Process of going through security and onto a fight

[xXJust Jump ItXx]

Okay... Ive flown twice with family when I was 8, Im 16 now so I remember nothing of it. Im gonna fly to GA. this coming summer alone and well Im nervous about what to expect and all. With the security checks and all... Oh and like do you have to take off your jacket if your wearing one and all?

[Stronger]

Don't be nervous, its just an annoyance with what you have to go through. Yes, I believe you will have to take off your jacket, and shoes, be sure to keep very minimal in your pockets so that you can move quicker along, the whole process can take from 5-20 mins depending on how long the line is in front of you. Once and a while some people get selected for random additional screening, I've had that happen before, usually they will just swipe your hands or something, nothing to worry about.

[FreeFall]

I flew from the East Coast to the West all alone, you'll be fine (: I think it could depend on the airport.
I had to remove my jacket, my shoes, my hair tie, remove anything metal, take all coins out of my pockets or wherever they were, I took out my earrings since I had no idea if they'd set off the annoying beep sound thingy or not. You just toss that and your carry-ons into the bucket thingy that gets slid through a machine and get them back on the other side once you're cleared. They check your I.D. and ticket/flight info too.
Pay attention to the signs you're going to see, the airports sell drinks that don't meet the standard liquids carry-on requirements and you'll be told to throw it away before you get through, it sucks :\ if you've got carry-on liquids that don't meet, you may also be asked to remove it and throw it out.

[Mortal Coil]

I flew from the East Coast to the West all alone, you'll be fine (: I think it could depend on the airport.
I had to remove my jacket, my shoes, my hair tie, remove anything metal, take all coins out of my pockets or wherever they were, I took out my earrings since I had no idea if they'd set off the annoying beep sound thingy or not. You just toss that and your carry-ons into the bucket thingy that gets slid through a machine and get them back on the other side once you're cleared. They check your I.D. and ticket/flight info too.
Pay attention to the signs you're going to see, the airports sell drinks that don't meet the standard liquids carry-on requirements and you'll be told to throw it away before you get through, it sucks :\ if you've got carry-on liquids that don't meet, you may also be asked to remove it and throw it out.

Yeah, basically this. Wear long sleeves under your jacket, because you will have to remove it. Belts, shoes and coins usually also have to go in separately, as well as laptops and liquids in a baggie.

[Stronger]

To add on a bit, usually any liquid under 3-2ounes is fine and should be placed in a ziplock baggy. If you are carrying a laptop with you in a laptop bag, that will have to come out of its bag as well, they give you these bins to hold everything.

[Castle of Glass]

trust me, 14 years of airport traveling and flight experience. it is just annoying. as you are flying in the US, stay calm. they will explain it to you when you get there. or you can just do what others do. but after traveling me entire life, it is just annoying, but luckily i can get into the VIP lounges :P

[Bath]

Oh my god, I can so relate. During the summer I was flying alone to San Diego to see my dad, I was nervous about security too, and I had a layover in Michigan so I was nervous about that.

You're 16, so your mom/dad can come with you through security and everything. You don't need an ID either, since you're underage. When you get to the security, you put the following in bins: jackets, sweaters, anything metal, your shoes, hats, laptops, tablets, phones, etc. You place those next to your carry-on luggage on the belt. There will be signs explaining anything else, and always follow everyone else. Then they indicate for you to walk through the X-ray scanner. Sometimes you might get padded down, I did on the way there but not back, so it depends on the airport.

If you have a layover, get off the plane and ask the person at the desk where your next flight will be and show her/him your ticket. If there isn't anybody (there usually is but just in case) find the flight monitors and look for your flight. You usually have an hour or two and sometimes the airport is big, so it's always good to go quick.

When you get off the plane, go where everyone else is going toward the luggage pick up (even if you didn't check any luggage) and that's where the person picking you up will be.

Flying is one of the best experiences ever, I got such a passion for it during the summer going to San Diego.

If you haven't purchased tickets yet, try and get on Delta airlines, they're the best honestly. American Airlines is good too. But Delta is the best.

Ok ok if you have anymore questions just ask me! It's not as hard as it sounds, I was really nervous but it went smoothly. Good luck!

[squibles976]

If you need to do something they'll tell you its no big deal and I remember when I was younger and it was way scary cuz it was just after 9/11 and there were soldiers in all the airports etc,

[PinkFloyd]

You will have to take off your jacket and shoes. If you have a tablet or laptop in your carry on luggage then you'll have to separate it from the bag it's in and put it in its own bin for the X-ray machine. No worries man.

[Cycling Penguin]

Its really easy to get through but there is a lot of waiting. Also at security you will have to put your bag in a tray and remove and tech item into a another tray. You will then go through a scanner and collect your stuff at the other end
Be aware: When I went to Spain i went tot get MY ipad out to the tray and the security gut stopped me and asked how old i was and if this was my stuff. He said i would have to wait for my mum. When she came she told him it was my ipad but he still took it and scanned it for 5 minutes. If i was travelling alone i dont know what would have happen because my mum wouldn't have been there to get my ipad back!!!!

[Beckblue]

I go through security quite a lot (In fact, went like 2 days ago) and it is really not that bad, except it is a pain to wait in the line unless you are in the one of the airline programs/first class Other than that, it is not bad just gotta take off your shoes, and jackets. They may pat you down, but it does not happen too often. I enjoy not having to wait if I travel with my Dad/ if he books me, but only on United.

Good luck, and it is not any thing to worry about!