I am riding on a plane for the first time...?

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DanE

For many people their first airplane trip can be very stressful and quite traumatic. The anticipation and not knowing what to expect can make for a nerve-racking experience. Following are some ideas on what to expect and things to bring to make the trip less of an ordeal.

The first and most important tip is to be EARLY! No matter how prepared you are, if you miss the plane it makes no difference. Call the airport about four hours before and make sure the flight is still on time. Be to the airport a good hour ahead of schedule. This will give you plenty of time to check in and get your luggage taken care of.

When you pack your carry along bag, be sure to enclose something to chew on. Whether it be gum, peanuts, skittles, or raisins something to keep your ears from popping is a good idea. Bringing a book or a magazine will keep you entertained in case of a delay or a layover. Also including things that you could not live without on your trip like contact lensâ€™, glasses, or medication is a good idea in case your luggage is lost. Bring identification and extra money in case of an emergency.

When boarding the flight make sure that you are in your assigned seat and your carry on is within reach. Be calm and try to relax as the waiting sets in. When take off is over and you are able to release your seatbelts you may go to the bathroom, or just stretch out in your seat. You have successfully mastered the most difficult part of the flight. The rest is a piece of cake.

A few key things to remember are to be calm and collected. After your first time, it is all the same and will be routine. It is just the uneasiness of not knowing what to expect that will make for a jumpy first plane trip. Take deep breaths and relax. You are your way to flying through the sky!!

On the subway...
If you don't get a seat, make sure you find a pole to hold when the train begins to move -- it is difficult to keep steady without holding on when the subway starts and stops, as it is not always as smooth a ride as you might hope. And no one likes it when you fall on them because you weren't holding on.
Don't Lean on the Poles
Just because you're tired, it doesn't mean it's alright to lean up against a pole in the subway car. When someone leans on the poles, it makes it difficult for other folks to hold on when the train is moving.
Keep Your Bags (and Your Feet) Off the Seats
Keep in mind that even if the subway isn't very crowded when you board, it may get more crowded quickly, so you should keep your bags on your lap or on the floor in front of you if you're sitting down. Keeping your feet off the seat ensures that other folks have a clean place to sit when they ride the subway.
Move To The Center of the Car
When trains are crowded, it is important to move to the center of the subway car to make room for other riders. Standing by the door even if you move to the side makes it difficult for people getting on and off the train.

ritasayshello

Once you're inside a plane its just like a big bus, and it doesn't feel like you're moving once you're in the air. The only fun bits (they're not scary at all!) are take off and landing. Your aunt told you to chew gum because you're changing height so quickly, that theres a pressure drop and it might make your ears feel funny. If you chew gum or talk lots you should be fine. Subways are also pretty simple if you know where you're going. If you don't, tube maps are quite easy to understand. They're pretty much the same as overground trains, but underground. There's nothing to be scared about at all, its a new experience and i'm sure you'll love it! good luck!

alannah_ellen

Advice for flying hmmm, yeh have boiled sweets or chewing gum for ur ears. Dont panic at every little bump, they are completly normal. Take a personnal cd player or magazines or something to try and keep ur mind of things. There nothing to worry about, i have flown laods of times, and my boyfriend who is 28 flew for the first time last year, he was very very nervous, but when he got off, he said he didnt know why he made such a fuss.

Bobbie Lee

Planes are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH SAFER than Cars !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I could fly everywhere i would!!!!!!!! I went in my 1st plane at 13 and it was soooooooooooooooooo muchhhhhhhhhhhh funnnnnn !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

Take some lollipops/suckers to keep the air pressure from bothering your ears. if you forget just do like a scuba diver anhold your breath and try to blow the breath out without letting any air escape from your mouth or nose anytime your ears feel uncomfortable. It doesnt even bother most people any more as the cabin you ride in is so well presurized than it was years ago!!! But have suckers available for any mom whose toddler begins to scream as babies and little kids are much more susceptable to ear pain from takeoff & landings!!!
So, dont worry, have fun!!! Flying is great!!! Maybe you could join CIVIL AIR PATROL when you get back home and learn to fly by the time you're 16yoa !!!!!!!! It's FREE and can start you on a fabulous career in flight !!! Bobbie

Sedit

I love flying, I spend most of my time looking out the window. I'm always amazed when I see another plane flying the opposite direction, because it gives you a sense of how fast the plane is going.

Anyways, chewing gum works for the ears, but get up and walk for a few minutes each hour when you can. Your legs tend to feel weird if you've spend a lot of time sitting in the same spot for a few hours. Have fun on your trip.

Steven

dont worry about it, im 12, ive never been on a plane, so i cant emagine how scary it would be... but ive been on a rolar coaster, and thats pretty scary... but im getting off the point... i know EVERYONE syas this and its probly getting annoying, but airoplains are the safest way to travel...

ve been on a subway though... thats realy easy, no problems... the only problem is that there are alot of people and its pretty crowded...

also i dont know how chewing gum will help with your ears though...

RoChEr

LOL don't worry being on a plane is the best thing in life..well to me lol your sooo lucky you get to see from the window awesome views woooooow ,listen to some music can help and playing cards with the other passenger next to you lol i always do that with my sister :D, finally what i really like the most is when they explain to us the safety stuff yaay it feels like a movie , and great food your gonna love it ;D

Rockstar15

Don't worry! Everything will be fine. I rode a plane for the first time ever this March for a Missions Trip to New Orleans from Pennsylvania. I was a little nervous, but kept myself calm. Once we took off it was amazing! I loved looking out the window at the beautiful view of the clouds, sun, sky, & of the ground below (which you could barely see). It was a cool experience.

As for the subway, I've never been on one, but I'm sure you'll be fine with that too. Just take some sort of music player with you or a book or something to distract yourself if you think you'll be too nevous. You'll do fine & you'll have a great time in New York!!

Good luck!

Carrie Ann

1. Chew Gum
2. Bring a book to keep you occupied.
3. Use the restroom at the airport, no one likes those tiny plane bathrooms. lol.
4. Relax.

:)

aMeGiRl

Yes indeed, your aunt is right. You can chew gum to prevent air pressure in your ears. Remember to always keep your seat belt on and do walk around the plane during your flight so as your blood can circulate!

mo m

I'm 16 and I have been on an aeroplane more than 40 times, I was on a plane for the first time when I was really small, and always go on holiday out of the country, I travel to South Africa every year and I also sometimes board a plane 4 times in a week. really crazy. At first I used to hate the pressure and my hears used to be sore for around a week, now I'm used to it and usually carry a pack of star-burst if the pain does return and it keeps me quite busy doing something when bored after watching all the movies. My legs don't hurt because I usually recline back and my legs up, it's like a bed really, not that bad on 12 hour flights, anyway, congratualtion and good luck.

kaysi

yeah,gum is good u can also yawn whenever u feel like ur ears r plugged.(8 times experience)

master G

jsut relax everything is common sense, your flight numbers and gates will match up on the screen, ask airport personnel for help. chewing gum does help to prevent pressure. get up and walk around as much as possible on the plane, even if you don't have to use the restroom walk over there and stare in the mirror. anything to get your blood moving from sitting on a 3 hour flight.

Láƒ¦tus

Yes chew gum and definately don't drink too much orange juice.....
Its not that scary and if your trip is long there should be little tvs that let you watch a movie

bring your ipod and a book to read, have fun on your trip

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