If you are a first-time traveler, or if you haven’t been away in a long time, there are a few things you need to know about navigating the airport before you throw yourself into this new adventure. Most travelers chose to fly out of a major gateway, since ticket prices are generally cheaper from a big airport. However, the big airports are often nerve wracking for inexperienced travelers. So, take a minute to familiarize yourself with the latest innovations that have been put in place to make you life easier. And thanks for traveling in the US.

Before the Airport: Buy A Ticket

When you get your ticket (from a travel agent, an airline, or online) remember that it must be booked exactly as your name appears on the photo identification you plan to use. This is very important. You can, and probably will, be denied boarding if your name is different on your ticket and ID.

Before the Airport: What are E-tickets?

You have a reservation and a confirmation, but you probably don’t have a paper ticket. You might have an itinerary and a receipt, but no actual ticket. Welcome to the world of e-tickets. The “e” stands for electronic and it was put in place a few years ago to make things easier fortravelers and for airlines. If there isn’t a ticket, there’s no ticket to lose.

Before the Airport: Why E-Tickets?

Electronic tickets save everyone money by saving on paper, printing, and mailing costs. (E-tickets save trees too.) But e-ticketing was primarily put in place for the benefit of the consumer, the ticketing agents, and the airlines by eliminating the paperwork, time, and employees required to process lost tickets. And, since all travelers need to check-in with photo IDs anyway, it made sense to eliminate paper tickets.

Before the Airport: Paper Tickets

Paper tickets have not been eliminated altogether. There are some cases when paper tickets are still issued. For example, some companies negotiate group rates with airlines and they often issue paper tickets. Sometimes complicated international itineraries require paper tickets. Also, some agencies are not equipt to issue electronic tickets. So, make sure you know if you have an actual paper ticket because you will not be allowed to board the plane if you try to check-in without it.

Before the Airport: Packing your Bags

All of the airlines have weight limits for checked baggage. It’s generally quite high at around 70 pounds. Of course, always check with the airline if you have any odd sized luggage, or if you need to travel with special equipment, or if you have a lot of luggage. As a general rule, airlines only allow three bags total; this includes your carry-ons.

The standard carry-on luggage size is 21" to 24" wide X 14" to 16" high X 8" to 9" deep. The total should not exceed 45". The airlines have different weight requirements ranging from 11 to 40 pounds.

Most airlines allow one piece of carry-on luggage and one personal item (which can be a purse, a laptop, or another small bag no bigger than 36"). However, many airlines are only allowing one carry-on, and they are enforcing this restriction.

Before the Airport: Packing for Security

You want to get through security as quickly as possible. So, remember, no sharp object may be packed in your carry-on luggage. This includes nail clippers with a hide-away nail file. Additionally, excessive lighters and matches are prohibited.

If possible, don’t wear clothes, jewelry, or accessories with any metal. Sometimes it’s impossible, especially if your most comfortable traveling jeans have metal rivets and buttons. Just be prepared as these metal items might set off the alarm and subject you to delays.

Put your undeveloped film and cameras in your carry-on baggage for safety. The equipment used for your checked bags is much stronger than the carry-on x-ray and can damage film. Also, if you are traveling with gifts, do not wrap them, as they may have to be unwrapped by security.

Before the Airport: Check-in

If you have e-tickets, most airlines allow you to check-in and print boarding passes online 24 to 1 and 1/5 hours prior to your arrival at the airport. To do this, log on to your airline’s website and enter the required information fields to pull-up your record. You can select or change your seating assignments. Then, make sure you have enough ink in your printers, and print out your boarding passes. You must bring these to the airport. However, if you forget, you can just reprint them at the airport.

Before the Airport: Do You Have Everything?

Remember your photo ID. This photo ID must be valid and current. Acceptable forms for domestic travel are valid driver’s licenses (or valid, state-issued non-driver’s license), passports, or county, state, or federal agency employee ID.

Now, get moving. If you are flying in the US, you should arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes prior to departure. If you are flying internationally (including the Caribbean) you should arrive at least 2 hours in advance.

At the Airport: Check-in

If you didn’t check-in online, it’s ok, you can still check in at the airport. There are self-service check-in kiosks where you can print your boarding passes then proceed straight to the gate. You can also check-in at the airport ticket counter, just like in the old days. Just don’t be surprised if they send you to a self-serve check-in kiosk to print your own boarding passes.

At the Airport: Self-Service Kiosks

Most major airlines at gateway airports require their customers to obtain boarding passes from the self-service kiosks. These are located at or near the ticket counters. Passengers can check-in between six hours and a half hour prior to flight time.

At the Airport: Check-in with Baggage

Whether you printed your boarding passes online or not, if you have bags, you can use the curbside check-in feature to check your bags. Outside of the airport, there are stands with airline employees who can check your bags. You can also go inside and use a self-serve kiosk to check your baggage. Once you have your boarding passes and your bags checked, proceed to your departure gate.

At the Airport: Security

Your valid photo ID and boarding pass is required at security checkpoints. Keep them out to keep things moving. You will probably have to show your ID and boarding passes more than once. Be prepared to remove your shoes (yes, your shoes) and coat and all pocket items when going through the metal detector.

If you are traveling with a laptop, camera, or video recorder, you will have to remove it from its case and place it in the bin to be scanned. Tape a business card or other identifying tag to the bottom of your equipment for easy retrieval.

At the Airport: Boarding

You’ve made it to your gate with time to spare. Relax. Watch the people. Make a phone call. Don’t crowd the entrance. Don’t annoy the airline staff. Don’t pace and complain. Be a gracious traveler. Accept that there are delays. And have a nice flight.