Travel 101: The airport experience

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/01/2025 (437 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This the second of a two-part series on travel basics. You can read the first part here.

On your travel day, arrive at the airport early. They are typically busy places, and back-ups happen. It’s better to have too much time on your hands then not enough, as having to rush through an airport elicits unnecessary stress. Aim to get there a minimum of two hours before a domestic flight, and three to four hours before flying internationally. Allowing even more time is also fine. Just not less.

After arriving at the airport, getting tags for any checked luggage, and dropping off your bags… it’s time to head through airport security. This heavily manned zone can feel intimidating if you aren’t used to it. But there are a few things you can do to prepare to make it easier on yourself.

First, have your boarding pass handy, as you’ll need it to enter the security zone. If it’s your very first flight and you aren’t sure what to do, just get in line and watch the people ahead of you. Each passenger will eventually reach a conveyor belt, where they’ll be asked to place personal items into bins for scanning. When it’s your turn, you’ll do the same.

Make sure any liquids or gels in your carry-on are sized under 100 ml and put them all inside one clear baggie. Then, place that baggie into the bin instead of having to dig out a bunch of individual items. If you’re traveling with a laptop or tablet, you’ll have to place that into the bin, too. Make sure it’s charged in case they ask you to power it up right there (this once happened to me).

If you have anything inside your pockets, they also need to go into the bin. Avoid wearing a belt through security if you can, as you’ll have to take that off, along with any footwear that goes up higher than your ankles. Avoid this by wearing runners.

Once the bins are on the move, you’ll be asked to walk through a metal detector, or an X-ray-type machine, depending on the airport. If you don’t want to walk through the machine for whatever reason, request to one of the staff that you’d like to “opt out” and take a pat-down instead. I travel frequently and don’t like to walk through machines. So, I normally request pat-downs.

After security, find a flight status board to double check your departure time and gate. These boards also show if flights are delayed or cancelled, so take an occasional follow-up peek. If there’s enough time for a drink or meal, find your gate first before choosing a restaurant. I like to know where I need to go before needing to go there, just in case it’s a large airport and the gate is far. So, I’ll usually walk to my gate, have a look, and then find a nearby place to chill.

Be well hydrated for your trip (which means drinking lots of water the day before) and sip on water throughout the travel day. Bring a reusable water bottle for the airport, on the flight, and to have during your trip. It should be emptied before security, though – either drink it, or drain it at a liquid-dumping container. Then fill it up on the other side of security at a water-filling station or fountain, usually found near washroom entrances.

Boarding planes these days is all about zones. When waiting at the gate, check your boarding pass for a zone number. Then listen for the announcement for your zone to board. If you have small children, are injured, elderly, or just need a little extra time, listen for that boarding call and go to the gate then, regardless of what zone number you have.

When it’s your turn to board, have your boarding pass and photo ID ready. Then, approach the desk, show those things, and make your way down the bridge and onto the plane. If you made it that far… congratulations! You did it and are on your way!

If you’re a first-time flyer who found this article helpful, drop me a line. I’d love to hear about your experience, and find out any other good tips that you’d like to share with me.

But first… bon voyage and happy travels!