Q&A for How to Check in at the Airport

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How can I get through airport security faster?

Amy Tan
Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers
Amy Tan is a Travel Planner and the Founder of Planet Hoppers, a boutique travel design team founded in 2002. Planet Hoppers specializes in brainstorming and creating itineraries for dream vacations, honeymoons, exotic adventures, family reunions, and group trips. Planet Hoppers is a TRUE accredited travel agency and a member of the Signature Travel Network, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Travel Leaders. Amy earned a BA in Communications and a BS in Physics from the University of California, Davis in 2000.

Amy Tan

Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers

Expert Answer

You can always apply for TSA precheck on their website or via Global Entry. This will get you through airport security faster. Just remember to add your TSA precheck number to your reservation and boarding pass.

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Question

Is a boarding pass the same thing as a ticket?

Community Answer

No. A boarding pass let's you physically get onto the plane, but you have to purchase a ticket to be able to download your boarding pass.

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Question

How soon before departure do I need to be at the airport?

Community Answer

It depends on the airline and airport, but usually about 2 hours in order to check in, drop off bags and clear security in time before the gate closes.

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Question

How do I check in to an airport without ID?

BetaSingh

Community Answer

You cannot check in to any flight without some form of identification.

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If I'm not printing my ticket, how do I check in early?

BetaSingh

Community Answer

Use the airline's website or mobile application to check in early, but you will need your booking confirmation email for this.

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Question

Can I take insulin and syringes in my carry on?

Community Answer

Yes, but make sure you have a doctor's note explaining the situation. It helps avoid complications with the security!

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Question

Can I bring my prescribed medicines in a plastic container in my carry-on?

Community Answer

Yes.

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Question

Where do I get my boarding pass?

Community Answer

You can print one online after purchasing your ticket, or at the check-in counter when you get to the airport.

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Question

How can I find the airlines at the airport?

Community Answer

A gate number will be printed on your boarding pass. Check the airport boarding monitors to confirm it hasn't changed. Your airline will be present at that gate.

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Question

How do I use the check-in kiosk?

Community Answer

It's a very user-friendly machine. All you need to do is to fill in all the needed information (airline confirmation/6-digit code, some information about you, info about your flight, and so on. If you need an assistance navigating the machine, don't hesitate to ask for help. There are usually some airline staff roaming that would be happy to serve you.

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Question

When do I need to arrive at the airport for a domestic flight?

Community Answer

Get to the airport about 2 hours before your flight. That will give you enough time to check in, go through security, and get to your gate.

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Question

What is the first thing I should do when I get to the airport?

Community Answer

Check in, if you haven't done so online. Then go through security and find your gate. If you checked in online, you can just proceed directly to security.

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Question

If I needed to leave the TSA security line to use the restroom, am I allowed back in the line, or do I have to start over at the back of the line?

Community Answer

If it's a very long line, you could try explaining the situation to the people around you, they'd probably understand and let you back into the line. Otherwise, you'd have to go to the back of the line.

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Question

If my name on my passport was slightly misspelled, can I still fly?

Community Answer

You can edit small errors and misspellings online for free beforehand when doing the online check-in and printing out your boarding pass.

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Question

What do you call the little machine at the airport you can get your boarding pass from?

Community Answer

It's called a kiosk.

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Question

If I print out my ticket the night before at home, and I take only a carry-on, can I go directly to security after arriving at the airport?

Acurry628

Community Answer

Yes, you can. Just make sure you have your boarding pass and nothing that is in your carry-on will get confiscated at security.

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Question

If I buy my flight ticket online, what should I do next? How do I show the ticket at the airport?

Community Answer

When you arrive at the airport, go to the departures terminal and there will be automated machines where you can insert your credit card and print a physical ticket. The ticket will have the gate number for your flight so you will know where to go. If you don't want to use a machine for whatever reason, or you have any questions, there are also customer service desks manned by actual people who can print your ticket for you.

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Question

If I have my boarding pass already. What do I need to do at the airport?

Community Answer

After checking your luggage (if you have any), you will need to go through security, where they will ask to see your boarding pass. After that, you may go to your gate and wait for your flight.

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Question

How do I print my boarding pass?

Community Answer

You can print it out at home if you have a printer or do it at the airport. Most airports have kiosks near the check-in counter that you can use to print out your boarding passes.

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Question

I'm flying from Manchester to Dublin and then on to Los Angeles. Can I check in my hold luggage in Manchester to be picked up in Los Angeles, or do I have to check it in again at Dublin?

Community Answer

You would check in at Manchester and pick it up in LA. Dublin would take care of itself.

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Question

What are the rules about bringing things when checking in at an airport?

MynameisCritic

Community Answer

Go to TSA.gov

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Question

Do rings and jewelry set off alarms?

Community Answer

Yes, they do set off the alarms. You must take them off when you go through the security check.

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Question

What should I do after I check in at the airport?

Community Answer

After checking in, report to security. After going through security, you are free to wonder around the terminal until it's time to board your flight.

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Question

I do NOT have a gate printed on my boarding pass. What do I do?

Community Answer

You should look for electronic display boards which display and continuously update flight informations such as gates and delay statuses. Often a boarding pass will come without a gate as it is to be determined.

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Question

Do I have to walk through an x-ray machine?

Community Answer

Not exactly, as it's not an x-ray machine. It's a metal detector. It uses electromagnetic waves that are completely harmless.

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Question

How do I know if my driver's license will count as acceptable ID?

Community Answer

A driver's license will always be accepted as a form of ID for domestic flights. For international flights, you'll need your passport as well.

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Question

Could I bring pizza on my flight?

Community Answer

If you buy it at the airport, yesThe TSA would not let you through security with a pizza from outside.

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Question

How do I use my smartphone at security?

Community Answer

Smartphones are NOT allowed to be used at security. Other areas where smartphones are not allowed to be used are Passport Control, Immigration and Biosecurity. Please make sure you look at the signs around the areas you are in to avoid getting a stern warning.

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Question

Can I check-in if my e-ticket does not have my completed name?

Community Answer

No, your name has to match the passport on your e-tickets. Airlines will not allow you to check-in if the name is not correct.

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Question

Will the people at the airport help me to find my flight number?

Community Answer

Yes. Staff at the airport will help you. Sometimes they might point you towards the departure board. The departure board is another place where you can check the status of your flight.

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