Flying tips? About This Page:

[Ashli]

Originally Posted by Jakesmom1118

I'm almost positive they charge for drinks.

.

Unless this is a VERY new policy (like as in the last week), Delta does not charge for non-alcoholic beverages.

[Coop]

We booked it! Also glad that Delta gets good reviews (Thanks Ashli). I just called and added DME today as well. So it's set. Oh my! Now I have 2 months to call my Dr and get some Valium!

[MrsM]

My DH doesn't mind flying but he does have problems with his ears (they don't pop and then he can't hear well for the first part of the trip). Not sure if that's the same issue you have but on our last flight he tried Ear Planes which you can buy at most drug stores or even most airports. The directions say you can just put them in for takeoff and landing but he ended up keeping them in for the whole flight and he was amazed how well they worked. He had no ear problems at all and he said he will never fly without them again.

[ShellingConnie]

Originally Posted by Coop

Ok - so we are SERIOUSLY thinking about flying instead of driving. Cost is $10 difference (in favor of driving) - so nominal. What we like is the time. The idea of being there (or back) in only 2.5 hours!

Now - I haven't flown since 1991 . I am getting cross eyed just trying to make out these travel sites. I figured I can book through Travelocity or Delta itself. But what about all the nickel and dimes? I already took into account for the baggage fees. Are there any other fees I'm missing? I thought I read somewhere that you had to pay a fee for your seat! I read on Delta that carry ons are still free. Also, what is the DME process? We have never used that either.

Finally, anyone want to talk me out of it? My ears don't pop and I HATE take off! I have flown before, just don't like to. I see it as a means to an end. Any information for someone who's ears don't acclimate? Any tips for a nervous flyer?

You will love flying.
I like to sit in either a window seat or an aisle seat so I have always paid to choose my seat when I book my flight.
Most airlines do charge a checked bag fee. Southwest doesn't.

Remember that if you have a carryon bag with liquids - the containers can't be bigger than 3.4 oz and all of them must fit in a quart size ziplock bag. You can have 1 per person.
Put in your carryon a change of clothes, anything of value like jewelry and prescription meds and prescription eyeglasses. Also put your chargers for any of your electronics in your carryon.

Whichever airline you choose to fly - read their baggage policies paying special attention to bag sizes and weights. You want to avoid any oversize/overweight charges.

DME is fabulous. After booking your flight, call DME with your flight information. They will send you a packet with your bright yellow luggage tags (1 per person) and a booklet. Double check it all when it arrives - I've had mistakes in mine. If you know you will need more luggage tags, you can call for more.
The booklet tells you what to do with the tags and where to find DME at the airport. I was nervous the first time I used them but it was so easy and great, I now use it nearly every trip.

For your ears, my sister swears by earplanes. It's an ear plug that is supposed to help with the pressure in your ears. She loves them. I don't normally have any problems but have always carried gum just in case. The chewing action helps pop my ears.

For nervous flyer tips - I always say be prepared. Be prepared with things to do on the plane. Be prepared in case you are pulled aside for an extra search. Be prepared in case you miss a flight connection with info on the next couple of flights to your destination. Those things always help me when I'm flying so I'm not a nervous flyer anymore.

Have a great trip.

[kyliesmom1115]

I am not sure that you can get Southwest out of Michigan but it is a great airline to fly with. On my DD's first ever flight we were actually surrounded by southwest employees that were heading home and my daughter received travel info from then and then one of the kind ladies took us to where we needed to go in the Orlando airport. That is what I call service, especially since I have a tendency to get lost in big buildings like airports and hospitals.

[Coop]

Southwest doesn't offer nonstop from MI. We booked with Delta.

[kangelop]

Hi Tracy - I always fly Delta (since they took over Northwest) from Michigan and have always had excellent flights. The airport in Detroit is big, but easy to navigate. DME is effortless. You made a fine choice. Enjoy!

[Coop]

Thanks Kim. I've been through DTW before. It's just been a long time. DME will be a new experience for us though. Kind of looking forward to it. Still may need a sedative though.

[Dave Marx]

If you haven't been through DTW in a long time... it may not be the same airport you remember.

I know you're already booked, and knowing DTW as I do, Delta is the best choice. For future reference... Comparison-shop with a site like Kayak. Airfares change constantly, and locking into a particular airline (by only using your favorite airline's site) may cost you a good deal on a competing airline. Once you're ready to book, go to the airline's site. That way, you can be sure to get all the available flight times and options. You may find an alternate flight time that just wasn't calculated by the other sites, and it's easier to play "what if" with different combinations of outbound and inbound flights.

Delta is one of the better airlines when it comes to fees. They do charge extra for preferred seats, like exit rows, but there's no charge for selecting normal seats.

Spirit, which offers a lot of Orlando flights from DTW, is the airline to watch for extra fees. I think their next "optional" fee will be for boarding the plane. Though Spirit is supposed to be a low-cost airline, when you add all the fees (and even just some of the fees), Delta often comes out ahead, and is much more pleasant to fly on.

[Coop]

Originally Posted by Dave Marx

If you haven't been through DTW in a long time... it may not be the same airport you remember.

I know you're already booked, and knowing DTW as I do, Delta is the best choice. For future reference... Comparison-shop with a site like Kayak. Airfares change constantly, and locking into a particular airline (by only using your favorite airline's site) may cost you a good deal on a competing airline. Once you're ready to book, go to the airline's site. That way, you can be sure to get all the available flight times and options. You may find an alternate flight time that just wasn't calculated by the other sites, and it's easier to play "what if" with different combinations of outbound and inbound flights.

Delta is one of the better airlines when it comes to fees. They do charge extra for preferred seats, like exit rows, but there's no charge for selecting normal seats.

Spirit, which offers a lot of Orlando flights from DTW, is the airline to watch for extra fees. I think their next "optional" fee will be for boarding the plane. Though Spirit is supposed to be a low-cost airline, when you add all the fees (and even just some of the fees), Delta often comes out ahead, and is much more pleasant to fly on.

Thanks Dave. Yes, we compared on Travelocity before we booked. We used the Delta site to book it though. I do expect there will be some changes at DTW. It will probably all seem new to me. But that's kind of exciting too.

at "boarding the plane fees". Ain't that the truth?

[kundel]

Don't forget to get your sky miles card from Delta, we just started flying in 2009, and I only have a couple of more flights before I will have a free ticket. The extra time in Florida is so worth flying. My daughter takes Dramamine, sleeps the whole trip.

[acidreignn]

Both my mom and my husband are terrified of flying. Mom has claustrophobia, and is afraid of heights, husband thinks we are all doomed and we're going to fall out of the sky. My husband has gotten better over the years, he still has heart pounding fear, but he is in more control. He tried Xanax once, and it worked in reverse for him, made him more agitated.
Mom on the other hand uses Xanax and it helps her. Once we flew to Las Vegas and she slept the whole way, didn't even know we took off. Another time she halved her dose for our Nashville trip, and actually wanted to seat at the window seat, it was truly amazing. This woman tried jumping out of the car when we went down Lombar St.
As for me, no issues. So if you feel you can use a medication to help you relax some, ask your medical provider. If you don't need the meds, you can try calming music, meditation, anything that may make you relax.
DME (Disney's Magical Express) is awesome, just like everyone else said. Just make sure you bring on the plane, bathing suits, change of clothes and necessities you'll need, we didn't get our bags until 9pm, we arrived at 3pm.

[EddieCVS]

The time you save flying is worth an extra $200 to me. An extra $10 is great!