Will be flying alone during xmas break to the states to meet up with relativies. To Los Angeles, to be exact. My first time flying alone, (currently 15), and totally excited!!! However I'm also a bit anxious about the whole baggage-checking, customs, finding the right gate, the right luggage pick-up place, and all....

Anyone here ever flew alone before and care to share their experience?

I've be on a plane to japan alone once. It is kinda scary at first. I was really nervous and worried about knowing what to do..lol But the ppl there will tell you where to go exactly and what to do. Esp if they see a young person like you, they'll be really kind about it so you won't feel lost. I'm sure you'll be fine!!! =)

dont look like youre lost and flustered...take it cool because even tho is the airport oooo security and all...there could always be someone watching u/following you..u never really know....and 15 and pretty all alone although quite exciting could be dangeruous if u act like u dont really know what ur doing...even if u dont..just make sure u ask the right ppl for help and older women...they dont relly seem to bite lol or ppl with families....

have fun for the holidays and just becarful...
i know im a bit paranoid but coming from the caribbean...thats just the way im brought up.

If you need help just ask any airport security, customer service clerks at the info centers, or any airport personnel. And if a stranger asks you to help them carry a piece of their luggage through Customs, DO NOT HELP THEM UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. There may be a probability of the luggage containing explosive substances, narcotics or any other illegal material. If anything happens, YOU will be the one in the hot seat. So never EVER help anyone else carry any item through Customs. Also, keep your baggage within view at all times. There have been incidents where ppl will secretly stash things into unsuspecting ppl's baggages so that you unknowingly help them transport the illegal substance through Customs. Lastly, if you are checking in any luggages, make sure the luggage exterior is not black color as 99% of ppls luggages are black in color. This can be a problem when trying to locate your luggage on the conveyer belt. Since most black luggages look similar, other ppl may take your luggage and mistaken it for theirs! These things do happen! So choose an eyecatching luggage color. Or if you only have black luggage sets, then I suggest tying on a colorful scarf or fabric material on the luggage handles to make your luggages more recognizable from a far distance.

Good luck and happy travels!

When ever i fly alone, I ask them to bump me up to first class. Sometimes they do!

Wow? Sure it works? That's soo amazing. I take Air Canada, and I'm flying during xmas, so it's a hot season and they'll probably would not have spots for me @ first class anyways :(

Thanks for the tip. i AM checking in luggage, and my luggage is dark navy blue. I suppose it is also one of the common colors around besides black and brown. I'm thinking just to wrap a think multi-color strap around it or something....

and thank you for pointing out the danger of carrying something for someone else through the customs. i would have never thought of it. and being the nice () person i am, i don't think i would have refused. thanks!

lucky ! but dont u have to pay extra?

No you dont hafta pay extra if they bump you up a class.
As long as they have an empty seat then they MAY bump you up if ur lucky=)

i actually looked into getting an escort (from customs to airport gate + extra attention on place), apparently it was for free for kids 12 years and younger (something like that), but it was around 60-70$ for anyone above 12 (or something like that). One way, too. Ha, so no way I'm spending extra money to get myself around the airport! :)

I flew alone when I was 9 but a flight attendant stayed with me!

Are you flying in to LAX? I find that airport very confusing at the baggage terminal for Air Canada. They have this archaic luggage belt that takes forever to bring your bags. Also there are very few signs telling you which belt your bags will arrive on. I usually try to single out one or two people from my flight and watch which carousel they go to. Also, look for a little sign on the baggage carousel that says Air Canada. I think that is how it is set up at LAX.

One other thing to make sure is that all your wrapped gifts are in your checked baggage. If possible, try not to wrap your gifts before going down because they can open them if they like. Also, don't bother locking your bag, they'll just break open the lock to look inside.

In your carry-on luggage, check the items which are prohibited. You are only allowed liquids up to 100mL I believe. That means no water bottles, shampoo, etc.

You can find a list of flight information and travel advisories such as prohibited items on or on the Air Canada website.

One last thing: check the weight of your bag. If you're going to LA, plan for some shopping down there and needing to bring back lots of loot ( I hear H & M just opened there). Leave extra room in your luggage for purchases and gifts you receive in the States. Also, make sure your luggage is not overweight. They will charge you a certain amount of $$ for each pound it is over. Check the limit on Air Canada's website.

Happy travelling!

LAX is a breeze, busy, but you'll be fine. It's not complicated or confusing, just look for the signage saying "baggage claim", and that's really it. The baggage claim is downstairs and there are two or three (??)baggage carousels there, one of which will be yours. It's really straight forward.

LAX is the most disorganized, overly-populated airports I've been to. And the staff was extremely rude. I had a hell of a time telling a Customs woman that the "scissor" in my bag wasn't a "scissor" but part of a manicure set. It got to the point where I just said "Just take the damn thing already geeeeez!" I almost missed the shuttle bus that brought us to our flight cuz of it!

Sh!T! I AM flying to LAX! Crap.

I know for