Keep your prescriptions in the carry on, though liquids are restricted in quantity on carry ons. On the plane, dress in layers. I find I often get uncomfortably hot on planes these days. I think they are cutting back on cooling and ventilation.

If you are not used to the humidity in Fla, consider more changes of clothing. Though I was there in summer last time, I found it difficult to stay, look, or feel fresh. Therefore, I never wore anything twice. Try to use all of your 100% cotton clothes, and avoid polyester and nylon for comfort's sake. Be prepared for rain, especially in the afternoon.

Florida is paradise and we'll be glad to see ya!

WHERE in Florida are you going? The weather varies from area to area. In Miami it rains for 10 minutes at a time every day, with no set time - take a water proof wind breaker when you go out.

In Orlando it's so hot and humid during the day that it's difficult to breathe - take it slow and go indoors for a couple of minutes wherever you find air conditioning.

I live in NW Florida and here it is always almost perfect weather. It's not too hot (85 during the day) and fair weather - breezy most of the day.

If you are going to the beach ANYWHERE in Florida, wear a hat and sunscreen #50 and stay out a maximum of 30 minutes at a time - our sun is INTENSE and very serious about burning your skin.

Watch the beach flags - they stand for serious conditions: Green - go ahead and have fun; yellow - mild rip currents or minor marine life - use caution; red - swim at your own risk - strong rip currents and dangerous marine life; double red flag - you will be fined if you get caught in the ocean - it is very dangerous because of rip currents or marine life.

If you DON'T know how to swim, stay out of the deep parts of the ocean - there are no lifeguards on the beaches and we DO HAVE SHARKS in the deeper part of the ocean in all areas of Florida!

Please be safe and come back with lots of pictures!!!! If you are coming to the Panama City, Fl. area, email me - I'd love to meet you!

Keep it simple. Pack as little as you can. Most people always take way too much stuff! Pack what you,re comfortable wearing a few times. Take things that can be rinsed out in the sink and hung to dry without ironing and worn several times. And make sure you bring your most comfortable shoes or sandals for walking!
Lightweight layers that can be shed when it gets too hot & humid for you. When I fly I usually pack a clean T-shirt and undies in my carry on. That way even if my luggage were lost, I can change into something fresh when I get there.
Make sure you check with your airline to see what you are allowed in your carry on.

Anything that is liquid must be in a 3 oz container (or smaller) and those items must be put in ONE quart size ziplock bag. Remember 3-1-1, 3 oz container, 1 quart bag, 1 bag per passenger.

Do not call the airline to ask about carry-on items, save yourself time and go to the TSA website, they are the ones conducting the inspections and who set the regulations. I attached the site.

I usually put anything I question or that is larger than the 3 oz., into my checked bag (in a ziplock bag) and that way there isn't a question.

Here is a link that might be useful: TSA Carry On Info

Remember that you have to lift your carry-on bag into the overhead or put it under your seat. The flight attendants won't do it for you, so make sure it is light enough for you to handle by yourself.

Also, you have to take your shoes off going through security, so I like to take a pair of disposable socks or booties with me. I put them on before going through security and discard them on the other side. You'll need a pair for the return flight, too.

Check your suitcase. I have flown hundreds of times and while bags occasionally don't show up where they are supposed to be on time, it is actually quite rare to lose a suitcase. That being said, don't check anything you can't bear to lose. Bag your checked toiletries (can be any size for checked.)
Any liquids or gels in your carry-on go in a 1 quart bag, with nothing over 3OZ. I just throw my makeup, lipstick, hands sanitizer in a baggie and I'm good to go all trip.
Most of all: Don't worry. Many thousands of people who have never flown before fly every day, you will do fine.
Do you have specific questions about air travel?

My advice would be to ENJOY!

Althought I don't live in Florida, I agree with Kayjones, it is paradise and fly up and down a couple times a year....I always remember my mother packing for one of her trips...She would pack about a week or so ahead and then every day, take 1 thing out of the suitcase...You know, it works, you always take more than you need...And especially going south, do the mix and match...You might even get everything in a carry on and not have to bother with checking....But, just make sure you do carry your prescriptions with you along with something to read....

But, I disagree with the attendents not helping...I've never had to "struggle" with a carry on and if it wasn't the attendent, there was always a man to lift it up and then take it down for you....

Where are you flying into?

Where's Liz?? She'll have answers to all the problems. lol

Make sure you are well hydrated. Use the bathroom before you get on the plane. Bring a snack in your carry on because you never know when you will get delayed. Also, bring a long book to read, but make it a paperback or something light.

I fly about 3 times a year. This year my two grandsons and I went on a 10-day vacation to California, Las Vegas and Missouri - we each took a carry on and that was all - had clothes we didn't wear because we washed out what we could in the bath tub - it worked out well for us.

After you do everything that was posted sit back and enjoy.Look out the window and see the beautiful clouds.Depend on where you live you will be in Florida in no time.As soon as you land you will be thinking of finding somewhere else to fly.It's the best way to travel.

Allow plenty of time and be prepared to walk between gates - sometimes it's quite a hike so take a bag you can tie to your checked luggage (which has wheels, right?)

I use trips as a way to clean out the underwear and worn clothes drawer! I take old raggy stuff (no accident yet - lol) and bag them and toss them when dirty. We put lots of miles on rental cars though and don't dress for the occasion.
More room for souvenirs or less weight on the way home.

Look around at other people and notice how many are NOT scared. I always get a little apprehensive traveling,but wish I was going somewhere this fall.

Kathy, come on down to Florida!

thanks, everyone, for all your tips. they are all very much appreciated. we are flying from buffalo, new york to venice beach, florida. we will be there for 5 days. thanks, for the tsa site, lynn. i have a stainless steel water bottle i would like to take in my carryon, but don't want to risk having it confiscated. would it be allowed if it were empty and i filled it at a vendors after going through the checkpoint? thanks, again, for all your help!! :)

I live in Fl also. I just flew to NJ, what I did was I checked my 1 bag so I didn't have to go through all that trouble. Keep you meds in the original containers in your carry-on bags. Carry some snack foods in that carry on bag in case you get hungry. Some gum to help with your ears. They will give you a free beverage on the plane. or you will have to buy a drink in the airport to take on the plane. Get a window seat for a great view, NOT over the wings or you won't see a thing. Take as little as you can get by with, you will more then likey buy items here in Fla. Do pack some warm clothes in case it gets cold. Light/med jacket will be fine. Have fun :^)

One last tip...... I never know what to do with cash. I found this little fabric zipper coin case with a tie strap (loop). I tied it to my pants belt loop, pinned the zipper closed then hung it inside my pants, it worked great!!!
I will be using that tip over & over on any trips I take.

Keep your medications with you. you never know if your plane will be delayed. When you are packing your suitcase, pack liquids (shampoo,toothpaste,etc) in your suitcase you check. Or do what I do-pack only a carryon bag, and don't pack any liquids. Then buy small sample size shampoo, mouthwash,etc when you arrive at your destination-either in a gift shop at the airport or at the closest pharmacy. Good liuck and enjoy your trip!

Because we still have to take our shoes off when going through the security scan at the airport, a big tip: Wear shoes you can easily slip off and back on. Sometimes there are chairs or benches just past security, where you can sit and tie your sneakers, but you'll get less flustered by people in back of you wanting to get to their gates if you are wearing slip-on sneakers or flats.

(Also, I do believe that your stainless water bottle -- EMPTY -- will be fine and not confiscated. To save time and not have security wonder if there's something in the bottle, I'd leave the cap off, separately in the carry-on. Doubt this will be at your airports, but the San Francisco airport even has special tap-water filling stations for people who carry empty bottles through security; a great alternative to having to fill them up in the restroom sink!)

Me again! I just finished making reservations for my next trip to Ft. Myers....I've been very lucky to have a friend that has a place in Naples and she normally drives down earlier and I send my stuff with her and then just have a small carry on....But, make sure you put a big bow or some sort of "decoration" on your checked in luggage...Make it very colorful and easily seen..You'll be surprised at how many "same colored" suitcares you'll see...
Dress in comfy clothes for your trip, you'll also be surprised at the outfits you see...And, that light weight jacket is a good idea but if you forget, buy one with Venice Beach on it! And, if you're anything like me, I always end up with lots more than I started with and instead of using another suitcase, I mail my stuff back home, (most times, it's a lot cheaper).....
You will love Venice Beach, one of the nicest and prettiest beaches in Florida.....Enjoy!

Put ALL your liquid items in separate baggies.

would it be ok to take my prescriptions in one of those week at a time containers instead of the big prescription pill bottles? also, anything i should not put in the carryon, like manicure kit, bic cigarette lighter, laptop computer, etc...??
i read not to take anything in aerosol cans.

no, your perscriptions need to be in the oringial drug store bottles unless you are checking the bag. (not a good idea for meds) Keep them with you on the plane.

Do NOT check your laptop. That is definitely a carry-on item. Everything of value is a carry-on item, unless you don't mind losing it.

The manicure nail files and clippers go in checked bags. Forget the cigarette lighter and get a new one when you get off the plane.

Back again! I always carry my weekly meds in one of those little marked plastic containers and keep it in my purse...The other go in my carry on....
They have gotten lenient about some things but don't take a chance, when in doubt, put it in the bag you're checking....
I'd never check the laptop, camera, meds, money, anything of real value....I've never han anything disappear but you never know......

ONE cigarette lighter is now allowed in your carry-on bag.

Do you absolutely need to take your laptop?

I'd think long and hard about that -- for a first-time flier (not that it's going to be very difficult for you! don't be nervous!) it'll be just another thing to have to be aware of when going through security, when you leave your hotel or wherever you're staying, etc. Security also makes you have it out of the bag so they can look at it.

If there are websites you've bookmarked for Florida restaurants, tourist attractions, directions, etc., just print all that stuff out and take it with you.
(And if you're staying at a hotel, it might very well have a "business center" that has computers to use. You could print your return boarding passes out there, or you could just wait until you get to the airport and get them there.)

Ditto on the cigarette lighter -- get one at a drugstore, tourist shop, grocery store when you get to your destination, and when you're ready to return to the airport for the trip home, toss it. I know you'll probably be itching for a smoke after getting off the plane, tho.

You cannot have a lighter in your checked bag. TSA officers have ceased banning them from carryons (as long as it's a common Bic kind of lighter, not a "torch" lighter--those long ones I know I use to light the firewood or a gas stove burner).

Anything aerosol (hairspray, deodorant) can be found in a pump form, which even in non-travel sizes are often smaller than the aerosol cans.

Here is the TSA line on aerosols:

"Not allowed in either carry-on or checked bags (any except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities)."

That last part in parenthesis leaves a lot to the discretion of the security scanners, so why risk it being tossed in the trash bin there? I forgot once that I had a regular-size can of aerosol deodorant in my carry-on (the only bag I had), and TSA tossed it as soon as it was spotted.