3. How to Prepare for Your First Domestic Flight

Flying on an airline for the first time is daunting, perhaps even downright terrifying. Maybe that's why you haven't done it before now. If you can't have an experienced traveling companion with you on your first U.S. airline flight, it helps to find out in advance what to expect.

Instructions Check-In at the Airport

1. Check with the airline to find out how far in advance you should arrive at the airport; usually an hour and half is recommended. Allow extra time if you need to find parking at the airport.

2. Call the airline or check the Web site to find out if the flight is on time before leaving for the airport.

3. Head for the airline's ticket counter. Don't be surprised if there is a long line of other people doing the same thing. Another option is to check your baggage at the curbside check-in and pay an additional fee or tip.

4. Provide a form of picture identification, usually driver's license or passport, for all passengers age 18 and older.

5. Receive a printed boarding pass with your assigned seat number and departing gate number. You will also receive boarding passes for connecting flights.

6. Give the bags you wish to check to the ticket agent, who will attach a tracking label to each bag and staple a baggage claim receipt to the envelope containing your boarding pass. Use the receipt to reclaim lost luggage at your destination, if necessary. Your baggage will automatically be transferred to connecting flights.

7. Cooperate with security agents who need to search your bags at the counter. Proceed to the security checkpoint.

Pass Through Security

2. Get in line at the security checkpoint. Show your photo identification and boarding pass when prompted by security personnel.

• 9 Put your carry-on items on the conveyor belt.

• 10 Place all metal objects, including keys, coins, watch and cell phone, in the provided container for X-ray screening. Remove your laptop from its case and place it in a plastic bin.

• 11 Remove your shoes, belt with a metal buckle and outer coat and place these items in another plastic bin on the conveyor belt.

• 12 Walk slowly through the metal detector. If the alarm sounds, the security personnel will scan you with a hand-held wand to identify the metal object.

• 13 Cooperate with security personnel if you are randomly selected for more in-depth screening by hand. Normally, when one member of your group, even a child, is randomly selected, your whole group will be screened.

• 14 Collect all of your personal items and proceed to the gate.

Board the Flight

• 15 Wait at the gate until your flight is announced.

• 16 Pre-board if you need assistance or are traveling with small children.

• 17 Get in line when your row number is called.

• 18 Hand your boarding pass to the gate agent, who will put it through the electronic scanner and then return it to you.

• 19 Board the plane and find your assigned seat.

• 20 Stow your carry-on in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. Sit down and put on your seatbelt. Listen to the safety information presented by the flight attendants. Relax and enjoy your first flight.

Tips & Warnings

Some airlines offer automated check-in kiosks or online check-in.

Find out the airline's checked baggage restrictions for number of bags and weight ahead of time. Bags exceeding the weight limit will be charged an additional handling fee.

Carry-on luggage has size restrictions. Passengers are usually limited to one carry-on piece of luggage and one personal item.

Familiarize yourself with all items that are prohibited in both checked and carry-on luggage.

Label all baggage with your name and phone number.

Limit the amount of jewelry you wear and metal in your clothes to facilitate the screening process.

Never leave your bags unattended. Unattended bags will be confiscated and not returned.

All electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones, must be turned off during takeoff.