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While
you are walking through the long hallway to the plane, there is a good
chance that the plane is still being loaded with luggage. We
didn't realize that airlines also take freight packages and get paid for it.
The Flight Attendant
will guide you to your seat
once you enter the plane. There are numbers on the overhead
luggage compartments. You need to find the number that matches the
one on your boarding pass. Your carry on goes in the overhead
compartment. If it is too high for you, and no one is around to help
you, sit and hold it until the Flight Attendant is not busy.
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The Flight Attendants will check to be sure that all of the passengers are
there and that they have the right number of people. They will also check
tickets and IDs. Because of the September 11, 2001 disaster,
airlines sometimes take all passengers off the plane if anything looks
'funny'. This is just another safety thing that might be
inconvenient but should show you that airlines have safety plans in
action. They bring you back on the plane when all is ready
again.
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As the plane taxis to the runway, it follows road signs just like
on a highway. The plane travels on these airport 'streets' until
it gets to the runway, where the pilot waits for permission to take
off. |
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When the plane is ready to
take off, the Flight Attendant will ask you to put your seat belts
on. A sign will light up telling you to do this,
too. |
When the engines start up, you will hear all kinds of strange
noises. There will be a loud whining and as the plane begins to go
faster and faster, other rumbles can be felt and heard. These are
normal. It's also normal that you might hear or feel a thump when
the wheels are brought up into the plane and the wheel doors
close.
This is when your ears might feel funny and you
wait for them to 'pop'. You can help this along by chewing gum,
yawning, holding your nose, or moving your jaws. This is caused by
the changes in altitude and atmosphere.
The pilot is talking to Air
Traffic Controllers in the Control Tower. Pilots need to
know when other planes are near and the Air Traffic Controllers give them
that information. They also tell them weather reports and airport
conditions. The plane goes roughly about 150 mph to take off and about 500 mph to fly
in the air.
The Flight Attendant will go through a safety
drill just like at school. They get you ready for what might happen,
but rarely does. The Flight Attendant will show you the exits, the
extra oxygen masks, and 'barf' bags in case anyone gets sick. Some
kids in our survey worried about using the 'barf' bags but the Flight
Attendants are used to this so don't worry if you need one.
You're in the air . . . and already wondering
what there is to do. Longer flights have movies on them that are rated PG for kids. You have to
rent headsets if you want to hear
anything on the plane. The headsets get plugged into the armrest, so
you can hear what you want to hear. There are different channels so you
can listen to different things. The plane also has videogames and phones.
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The plane has to be
at the 10,000 foot mark before you can turn on electronic
things. Cell phones must be turned off because they
interfere
with the plane. |
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Food is served depending on how long the flight is. Some flights are not long
enough for a meal. Sometimes just a snack is served.
We have to tell you, the peanuts are terrific! We got
samples and we loved them. You can find out, in advance,
from the airlines whether you will get a meal or a snack. |
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Sometimes the ride gets kind of
bumpy. This is called turbulence. Pilots have been
trained to fly when this happens. The Flight Attendant might
ask you to put on your seat belt. This is a good idea
because turbulence sometimes rocks the plane and you might get
hurt. Just remember: bumpy rides are normal and pilots
know how to ride through it. |
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The cockpit
is a really interesting place but the September 11th, 2001,
disaster kind of made visits to this area off limits. We
were very lucky that we were able to see this and meet the pilot
and co-pilot. |
Other
interesting stuff....
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It's
only interesting if you actually NEED it.
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Now, these were good!
We love airline snacks!
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