Ok, so I will forewarn you this will be slightly sarcastic as well as informative (I hope!). I am flying out to Anchorage to begin a wonderful cruise tour escorting a great group. We are spending a few days on land heading up to Denali National Park ( though no where near the back country where the backpacker was killed, very sad, and thanks for your concern), before heading to Whitter to depart on a Princess Voyage of the Glaciers(cruiseline, I am not royalty though I sometimes like to think I am).
Now on to the subject at hand, I don't care if it is the easiest airport in the world you should leave you hotel, office or home in enough time to be at the airport at least two hours ahead. Yes I know it is boring, take a book or credit card, read shop entertain yourself and your family. There is always unexpected traffic, long lines etc that can cause you too miss a flight. If you are traveling with children, well let's just say that is stressful enough without a time crunch leave thirty minutes earlier so you have plenty of time for bathroom breaks, or total break downs.
I say all of this because.....just because you are in a hurry does not give you the right to make everyone else miserable. Crowding the person in front of you is just rude. Leave some air between you, I promise that I nor anyone else wants to have you in their personally bubble just because you think being there will make the line go faster. If you are in a hurry tell TSA at the first class line, most of the time they will let you through, or tell the person in front of you.
Strangers don't want to hear you complain, whether it is on your phone or to them. Zip it already who cares that the other line moved faster.
Speaking of faster, shoes that don't require two people to put on and take off as truly recommended. Don't where a belt put it in your carry on if you must have one, at some point and time you will forget to take it off. Liquid go in a bag, and not just any bag a quart size bag clear, ziplock works great! The contents of this bag should be 3 ounce or less containers, note I said containers here not amounts so no you may not take a tube of toothpaste that is half empty. (by the way can cheese is considered a liquid...sigh). Rules to remember, I the United States shoes come off I. Europe shoes stay on(trust me taking them off subjects you to screening); earrings, watches sunglasses, necklaces etc must be removed. You may not have anything in your pockets or wear a sweater or jacket through the new wave machines, you may always opt for the metal detector and a pat down.
Pack you laptops wear you can take them out an put them in a separate bin( by themselves nothing else in there, any by the way shoes are something else) Gather you belongs and get out of the way if you have chidren, take there stuff to a bench where you can sit and put them back together without pressure and rushing.
When boarding the plane, don't crowed the boarding lane, leave room everyone will get on board( well as long as you have a seat assignment pesky oversold flights). Bags go in the overhead bin WHEELS FIRST!!! Not sideways taking up a ton of room with baggage fees everybody has carry ons. And while we are on the subject, your coat doesn't belong up there or your purse, put them in your carry on, or under the seat in front of you. If my bag doesn't fit because your coat is up there I promise you I will hand it to you! In the event there is no room and you have to gate check your luggage, take out your electronics, and hand it over, oh well move on don't pitch a fit.
Now on to inflight rules, there are reasons you can not use your cell phones, and other electronics and most are safety reasons, and no not that you will bring the plane down. That myth was busted long ago. However in the event of an emergency if you are not paying attention it could be deterimental to yourself and others. There will be two sounds of a bell(for lack of a better wayto describe it) that indicates when you may turn them on, this is above 10,000ft where it takes just a bit longer to get down if something goes wrong. Speaking of above 10,000ft, you should also know that all bags should remain under the seat in front of you(for easy emergency exit) and your seat should remain upright(so the people behind your can exit easily in case of emergency).
Be polite, book an aisle if you use the restroom a lot, and put children of the inside seats for their protection.
Ok stepping of my information/soapbox post.
Until next time.
Now onto the boarding process.
Please for the love of humanity to not start the mass crowding in front of the boarding area. Really you will get on if you have a seat assignment. Once in line again let's not squis
