@skieurope
Whoa, I had no idea the AVOD boxes are mapped on some website. How accurate is it? I like to use my backpack as a footrest, so I hate it when the underseat space is obstructed.
Yes, long haul int’l flying in economy is unfun, but don’t you only have to fly over The Pond from the US east coast? That’s only ~8 hours. The real pain begins on the 10+ hour flights. Thank heavens the 16 hour ones I’ve done have only been in business class.
@GMTplus7 It’s very accurate assuming the airline does not do a last minute aircraft swap. While I’m happy for AVOD (better than the days when there was one movie on the overhead screen), I like to stretch my legs.
Waiting to board flight to Paris. But after the boredom of JFK, I’d be excited to fly to Paris, Texas (no offense meant).
Boo to JFK. Even the US immigration officials are surly and don’t say “welcome home”, like they do at other gateway airports.
Just back from a week in Copenhagen/Amsterdam, and a week in Paris.
JFK the worst. I thought I was through after I filled out the customs form and had my passport stamped, but then I discovered a whole other line to get through actual customs. But did make the last shuttle out of the airport before 11:30pm.
When I entered through Charles DeGaulle, they basically stamped my passport and waived everyone thorough.
Paris was like being on an ant hill. The most striking thing about the Mona Lisa was that her room was like waiting for the ball to drop on News Years eve in Times Square. The poor little Vermeer had two viewers, my daughter and me. She suggested the Louvre experience would be improved if they put her in a separate budding, so the hordes would migrate there, and leave those who want to view the art alone.
But Paris still great. Cannot go wrong on the food. And Monmartre, where we were staying, had tourists but not so many you are forced off the sidewalk.
Been to Paris a few times, but always in the winter. I recommend that. Fewer people. Less sweaty walking around. And you’re experiencing the city as the natives do.
Abasket - when do you leave? Excited for you!
Thank you! June 24. I’ve been checking one thing off the list at a time to feel prepared - or as prepared as I can.
Next things:
I do have a question. Can someone (again, in simple terms) explain to me what we should expect when we land our first leg in Paris? What do we have to be screened for and what does this process include? We fly Detroit/Paris/Marseille and vice versa.
I also might print a map of the airport so I can visualize what/where we need to go to change planes. Still a little nervous about the short layover but going to just have to go with it and if all else fails, figure we can jump on the next available flight to Marseille - we land in Paris at 8am so clearly they have ongoing flights to Marseille throughout the day.
You will be directed to an immigration line. It should be very clear which lines are meant for those with EU (European Union) passports and which are for non-EU ( which means you!). You will simply stand in a line, get up to the counter, hand them your passport. They may ask to see the ticket or boarding pass that you just flew in on. Make a point to remember. Sometimes they will ask you what you are doing and you’ll just say visiting relatives. They may ask you if you have large sums of money which of course you don’t! Then they will direct you on your way. Chances are it will take less than 30 seconds - a middle aged woman with an elderly mother won’t arouse any suspicion and they will just wave you through.
you may see/ hear the term Schengen. You will be in an Schengen area - that just means a bunch of countries in Europe that bonded together to treat them as one country from an immigration standpoint (kind of like traveling between two states in the U.S. - you don’t need to go through immigration to fly from NY to California). Just so you know if you see that term - you are in a Schengen area your whole trip.
Merci. 
With a wheelchair, they will likely board you first (a good thing!). I can’t help you there as I’ve not traveled with someone using a wheelchair but your airline should be able to tell you.
Not that you wouldn’t "behave " but it’s especially important to behave in an immigration line. You may be forbidden to use cell phones or take photos, for example.
If EU line (labeled something like EU/EUA/CH) is short and non-EU is huge (usual situation) you can ask Security for permission to go to the EU line. They also have Priority lines of multiple types that are obviously off-limits for US tourists.
They have 3 terminals 1,2,3 and each has multiple buildings labeled by letters. Air France is in 2E, 2F and 2G.
Elevators are available in most places like train and metro stations, even in the historic looking places. Sometimes you have to look for them - they may not be near stairs.
Yes, at one point my ticket said we would be landing in “2E” and boarding the second leg in “2F” (or vice versa) - not sure if that will stick.
When u head back to the States at the end of your trip, get to the airport early. During summertime high season, the check in lines at popular European destinations are horrendously long, as i am finding out this morning. 
Sorry to hear that GMT - hope you had a great trip though! (where were you?)
I had a long stopover in Schiphol Airport, so I stupidly decided to exit the airport to get a raw herring-- the “nieuwe haring” are in season. I had a helluva time getting back in to catch my connecting flight, because the queues were horrendously long at check in, at immigration, and at security.
Abasket, look at my post 217. The links no longer work as they have updated the site but the idea remains the same:
On the Easy CDG site you will find images of what to expect. You should also be able to plug in your flights and find all the details. http://easycdg.com/
My take is that with the wheelchair assistance, you will have fewer worries, as I expect someone to greet you at the plane and usher you through the system (and push the chair.) The pusher will probably be the friendliest guy in the entire CDG! It’s Paris after all!
@xiggi,
That airport website is very helpful. Thank you! I’m trying to find the page where I can enter our flights but I’m not seeing where to do that on the website - is it in a certain section??? Our flight is still showing arriving in 2E and connecting in 2F - anyone familiar with these buildings suggest walking or the airport train (or whatever they have?) - again, I’m not sure how big these buildings are!
(promise I’m not being spastic about knowing everything - but it’s SO helpful to have a picture in your mind and a tentative plan!!)
I did a while ago but I think I looked up the flights via google, I am not getting to that page again as the site says they are upgrading. In the meantime, I think this might help
http://easycdg.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Transit-2E-2F.pdf
Not sure what flight you are taking but Delta flights and many international Air France flights operate out of Concourse M. Prepare for short train ride and extra long walk. Everything is clearly marked so it is impossible to get lost but make sure to ask for a wheelchair/assistance.
By the way they have great duty-free stores in this Concourse where they literally beg you to try expensive drinks. Make sure to sample some XO Cognacs on the way back.