I have flown quite a few 8-9 hour cattle class flights for work and I don't find it to be a problem. I get up, walk around, chat to the other walkers and the stewardesses. Also I enjoy looking out of the window and comparing that to the moving map showing where the plane is.

Hi,

Oh ok, so i guess the cheaper flights are not too extremely bad then?
I see prices from about 250 to about 500 on the web, round trip.

 

Oh ok thanks. Yeah this is going to be very strange for me as i never had to do this years ago.
I also wonder about the cell phone if they allow, which i think they do but not sure.
Would they allow the waste band cell phone case too, with the cell phone in it?

No problem with cell phones, but you will have to put it in a bin for the x-ray machine, and you have to remove your belt. The agent will, variably in a grumpy or friendly way, tell you just what to do. Just do it, don’t fret. It’s really not bad just a pain. Security theatre is a waste of time but there are more things to worry about in the world. Some folks get really exercised about this.

 

i dont know what you mean about the leg room because all i see on the web is plane times and dates and fare prices but no mention of leg room. How would i know?
Also, it appears that some dont allow carry on? What's up with that?

What airline?

Most airlines have something like a "comfort class". It is sort of like enhanced coach. When really what it is is what coach used to be. You pay an extra $100 or so but it is worth it IMHO.

Be careful of any discount airlines. They don't have an agreement with other airlines so if your fight is canceled then you are screwed. They will not put you on another flight unless you pay for it.

Southwest has agreements but you can't select your seat on Southwest. I won't fly them anymore.

 

I have flown quite a few 8-9 hour cattle class flights for work and I don't find it to be a problem. I get up, walk around, chat to the other walkers and the stewardesses. Also I enjoy looking out of the window and comparing that to the moving map showing where the plane is.

Wow that is a way to make points.

 

Hi,

Well you know it is interesting about that "3 hour" quote because if i left here at 9am i would get there around 12 noon even though it is a 6 horu flight. So maybe that is where the 3 hours came from. To bad though it really is 6 hours on that dang plane.

No it was me in need of sleep.

I cannot remember the last time I flew coast to coast direct so I didn't not have any experience on flight time. Just something I found in a bleary eyed search but it was the wrong country! 0

 

What airline?

Most airlines have something like a "comfort class". It is sort of like enhanced coach. When really what it is is what coach used to be. You pay an extra $100 or so but it is worth it IMHO.

Be careful of any discount airlines. They don't have an agreement with other airlines so if your fight is canceled then you are screwed. They will not put you on another flight unless you pay for it.

Southwest has agreements but you can't select your seat on Southwest. I won't fly them anymore.

Hi,

What do you mean pay for it? You mean an additional charge?
Would it be the same time too or no?

 

No it was me in need of sleep.

I cannot remember the last time I flew coast to coast direct so I didn't not have any experience on flight time. Just something I found in a bleary eyed search but it was the wrong country! 0

Oh ok ha ha. Well what a coincidence though that the elapsed time ends up being 3 hours by the clock ha ha.
BUT on the way back, it is 9 hours by the clock yikes. Leave 9am and dont get back until 6pm.

 

No problem with cell phones, but you will have to put it in a bin for the x-ray machine, and you have to remove your belt. The agent will, variably in a grumpy or friendly way, tell you just what to do. Just do it, don’t fret. It’s really not bad just a pain. Security theatre is a waste of time but there are more things to worry about in the world. Some folks get really exercised about this.

Hi,

Oh ok, but is there any chance the cell phone may get damaged in the bin? I'd hate to lose that when i'll need it right after landing.

 

Hi,

What do you mean pay for it? You mean an additional charge?
Would it be the same time too or no?

Don't recall for sure, I think Delta's charge was around $100 for coast to coast. You need top go on an airlines site to see it.

What I do is use something like kayak to get the cheaper flights then go to that airline's sight for more detailed pricing.

 

Hi,

Oh ok, but is there any chance the cell phone may get damaged in the bin? I'd hate to lose that when i'll need it right after landing.

It is like a little tray. Doubt it will get damaged. Theft is far more likely so try to keep an eye on your belongings after it goes through the machine.

 

I usually start by putting belt, wallet etc at the bottom of the tray and my jacket all over.

 

I travel light, depends on how long I stay, me and the wife fly when the distance is longer than 2 hrs. I wear loose fitting clothing and a light jacket, a pair of socks with slip on shoes or flip-flops. No carry on, when I arrive I purchase my clothing, you can do a bird bath in the airport, then the cloths I'm wearing gets put in a bag from the purchase I made at a department store. I leave key's at home, usually they are in a lock box combo hidden away in a place of my choosing. Now you need ID, take a small belt pouch that can be easily removed at the TSA line up.

Purchasing a ticket online and presenting it after you've gone to the kiosk and printed it. No lines just the TSA, go through the check out have your ID ready, now it's time to put your pouch through the x-ray and go through scanner or if they pull you out of line raise your arms for the agent to wand you. Pass round the x-ray to the opposite side and pick up your belongings, iPad, Phone, pouch shoes, Done.

Now go shopping rent a car, wash as I said above, now it's time to leave take cloths you intended on leaving e.g. shoes what ever to used cloths store, donate them. Climb back into the rental car take it back to the airport or wherever. Get your bordering pass at the kiosk rinse and repeat.

kv

 

Hi,

Oh ok, but is there any chance the cell phone may get damaged in the bin? I'd hate to lose that when i'll need it right after landing.

Really not very likely, I've never had a problem. Just keep an eye on the bin, it's not something you have to be hyper vigilant about, just know where it is. Laptops are sometimes stolen but I've not heard of phones being lifted, and unless it's a flagship phone it probably wouldn't be a target anyway.

My advice is be cooperative and nice to the TSA folks. They get a lot of flack, deserved or not. They are just minimum wage people doing a job, and a little friendliness and respect goes a long way to getting help from them. You can even tell them you don't fly and want to do things right, they can be very nice.

 

My advice is be cooperative and nice to the TSA folks. They get a lot of flack, deserved or not. They are just minimum wage people doing a job, and a little friendliness and respect goes a long way to getting help from them. You can even tell them you don't fly and want to do things right, they can be very nice.

Just minimum wage people that have the power of God over you. Don't screw with them. They can ruin your day.

I was going though the line when a bunch of us were told we were in the wrong line (it was poorly marked). I went to the end of another very long line. A man that was also in the wrong line was pissed off and shoved into the middle of the new line. TSA saw it and called him aside, He disappeared behind a current never to be seen again.

 

Flying CONUS, TSA procedures can be a little different at different times and at different airports, although it boils down to the same basic procedure. Of course they have changed over time.

Listen carefully as they tell you want they want. There can be so much going on that it is sometimes a chore.

First it is ID + Boarding pass line. There can be two entry lines as "pre-clearance" is a thing. I have the correct documents out and handed in visually appropriate orientation and I always say hello and I look (not stare at the agent).

Then it is off to the inspection line. Again, especially when it is crowded, you have to listen real carefully. First you bin stuff, shoes, belt, pocket contents (I do everything, metal or not). Wallet, keys, gum, everything, unless told differently (and that has happened - "no, you can leave your belt on). Pat your pockets very carefully, a single coin stuck in the bottom of your pocket will be detected. I once got flagged for that and he ended it up using a wand. I kept patting my pockets and saying I don't feel anything. He was telling me that I must have had surgery and a pin placement, and I am telling him, no nothing like that. Eventually I pulled my pocket inside out and...yep a nickel had found its way deep. I was embarrassed, but it was no problem.

You have big bins and little cup bins (that can be put in the big bin). Usually, they want the laptop out of the case and, sometimes, in a separate bin. They don't like coats covering anything - stuff in plain view is the rule. I keep my eye on my bin but I have never lost anything. I don't rush just because people around me are rushing - if you want to go ahead of me, knock yourself out.

Check what you can and cannot bring inside of a carry on bag. This issue makes a lot of press sometimes. Liquids over a certain amount, including that bottle of water you just bought. Nail clippers that you had not even realized you had - all that stuff and it is all listed online. Once I had a rock the size of a softball in my carry on. It was an amethyst and the screener (looking at the monitor) called over two other agents and they were discussing it - I just spoke up and told them what it was. There was no problem and they certainly could have looked but I think it was a training thing. BTW, in my experience, when they want to see something inside a carry on, they will usually ask who it belongs to first.

Most commonly, you next enter the x-ray machine (or whatever it is) and you have to again, listen carefully, stay behind the line until they tell you otherwise (nasty ones will say something like, "well, come on!", but mostly they are nice and reasonable. Edit: You first pass through a normal metal detector frame on route to the big "visualizer". Once inside the machine, do what they say, regardless of what the written instruction inside the machine say. I have been in one that said arms out perpendicular to the body but told to hold my arms up high. Once, while waiting for my turn to enter, I was called out of line and they did a quick hand wand waving instead. I never know what that stuff is about, I just do what they tell me.

I have never been detained ever for anything, but I have seen my fair share of angry passengers but never saw any of them win anything.

 

I used to flight 80 times a year pre-9/11. Since then, I haven’t needed to fly very often at all, but the difference in security is extreme. There’s not much to it, though, except the amount of time to expect to be in line on a busy day and the earlier arrival required.

Do review the TSA website for information on what is OK to carry. If you make a mistake (short of firearms and explosives) it will only mean losing whatever they won’t let you take on.

By the way, I recently got a pair of Sony’s high end nose cancelling headphones. I used them on an overnight train trip and I have to say if I’d known how effective they are, I’d have wanted them much earlier. Bose is also good.

Personally, I don’t like airline travel at all, but sometimes it is the only practical choice. Good luck, and remember the reason you are flying, you wouldn’t be doing it if not for that, it can help make it bearable.

The solution I use for short PDX to Vegas trips. TSA pre-check and a First class ticket.

 

There’s lots to do. A coast to coast flight goes by in no time.

Most airlines let you check in online the night before. Take advantage of this as soon as possible, and you’ll get almost any seat you want. This is when I upgrade for the extra room. I usually pay $50 for it. Well worth it! Also, when you check in as soon as possible, most airlines will email you a boarding pass on your phone, which you use in the security line and when boarding. One less line to wait in at the airport. (Getting boarding pass)

For a short trip (2-4 days), I can fit everything into my laptop bag. No checked luggage. Minimal carry on. If you are packing a bag, roll everything up as tight as possible. Use underwear and socks to fill space between the rolls. All toiletries belong in plastic ziplock bags. Meds in a separate bag, in their original bottles!

Dress up for your flight. I don’t mean jacket and tie, but at least slacks and a button down shirt. No jeans and definitely no t-shirts. You’ll get better service.

Don’t look nervous. The agents don’t know this is your first long flight. If you act nervous, it might get you a pat down and carryon check.

When boarding the plane, respond cheerfully and politely with the flight attendants. It relaxes them and makes them less wary of you. Whatever you do, do not call them stewardesses. They are flight attendants.

All of my recent flights have had free WiFi. Review AAC while flying! Note that there will be blackout periods. Otherwise, make sure you have a variety of entertainment. Books. Notebooks. Music. There’s also a plethora of inflight entertainment. TV shows, movies and music channels. On a coast to coast? You’ll get a chance to see two new releases. And the movies change on your return flight. Bring a headset with an 1/8” plug. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay for one at $5 to $10

Definitely, get up and walk around. If food/snack/beverage service is not happening, you can stand in the aisle for a while. Go out back (or front) and chat with the flight attendants.

Airline food is horrible. It used to be good. I never eat mine anymore, bringing a couple of sandwiches in a bag. Soda is usually free, but it’s served in a small plastic cup. Remember my recommendation of being polite and cheery to the flight attendants? This is when it pays off, for if you politely request a full can, you’re likely to get it.

You’ll have a great trip with the great advice from these great friends!

 

Oh ok thanks. Yeah this is going to be very strange for me as i never had to do this years ago.
I also wonder about the cell phone if they allow, which i think they do but not sure.
Would they allow the waste band cell phone case too, with the cell phone in it?

Everything needs to go into the tray. Except your pants. What you do with it after is up to you.

 

Everything needs to go into the tray. Except your pants. What you do with it after is up to you.

Just remember to pick it all up.

I was on a flight and went through the scanner with my leather Stetson hat on. Alarms went off. It had wire in the rim. They sent it through in its own bin. I got checked up and down and it was getting too close to departure time for my comfort. I grabbed (almost) everything and rushed to the gate. It cost me $175 to replace that hat.

 

The solution I use for short PDX to Vegas trips. TSA pre-check and a First class ticket.

+1 for TSA precheck. You have to sign up with background check and personal interview but you bypass the most intrusive screenings and can stay dressed. Faster too. $100 for 5years IIRC.