I've never been on a plane before and have to in about 2 weeks. I'm so nervous! What is it like??

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Hassen

First off, try not to worry or be nervous. I know that seems hard not to, but the more you worry and the more nervous you are, the scarier it'll be. I believe that knowledge is key, and once you know the procedure it'll be a lot less scarier for you.

Make sure you get to the airport with plenty of time to check in, go through security, and fine your concourse and gate. Rule of thumb is to allow yourself 2-5 hours before your flight. Call the airport ahead of schedule to see what their wait time is for that specific day.

Make sure you have all your documents with you (picture ID or passport, visa if needed, and ticket). Also make sure that you are not taking any forbidden items with you. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Now you are ready for your flight!

When you taxi, you barely feel the plane move at all. At this point the cabin crew will tell you all you need to know about what to do in case of emergencies and such.

When the plane prepares for liftoff, it starts to go really fast down the runway, and then within 45 seconds you are up in the air. Things may seem a little wobbly at first, but that's just because of moving through the different altitudes. Your ears will pop as you climb through the altitudes also. (chewing gum, drinking something, swallowing, or yawning will alleviate the pressure.)

Once you are in the air, things will feel smooth. You will hear the humm of the engines, but that's normal, nothing to worry about. I actually find it relaxing. If there is turbulence, you might feel the plane wobble a little bit, but remember, planes are designed to withstand this, so take a deep breath and try not to think about it.

When you are approaching landing, your ears will pop as you descend through the altitudes (remember: chewing gum, drinking something, swallowing, or yawning will alleviate the pressure). You will feel the plane slow down and the cabin crew will prepare you for landing. When the plane touches down it kind of feels like a short jolt, and then you hear them cut the engines off and the plane slows down pretty fast.

From there, the plane will taxi to either the gate or the designation where a bus will pick you up. You wait for the plane to decompressurize a few moments before they start letting the passengers out. That was your flight.

To entertain yourself:
- Bring along a few book, magazines, puzzles (such as crosswords or Sodoku if you like those).
- Bring along an iPod, MP3 player, or CD player to listen to music.
- A laptop is good to have as you can play games on it, connect to the internet, and get any work done that you may have.
- Try talking to the people next to you. Sometime you will meet some really interesting people, and forge friendships

luosechi é§±å£«åŸº

Just relax and enjoy it. The pilots are experienced and have many hours of flying behind them, and the only thing that might be scary on a takeoff and landing is a noise that you hear that sounds like a bang. you can relax when you realize it's only the landing gear folding up into the airplane. Finally, you might feel pressure in your ears as the plane climbs. Yawn to pop your ears, and all will be OK again. That's all. Look out the window (it's not the same thing as looking down from a high balcony because you have no reference points between the plane and ground. You'll enjoy it.

cierra w

It is fine I ussually sleep all the way. Put cotton in your ears or listen to music because your ears will pop now that hurts.

sally_jeanie1

its nothing 2 be worried about but when u are about 2 land your ears start 2 pop but so it wont hurt i bring gum 2 chew on while landing!

imasoccerfreak132000

Flying is fun, i always like to look outside the window and everything looks so small and you can see forever. Just remember to bring some gum to chew on take off and landing and bring something to entertain yourself because at times it can get boring. Have a great time.

aspca volunteer

Hi nicole, I know exactly how you feel,the first time I went on a plane my parents had to push me onto the plane I was so scared,but after that it was nothing,it felt like you were in a chair in your own livingroom Take a few books that you like to read or a sketch pad and a pencil and draw,you can even take a deck of cards with you and play solitaire.If your that nervous take two advil liqui gels that should help calm you .Otherwise dont worry and have a great time. Rubberstampr

tolitstolites

do it with class, because if u show any signs of naivete you can be done for. the flight attendants will serve liquids, take juice and water so you can get decompressed. have some candies so your ears do not feel the pressure. a long haul trip may mean that the attendants serve u food every now n then, take it so your biorhythm adjusts. wach the movie n listen to the music with the phones given u. read the magazine n u can even bring it along. once again keep calm and do it in style n comfort. wear loose

melanie m

To me it is awesome. The only two things that scares me is the taking off and the landing. So what I do is this. I bring a good book, and a portable DVD player and some DVDs. Some Cd's and stuff to snack on. After I pass the security checkpoint I get me a 20 ounce Dr.Pepper to take along. and some gum and I am all set. Now the fun starts.

After you get into your seat and you buckle up and the flight attendant makes their announcement you will start taxi down the runway and (if you like riding on a rollercoaster then you will like riding on the plane on take offs). LOL! When you take off first the nose will left up, then the rest of the plane. While the plane is climbing it depends on which way you are going on which way the plane will turn. So don't worry if you feel the plane turning. That is normal. If you look out the window at the fields and the roads, they will look like patch work on a blanket.

After the plane comes to the alitude that it is going to stay at, the plane will level out and if you look out at the clouds (you will be above them) you can almost reach out and touch them. But don't! LOL! They will look so soft. Before you know it, you will feel the plane start to desceand and If you look out again then you will see the fields and roads and then you will see the flight attendants getting their stuff ready and you will see the airport come into view. You will hear them come over the speakers to tell you that you have arrived. You will feel the landing gear come down and then when you go to land you will see the ground come closer, faster and you will feel soft thump and you will hear the engins.

You will then taxi up to the gates and get off of the plane and that will be the end of your plane ride. You can eat, sleep, read, drink, and have fun on a plane. You will do great.

asso

you have already been given a lot of advice,i'll add one more:
get an aisle seat ,just in case you develop a bit of claustrophobia,which is quite normal

sandman

First of all, planes are safer than cars, there have been studies that have proven that. When you take a trip by plane, first you taxi very slowly away from the gate. You get to the end of the runway, and the pilots put the ngines on full power. You go down the runway until you get to 150 MPH and the pilots pull the plane up. You go up to about 30,000 feet and fly for a while at 600 MPH. Then you start descending very slowly until you landat 150 MPH and taxi slowly to a gate. I know that sounds kind of scary but its really not. My advice is to find something to do for the entire flight. Read a book until you can use electronics and then listen to music or something. Then read again until you land. It is actually very peaceful to fly above the clouds. Planes are extremely safe and have tons of safety features. Commercial planes rarely have turbulence so it should be a smooth ride, and the pilot usually acts as a tour guide as you fly and see landmarks. Don't worry, everyone on a plane isnervous to some extant, it will be a fun trip.

jrodh8

It all depends on the airline, the class in which you are traveling in (1st, Economy, etc.), and the distance you are traveling. An airline like Southwest is boring and cramp, but on American it's somewhat roomy and American has CBS Eye on AAmerican (60 Minutes, CBS sports, etc.). If your flying on British or Virgin Atlantic it will be nice.
If you are are traveling for 3 hrs. or more, I would suggest noise counselling head phones. And if you are are traveling trans-oceanic you may want to buy a neckpillow.
Have a nice flight!!!!

Paradise

It's fun im sure you'll enjoy it.STOP WORRYING! ;)

RickinAlaska

Really not much need to worry. Flying on planes is really FUN! Relax and enjoy it. The airlines that operate in our country are professionals and the planes are very well maintained. There are literally thousands of flights a day with no incidents what-so-ever. You are taking more risk going to the mini-mart in your car than by flying. So relaaaaax and enjoy the experience.

Amko B

It's fun

Bella

Hey,its really not something to be worried about!!!Its a fun thing.Just relax and enjoy the ride.

Laoshu Laoshi

If it's a long flight go to the back of the plane and do some stretches. It will help relax your muscles and keep you from getting stiff. Get an aisle seat if you can so you can get up whenever you want.

Think about where you are going and all the cool stuff you are going to do when you get there. Bring a notebook and write or draw.

andres_cazares2000

well its very simple just take some things to keep you distracted because been without doing nothing will take you to think bad things.ipod ,CD player , ZUNE , psp magazene (depending on how long the fligth take as many things as possible it helps)

MAGiiCSTiiCK

bring gum. you'll need it

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