Flying Soon - Trivial Last Minute Questions!

Random

Hi, I'm about to take my first flight from Stansted early friday morning, and am just wondering on last minute silly questions.

Can anyone tell me if you can drop off outside the airport (not in the 15 minute carpark). I'm literally just going to jump out of the car, no stopping involved.

What is the best information to put on luggage tags? Is it better to put the bare minimum (house number and postcode) for security reasons, or absolutely everything (full name, address, flight details, destination etc) in case it is lost.

Another thing I was wondering is, is it ok to wander round taking lots of pictures of the planes, the airport, and so on, or is it frowned on. My son will expect lots of pics when I get back!

Are the roads around Stansted busy at all around 5am? Is it right you need to arrive about 3 hours before flight time?

Silly questions I know, but I'll be grateful for the answers to them, or any other advice for a first time flyer.

M4RKM

hmm.. luggage tags...

well.. i have one with a photo on.. and it has my name, and that is it... i got them free from KLM, but i know they don't do them anymore..

i'm sure it is acceptable to take some pictures, depends how many you take... i've taken maybe 3 - 4 photos of the plane i'm flying on, at least for the past couple of times.. .i like planes.. !

M

Teahfc

Random wrote: »

Hi, I'm about to take my first flight from Stansted early friday morning, and am just wondering on last minute silly questions.

Can anyone tell me if you can drop off outside the airport (not in the 15 minute carpark). I'm literally just going to jump out of the car, no stopping involved.

No problem there, they arew putting up new crash barriers but there is a drop off point outside the departure entry doors

What is the best information to put on luggage tags? Is it better to put the bare minimum (house number and postcode) for security reasons, or absolutely everything (full name, address, flight details, destination etc) in case it is lost.

Name Post code and Mobile number are on mine

Another thing I was wondering is, is it ok to wander round taking lots of pictures of the planes, the airport, and so on, or is it frowned on. My son will expect lots of pics when I get back!

I would ask a Airport policeman but It is not normally a problem

Are the roads around Stansted busy at all around 5am? Is it right you need to arrive about 3 hours before flight time?

3 hours before ! 2 hours is plenty for any international flight but if you feel more comfortable with 3 then go for it and the roads are not carzy busy at that time of morning.

Silly questions I know, but I'll be grateful for the answers to them, or any other advice for a first time flyer.

Not silly questions if its first time ...just have a great time :T

Tojo_Ralph

Random wrote: »

What is the best information to put on luggage tags?

Don't worry about luggage tags, nobody bothers these days, however, I would always recommend labelling the inside of luggage with name, email, contact number.... That way if the tags the airline affix come off in transit, at least your ID is on the inside. It won't get your luggage to you quickly, but it should get it to you eventually.

Crabman

Tojo_Ralph wrote: »

Don't worry about luggage tags, nobody bothers these days, however, I would always recommend labelling the inside of luggage with name, email, contact number.... That way if the tags the airline affix come off in transit, at least your ID is on the inside. It won't get your luggage to you quickly, but it should get it to you eventually.

Luggage tags on the outside (as well as inside) are a good idea and it's misleading to say "nobody bothers these days".

If the airline tag comes off, the passenger(s) can be contacted asap without the luggage having to be opened/broken into.

svjenni

Hi its been a while since I have been ...

dropoff- all major airports should have a dropoff area, however due to terrorists etc this probably won't be near the door, you might have a bit of a walk.

You should be fine with the pics, especially of the planes - can you take one of your sons toys will you and take pics of him doing things around the airport? They would be quite funny and i'm sure no one would bat an eyelid! If they did it would probably asking what you were up to - but I wouldn't worry about it

oh - just remembered you can't take pics around the security areas - that would deffo be looked down on - i think there are posters up prohibiting it.

Have fun on your first flight- if you are nervous it is an idea to mention it to the cabin crew and they will keep an eye on you.

arrive in plenty of time, not sure where you re going but I used to work there 10 years ago (don't think it has changed too much)

If you are flying internal, stay out of airside (after security) as long as you feel is safe (airside domestic is really empty for things to do) - make sure you leave alot of time though as the walk time to the gate is at least 15 mins.

If you are flying international get airside as soon as you can - the bars/ restaurants in the airport lounge are better than before security. again leave at least 15 mins to get to the gate as you have to take a little train to the gate area

hth

alanrowell

Name Post code and Mobile number are on mine

With name & postcode your home can be identified and "visited".

What you should do is put your name & FLIGHT number on the tags - then your luggage can be identified

Random

Thanks very much for all the replies, they are appreciated

I did wonder about the tags, I don't really want to be burgled while I'm away. Maybe I'll stick with name, mobile and flight number. I'm (hopefully) taking it as a cabin bag on the way out, but if I overdo the shopping it might have to go in the hold on the way back, as I'm only allowed 6 kilos.

I thought 3 hours was a little excessive, especially that time of the morning! That was my brother's advice, but I think he tends to take more long haul flights, and I'm only going to Europe.

Lol, the toy pic idea is a great one, but he's just a little too old for that I think, and I honestly couldn't fit another thing into my bag.

Glad to hear I should be ok with my camera, I do like taking pics, and it is all very new to me! Don't know if I'll be nervous of the plane or not, I'm more worried about finding the right places and not missing the plane at the moment.

PBA

With your luggage you should certainly have your full name, address and contact phone number (home and abroad) inside your luggage. There's not so much need to have it on the outside, and the airline will provide baggage tags if they insist on them.

At Stansted you can get dropped off near enough right outside the terminal. Certainly it's no further away than where the coaches drop off, which is about a 2 minute walk. You won't have a problem taking photos, though you might find it hard getting a decent spot to take pics from.

Random

I have a letter with name and address in my bag, and my diary with mobile number in, so that should be ok.

Thanks for that, glad we can get fairly near the entrance. Believe it or not, last time I was near Stansted I don't think it even had a terminal, it was so long ago.

Trekka

I'd would always put my surname and mobile number on a tag on the suitcase - full name, address & contact number inside the suitcase.

Last time I flew I borrowed a suitcase without a tag on it and my suitcase was mis-labled at the airport - different name and a later flight - I had to wait two days to get it back because it had the wrong person's name on it.

It was only identified later by a coloured ribbon I had tied on it - makes it easy to spot on the baggage carousel!