Travel

[emtpbill]

Im flying out to las vegas from philadelphia in mid september and am getting really nervous. I havent flown since pre 9/11 and was wondering what to expect at the airport, if anyone knows. I am really leary since the government said the had new threats against the airline industry. I usually am not a prejudiced person but i think if i see some arab looking people getting on my plane I will probably freak. Help me, I am going crazy!!!!!

[twinsrule]

Relax. Get there early, check your bags (they randomly inspect), then go wait in line to have your carry on inspected, then wait to board. It isn't the SS running the airport. And if you see something you think is supsicious tell someone. No worries.

[BlueLghtning]

Same as above. Just get there early and relax.

[dilligaf]

Your not ging crazy at all, I fly often and find the security to be much better than it was 3 years ago. You definately look around at the other passengers more today, but for the most part is no different today than pre 9/11. You have to relize that the gvt. release that shit to alert the public, but also to alert the ter. that they are on to them. You'll be fine, just go to the bar and stay there till your comfortable enough to fly. Works for me...

[Jokertlr]

Don't carry any nail clippers or anything either. No big deal if you do though, they'll just take them from you, not arrest you. I definitely agree with the get there early thing. Me and my GF took a trip to Mexico over Christmas last year and I almost flipped out. It was the first day they had their new driver's license scanners so they didn't know how the use them. It was a Apple Vacation thing and I got there two hours early. It took nearly the full two hours just to get our bags checked. When we got them checked we went to get a bite to eat and then went through security (we were cutting it close on time). When we got to the checkpoint we found out that the stupid bitch at the counter had started writing my girlfriends name wrong on the ticket and then crossed it out and started again(she has a real tough name, Amy). Thats a big no no I guess and they turned us away. We had to run downstairs to the counter, have them fix the ticket and then run back upstairs. All the while I'm mumbling obcenities and my girlfriend is scared to talk as not to set me into a full rage.

Don't let that story scare you though. I've flown a couple of times since then with no problems. I'm going to St. Thomas on August 27th (business/pleasure free trip ) and I have no worries.

[Bugtooth]

I fly every other week and there is nothing to worry over - Every Airport is different - Chicago does not inspect very hard regarding carry on or check in but Atlanata is a roll of the dice - My advice:

1 Vicodin ES 750 + 2 Bloody Mary's (for am travel) + some kind of CD Player/MP3/I-Pod with noise reduction headset + Pink Floyd and an Emergency Row Seat - Stretch out, RELAX and let the Vicodin do it's thang!

[f4X]

Like everyone has said...don't worry. Relax.

Look normal, don't dress like a slob or have 10000 percings, or wear hemp, or anti government shirts...No files or open blades. Make sure you feet are clean and no holes in your socks...

And if anything goes on during the flight, I really don't thing the terrorists will stand a chance. You would ahve to be a compelet retard to try to hijack a plane these days.

[MotoTiller]

Well with all this positive reinforcement going on, here's my scoop on the matter.
In July 1995 I was in a minor plane crash. I was still in the Army at the time and we were flying from McCord AFB in Washington to Dougway Proving Grounds Utah to evaluate a National Guard unit during their ( 2 weeks a year ). We were flying Nap of the Earth in a C-141 Starlifter, it was a very bumpy ride and a little unnerving that the entire center of the plane was full of Hummers that were creaking with each bump. About 30 miles outside of our destination the pilots increase altitude to drop of some "thumpers" ( guys who read data on seizemic instruments). Anyways there are about eight of them that jumped out the back, funny cause the last one tried to give the Jumpmaster a bag of puke from the Bumpy ride earlier, JM made him take it with him
JM uses the hydraulics to close the door, the lines burst, myself and my CSM get a hydraulic fluid shower, fluid hits electrical system and a fire ensues.
Now get this picture in your head, you are in a plane loaded to the gills with equipment and are soaking wet with hydraulic fluid there is a fire in the back of the plane the whole interior is full of smoke and a JumpMaster is screaming at the top of his lungs (which was barely audible from the sounds of the wind from the back door) to get to the front of the plane Now before you cook.
Meanwhile the pilots are losing controls due to lack of hydro fluid, also means no powered landing gear and no time to crank it down manually. They get the fire out just before they dump all the fuel so we don't turn into a fireball when we hit the ground.
We are all us far up front as we could get with all our arms interlocked waiting to die while the JM is yelling to wait till the side door goes after we hit then run like hell away if we can.
I owe my life to the pilots that brought that brick down belly first into the desert terrain with barely any functioning controls and no landing gear at all. It was an extreemely violent landing I remember that, and I also remember trying to pry my arms away from the people on each side of me because all I could think of was Door blows... run Door blows run...
Well it blew and I ran, and I ran. I ran until heard distant voices telling me I could stop now, it was safe.
We all survived, some sprains and some bruises, but not one broken bone from any of us. I got to partake in a chemical shower that took off alot of skin but I was alive.
Here's the kicker before darkness hit we all had to sign a statement that we arrived uneventfully had a great time evaluating the Guardsmen and were on our way back home What a crock of sh*t

[MotoTiller]

So I drive everywhere I have to go now, if I can't drive there I don't need to go there.

[TLSBill]

I fly all over the damn place.. too often... Security is a pain.. They won't take your bag anymore, you gotta check in, then drag your bag to an x-ray machine, stand around in line AGAIN until it clears, then you get to wait in the NEXT line for security screening before you enter the gates.....

Don't carry on anything remotely dangerous.. I have mini-tool screwdriver (micro-tech).. No blades, just pliers + a screwdriver and that caused a problem.. i didn't think about it because It's my keyring....

You WILL need two hours depending on your airport (LAX I give 2.5 - 3 hours, especially for busy carriers..) My advice to make it really easy is to fly out ofa smaller airport if you can. Long Beach airport out here I can get there 20 min's before a flight and STILL get on w/time to spare... Small airports are the greatest!

[freakinheat]

I just got back from Midway chicago. It was pretty easy. Only thing is, take your cigarettes out of your pocket as well as your pack of gum. Thye will make the detector go off. (My mistake). I got there 2 hours early and ended up sitting at Midway for about an hour and a half (at the bar of course) waiting for my flight back to Baltimore. Just don't carry anything dumb like, hmm scissors. Some lady tried to bring those on with her when going out to chicago.

[Jokertlr]

Originally posted by freakinheat
I just got back from Midway chicago. It was pretty easy. Only thing is, take your cigarettes out of your pocket as well as your pack of gum. Thye will make the detector go off. (My mistake). I got there 2 hours early and ended up sitting at Midway for about an hour and a half (at the bar of course) waiting for my flight back to Baltimore. Just don't carry anything dumb like, hmm scissors. Some lady tried to bring those on with her when going out to chicago.

Midway is kind of a gay airport, especially when I have to take a two prop plane from Milwaukee to Midway . Talk about white knuckles.

[freakinheat]

It's a hub for southwest and a hole lot easier to get to Indiana from midway instead of Ohare(?). I'm not choosing airports by their cool factors.

[Jokertlr]

Originally posted by freakinheat
It's a hub for southwest and a hole lot easier to get to Indiana from midway instead of Ohare(?). I'm not choosing airports by their cool factors.

When you are stuck somewhere for 4 hours you find out how cool or uncool of a place it is, trust me.

[MotoTiller]

Originally posted by Jokertlr
When you are stuck somewhere for 4 hours you find out how cool or uncool of a place it is, trust me.

Come on Midway is just a few miles away from Archer ave, and what we used to call Burrito Ville, you could get a three pound burrito for less than three bucks, also Archer is a good cruising spot, spent much of my youth cruising/street racing there.