I have never been outside the US in my entire life. As a USC, what do I need to take besides my passport? What should I expect at Gatwick when I arrive early Friday morning?

Any clarification will put my mind more at ease...I'm already petrified of flying! I have read the safety and security information and have looked at the map of the South Terminal at Gatwick.

Right now, I am a bundle of nerves!!!

Thanks for your help!

AHHH i remember my first trip outside the country...Brasil 1991 during gulf war. ok flash forward to London 2006 and the rest is history. first of all RELAX!! depending on where you are flying from it will be about 6 hours flight. (that is my flight time from Detroit to London or Amsterdam) The planes are failry spacious and offer in seat entertainment. northwest even has "on demand" movies, video games and music. during the first 40 minutes on the flight the crew will serve you dinner, most meals are good. drinks are complimentary beer and wine also if on northwest. so drink up!!! the larger planes you barely feel any shifting if you are afraid of flying, it is smply like a big room that shakes a little during takeoff ..then it gets kind fo boring...settle in and watch the plane's position on the map , watch a movie, eat, read,
near landing the crew will serve a light breakfast usually yogurt, fruit and a bread product. you are given a "landing card" to fill out...BRING A PEN WITH YOU!!! it is simple form passport number possibly the name of hotel you are at or name of people receiving you. passport control can be a blur of long lines, be patient, if they ask why you are visiting tell them...landing card should also ask this.

go to baggage claim and collect your bags.

if staying at hotel check for busses that service your hotel...this is the cheapest or trains...they will be called "tubes" or "undergrounds" and they have a symbol a cirlce with a line through it.

appliances. check voltage rating it should say 110-220 v. if it does not do not use it !!!! it will overheat and ruin it...laptops usually are rated 110-220
before you go ..go purchase a cheap electric outlet adapter i go tmine at office max and works on every continent...i think it set me back a whopping 20 bucks... it is worth it .

the first day you arrive you will have lots of energy...if you want go sightseeing....but be warned the time difference will nail you the next day if this is the first time.

Drink water!!!!!! the airplane is 7 percent humidity you will be slightly dehydrated...drink (sip) water constantly. it will also help with fatigue!!!
expose yoruself to sunlight often it will reset your circadian rhythm faster. stick to if you can ..local sleeping times... if neccesary see Dr. to get ambien or soemthing to use temporarily.


other than that ENJOY!!!!!

did i miss anything?....lol

Dr. Bill

MAKE SURE YOU DONT GET A MIDDLE SEAT!!! Try to select a good seat online if u can. Otherwise call the airline. Go to seatguru.com and looking at the seating maps. Will tell u the good bad and ugly of most aircrart. Other than that, I always say as long as you have passport, creditcards and a phone, all will work out good on its own.

I have an aisle seat in the front row of economy class...I have never been on a plane that had more than one aisle...so that's new for me too!!!

Don't worry, when you look out the window, the wings bounce quite a bit on international flights......

Make sure to confirm that again when you check in at the ticket counter. Sometimes they can change things without letting you know.

You will be fine, my trip was my first trip out of the country too, i realized i wasnt that bad at all. I got myself all worked up for nothing. make copies of your passport leave one at home, take one with you put in your suit case other than the one you will be carrying your passport in.Take something to read on the flight cuz its long. Relax and have a good time.

front row of economy class??!!! that is a "bulkhead seat' you are GOLDEN !!!! insist on that seat no matter what you do...and the video screen is down between the seat you have to pull it up to watch it.

Dr. Bill

Make sure when you are about to land you start chewing on a bubble gum so as to reduce the effect of that cabin pressure release on your ears. Gatwick is quite big but trust me you have no cause to be nervous the have very nice people working at the airport who are always ready to help. Take care and have a safe flight.

I also programed the US consulate phone # in my phone before i left. (For just incases) You will have a great time and be ready to go again like a pro LOL.

Thank you all so much for the reassuring words and tips...they are a big comfort to me...still nervous about flying, but, trust me, this helps!!!

Better you fly to Gatwick than Heathrow!

I always take sandwiches on the plane with me as I undoubtedly get very bored and it uses up 10 mins to eat them!

Don't bring any drinks though as you can't take them thru security. You can buy water once you're through security, and you'll need it because planes have NO humidity so you get dehydrated very easily.

If you have an MP3 player, put a lot of music on it, otherwise you'll get bored of listening to the same thing over and over.

Don't worry though, the worst thing about the flight is its length - it seems to go even longer when you know your sweetie is at the end of it! Have a safe flight

Oooh - how exciting I *love* flying

You'll have a grand time - remember that turbulence is normal and that you aren't going to die

Let us know how it goes!!!

Awww Dawn, I'm so excited for you.

The process is a little different to my experience in US airports. You will get off the plane and walk to immigration, which always seems to be a hike but that might be because I'm returning home, it will probably all blur by for you rushing through to see Darren. You will get to a big hall where there will be EU and non EU immigration lines, jump in a non EU line, show your Visa Waiver (which you fill in on the plane) and passport and they will send you straight through - actually its down an escalator - there are plenty of signs in plenty of languages to guide you.

Gatwick has bigger problems than USC's visiting their SO's so will hardly give you a second glance if the forms are all correct. Then you will go through to baggage claim, which at Gatwick can be a it of a maze. Make sure you have a good look around on your flight so you recognize lots of faces and you can follow them at this point to the right carousel. It'll be on the screens too though. This is what I find really strange in the US airports I've flown into, the baggage claim is always in the arrivals lounge - anyone can pop in and pick up some luggage! Its before you get to arrivals at Gatwick so don't forget to pick them up before you go through! Anyway, you'll grab your bags, hike them on a trolley and then all you have to do is walk (or run) through customs. They might call you over to check your bags but thats also very unlikely. The arrivals exit at Gatwick is a bottle neck, there is no way you will be able to miss Darren or him miss you.

Have a wonderful flight and holiday and don't forget to ask if you can upgrade if you see an empty space in Business Class. Once the doors have closed and they aren't letting anyone else on those seats stay empty until someone puts their bum in it. You have a great advantage in your seat as you will be able to see everything thats free, the air stewardess should be happy to let you move, especially if you point out that its your first time flying international.

Take Care

Bex xxx

Oh, how exciting for you, GEG!

• Take some earphones so you don't have to pay for the ones they hand out on the plane. (If there's a fee involved.... depends on the airline.)
• I cannot sleep on airplanes, plus I tend to get motion sickness, so I take some Gravol with me(Canadian drug - American equivalent is dramamine or dimenhydrinate.)
• I'm terrible for getting jetlag. I've heard that Melatonin is helpful so I have some of that for my next trip.

Speaking of next trips.... I'll be flying over there this summer but I haven't booked it yet. Who are you flying with, and are you flying out of Orlando?

@ Melatonin... A friend of mine has been having really bad sleeping problems and the doctor tried to prescribe him sleeping tablets which he didn't want... He ordered Melatonin off the internet as the doctor wouldn't prescribe it as they don't know much about it and he said that this week since he began taking them is the best sleep he has had in months.

Man I love flying!!

You'll be fine - just use your common sense and the tips here. Main thing is to enjoy yourself and the journey!!

I love flying too! I don't, however, enjoy the jet lag, which has been something of an issue for me. Don't bother trying NoJetLag tablets. We tried them last time and they didn't make a difference.

In addition to your passport, make sure you have a photocopy of your passport, just in case you lose it. makes it much easier to get a replacement. Also, keep the name and address of your fiance with you and a phone number for him. You will need to enter this info on the immigration card you'll need to fill out on the plane. The flight attendants will provide this to you. When you get to immigrations, make sure you follow the signs for non-EU citizens. Answer questions honestly. Enjoy your trip!

I'm so envious! You are going to love it so much!!! Have a wonderful time!!!!

I would love another trip to England! Maybe this Fall, since airfare just went up again, prohibiting our hopeful trip in July.

if your nervous, it's probably nothing a few g&ts won't solve on the plane!

I always call it "airplane rides"!!! But you have to say it in an excited and happy voice and clap your hands at the same time.

Wear comfortable shoes. Comfortable means flat and flexible. Lots of walking.

Get some nice bright unusual luggage tags. Make sure they are good ones that won't come off the handles. Makes it easier to find your bags as they come round the carousel.

Take one decent sized carryon - put packaged snacks in it (no fruit - they might confiscate it). Take a book or magazines. A neck pillow is nice to have. I carried a washcloth in a baggie and my makeup in my carryon so I could freshen up after I landed.

I didn't take an electrical adapter - I found a hair dryer at Walmart that actually had a switch on it to convert to EU electricity. It cost the same as the adapter. I still have it - if you want I can look see what it brand it is when I get home.

Buy batteries over here for your camera and pack them in your luggage. They are expensive over there.

Pack your toiletries inside plastic baggies. They might leak in your luggage if you don't.

Try not to pack to much. You'll need sweaters. And an umbrella.

Have fun! I envy you!

Ooooh! And don't lock your case! They will most probably break the lock when they do the security checks.

Ugh. Shoes. You reminded me, RJ.....

I always carry some of those little sock booties and put them on in the plane. My feet tend to swell in my shoes from all that sitting. Plus I hate wearing shoes.

In my carry-on I bring some fresh wipes. They're great for cleaning your hands before you eat, and for freshening up after the trip but before you can get to a shower.

Something to note.... if you're lactose intolerant, bring a supply with you. You cannot purchase them over-the-counter in England.

Flying nonstop out of Orlando to Gatwick on Virgin Atlantic...I think a connecting flight would do me in! Last time I was on a plane, I almost missed my connection in Dallas-Fort Worth...What a hell-hole!!!

Starting to calm down a little...everybody is so great!!!

How do I do this? Sorry for the question...

any medicines u may need carry with u in case bag is lost for a time and think like i did (these people dont know its my first time) ha

I thought Terminal 3 at RDU had this honour.

I've been thinking Virgin Atlantic out of Orlando also. But my trip's a little complicated so I'm not quite sure which country I'll fly out of (Canada or the US) or which country I'll fly into and then which country I'll fly out of. (Multiple country trip.) Just looking into options now.


Pick a friendly face and just ask politely if it's possible for you to change seats. You may want to throw in that this is your first international flight to visit your betrothed, etc etc. Whatever you feel comfortable saying. Sometimes they'll say yes and sometimes they'll say no. Never hurts to ask.

Just as Crikey! pointed out all you need to do is ask. I normally wait until the last few are getting on and they will say "as long as its free when we close the doors." On the last few flights I've been really lucky and had three seats all to myself so I haven't bothered but I told the guy I got on with in sept to ask because he was a nervous flyer and he got bumped. Its the luck of the draw and depends on the mood of whoever you ask unfortunately but like most things in life if you don't ask you don't get.

Have fun.

How exciting that you are leaving in just a couple of days! I'm so envious of you! BTW, did you get my last email about where to go/ not to go in London? If not, I will email you again... anyway...

Check the weight of your baggage! I know some airlines have changed their baggage rules (how many you can bring and how much each can weigh). I actually saw a guy take his suitcases to Publix and weight them on those scales just inside the store. I thought it was a great idea because I did get hit with my suitcase being overweight when I was checking in for my flight to London. I had to rearrange my two bags there (quite embarassing) to avoid the upcharges for overweight bags.

Make sure if you have an ipod that you make sure they are fully charged and bring the cables with you. Defintely buy a electric current adaptor before you go. I had one, but my hair straightener didn't work witht he converter I bought so I ended up buying a cheap one over there.

The flight was no problem, just have your passport and drivers license close at hand while you are traveling. I took the long walk to the international hub in Atlanta instead of using the tram because I knew I was going to be cooped up for 10 hrs in the plane.

You should enjoy the flight on Virgin - that is the flight that Spencer takes everytime he goes to London. Make sure you sign up for their frequent flyer program since you and Darren will be flying over there.

Tell Darren that Spence and I are looking forward to meeting him once he gets over here!

Lisa

I agree on the Virgin frequent flyer miles - we got my OH's mum upgraded for not much more money last year by using miles we had accrued

Plus the other good thing about Virgin is that they have on-demand in-flight entertainment. Makes the hours go much faster.

I also second the advice to take your own earphones, the ones they give you are crap.


You'll be fine

when you get to the UK, there'll be a long walk, a long line at immigration, possibly a ten minute interview, then a long wait at the baggage carosel. Don't panic about it taking so long, its always like that

don't worry when every other bag goes past on the carosel but yours, it'll turn up sooner or later. Don't bother trying to get front place at the carosel, leave that for the pushy people. when you spot your bag just go forwards and cut it off

the big UK airports are a massive blur of people and movement and chaos. don't let it get to you, just keep cool and stay focused..

I take it you don't have to drive when you get here? there's nothing quite like getting into a hire car and driving off on the other side of the road through m25 traffic

all in all, its cool. just remember that people do it all the time, and its a process that runs smoothly most of the time. And its kind of fun

Oh yeah - taxis!

When we were processing everybody was like 'oh don't take the cabs in London they are so expensive'.

We took three cab rides in London in September 2005. The MOST we paid was 9 quid. I'm sorry, but to me that's NOT expensive when you are completely unfamiliar with the city. And the drivers were wonderful with lifting luggage, etc.

Take the taxi!

Gatwick is so much better than Heathrow!

How are you getting home - is he meeting you?

I had horrific jetlag last week when we flew but it was 7 hours difference, not 4. You're lucky!

9 pounds is cheap for a cab ride, but its still 20 bucks. the same as a meal over here. and don't tip cab drivers in the UK, for the love of god...

I personally wouldn't flag down a black-cab type taxi, those things are highway robbers. Great for expensing to a business account to set against taxes, bad to pay for using hard-earned dollars at 2-to-1. Use your phone to find a local cab co and use them instead. Ken Livingstone is cracking down on cabs, as well, so you'll get a better quality of cab (i once paid to ride in a clapped out old nissan with a drunk driver who fell out of the cab, and i had to hold the door shut myself)

In central london the tube is perfectly okay, i reckon. late at night (if you're a party animal) you have to do more work to find the night busses. Day time busses are A LOT better than people give them credit for. Especially if you have an oyster card. they go everywhere.

One thing that cracked me up recently was that parking at a train station just outside san francisco was $2 - ALL DAY! I was tempted to park there just to get the receipt to post to my dad. In the UK station car parks are almost as expensive as the trains!

We actually paid more to hire a mini-cab than we did to ride in the black cabs.

But all the experiences were fine.

20 bucks is cheap IMO. Really. I do not want to get lost in London.

Hey~

I'm in Orlando too--it looks like there are a few of us here!

Do not wear heels! The walk from the gates to immigration takes forever and from past experience is not fun in heels! If you are a bit of a fashionista like me and want to look perfect walking through the doors at arrivals pack them in your carry on and change while waiting for your luggage!

Make sure when the flight attendents come around handing out immigration cards (also called landing cards) get one and fill it out on the plane--then you can just pop into line. Just pray you are the only plane scheduled--last time I flew 3 planes got in at the same time--it took forever!!

I agree take your own headphones--the airline ones never work.

Sign up for the frequent flier program--I just used my miles for a ticket next month. I got a British Airways credit card and use it for everything so I was able to rack up points fast. Hint--use it to pay your bills then transfer one payment to your credit card instead of paying each bill individually. I just saved $1000 bucks by doing that. I have to wait until April 9 to leave though.

Pack a heavy coat--it was just snowing over there!

Good Luck and have a great time!

Micki

Thanks, everyone for your great suggestions and tips...I will take every one of them to heart. I'm getting very excited about the trip, less than a day now...and this will probably be the last post I make before I come back next Saturday...I'll be thinking of you all!!!

Thanks again!!!

Have a great trip!! Let us know how you get on with the travelling!!

One more sleep!!!!! Have a great trip, and a safe flight, GEG!

Gatwick is one of the better airports in the UK if you ask me.. I always fly in and out of Gatwick. You needn't worry about the IOs here, they are most friendly and welcoming so I've heard. I hope it all goes well for your fiance at his interview today!!

Unless you are a person with long legs then there is no place to stretch your legs as you keep hitting the wall with your toes.

You will be fine I remember going to Egypt for the 1st time I was so nervous of flying also. People are very helpful at the airport .I have been to Egypt 3 times now! I still get nervous! Mohamed will be on his first flight on Tuesday to come here . Have a wonderful trip!

I know you've already left, but I just wanted to share a funny story from the last time I was over. This girl in front of me managed to get in the non EU line, but that was about it. She turned around and asked me what this line was for, I said Immigration and she didn't know what that meant. She got up to the lady, was asked for her VW card, she didn't have one (cause they'd only gone around the plane HOW many times with them and have HOW many signs posted!). I don't think she realized how the baggage claim worked either. Too funny!

Then there was another girl sitting in front of me on a different flight. She had to ask the steward what Surname meant and lister her nationality as hispanic She was American by the way...

None of that surprises me...I live in Orlando where the tourists go...and it's like their brains (not to mention their common sense) goes on vacation before they get here, and it was to a different place! I wanted so much to not look like a tourist, but I'm sure the camera (and taking pictures of the Underground station signs every time we stopped) gave it away! I fell in love with England and wish I could live there!!!

Glad you enjoyed your trip! I fell in love with England too and can't wait to go back!!!!