I flew Southeastern a few years ago, after 9-11. Had to take my shoes off before they'd let me through to the boarding area. We were served about 5 or 6 packets of crackers, cookies and peanuts during the long flight out West. You can take food on board. They serve drinks, I don't think you can bring liquids on board anymore. All non alcoholic drinks are free, well, part of what you already paid for in your ticket price.

Passports are for overseas flights only.

Clare. You'll probably get a small bag of pretzles. They go by with the drink cart. You can take water if you buy it at the airport, after you've gone through security. You don't need a passport if you don't leave the US. There should be a web site that lists the restrictions. Go to the web site of your airline.
Leslie

You will need your driver's license for a domestic flight.

Don't take any large containers in your carry on (shampoo's, etc.) -they must be in very small bottles - and place those in a clear zip lock bag.

You will need to check the TSA website for what you can and can't take on a plane. Also check with your airline - they may have some more regulations and will let you know what size carry on (if any) you can take. Some count your purse as a carry-on now - so if they say 1 item - that would be it.

Some do provide free beverages - some don't. Some supply snacks, some don't. I prefer to eat a light meal before I board the plane.

Be at the airport (at the security check point) no less than 1 hour before you board.

Expect a delay at security. You may have to remove your shoes, and they will go throuh your purse and carry on bagage.

No one can go with you past security if they do not have a ticket.

Give yourself plenty of time - but be prepared for delays - have a book or magazines.

I would only fly direct if possible.

Here is a link that might be useful: TSA - what can you take....

Do make sure you read about the size of your carry on items - the TSA says 3 oz bottles and they all must fit in one 1 quart clear zip bag. You can't take a large tube of toothpaste - even if it is almost empty.

You can pack all these larger items in your checked bags though.

Most larger airports have food available after security. I don't know if you will get food past security, unless it is in an unopened bag - liquid things anyway. Opened water bottles will not go through.

We flew on a no frills airline to FLA - and they did not have any free beverages -Allegiant Air - but I think you could purchase a drink.

Wear comfy clothes - delays are much the norm now. You want to be comfy if you can.

What I like to use as my "purse" when flying is a cloth shopping bag. I put my purse in it, my ticket & ID so it's handy, and reading material or crossword puzzle book.
Leslie

When you get in line at security, remove your shoes and jacket and put them in a bin, if you are travelling with a laptop, place it int he bin, remove your 1 quart baggie with any 3oz or smaller containers of liquids, cremes or gels and put it in the bin. Put your bag on a belt or in a bin, depending on airport.
Do not put your ticket or id in the bin, hold it in your hand.
Do not leave any liquids , cremes or gels in your carry-on bag. They must fit in your baggie (Liquids of any size are fine in checked luggage.)
You cannot carry a water bottle through security.
You can have food in your bag.
Water and other beverages & food are available for purchase in the terminal (at incredibly inflated prices)and most airline provide non alcoholic beverages free of charge.
I always take my own water bottle.

Don't stress out - it SOUNDS daunting, but it really is not.
Enjoy your trip.

Thanks everyone and thanks for the link. I will pack all my cosmetic items in my check-in bag. I will just have in my purse, my camera (because I don't want it stolen out of my check-in bag), a book to read (I always travel with a book!) and some granola bars to munch on. Plus the usual purse stuff.

Going there I will be on US Airways. I have never flown with them. Anyone know anything about them? Coming back I will be on American Airlines. I pick those flights mainly because of the flight times.

I am not too stressed, but must admit I am not looking forward to all the hassles you have nowadays.
Clare

DH and I flew US Airways going back to NYC last May,
If I had my choice, I would never fly with them again,
We were late leaving, (mechanical problems) almost missed our connecting flight.....we had to literally run from one end of the terminal to the other and just as we were almost to the gate, the attendant told us the doors were closed.....but they weren't, really. They waited for two more passengers.
On the way home, our flight was delayed over six hours, due to weather so we missed our only connecting flight We were given a $5 voucher each for a meal.....nothing is that cheap in an airport. We finally made it home.....11 hours late.
I heard many comments about how bad people thought US Airways was.
I hope your experience is a happy and uneventful one.

When you go up to the airline's counter, they will weigh your checked luggage. If it's over 50 lb, you'll have to remove some things or pay extra. They give you your boarding pass (if you haven't printed it out at home) and baggage claim tickets, and put airport tags on your checked bags. You take your luggage over to the TSA screening area, and you don't see it again. It cannot be locked! Don't put anything valuable in your checked bag, like a camera or jewelry.

Go thru security line, taking off your coat and shoes as you stand in line if possible. Keep your boarding pass and driver's license in your hand. Put your shoes, coat, and purse in a tray and put it on the conveyor belt. Put your large carry-on on the conveyor belt. Walk thru the x-ray arch, then pick up your stuff off the belt and put on your shoes (some airports have benches to sit on).

Stop on the way to your gate to buy a bottle of water and any food you might want. (Most airlines offer free water, soda, and coffee, but you'll probably have to pay for any food other than a tiny bag of peanuts or pretzels. Airport food is better than airplane food.) Use the restroom just before you get on the plane, as you may sit on the plane for hours before you actually take off and you won't be able to leave your seat.

Once you get through security you can put your license away. They just need your boarding pass.

When you get on the plane, if you think you'll want a pillow or blanket, grab one from a seat as you walk by. There may not be one on your seat. Many airlines have cut way back on pillows.

You will have to turn your cell phone off when the plane leaves the gate. You can turn it on as soon as you land, before you get off the plane.

To change planes, look for a monitor as soon as you get off the plane. Make sure it says "departures" at the top and find your departure gate (look for the city you're flying to). You shouldn't have to go through security again, unless you leave the terminal, like to go outside to smoke. If you have a lot of time between flights, get a drink or food or do some shopping. If you have more than an hour or so, double check your departure gate, as they often change. You don't want to be sitting at the wrong gate.

Make sure you keep medications in your carry-on, not your checked bag.

After all the good suggestions you've received, all I can do is to wish you a good flight - and have a wonderful time celebrating your mom's birthday!

Sable

I'm glad you ask the question, Clare. I haven't flown in a couple of years and will be flying to Florida next week. I needed to check the lists of dos and don'ts too.

I flew a few times in 2007. A few things I found helpful:

I went to Subway before a flight to have a sandwich to eat on the plane. It was squished, but OK. I have seen people with salad get thru with dressing and I have seen other people have to throw the dressing out. I have brought fruit and veggies with no problem.

You can take an EMPTY water bottle thru security and fill it up from the drinking fountain once you're inside. Then you will have water for the flight. Most airlines will have free non-alcoholic beverages on the flight.

Have a great trip. Happy Birthday to your mom!

Well, there is nothing to add now. Naughtykitty said the magic words: take an empty water bottle, or drink it empty just prior to going through security.

I do that all the time, and I take a subway or other sandwich as well.

Only other thought I have, take a moisturizer, and some lip balm. The air on the plane is sort of dry.

Moni

Thanks everyone for the good wishes and the tips. That is a great idea - empty water bottle. I admit it, I am cheap and hate paying super high prices for food that you can get elsewhere for half the price.
Clare

I will use Airbornne (sp?) next time I fly. I caught a bug coming home from California. Enjoy the trip!!
Kathy

I have just one more thing to add that I didn't see above but may still be a repeat. When my family flew in January, I could go to the airline's website and pick my seat choice. If you are flying alone, they may stick you between 2 people and I personally would not like that. In my case, I wanted my family together. When just my DH and myself fly, I select the seats in the isle but I did hear that some airlines are charging for isle seats. Have fun!