silly question regarding airport procedures (first time flyer)

Take a look at your Airline website you are flying. They will usually have airport information and tips on international travel. Also try to find the airport website, lots of information on it also. Moving around in an airport is not all that bad. Most of them have signs for you to follow. Since you are going to Rome, brush up on some Italian. Go to Rick's Graffiti wall, you find lots of information on traveling
Have a good time!

It isn't much different than flying in the US. I don't think there are any web sites just because it is very simple. Just an extra stop for immigrations. It will be more complicated coming home. Most of the signs will be dual language, just follow the crowd getting off the plane. You all be going the same place. If confused ask anyone in a uniform. The all will speak English. During the last 30 min on the flight, any necessary forms will be past out with instructions on how to complete them. Remember, hundreds of thousands of people do this everyday and no one gets lost or trapped in the airport.

pd, Google World Airport Guide. At their site enter Rome Fiumicino Airport (also known as Leonardo da Vinci). Or you can just Google Fiumicino Airport. Either way you will be able to find maps of the airport. You might also want to Google TSA (Transportation Security Administration) where you will find good information on procedures for getting through security. And you can just Google "air travel tips" and you will have lots of websites come up that may be helpful to you. Two comments: First, questions like yours are not silly; in fact, I find your question courageous. Second, it is natural for anyone, including seasoned travelers, to feel at least a little disociented when arriving at a big airport terminal for the first time; so if you do feel disoriented, realize you're in plentiful company. Don't be afraid to approach a flight attendant or terminal staff for help. Most will speak English. Let your excitement trump the butterflies and enjoy your travel.

Since this is your first time traveling, here are some websites that might help:

The following website if from TSA and will tell you what you need to know to get through security in the U.S. Read the entire page, use the links, and watch the videos near the bottom of the page:

TSA for Travelers

Here's a website answering basic questions about Rome's Ariport:

Rome Airport

pd, WOW, that's a leap of faith! You've "never flown period" and yet you're trying an international flight to begin with. Good for you!

Since you haven't established "a routine" yet, a few suggestions that might help you:

• When you check-in & get your Boarding Pass, your main bag will be tagged and put on the conveyor belt to the aircraft. Be sure you have a Daypack or whatever (in the approved size) for the "essentials" you'll need during the flight.

• If you're going to be taking any liquids or gels with you in the Daypack, be sure they fit the "3-1-1" rules and are in a clear zip-lok bag. Check the TSA website for details.

• NO liquids are allowed through security (except for those above), so be sure to dispose of water bottles or whatever. I'd recommend buying a bottle of water once you're through security, as it's nice to have on the plane.

• Check the TV monitors in the airport for information on which Gate your flight is boarding, and whether it's "on time". Directions to the Gates are usually well marked, but if you're having difficulty ask one of the Agents.

• During the flight, it's a good idea to leave your Seatbelt at least loosely fastened, even if the seatbelt light is "off". That's some protection in case of a sudden altitude change.

• The easiest method to get from Roma / FCO airport into Rome is the Leonardo Express. You can buy tickets at the airport. DON'T forget to validate the ticket in the yellow box! You might want to download the free PDF Rail Guide from this website, as that's good reference for using the trains in Italy (or elsewhere).

• Don't be intimidated by the chaos at Roma Termini. It's actually not bad once you get used to it. If you want a break, grab a Coffee at the McDonalds there and sit upstairs to watch the performance!

• BE SURE to wear a Money Belt in Rome!

• Pack a copy of Italy 2009 with you - it's good reference!

Happy travels!

Hi pd - Are you flying out of Sacramento or S.F.? Sacramento International is very easy to navigate. PM me if you are flying from there if you want any specific information about the airport. The procedure you will use from any airport will vary depending on whether you plan to check your bag or carry on. You have already been given good advice about carry on liquids. I can't remember if someone mentioned chewing gum on take off and landing to help the pressure in your ears. You will have to take your shoes and any outer layer (jacket, etc.) off going through security. You will also have to empty your pockets and take off your belt. There will be a bin to put everything in and it will go through the xray machine. Have a great trip!

Congratulations on your trip! Some very basic tips:

If you use a travel agent to get your tickets, consider having them also send you a simple itinerary that shows your flight numbers, time of departure, etc. The receipts for tickets can be hard to read. My travel agent emails me a simple itinerary, which I store on my phone so it's always handy.

When you buy your tickets, you'll get a confirmation number that you'll need later at the airport. You might also get a printed receipt, which might actually look like a ticket in a little folder but isn't really a ticket. I bring that with me just in case.

Arrive at the airport two hours before your flight is scheduled to leave. It will take awhile to get through security, and the airline might have a rule saying, for example, that you have to be at the gate or on the plane at a certain time that's well ahead of the takeoff time.

You will need to check in. That's how you confirm or change your seat assignment and get your boarding pass, which is a slip of paper or card that you'll have to show to get past security and onto the plane.

You might be able to check in online from home and print your boarding pass on your home printer, but for a first-time flier it might be easiest to check in at the airport. To do that, go to the big desk for your airline. Have your passport and confirmation number handy. You might have the choice of checking in with a human being or with a computer. Either way, you'll get a printout that will be your boarding pass. Keep that and your passport together in a handy location.

I don't check luggage, so I can't describe that step.

Next you need to find the gate from which your plane will leave. Big screens at the airport will tell you that.

Continued in next post...

...continuation of my earlier post:

On your way to the gate (or maybe at the gate itself), you'll need to go through security. First, someone will want to see your passport and boarding pass. Then you'll get in line to go through the various scanners. There are lots of suggestions here and online about what to do at that point. For my first time, I intentionally got in the longest line so I could see several people go through the process before it was my turn.

Once you're through security, make sure you know where your gate is, and plan to be there about 45-60 minutes before the plane is scheduled to take off. You'll probably have time to kill before that. There will very likely be restaurants and newsstands, and you'll be able to buy water and snacks to bring on the plane (buy water after you go through security, because you won't be able to bring a full water bottle through the security process).

Your boarding pass will have your seat number on it. For example, 12A is row 12, seat A. When it's time to board, wait until the announcer says that your row can now board. Find your seat, and with any luck put the stuff you won't need during the flight in the overhead compartment. Otherwise, you'll have to shove it under the seat in front of you, which will reduce your leg room.

Have a great trip!

Hi Neighbor, I have the same question as Andrea. Are you flying out of SMF or ???. Which airline. A couple of hints.

1. Get to the airport 2hrs ahead of the flight for this first flight. If Sacramento, its really easy.

2. As mentioned above, be very careful to observe the 3oz liquid rules.

3. If you are taking prescriptions, take them in your carry-on and never in checked baggage. In my carry-on, I always have my toiletries and a change of underwear (old Army habit).

4. Make sure that the name on your ticket matches the name on your passport. This is becoming much more important as "Secured Flight" kicks in shortly. For example, if your name if the name on your passport is Penelope, you better not have Penny on your ticket. They're getting tough.

5. On your return home from Rome, be sure to allow 3hrs for security check-in. Terminal 5 at Rome-FCO can be a zoo. Most times, you might be OK with 2hrs but when really busy, it takes longer. If you have a really early flight, message back and we'll provide you with hints on making the flight on time.

While you are on the World Airports Guide also look up the airports where you will be making connections and your departure airport. Having a general idea of their layout will make it easier to get to the proper gates. Don't hesitate to ask the airline personnel for assistance in getting to your connecting gate.

This last trip was my younger kids' first flight ever and older kids' first flight in seven years. We looked at maps of airports, pictures, and we took a field trip to our departure airport, so they could get a feel of the airport and see the security lines and get an understanding of the "lay of the land." Obviously, we couldn't go past security, but I think it helps to have some mental picture in your mind!

THANK YOU all for your help, though I am a bit nervous I am more excited than anything!!

pd,

One more suggestion - if you haven't already, it would be a good idea to read the Guidebook Europe Through The Back Door.

It's an excellent pre-read before travelling to Europe for the first time, and covers topics including Itinerary planning, money issues, languages, avoiding theft and of course rail skills. It will give you a good idea what to expect when you land in Europe.

Cheers!

pd,

In your carry-on stuff, take moisturizer (hand cream or similar) and lip balm. Airplane air is very dry. I also take a change of underwear and an extra top, toothbrush and travel-size tooth paste, etc. Suitcases do get misplaced, just in case it happens, it's nice not to have to spend your first hours on in a foreign country trying to buy the basics.

If you are flying from SFO, when is your flight? Traffic in the Bay Area can be brutal and you want to make sure you are at the airport in plenty of time.

Find out what your airline's regulations are regarding checked luggage and carry-on. Make sure yours are within the size and weight limits. Be patient and serious with the security people. I know a guy who wised off at the SFO int'l terminal and ended up in jail overnight! Yeah, he was a real A@@ and really deserved it. AFter his first wisecrack, instead of backing down, he kept pushing the envelope. In the end, his scheduled carrier blacklisted him - as did several others - and his travel agent had a heck of a time getting him on a flight home.