Im traveling for first time by myself,what do i need to know?

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The Pink Airplane

http://www.airport-la.com/info/terminal_map.html

A terminal is just a section of an airport. Some airports only have one, some (like LAX) have several.

Here's the process:

1. Park in "Parking 4" or "Parking 3", because those are both connected to Terminal 4, which is where the American Airlines check in desks are located. If you're driving yourself, be sure to park in "long term parking", because you'll need to leave your car there while you're gone (you may want to text yourself or leave yourself a voicemail saying where you parked - e.g. "Section 4B" or something like that - to help you remember once you get back).
Once your car is parked, look for signs to "Terminal 4" and follow them.

2. When you check in at LAX, your bags will be checked all the way to New York - you won't have to go and get them once you get to Texas.

3. In Texas, you'll have to change planes - once you land and are off the plane, look for flight status "boards" (usually they're just TVs) and find your flight number/destination on them. The correct gate will be displayed there. Follow the signs overhead to find that gate - you *might* have to change terminals, but don't let that stress you out. If you have any questions, ask a uniformed employee how to get to your gate.

4. As long as your ID isn't expired, I don't think you'll have any problems. If you have the time to get a new ID with an updated picture, go ahead and do so - that way, it'll last you a few more years.

5. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1049.shtm
That's got the latest security screening process. Just review it a couple of times before your trip so it won't seem so crazy when you get to the airport.

6. I suggest putting either a brightly-colored ribbon (tie it TIGHTLY) or a strip of brightly patterned fabric on your suitcase(s) - they'll be easier to spot at baggage claim in New York.

This sounds far more daunting than it really is. Just remember - when in doubt, follow the signs! :)

I hope this has helped. Have a great trip.

Curious

Call American Airlines and ask your questions to be sure, but here's what I think.

If you have to stop at Texas and get on another plane, that should be on your travel itinerary (the list that shows you what time your plane leaves, what time it lands in Texas, what time you leave Texas, etc).

Your luggage should follow you even if you get on another plane in Texas - it will be tagged right through to the final destination. When you check in, ask to be sure.

You should be ok with the id you have, but if you have the chance to get one that's more up to date, you should do it. But it won't be necessary.

rebeccanms18@att.net

ask the airline crew about where to go when you make your stop, sometimes they are nice, sometimes they are mean but just remember you probably wont see them again, if you do they wont remember you. you need to get your id renewed since you are going to have to in a year anyway i think*i lived in california and my id needed to be renewed in 6 years*

Deliciously N

I would confirm with American what sort of photo id is acceptable. You'll need something-but I didn't travel before I had a license or a passport so I'm not sure what would be acceptable. That's an important enough thing that even if you get an answer here you NEED to ask American because it's not the sort of thing you want to trust the internet on.

When you arrive at the airport, you'll check in and give them your checked luggage. They'll give you your tickets with your seat assignment and gate # on it and your ticket with seat assignment for the second leg. There should be signs that will help you decide which security line you should go through.

You go through security. You'll need to take off your shoes (I always wear flip flops or slip ons to make that part easier) and any jacket you might be wearing. Any heavy metal items and coins should go into the basket that your jacket/shoes go in. Glasses, braces, rings aren't usually an issue (I never take my metal frames or my wedding rings off). Your carry on item will go through a security scanner as will your coat/shoes. You'll walk through a metal detector.

Then you'll head to your gate. You'll have a long wait so bring a book/magazine/laptop/iPod. About 30 minutes before your flight is scheduled to leave, they'll start boarding your flight. I don't know if as an unaccompanied minor you'd board first-some airlines do that (United, I know for sure) but I'm also not sure if at 17 it's a requirement as it would be at 10 (for example).

You board, you sit, you arrive in your transfer city. You'll need to change gates most likely, but it is usually the same terminal. Depending on how long your layover is, this might be a good time to get a new magazine, food, etc.

Your luggage will be moved from plane to plane. You need to move your carry on, but the checked luggage is taken care of by the airline.

Again, a half hour before your connecting flight is scheduled to board, they'll repeat the same boarding procedure.

This time when you arrive, you'll be told what luggage carosel (sp) to pick your luggage up at before the plane lands or just after it lands but before you get off. Follow the 8 million signs to baggage claim and wait for the bags to arrive. Pray that yours made it (just kidding--I've flown tons and been lucky enough to have never had the airline lose my luggage).

Good luck--and congrats on your adventure.

kuro neko

one stay calm so you can think straight look over the information on how to get there. two they won't really going to make a big fuss over it. i know i had an id taken when i was 5 years old and a went out of state when i was 13.

main thing is to relax and if you help on where to go then just ask around.

JetBlue

Hi, you need the i.d, and bring ur birth certificate just in case. When you get to the airport have someone drop you off where american airlines is. When you go inside, there should be a person that works for american airlines to assist you. Usually you stay on the same plane and people get off and people get on, but i am not sure you have to ask about that one. I think if you do get on another plane, they should take care of it for you. You will have lots of fun...trust me it will be alright....and hey if you have trouble just ask someone=) have a great flight(i live in new york its greattt)

Olive

You need a student ID, or any ID that identifies you. You go to the ticket counter to check in your bag. Your third question is quite confusing. I think your plane will stop at Texas and stay there for a while, then when it's time (maybe about on hour later) you'll board the plane again. (I'm not sure about that though, I've never heard of a plane stopping at Texas to go to New York.) Don't worry about your luggage. It MIGHT be a problem. I don't know.

U2FAN

dont look at any gards the wrong way, dont take any hard shoes with you, make sure you brush your hair, but not too stylish. and remember to waer big sunglasses

femmenoire@sbcglobal.net

you really should have an updated picture id. you can check your stops online at aa.com. It will tell you if you need to change plans. if you are stopping over in texas you will probably be changing planes since this is american's hub (home base) or at least getting off for a bit and maybe getting back on the same plane. The flight crew will announce that as your plane gets ready to descend at DFW.
Upon descent in New York, the flight crew will announce where to pick up your luggage so listen to that closely. If for some reason you miss it, there will be monitors when you get off and you can look for your flight number and it will tell you where to get your luggage. There will be signs telling you where to go to baggage claim.
Have the people you are visiting meet you at baggage claim. They can also get a pass to meet you at your gate since you are an unaccompanied minor.
Hope this is helpful...if you have any questions at all, you can always ask the flight attendants. It is their job to assist you.
Have a great time in New York. You are gonna have a blast.

Zelda

You go to the check-in counter for the airline you're flying with when you get there, and check any baggage that is too big to carry on. They will give you boarding passes (one for each flight. keep them with you so you can show them to security people and use them to board the planes.), tell you which gate you should go to, and point you towards the security checkpoint. Your boarding pass for the first flight will have your seat assignment on it. Finding the gate should be easy; there are many signs.

At the security checkpoint, they'll x-ray your carry on bag and walk you through a metal detector. Check this link for current rules about what you are allowed to carry with you:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

After the security checkpoint, you go find your gate. Boarding will begin about 1/2 hour before the flight, usually. Sometimes items of luggage that you are allowed to carry on turn out to be too big to fit under the seat or in the overhead compartment, and they will insist that you check the bag "planeside." That means you hand the bag off just as you are boarding the plane. (If you want to make sure that you will be allowed to have a particular bag with you while flying, go with a small to medium sized backpack or something like that.)

When your first flight lands, you should stop at the gate to collect any bag that was checked planeside and carry it with you through the airport, but any bag that you checked at the airline counter when you first came in and got your boarding pass will be automatically shifted to the next plane for you.

Figuring out where to go for your second flight can happen one of several ways. (It's possible, but unlikely, that you won't have to transfer.) Sometimes as the plane is landing, somebody will announce where everybody should go for their connecting flights. Your boarding pass might or might not have a gate number. But the main way you find out which gate to get your connecting flight from is by looking at monitors in the terminal. They list arrivals and departures by origins/destinations, flight numbers and gate numbers. It should be fairly obvious from these monitors where you should go. They will also tell you if your connecting flight is on time or not. When you get to the gate for your second flight, there will usually be a sign with flight number and destination that you can look at to confirm that you are at the right gate.

After your second flight, collect any bag you checked planeside, then leave the secure area and head to the baggage claim area to collect any checked bags.

Remember that airports are designed to be easy to get around in for people who've never been there and don't know where they are going. There will be tons of signs and tons of monitors, and you can always ask airline staff for directions if you have problems.

In terms of food, don't count on airlines to serve you anything substantial or tasty. The only thing you can almost count on these days is that they will bring you something to drink on a flight that lasts over an hour. If you need a meal, bring food or buy it at an airport.

Can't answer about the ID definitively, but I would guess it will be fine.

Obama Brother

ask your parents all this stuff. seriously. you'll get better and more info from them than from the people on here. good luck!

camalexisonfire

go and see the things that no one else sees... have fun

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