Algorithm of actions at the airport: instructions for beginners

Hello everyone, my dears! I remember my first visit to the airport: you get lost in huge halls and do not know where to go and what to serve at the check-in counter. Now, of course, things are different. But so that the airport does not turn into an unknown labyrinth for you, I decided to write for you a detailed algorithm of actions at the airport.

I must reassure you: the registration rules are very simple. Basically, difficulties arise only on the very first flight. As a last resort, you can ask any airport employee for help. However, I am sure that you will be able to orient yourself and be on time for your flight.

To get started, remember that check-in for an international flight starts in 3 hours and ends in about 50 minutes. And for domestic flights, check-in is announced two hours in advance, and they finish in 40 minutes. It is better to arrive at the airport early, I am telling you for sure.

In addition, starting the story about the procedure for boarding the plane, I hope that you have already been able to resolve the issue of packing your baggage. If you haven't packed it, find the counter at the airport.

In this article:

1. Look for the information board

So you find yourself at the airport, but do not know where to go? First, find information monitors. They look something like this:

See how many lines? Carefully study the information that is indicated on them, it is very important. Here you will find:
- flight number (the same as in or, as it is correctly called, in the itinerary receipt),
- departure time (or delay),
- check-in counter number
- and whether that registration has begun or not.

The latter can be understood by the color of the line (it is highlighted in green, and below the lines are red, for example) or by the time indicated in it. In general, if you have determined that check-in for the flight has already begun, remember the counter number and start looking for it.

2. Follow the check-in desks

It's time to check-in for the flight, for this you need to find the check-in counters.

I will make a small digression and say that registration can be done in advance via the Internet or at the same airport through special terminals. This is done to save time.

So if you have already checked in online, printed out the ticket yourself in advance and you do not have luggage, then you can immediately go to boarding. But if you did not print the coupon or if you have luggage, then you still need to go to the check-in counters. You just can do it not in 3 hours while standing in a queue, but a little later, when the queue has already melted.

But today we will imagine that you did not go through any registration and we will go the traditional way. Check-in counters look approximately the same at all airports in the world:

These are numbered counters with a baggage drawer. Look for the same number that you saw on the scoreboard. Found it? So this is your stance. Above it there is a small board that indicates which flight is being checked-in at the moment.

3. Show your passport and drop off your luggage

Show your passport when it's your turn to check in.

Here you can ask to allocate a certain place for you: by the window or closer to the opening if you are traveling with a child. If there are still such places, you're in luck. In general, then you need to pre-register via the Internet in order to book the necessary seats in advance.

Here you need to check in your luggage. Put it on the tape: it will be weighed and attached to a special tag.

All this takes a few minutes. Then you receive a boarding pass with a tear-off spine, on which an additional sticker with information about baggage is usually glued.

Don't forget to bring your passport and your carry-on baggage.

4. Security control and customs control

Usually the way from the check-in counter leads directly to the boarding, but at large airports this rule is not always the case. Therefore, do not hesitate to ask during registration where exactly you need to go next.

And then you need to go through security control before boarding. Usually the check goes like this. You take off all belts and shoes and put them in special containers. Then go to the scanners through which all your belongings are passed.

It is here that your nail scissors, shaving razors, bottles of more than 100 ml will be thrown away and indicate to you that you have packaged your cosmetics incorrectly, so you will have to say goodbye to it. Therefore, do not be lazy, read the rules for carrying hand luggage.

You yourself will also be searched: either manually with the help of hand-held metal detectors, or in special cameras. Nothing complicated, just go inside the transparent camera, put your feet shoulder-width apart, raise your arms to the sides (there are special indicators inside the camera) and you will be scanned for dangerous things.

And if your flight is international (fly to another country), then in addition to security control you will have to go through customs control.

There are “green” or “red” corridors for its passage. If you do not have things to declare, go to the "green" (Nothing to declare) corridor. Otherwise, you should go to the "red" corridor (Goods to declare). Here you will be offered to write an application for the declaration of goods and fill out all the necessary documents.

5. Go to the waiting room

Well, all the formalities have been met. Now go to the waiting room. There you can sit in a cafe or go to duty-free shops.

When you hear the boarding announcement, head to your gate and queue up again. Again you will be asked to show your passport, a coupon (which was given at the check-in counter), from which you will get a stub (it contains all the information about the flight). It should never be thrown away, be sure to keep it until you receive your baggage.

6. Boarding the plane

Immediately after you have returned your passport and stub to your hands, you will be shown the way to board: either through a special sleeve directly into the plane, or by bus. Enjoy your flight!

Actually, that's the whole procedure for boarding the flight. I hope my little instruction will be useful to those who first decided to make a flight. I would be very glad if you share your very first flight experience in the comments.

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