airline, you're allowed one checked bag for free. I'm not sure if Canada is included in this, but you'll have to just check your airline's website for verification.

2. When you're flying to Canada, no, you do not have to pick up your bag until you arrive in Canada. However, if you will be stopping in a layover on the way back home, you will have to pick up your baggage and recheck it in through American customs. It's very quick, and it won't take long, but you still have to get it done. With that said, I can't possibly urge you enough to make sure you have PLENTY of time on your layover flights to get from one plane to another, especially on your way back home. This is the problem I ran in to when I came home - I had a layover in Chicago and it was only about 2 hours, but my flight from London left an hour late due to extra security checks, so I missed my flight to Tampa and had to stay overnight in Chicago until the next flight. I know it'll be very boring to just sit around and wait for your plane, but it really is better than missing your flight because one plane was late. I highly encourage you to leave PLENTY of time between all layover flights!

3. You shouldn't have any problem with bringing food on to the plane, although I would recommend you just bring snacks or something. Liquids are very tricky to deal with, since you can only bring a limited amount, so just make sure you follow the liquid guidelines and you'll be good to go. I had two bags of chocolate (not all for me ) and a bag of snack mix in my carry-on bag, and they didn't have any problem with it.

As for when you first meet Alex... just be natural, and remember to stay calm and breathe. Whatever happens, happens. Don't feel like you have to rush anything - everything should just happen naturally. Just don't stress out about it, because otherwise you'll end up being a mess and not know how to handle yourself.

Just a quick edit, as I forgot to mention something: I remember that Jennifer always advises people who are nervous about flying on a plane to go to Youtube and search for first-time plane take offs. She says that helps a lot, as well as putting your desktop background set to a picture of the inside of a plane cabin! I don't know how long the flight will be to where you're going, but it shouldn't be *too* long... nothing like flying to England. They might have TVs on the back of the seats in front of you, so if they do, you'll have that to entertain you. Don't forget any motion sickness medicine if you have problems with that - I know it affects me a lot!

Good luck!

[Bluestars]

I haven't ridden on a plane since I was about 8 years old and I'm going to be traveling alone from Texas to Alberta by plane. Thankfully, if I get the flight I want, I'll only have one layover. but what are some useful ways of getting over nervousness in flying?

I do not know if this will help you, but if you do not sleep the night before then you will be extremely tired on the flight. That way, if it is a really long flight, you could just sleep on the plane Sleeping on the plane makes it pass by faster

I'm going to pack light so, if I can, I'll only be doing carry-on luggage (though there's that really annoying rule set right now where you can only bring one carry on from Canada to the US). But if I have to check bags, does it cost extra?

It depends on the airline. I haven't flown internationally and that might be different, but when I fly Delta they let you bring on carry on plus a personal item but you have to pay for check bags. I am cheap so whenever I fly to see Jared, I pack as much stuff as I can in that one carry on bag. I then use a backpack as my personal item, and I stuff it completely full. I put my purse in it, clothes, my laptop, and everything you could think of That saves around thirty to forty dollars, which is nice considering I have to pay that much for daily parking and airport food

Also, most of these flights are during lunch or dinner time with not much time between for the layover so should I bring food with me on the plane? Is that allowed?

Again, I think it depends on the airline. The last time I flew I tried sneaking a water bottle on the plane and they confiscated it :/ My flights are usually so short that they do not provide meals, but I usually have to eat during the long layovers. Airport food is very expensive, so if you are trying to save money, then you should see if you can bring food on the plane. I have brought a sub on a flight before and it was fine

And as far as things with meeting Alex at the airport go, he's not nervous about things (at least he says he's not) but I'm extremely nervous. I've played it over and over in my head, I know I'm supposed to go through security/customs, then go down an escalator (apparently) and he'll be in a waiting area at the bottom, but what's an appropriate way to greet him? A hug? Probably something more intimate than a handshake, but I'm nervous. ^^; And I've never kissed anyone before or anything like that so is it normal to be this nervous/jumpy about it?

I think everyone in that situation is extremely nervous. I was before I met Jared in person. We had planned on hugging as soon as we saw each other, but we didn't because it was sort of awkward at first. When you meet someone for the first time like that, you have to get to know them all over again. After an hour though, we were completely comfortable together, and we had our first kiss that same night But as for when you guys meet, I say go with the flow, but a hug would probably be most appropriate. I wouldn't worry about kissing him right away unless you are completely comfortable with it. Just let it happen naturally

[Zephii]

I've never had a lay over so I can't help there, but when it comes to greetings, I suggest just discuss it with him - that's what worked for me. We agreed that he wouldn't "pounce" me for at least 24 hours and that we would act in person exactly how we would act if it were a role play... that's what worked for us. Just put out of your mind the incredable fact that you can reach out and touch, and then just say and do what you would if it were all in your imagination like it is online. You'll be fine I'm so excited for you!

[folclor]

Thank you, all of you. ^^ This is definitely helping. It'll take a little longer (unfortunately) before I'm able to fly up there, but I definitely look forward to spending a week with my guy. I'll take all the advice into consideration and thanks, Jackie, for telling me about having to check a bag through US customs.

[lunamea]

Just another tip on the flying part (as I can't give you advice on meeting someone you've never met but know well for the first time):

You can take everything you buy or obtain after you went through security with you on the plane, meaning that you can buy food & drink in the terminal, but it will be expensive. I once paid €5 (7$!!) for a small bottle of water in Brussels. So, what I do now to stay hydrated on the plane (depending on the airline, they're sometimes really stingy with drinks), is : I take an empty bottle with me through security and fill it up at the water fountain after security check. You save quite some money that way because the drinks in the terminal are really expensive and the prices on board are through the roof! ($6 for a glass on my last domestic flight, on international flights, they usually offer more drinks for free, though)

[Bluestars]

Lunamea! That is such a good idea about bringing an empty water bottle! (Like I said before, I tried sneaking one in because I think it is a rip off to pay around $5 for a water bottle, but they caught me--of course lol!)

[polkapiggy]

Well I can't give much advice, because every flight i've been on has had most of the things dealt with by other people (france was dealt with by school, switzerland was dealt with by school, lanzerote was dealt with by my dad, as was Malaysia and switzerland the second time) so I've never had to book them or check my own bags or anything, and ive also never had to change over, but i can still offer some advice =P If its a long flight, they will most likely have tv's in the back of the seat infront, which will have a multitude of programs/movies etc. in them, i must have watched 3 films each way when i went to malaysia! XD If you're like me you'll need to get yourself and end seat so you can get up and move around. My ankles swell up like CRAZY when i fly, last time I had to walk through the airport in just socks while we waited for our next flight as my feet were so huge they wouldn't fit in my shoes!! I got so many weird looks! XD I would highly reccomend getting some flight socks! And look into getting a plug-in charger/spare battery if you're worried you're ipod battery wont last as long as you want.

Personally, I wouldn't sleep on the plane. Even on a 24 hour flight, I did not sleep a wink. My reason for this is I HAVE to keep moving, staying still while flying is not a good idea for me as my ankles swell and joints get inflamed and very, very painfull. However, I've never met someone that suffers like I do, so you might want to take sleeping pills or something to help you get some sleep while you fly. A book is a really good idea, if you have time get one in the airport. Magazines are a wise choice too, and if you're creative like me, a pad and pen/pencils are good for drawing/writing.

Oh and remember to be nice to your air hostess...she is the one that handles your food Oh and if you're getting food on the plane, opt for veggie! Its nearly always better! (but it depends on airline) Stay away from meat-based dishes as the meat will be GROSS. Most airlines will allow you to take food purchased in the airport on. If you're getting water in the airport, get it sealed in the special bags so that they will let you take it on (the bags that are see through plastic and seal at the top that you can break without scissors and have something like DO NOT OPEN UNTIL ARRIVED AT DESTINATION on them)

[folclor]

mmm,thanks everyone. ^^ It looks like I won't have to do checked baggage after all (thankfully) I just have to get a little laptop bag for ONLY my laptop. ^^ I can pack a week's worth of clothes in a small bag, though, so I'm not worried about that anymore. It looks like I"ll be able to buy my ticket in April (or sooner, depending on tips) but things are definitely a go for the trip. ;3 my boss thinks I'm great at the job (as far as a beginner goes) and she seems to like my personality, so I should have no problem with getting that week off.

[Moonfire]

One thing about the laptop bag - be absolutely SURE you keep an eye on it at all times, especially going through security. By having a laptop-specific bag, people already know what's inside. I'd personally recommend a more generic bag, but that's up to you.

[folclor]

Well, that's the only kind that they'll make a carry on exception on for Canada to US security.