Flying for the inexperienced (and reluctant..)

Just make sure to look at your particular airlines bag regs.. the size of the bag is sometimes slightly different so check with your own airlines website they usually make it very clear. Be prepared to have your shoes checked at security (not everyone but they pick random passengers) Not sure about the contact lenses sorry.. leave plenty of time for checking in again check with the airline website but its usually 3hrs for USA..
You'll be fine I'm sure..

The lenses go into your plastic bag for toiletries and the solution should go into your suitcase and go into the hold,but if you are only taking hand luggage for a whole week? I think it is best checking with airline as rule's can change on a daily basis going out to the State's

Had an odd experience flying to Dublin. A solid bangle had been overlooked so set off the alarm as I went through security at Edinburgh. Pleasant young woman then said she'd have to give me the once over with the thing that looks like a table tennis bat. No problem I thought, but then it went a bit mad and I was asked to go to a side room. Ran the thing over me again and it was beeping so I suggested the wires in my bra. She said she had already discounted that and there was something else. Would I please undo my blouse - so of course I complied. I was wearing a plain black bodyshaper and that was the culprit because of the 2 'bones' running from bra wire to waist!
As she explained very politely, they gave off the same signal as if I had a couple of knives concealed about my person! I wasn't at all worried as I knew I was doing nothing illegal plus, the 2 security girls were at all times pleasant, polite and not at all threatening. So beware - nowhere on advice sites do they suggest the type of underwear you should have!!

Try going through security with two prosthetic joints. I often wonder what it's like when a Saga group goes through.

I have a hip implant and always mention it to security so they are aware before they 'wand' me.. its never been a problem..

I fly to America regularly, and the security 'system' is always slightly different - so be prepared - travel light and comfortably and leave plenty of time. If you go onto your airline's page (www.etc...) you should find all baggage info.
Regarding contacts - if you're not taking baggage that goes in the hold then all liquids, cosmetics and toilettries etc. need to be in the plastic bag. The plastic bag has to be of a certain size (small) with a 'ziplock'. Usually only 200ml. per item. That can be limiting, so you may like to reconsider your baggage options.
My final bit of advice - you are not going to outer Mongolia - so if you don't have something, you can always buy it - and it'll probably be cheaper, too!

I always go on line 24hr. before I fly to book my seat and to check out if there are any last minute changes.

Visa applications can be done on line and printed off.

Have a great trip.

Thank you all. The consensus seems to be put them in the plastic bag, and I suppose it's safer to do so anyway. I have looked up the airline website (or both as there is one operating airline and one carrier - oh, Eurostar is so much simpler so why doesn't it go to America??) and have measured our bags in all directions. If it turns out to be a major hassle I suppose we can get a cheap suitcase over there and have hold luggage coming back; you're quite right Butternut, they have shops over there! Last night in the 3 am worry-session I was thinking about all those poor Quantas passengers who have just been abandoned and wondering if we would ever get home if something like that happens. It is time I grew up!

At least you can fly! I cannot get near an aeroplane - I simply hate every second of it all: the airport, the take-off, the flight, the landing. The last time I did it I vowed that I would never ever do it again! - and I haven't.
Anyone else in the same boat/aeroplane?!

Not myself but my hubby, he just can't and never will and thats an end to it.. I've tried for 20+ years to help him overcome it but nothing helps.. he misses out on so much..

wheniwasyiurage ...to be quite honest I'd get a medium sized case to put in the hold ...in it you can put all deodorants, toothpastes, perfumes, aerosols that you would normally use ...and all things to do with lenses!! As well as heavy shoes and winter type clothing! Put in all over the counter medications.

If you're going from LHR ...they only like a couple of items per plasitc bag! So all easily seen!! Still didn't stop them testing a hand gel ...which was in its original container and well below the capacity limit!!

Not sure why you're reluctant to do this ...never seems to take long to get hold luggage delivered ...pretty much matches the time it now takes to clear immigration!

I'd put all cameras etc into cabin luggage ...put the chargers etc into hold luggage.

Yes they do have shops to buy every day items ...but do you want to spend time finding one? using your money to buy these things rather than on special items? use your credit card and incur the currency exchange costs and for using the card abroad? Does your flight arrive at a time when you could buy needed items?

Are you travelling independently or with a tour company? ...if the later, they will help you.

Have a lovely time!!

Travelling independently. We're so used to going by train and carrying everything that we normally travel light, and I don't need aerosols, perfume or makeup. Wearing tough shoes and winter clothing. Taking a small camera but not my phone as it is far too primitive to work outside Europe (much like myself). Going from Edinburgh. Yes, Mishap, I think I can fly (just like my 2-year-old grandson) and I do have some grasp of and trust in the physics involved, but I will be holding the plane up by the seat!

"I will be holding the plane up by the seat" ...love it!!

Who are you flying with?

I understand the physics - just hate the whole sensation - and lack trust in the mechanics who service the planes!

I don't understand the physics but I do trust the statistics and I know I am far more likely to come to grief on the road than in the air. And I've been driving over 50 years.

The statistics (like all statistics) can be interpreted in different ways. True, the deaths per mile travelled are very low, but the deaths per accident are virtually 100%.
You are more likely to have an accident in a car, but less likely to die.
You takes your pick!
It is not just fear of an accident that keeps me out of planes, it is the whole sensation - I feel grimly giddy the whole time (I have a problem with my balance anyway), and deeply convinced that what I am doing is so unnatural that I should not be there!
I have a problem of giddiness and vestibular migraines triggered by movement - e.g. subtitles going past on the TV screen - so being in a plane is truly the last straw for me, and my holiday is ruined by the knowledge that I have to do it again in order to get back home!

I, too, tend to hold up the plane by the arms of the seat – quite a problem when flying to New Zealand. I think my fear is almost entirely to do with the fact that I am not in control, not that I have the slightest idea how to fly an aeroplane. I am better behaved these days, although still nervous, as a result of the first flights I did with my daughter when she was seven years old. I was determined not to pass on my fears to her so concealed them to the best of my ability. Coming home from Nantes, a small airport in France, ours was the last flight to leave the airport before it was shut owing to those terrible gales we had some time in the 1980s. I swear that the plane took off sideways and then we hit massive turbulence. When it was all over, DD said, "That was fun. Can we ask the pilot to go round again?".

I'm with your daughter, absent. I find turbulence exciting (though I'm not normally an adrenalin junkie) especially over the Himalayas. The first time I ever flew long haul to Kenya in an old Comet, I had no idea how I'd react and surprised myself by relishing the turbulence over Italy, despite the Comet's track record. I can't explain this, but I certainly don't have a death-wish!

Carry on bags may be strictly weight limited. When flying out with Virgin Atlantic recently the limit was 6KG. This just about allows for my light laptop and its charger in a flight bag. I like taking a proper flight bag as it doubles as a footrest.
They were strict and made me go away and reduce the weight even though i was only a kg or so over. This involved stuffing the other things I needed for the flight in my pockets, round my neck etc. Which of course did not make a jot of difference to the overall weight on the plane. However do check the carry on baggage limit for your airline carefully (it will be on the website somewhere) and don't assume they will be lenient.
(In contrast i did an internal flight in the US where people were dragging on extraordinary amounts of cabin baggage to avoid the $20 fee for checked in luggage.)

Unless i am just going to ireland for a couple of days i would always rather check in a bag and consequently have a very light bag to drag around the airport with me. Some of those walks to the gate can be a kilometre or so.
Dont forget that you can only take very small bottles of cosmetics, medicines etc in hand luggage - less than 100ml per item and all of them have to be put in a small resealable transparent sandwich bag... ANything liquid or gooey goes in the little bag and that includes things like lipstick, facecream, vaseline.

Yes ...I tend to only take a back-pack into cabin with me due to the 'miles' one has to walk and the fact I have great difficulty lifting anything into those over head compartments.

Curious ...and slightly (?) off thead ...[sorry] emocion ...have discovered that the amount of leg room does seem to vary from airline to airline (even if same type of plane) ...so which is the best long-haul airline to try to travel with??

I love Virgin Atlantic at the moment; OK, you have to buy extra legroom, but at least you can! For the States, I do like American Airways too. Easy jet is appalling; by the time you pay for all their extras you might as well fly BA or something.

I managed a week in Greece at Easter with just a carry on bag and it definitely speeded up the getting out of the airport. Admittedly we were flying BA and they let you have a handbag as well, which helps. Put my daily disposable lenses in the little plastic bag, decanted shampoo into a 100ml bottle and used that to double as shower gel.

I find that shoes are the most bulky thing for the case and limiting myself to just two pairs (one on, one in the case) was a mighty challenge. Had to sacrifice style for comfort which was definitely the best option.

Did also read about someone who said you just put on lots of layers of all your clothes because they only weigh the bag, not the passenger! Not sure I fancy that unless desperate.

I'd endorse Virgin Atlantic - flew to San Francisco with them and found even economy very commodious. My sister and I managed to spend a week in Spain last year with just carry-on baggage - with Monarch. Luckily in November it was still sandal weather in Andalusia.

I agree with Jacey - I wouldn't bother with the faffing around with plastic bags, check it in as baggage and it's a whole lot easier. Doesn't really take too much longer anyway. I recently came back from Canada and there was a 5kg limit on cabin bags so it's worth checking with your airline to see if they have limits.

If you're taking your iPhone or any other form of "smart phone" with you make sure that your turn the data off before you leave the UK unless you're prepared for a very hefty phone bill

Jacey, we're going with Continental or possible United Airlines (one is the operator and one is the carrier - no it doesn't make sense however you write it). Now I'm off to check about the weight they allow. this is getting beyond a joke!!