Trying to navigate an airport when you have never done it before takes skill, or you will end up asking “where do i go?”. Airports are scary to the untrained eye. Everything is constantly changing and if you are not paying attention you will get left behind. LITERALLY! From the gate numbers changing on your flight at the last minute to not knowing which way the bathroom is, things can get confusing. It takes cat like reflexes, an attitude of carelessness and quick wit to make it look like you know what you are doing.
Today was such a day. For the first time I had to navigate the airport by myself. It was the most nerve racking thing I have done since I applied to colleges. Trying to make it look like I knew what I was doing was harder than I expected. It was hard enough trying to book my flight let alone actually navigate the airport. Seeing people walk around will such confidents just made the awkward and shy tendencies more prevalent.
There are a few things that will help make this experience more enjoyable for you.
TIPS:
> first thing that a person should do is look up the gate and terminal section before they get to the airport. It will save you time which is valuable when you aren’t quiet sure what you are doing.
> give yourself plenty of time to get through security! There is nothing worse than being stuck in security because somebody forgot to remove there pocket knife and it becomes a major motion picture just to get through.
> keep everything with you at ALL TIMES! I witnessed this guy trying to take this woman’s purse she had out on the counter at Starbucks. Luckily this woman had cat-like reflexes and grabbed her purse before the situation got to far out of hand. However, you may not be so “quick”.
>always listen to the announcements. I almost missed my flight because I was talking on the phone, eating a scone, and drinking coffee. My flight had switched gates and I had no idea. They were already boarding my flight before I even realized it.
>have fun! I flew for the first time by myself and I flew first class. It was a blast. I smiled the whole time and would do it all over again if I could! Enjoy the experience and try to relax. You have to come back on a plane so you MIGHT as well make the most of it!