CONSIDERATIONS:

• What do I need to bring to the airport?

• You must bring a valid form of identification to be allowed to fly, unless you’re under the age of 18. A list of accepted forms of identification can be found here.

• If you’re undocumented, and concerned about your safety and legal risk while flying (or taking another mode of transit), you may find it helpful to visit this page, which outlines your legal rights as a traveler. If you still do not feel comfortable flying, please reach out to your case manager and make them aware. CAF unequivocally supports the rights of undocumented people, and will do everything within our power to ensure a travel route that supports your safety, comfort, and wellbeing. 

• If your ID was lost/stolen or you only have a temporary paper one at the moment, TSA can attempt to verify your identity another way. This requires you to bring at least two other forms of identification, arrive at the airport early, and undergo an additional patdown if allowed through security.

• The TSA does not have an official list of acceptable alternative ID forms but when CAF has connected with them in the past, they’ve suggested birth certificates, social security cards, marriage certificates, temporary paper IDs, expired government-issued IDs, credit cards, bills, and anything else you might have available. 

• Information that helps TSA to confirm your identity includes your name, a picture of you, your DOB, your address, your SSN, etc. so if you’re concerned and have more than two of these available, you may want to bring a range of documents confirming different aspects of your identity (ex: a student ID for your name and picture, your social security card for your name and SSN, your birth certificate for your name and DOB, etc.)

• Different Types of Luggage:

• Carry-on luggage is the type of luggage that’s able to be brought directly onto the plane (and is placed into the overhead compartment above your seat during flight). These bags are smaller than checked-bags, enabling you to bring them with you through security and boarding. Most airlines allow each flyer one carry-on and one personal item (generally a backpack or purse) free of charge.

• If you need help placing your carry-on into the overhead compartment, you can ask a flight attendant to assist you in lifting it. 

• Checked luggage must be checked in and paid for prior to going through security. Checked luggage is typically not a necessity for weekend trips, but every flyer’s needs are different.

• If you are checking a bag, head to the kiosk with your airline’s name on it immediately after arriving at the airport and ask them to assist you in doing so.

• CAF cannot necessarily reimburse you for the cost of checked bags. 

• Each Airline has their own limits on the size and weight of luggage that they’re willing to accept, so be sure to look up your airline’s restrictions prior to packing.

• Luggage Restrictions:

• Both carry ons and checked bags have some restrictions on what you’re allowed to pack in them. More information about restricted items can be found here.

• For carry-ons specifically, it’s important to remember that all liquid items must be 3.4 oz or less each. Additionally, all liquid items must be placed into a single quart-sized ziploc bag. A video going over this limitation can be found here.

• EXEMPTIONS: If you need to bring medications in liquid form, prescription creams/gels and/or infant/child nourishment supplies such as formula, breastmilk, baby/toddler puree pouches, etc. exemptions can be made. More information about exemptions can be found here. 

• Regardless of whether your prescription is in liquid or solid form, bring all prescription medications in their bottles, with the medication and patient name clearly shown on the label. This is particularly important if your medication is classified as a “controlled substance.” Vitamins can be transported in labeled ziplock bags without the bottles.

• If you require a mobility or other assistive device and have questions about whether or not it must be checked, information about that process can be found here.

• If you have questions about traveling with your assistive device, you can reach out to the TSA Cares helpline, to run through what you and your family can expect. Information regarding this hotline, and other TSA tools available to disabled passengers, can be found here. 

• If you’re planning to check a bag, you MUST arrive early. Airlines will not accept your bag 30-60 minutes before boarding, because the plane has already been loaded up with luggage. 

• Connecting Flights:

• If your travel itinerary includes a connecting flight, and you’re feeling a little nervous about not knowing where to go or how to get to your next flight, you can follow the step-by-step instructions outlined here. 

GOING THROUGH SECURITY:

• When going through security, you will be asked to remove your shoes, belt, watch, hat, and jacket before stepping into the metal detector. There will be plastic bins provided for you to place those items into. 

• Children under 12 can leave on headwear, light jackets, and shoes and will not be separated from their parents/guardians at any point. More information about security procedures while traveling with children can be found here.

• If the metal detector flags an area of your body, a TSA agent may need to lightly pat you down through your clothes. Common areas include wrists, ankles, hair (especially if wearing a headband or other hair accessory), etc. 

• If you’ve had a surgery that required metal to be placed in your body (hip and other joint replacements, certain broken bones, etc.), just let the TSA agents know before/after stepping into the metal detector. These will not necessarily show up on the detector, but sometimes they can.

• Additionally, although unlikely, it’s possible the TSA agent will ask you to put your palms out and wipe them to check for explosives residue. This does not mean that you’ve done anything wrong, or that you won’t be allowed through security. More information about this practice can be found here.

• Before walking through the metal detectors, you will also be asked to place all electronic items larger than a cellular device (laptops, tablets, speakers, over-the-ear headphones, etc.) into plastic bins. 

• Most airports require these items to be placed into bins individually, with nothing else around or on top of them. There is no limit to the amount of plastic bins in which you may use.

• If you have religious or cultural concerns related to head-coverings and/or any items you may be carrying with you, you may want to visit the following webpages, listed on the TSA website

• TSA Special Procedures

• TSA FAQ’s - Religious & Cultural Head Coverings

• If you’re concerned that your rights may be violated as a member of an oppressed class, please review this resource, which highlights your legal rights as a traveler.

• Additionally, specific considerations for trans, nonbinary, and other gender diverse passengers can be found here.

• Unfortunately, assumptions may be made about your gender during the TSA screen process. CAF recognizes that current practices, which make assumptions based on one’s gender presentation, are harmful and invasive. If your case manager can help to do anything to ensure that you feel comfortable and validated while traveling, please let us know.

• As of early 2023, some improvements have been made to move towards a more “gender-neutral” screening process. More information about that can be found here. 

ONCE ON THE PLANE:

• Put your device into Airplane mode for the entirety of the flight.

• If you have questions about emergency safety procedures, please read the manual in the seat pocket ahead of you and/or wait for the flight attendants to begin their demonstration of these procedures.

• You’re not allowed to use the restroom during take-off or landing (unless it’s an emergency), but you are allowed to go at any other point, even if the seat-belt light is on (just buckle your seat belt again when you return to your seat).

• There’s a button on the side of your armrest that can be used to recline your seat. You cannot have your seat reclined during take off or landing, but you will be allowed to for the remainder of the flight (and the flight attendants will remind you so you can’t forget).

• If you need assistance during a time when the flight attendants are not in the aisle, there should be a button you can press above your seat to call one over.

• Planes are typically pretty cold, so bring a jacket if you get cold easily (:

• Most planes have outlets for you to charge your devices. This is usually either a USB port next to your screen, or a socket below your seat (between yours and the seat next to you). Since we cannot guarantee that all planes will have outlets, remember to charge your phone before heading to the airport or in the airport before your flight boards!

EXITING THE PLANE:

• Shortly before exiting the plane, the flight crew should tell you which baggage claim carousel the checked bags from the flight are being sent to. 

• Whether or not you’ve checked a bag, it can be helpful to follow signs towards the baggage claim area in general, because they help make it simpler to locate the airport’s exit and/or communicate with a friend, family member, or driver where they can meet you.

• If you’ll be using a Lyft or Uber ride to get to your next destination, your app should provide you with walking directions to let you know which area of the airport your rideshare will be picking you up from. 

OTHER INFO/TIPS:

• If you struggle with motion sickness or are concerned about pressure changes during flight, there are certain over-the-counter medications (such as Sudafed) that one can take to help reduce these effects. CAF cannot provide medical advice regarding whether or not to take these medications, and advises you to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns. You can also bring chewing gum onto the aircraft with you to help mitigate these symptoms.

• Remember to download any shows you want to watch, audiobooks you want to listen to, etc. before you get on the plane because you won’t be able to while in airplane mode, unless you also purchase in-flight wifi!

AFFIRMATIONS & OTHER GROUNDING TECHNIQUES:

• If you’re experiencing anxiety while on the plane (or at any point in this process), you can use some of the tools outlined here to help ground you in the present moment. 

• If you anticipate potentially experiencing some anxiety, it’s recommended to review this article before boarding and screenshot the techniques recommended, so you can continue to access them throughout the flight. 

• Affirmations:

• I am capable of navigating this process, even though it’s new to me.

• I feel secure within my own power and knowledge.

• I am prepared for my trip. I have everything I need for it to go smoothly.

• My flight crew is well trained and know how to handle any situation that comes up.

• My flight crew is skilled and capable, and has completed thousands of hours of flight training.

• My aircraft was designed for safety and will keep me safe. 

• I trust myself to navigate through any obstacle that comes my way.

• I am strong. I am smart. I can trust myself.

• I can do this alone, and ask for help from others if I need to.

• I am showing up for myself every step of the way.

• It’s okay for me to ask for help if I need it.

• Everything that I need today will be made available to me.

• I will not stress over things I can’t control.

• I will follow my intuition and allow it to guide me.

• It’s okay if things don’t go exactly as planned. I have support through any situation.

• Traveling is a learning experience, and it’s okay if I need help.

• My questions aren’t silly. Asking the right questions helps me be prepared.

• The airline staff are happy and willing to assist me. I attract kind people.