So you’re really excited to go to your friend’s wedding in the Bahamas. You found your lost or stolen U.S. passport, and you’ve packed your bags. You’re already to go but… you’ve never flown before. You hear that airports are nightmares and that planes are as sanitary as a public restroom. You’ve never flown before and just the thought of it makes you nervous. Here a couple pointers for first time fliers.

First, relax. You can’t think or be rational if you are shaken up like a snow globe. Flying is very safe, even more so than driving a car. The reason so many people are scared of flying is simply the dramatic coverage that a rarely occurring crash receives. Here are some pretty amazing facts that will hopefully change your mind about flying.

 - You are more likely to die from a bee sting than from an airplane crash.
 - If you flew on a plan every single day, it would be 19,000 years before you would experience a crash.
 - Training a pilot takes the same amount of time and money as training a doctor does.
– Besides the well-trained pilots, the plans have back up systems, three autopilots, and two or three computers.
– The airplane goes through 12 hours of inspection and maintenance for every hour they’re in their air.
 - Airplanes have a ten mile wide highway that no other airplane can go into when they’re flying.

See? There’s nothing to worry about. Now let’s go on to some specifics that you need to remember for your flight. When packing your bag, you need to decide whether you want to check it or carry it on with you. If you are going on a long trip and have a lot to bring, consider checking it. Having to stuff everything you need into a small bag to bring it on with you would only be more of a hassle. The TSA recommends that you arrive at least two hours before your flight in order to allow enough time for delays associated with checking your bags, getting a boarding pass, getting through security, and finding your terminal.

Try to find a friend to drop you off at the airport. Having to park is sort of a hassle, but it’s really not that bad, just expensive. When you walk in to the terminal, look for your airline’s front desk. This is where you will check in, get your boarding pass, and check your bags. An employee can help you with all of this, this is exactly what they are there for.

Next, you go through security. Be sure to have your American passports, your ID, and your boarding pass out. After you wait in line, you will be showed to an x-ray machine. Take your laptop out of its bag, take off your shoes, and place these along with your purse on the conveyor belt. After this, you will be lead through a metal detector. After you are cleared, you have successfully conquered airport security!

With some encouraging facts, a brief look at how to handle flying under your belt and passport in hand, you are ready to go. Once again, there is no reason to be nervous, except maybe for the airplane food. The safety codes and regulations are very strict and even more strictly enforced, so you can feel safe traveling and maybe even have some fun. So replace your lost or stolen U.S. passport, pack your bathing suit and your sunscreen, and get ready for take-off.

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