connecting flights: im only 15 and i am taking a connecting flight,my mum is worried ill miss it..help?
i need to know info about whether there is a big chance ill miss it, if i have anything to worry about, and if i could get help while i was at the airport? (btw im travelling by myself) my flight is liverpool,england to amsterdam,netherlands to detroit,michigan,usa, to pittsburgh,usa help?
Air Travel - 4 Answers
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1 :
Hi Robyn. That's too much travel for one as young as you. Anyway, I'm from the Philippines. I think the best thing to do so you won't miss a connecting flight is to estimate is to be 100% aware of where you're going inside the airport. In case of doubt of where you are heading, just ask assistance immediately from an employee there so you won't be wasting time. I'm sure they would be glad to help. By the way, be sure to bring your phone so you can call your mom for help (just in case).
2 :
You are very unlikely to miss the flights if they have been booked by a travel agent they will know what they are doing. Check your flight times and make sure you have at least two hours between getting off a flight and getting on the next as the airport require you to check in early. If they are not two hours apart contact the airline and see if you can change the flights ASAP. If you do have plenty of time between each flight you will be okay. Don't be afraid to ask airport staff where to go that's what their there for and they will probably tell you where to go anyway. Take your phone to contact your mum and take extra money just in case you do miss a flight and need to pay for a new one. You should get a refund but not the whole amount of ticket will not be given back to you. Hope this helps.
3 :
No, you'll be ok. If you need help, just ask airport personnel- if you tell them you are an unaccompanied minor, they'll go out of their way to help you. You probably won't even need help though-- making a connecting flight's not that hard. When you get off the first plane, look for the TV screens that list departing flights. On there, find the city you're going to and make sure it's the right airline and time. Next to that, it should be written "Gate", which tells you where your plane leaves from. It will be something like A16, B7, C4...The letter part is the "terminal" (what part of the building) and the number part is which gate. Once you find out where you're supposed to go, there are signs everywhere. Just follow the arrows. You can even download maps of the airports you're going to in advance, if you like. Just google them, and look on the airport's website.
4 :
You will be fine. I started traveling by myself at 17, but my brother and sisters started at 15 (flying alone between continents). All of the airports you travel through are well marked and well staffed with people who will help you. You don't say if you have flown before so below is a "how to" plus some suggestions. If you have flown before please forgive the level of detail: Assuming you are a UK citizen using the Visa Waiver Program, remember to register via ESTA and print the confirmation. Take with you in your carry-on the confirmation, copies of your return airline ticket, and the address & phone number for the family with whom you will stay. Join the frequent flier program for the airline you will use, unless you already belong to a partner program. Joining is free and you can do it online. www.skyteam.com Call the airline before your flight date if you want to request a seat. Some airlines don’t do advance seat selection and others charge a fee. The reservations agent will tell you if there are restrictions. Go to www.seatguru.com or www.seatexpert.com for info on seating arrangements on airliners. Call the airline the day before your flight and the morning before your flight to make sure there are no schedule changes. You can also check flight status online. Pack almost everything in a suitcase that you will give to the airline to "check". The suitcase has to weigh 50 pounds or less. All liquids & gels in containers over 3 ounces and anything that might even LOOK like a weapon (nail file, scissors, etc.) should go in your checked bag. Go to www.tsa.gov for more info on prohibited items. Mark or tag all checked luggage with something that makes the bags more distinctive. An example would be to attach a strip of colored tape to each side of the bag. It reduces the chance someone might pick up your bag by mistake at baggage claim (there are millions of black suitcases). Also clearly tag ALL bags >>> inside and outside <<< with your name and a good phone number + e-mail address (but not your home address). The free tags from the check-in counter are OK. You are allowed one carryon bag and one "personal bag" (ex. a purse or laptop bag). They have to be not larger than a small backpack. One carryon is better. Take some things to do or read on and between flights. Also pack basic toiletries and one complete change of clothing in the carryon bag. You are allowed to pack "travel size" liquids & gels in your carryon bag, but the items have to go in their own clear plastic bag and scanned separately when you get to security. Dress in shoes & clothing that are comfortable and not tight, but also not overly casual. Avoid clothing with metal attached (ex. jeans with studs). Make sure you have your passport, ESTA confirmation, frequent flier number, and ticket (or flight information if it's an e-ticket), and the family’s information on you before leaving home. Get to the airport two hours before your flight. Really. It is MUCH better to have an hour to wait than to arrive later and have a problem. Go to the airline counter and give the agent your passport, FF number, and flight info or ticket. Tell them how many bags you want to "check". You can request a seat at check-in if you didn't already do so. The agent will put destination tags on your checked luggage and then either take your checked bag(s) or tell you to carry it/them to the big x-ray machine. You should get boarding passes for all of your flights at the first airport. If that isn’t the case (because it’s different, non-partner airlines) you will get boarding passes from a service desk at the next airport. All flights are met by airline ground staff and they will direct you to a service desk. The "Gate" for your flight will be on the boarding pass (example E-17). Follow the signs toward your gate. Ask an airline or airport employee for directions if you are not sure. At some point you will have to go through security. There will be a stack of plastic bins - place your shoes, carryon bag, the clear plastic bag containing any liquids or gels, sweater/jacket, and anything metal (including cellphone) in the bin. Keep your passport and boarding pass in your hand. Follow the instructions of the security personnel - they will have you place the bin on the X-ray conveyer belt and you will walk through the metal detector. Once through you collect the bin and put everything back where it belongs. Then go to the gate. Check to make sure there has not been a gate change - airports have TV-type monitors with the info. If not sure, ask an airline or airport employee. Try to wait near your gate. If you want to wander off or use the airline lounge, be back 30 minutes before your flight is scheduled to depart. Follow the instructions of the ground staff when boarding starts. Your seat number will be on your boarding pass; The numbers increase toward the back of the airplane and the letters go from left to right >> as you face the front of the plane << (Seat 1A is at the front on the left and seat 22 F would be towards the rear + probably on the right). . Once you find your seat, take out whatever you want for entertainment (book, etc.) and put your carryon bag either in the overhead storage compartment or under the seat in front of you. Follow the instructions of the flight crew. The aircraft is a machine and has a lot of moving parts that make noise. There will be sounds like "Thunk" when taking off and landing as the landing gear is retracted (after take-off) and lowered (for landing). The pilots also adjust parts of the wings during the flight and that sometimes causes noise. The flight attendants will serve drinks and snacks once the plane is at "cruising altitude". Meals are only served on long distance flights (more than 5 hours). Long distance flights also usually offer entertainment, like movies, and the airline website can provide information.. There are restrooms on airplanes. Be sure to latch the door to let others know it’s occupied, and latching the door also turns on the light. When the flight is almost over, the crew will instruct the passengers to put everything away and fasten seatbelts. Follow their instructions. Once the plane has landed it will taxi to the airport terminal. Stay in your seat with the seatbelt fastened until the crew tells you it is OK to exit the aircraft. It will be obvious when you can do so. Make sure you collect everything you brought with you. CHECK the pocket in back of the seat in front of you to make sure you aren't leaving something you put there. Once off the plane just follow the signs to the gate for the next flight. You may have to go through security again. Your checked bags will be automatically transferred to the connecting flight by the airline. Amsterdam is a nice airport and is well equipped for transfer passengers. The flight crew will distribute immigration forms on board the flight to Detroit. Complete the forms before arrival. The flight crew can help with questions. The transfer procedure will be a little different when you arrive in the USA (Detroit). Exit the aircraft and go toward Passport Control or Arrivals. There will be someone at the entrance to the Passport Control area to direct you to the appropriate line. Have your passport, ESTA confirmation, airline ticket, and family info handy. Immigration Officers everywhere ask the same questions: What is the purpose of your visit? How long will you stay? Where will you stay? Once through Immigration go to baggage claim and collect your bag(s). There should be luggage carts. Take your bag(s) to the Customs checkpoint and give the Officer the form. They should just wave you through. Then take your bag(s ) to Interline Baggage, which is just past the Customs checkpoint. Give your bag(s) to the staff and they will be transferred to the flight to Pittsburgh. Then follow the signs to the appropriate gate. At your final destination, exit the aircraft and follow the signs to Baggage Claim once you are off the plane. Most airports have multiple baggage carousels (conveyer belts) and there is usually a sign or TV-type monitor that indicates which carousel on which your flight's bags will appear. Ask an airline or airport employee if you are not sure. Collect your bag(s) and exit the terminal (usually by going out the doors marked "Ground Transportation"). Hope you have a good trip!
