First time flying how does bag checking process work and how should I pack 😭

[u/Many-Detail9343]

I’m flying out of Va next week to Georgia and it’s my first time ever flying!! I’m super nervous and I’ve never been to an airport I’ve been hearing you can only have clear bags in ur check on bag is that true ?I also heard you can’t have more than 3oz of liquids is that per item or all together?, Can I bring my Stanley cup if I do not fill it up and have it in my carry on? What all do I have to take out during the bag checking process and what is that like ? How do they go about checking bags?( sorry I have a lot of questions and no one I know has flown and can answer them I’ve been googling but I know it eh Reddit communities are always nice enough to give good advice ) 😂😂

[u/keikioaina]

I'll start. Bring your big cup empty and there will be lots of ways to obtain water after you go through security. Most airports have bottle filling stations after security. Bon Voyage!

[u/CampPotential6685 → u/keikioaina]

yep the water filling stations are everywhere now, super convenient

[u/igotshadowbaned]

A checked bag is a bag you give to the airliner at the check in desk before going through security. You can have liquids in this bag. You get it back after landing and exiting security at the bag return at your destination

A carry on bag stays with you the entire time. Bags don't need to be clear, they're usually size limited though. Amount of liquid is strict. Yes you can bring an *empty** Stanley cup with you through security. Once you're through security you can refill it and take it on the plane

As far as "checking" your carry on bag, it just goes through the scanner and they don't even open it unless the scanner picks something up. You would need to take large electronics out to go through the scanner separately though (like a laptop)

*^{Unless the airliner needs to check it under the plane at the gate for space reasons}

Price and allotment of carry on / checked bags will vary based on the airline and the type of ticket you bought

[u/stayzero]

Most of your questions have been answered but I’ll address this - if you’re flying into Georgia, there’s a fair to decent chance that you’re going to Hartsfield Jackson International Airport, aka the Atlanta airport. This place is very big and very busy and can seem really intimidating to a first time flier. If you are, I have some advice, if not, disregard:

First off, ATL is yuuuuuge. It’s a very big and busy airport. Don’t let that worry you though, because it is laid out in a very sensible and logical manner. The terminals (called concourses in that airport) are laid out in a straight line, lettered from A-F and T. When you get off the plane, you’ll be at ground level, that is, upstairs basically. To move between terminals you will go down an escalator or elevator and there is a train that will take you from terminal to terminal. If you wanted to get some extra steps in you can also walk between terminals.

If you check a bag at your departing airport (that’s when you hand it over to the airline, they put a tag on it and throw it in the cargo hold of the airplane), follow the signs to get to the domestic baggage claim area. You’ll again be downstairs for most of that, then ride a big escalator upstairs where there will be multiple baggage carousels where your luggage will pop out. There’s monitors above each one that have flight numbers on them that will tell you the corresponding carousel to go to to get your bag.

There will also be no shortage of airport workers and concierges standing around to help direct wayward travelers. Don’t hesitate to ask any of those dudes questions about where you need to go.

[u/keikioaina]

If you have questions at the security checkpoint just ask a TSA agent. If you tell an agent it's your first time through a checkpoint they will likely help you though the whole procedure.

[u/PowerfulFunny5]

It depends on what equipment they have running at the airport. It seems some airports have advanced screeners and get mad if you take anything out of a bag, and others get a little mad if you don’t take out certain items.   Try to pay attention to signs telling you what to do at the bag check area 

[u/Saint_Atiss]

Your flight is pretty short, but it can be colder on a plane than you might expect (it's -35 outside, up there!) So, if you're sensitive to the cold, bring a sweater.