<p>I do not travel much. The travel gene for our family all went to our youngest. She has been to more countries & states than the rest of us put together.
However I am going on a short pleasure trip in June by myself ( H doesn’t want to go- I am visiting a friend/ & seeing a concert)
I will be traveling in the city a fair bit by myself on public transportation- ( Detroit) & while I have been assured it is very safe- I really have no idea because I was told this by people who have neighbors who shoot each at other * but don’t mean anything by it*. </p>
<p>I was considering checking my baggage, frankly because I usually keep a knife on my keyring ( less than 4") and would feel better having it with me. I will be staying in Dearborn for two nights & at the Ren Cen in Detroit for two nights.</p>
<p>& booking airfare.
I am not a good passenger. Very nervous, but better by myself oddly enough.
Considering booking a late flight, but it would leave Seattle @ 11:30pm & get into Detroit @7am, which seems to blow my day unless I take a nap in the middle. also am trying to consider if flying at night will make me more freaked or less.
( I can also take meds)
So you experienced people- tips? ( & for booking too- through the airline or Kayak?)</p>
<p>It sounds like you are nervous enough about traveling and flying that sleep might be elusive. With so little time for your visit, it might be best to fly during the day so you can settle down for a good night’s sleep and be fresh for your visit. Additionally, late flights are much more likely to be out of whack with the timing, more delays. The earlier in the day you go, the more likely you will be to get there. It is easiest to rebook a ticket bought through the airlines, from what I have heard. I usually cruise Kayak for times and prices, then buy through the airlines, unless I want to do something unusual with my connections, mixing airlines. Good luck. Safe travels.</p>
<p>I think flying at night and taking a benedryl or stronger would be good - it would give you less awake time to be anxious.</p>
<p>Since you are a frequent computer user, try to find live views of the areas you will be staying in…or google maps street views …this will let you see the areas you will be in and perhaps lessen anxity about that aspect of the trip.</p>
<p>kayak.com just refers you to the airline or travel agent web site that it finds and you select. So you can use it to search for flights and fares, and it will then lead you to the airline (although for international flights, sometimes a travel agent may offer a cheaper price than the airline, so if kayak.com finds such a travel agent, it may point you there).</p>
<p>Choose a non-stop (don’t use the term “direct” when you mean non-stop) when possible to avoid problems with missed connections.</p>
<p>If your flights are on Alaska (hub in Seattle) or Delta (hub in Detroit), you can sign up for Alaska’s or Delta’s frequent flyer program to collect the mileage (they are partners). Being in Seattle, you may fly Alaska more, so it may be a better program to sign up for.</p>
<p>Pay attention to TSA rules about liquids, knives, etc. in carry on baggage.</p>
<p>I am mostly worried about the flight- I don’t know why- perhaps my D’s stories of puddle jumpers in India ? I probably don’t need my " weapon", I will mostly be in touristy areas, & will be with people from the area.</p>
<p>I am already signed up w Alaska & am probably booking through Delta( also H would only let me fly Boeing) as it is a hub & has more flights. I agree I wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway - so even though I am also not easily organized in the morning ( our family always went car camping which means- keep throwing stuff in the van until it is full. Then you are ready to go- ) I think an early flight will work the best cause she has lots to show me- I haven’t seen her for about 11 years so we have lots to catch up on- I may even extend my flight, I don’t think of Detroit as a tourist town, but it sounds like there is a lot to see .</p>
<p>I have spoken to a lot of people who have gotten more nervous about flying as they got older & I never have flown much- my first time by myself was just a few years ago- while D2 keeps talking about being a flight attendant for Eithad. ( whereas that reminds me of my pubescent reading material- remember the * Coffee, tea, or me?* books? )</p>
<p>My advise is to be to the airport early. I often see novice flyers stressed out because they did not anticipate lines at check in or at security. If you are early, you get through all of those things with no stress and then you have time to find your gate, use the rest room, buy some food for the plane and do some reading.</p>
<p>I avoid checking bags as much as possible - checking bags adds delay and there’s always the possibility that they’ll be ‘temporarily misplaced’ (although rarely are they actually lost permanently).</p>
<p>Being realistic - the 4" knife on your keyring will be useless under most conditions under which you’d think about using it. A 9mm handgun might be effective - but not a 4" keyring knife. That’s not a good reason to have the hassles of checking a bag IMO - you’re better off removing the knife. Instead (or even if you bring it), do your best to avoid areas where you’d be more exposed to violence and travel with others and you’ll likely be okay.</p>
<p>I don’t like redeye flights but I’m a lousy sleeper in general and a really lousy one on flights. Most people do better to keep their normal sleep rhythm as much as possible so consider that when choosing a flight. I could scare you further and talk about how well the pilots are able to manage the disruption to their sleep cycles when piloting redeye flights but I won’t ;). Given that, I’ve known some people who prefer the redeyes but these people can usually sleep okay on planes.</p>
<p>Once you’re on a flight, just like when you’re on a bus, in a taxi, or a passenger in someone’s car, you just need to resign yourself that you’re now in the care of the other person for your safety. The advantage you have in the plane is that it’s on a machine that has extensive engineering, redundant systems, multiple safety systems, a wide support network, and is being operated by professionals who generally love to do what they’re doing. All of that’s not necessarily the case for other modes of transportation. Regardless, since once you’re aboard there’s nothing you can do about it, it’s best to put it out of your mind and focus on a book, a video, music, or take a nap if you can.</p>
<p>Agreed re not checking bags. For a trip that short use a carry on and be done with it. I personally am a sound sleeper and prefer the red eye route. It really depends on your comfort level with that.</p>
<p>Checking bags also cuts down your options and flexibility to change flights. Sometimes your flight is delayed or something and you can jump onto another flight. But if your luggage is already checked to your first flight you might not be allowed to change or you may end up traveling separately from your bags.</p>
<p>If at all possible I NEVER check bags. (Leave the knife home).</p>
<p>If having the knife is the only reason you would check your bag, I definitely agree with Coureur that you should leave the knife at home. Mail the knife to your friend beforehand if you really need to have a 4 inch knife with you while on vacation.</p>
<p>I almost always take nonstop redeye flights out of SeaTac when I’m flying east. With the other flights, you’re not getting into Detroit until 5PM or 8:30PM, which doesn’t leave you much time to do anything that day. The airport is generally more quiet late at night and security lines are shorter. My suggestion is find your flights on Delta’s website, enter your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan number, purchase your ticket, and don’t check a bag unless you have to. Bring some food along (Ivar’s has a location inside the airport), along with a good book and/or iPod if you can’t sleep on planes. The flight will only be in the air for about 3.5 hours.</p>
<p>I know this goes against what most people will tell you, but when I fly east on long flights overnight and arrive at my destination in the morning, I always find a place pretty quickly to take a two-hour nap, whether that’s getting an early hotel check-in, or asking whoever I’m staying with to indulge my need for a rejuvenating nap in order to be pleasant for the rest of the day. Since your flight will be in the air for less than four hours, even if you sleep the entire time, it will not be enough to sustain you for a busy day when you arrive. So if I am able to get in a two-hour nap anytime between 10-2, I am ready to go the rest of the day, yet am still ready to go to bed at a reasonable hour that night.</p>
<p>I really don’t use the knife except to open bags of coffee at the grocery store so I can use their grinder. ( Although I do appreciate it sometimes when walking home late at night in my own neighborhood-haven’t had to use it, but I think the surprise factor would count for something)
I don’t nap well, so I think I will get an early flight.
Thanks for all the tips- now I just have to find D a flight for her study abroad in Costa Rica- .</p>
<p>Act helpless/clueless and be either first or last in line. I personally like to be near the last because I get to manhand other people’s bags out so that I can get mine in. No one bothers me because everyone wants to get in the air. I also don’t particulary like having my nose near someone’s ‘midsection’ :)</p>
<p>I really would recommend NOT bringing a knife unless you’re prepared to use it. It’s most frequent that weapons are used against the victim who has it rather than the aggressor (most of us don’t have the stomach to do damage, unlike the aggressor).</p>
<p>I also agree that if you need a weapon, you can borrow or get a sturdy umbrella at the city you visit & leave it as a gift for your friend. </p>
<p>I have come to like pre-boarding the airplane, which they allow me to do because I fly with medical equipment that I need in flight. I like hand carrying everything whenever possible–it’s a LOT less stress, especially on such a short trip. Also recommend non-stop direct flights whenever possible and earlier in the day rather than later flights.</p>
<p>I would fly during the day and get a window seat and enjoy the spectacular views of flying over the USA! Detroit airport is one of the better ones in the US. You will be going on an adventure. Michigan has lots to offer. Going to Detroit from SEA I would use Delta and for sure a direct flight. get rid of your knife. Read up on TSA rules. I have not been in Detroit so i dont know about public transport there yet I visit Ann Arbor and Holland.</p>
<p>another FF here - don’t check a bag. It will cost $25 each way. Leave the knife home.</p>
<p>The biggest challenge for novice flyers is the new liquid rule. You can only carry-on liquids & gels in containers under 3oz/100ml and all must fit in a 1 quart ziplock bag. Given the cost of checking a bag, if you need things like hair mouse or whatever that is typically 3+ ounces, you are better off buying it at your destination and leaving it there. </p>
<p>You can bring an empty water bottle through security and fill after you clear security. </p>
<p>The most common things I see TSA pull from bags are hair mouse, hair spray, shaving cream, suncreen & other aerosol stuff. I have a small solid deodorant that I use for travel that I don’t put in the bag.</p>
<p>I second everything about leaving the knife at home and bringing carryons (make sure your liquids are the right size and in the right type of bag so they don’t hassle you). If you’re nervous on the flight, a nice glass of wine or two helps kill the stress (and can put you to sleep).</p>
<p>That’s hair mousse. (Or at least I hope so…)
You can get the little containers of most supplies at drug stores which are also nice in terms of making your load as light as possible.
Borrow a nice small wheeled carryon bag.</p>
</p>
) I think an early flight will work the best cause she has lots to show me- I haven’t seen her for about 11 years so we have lots to catch up on- I may even extend my flight, I don’t think of Detroit as a tourist town, but it sounds like there is a lot to see .</p>
Read up on TSA rules. I have not been in Detroit so i dont know about public transport there yet I visit Ann Arbor and Holland.</p>