Wings for All Practice Guide for Your Trip to the Airport

PIT

Wings for All® The Practice Guide for Your Trip to the Airport

Welcome to Wings for All®.

We are pleased you could join us. When you enter the airport, please stop at the registration desk located in front of the American Airlines counter to check-in. We have name badges for everyone. Once you have registered and received your name badge, you will then get your boarding pass from an American Airlines agent at the counter.

Let’s begin your preparations for the Wings for All® experience...

You are entering the airport....

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Partners

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You will see many people, hear announcements over the intercom, see different sights and wait in lines with others.

You may have packed a small carry-on or backpack to take on the airplane and store in the overhead area or under the seat on the plane.

This suitcase or backpack can have all of your favorite things.

But, some things are not permitted to be carried on the plane (see 3-1-1 on page 3).

When traveling, you might also pack a larger suitcase that you would check with American Airlines.

This luggage would be stored in the baggage cargo area of the airplane.

You may ride in an elevator or take the escalator or step on the moving sidewalk to maneuver through the airport.

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3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottle or less (by volume); 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in the screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring.

You can not pack liquid or solid flammables, sharp objects, defense sprays, batteries or dry ice.

Detailed specifics on what is not permitted to be carried in a carryon or backpack can be found at www.tsa.gov.

Exemptions are medications (must be clearly marked) and infant nourishment and specifics on these items are also found on the TSA website.

Gettting your boarding pass...

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You will need to stop at the American Airlines counter and an agent will review your information.

If you are 18 or older, you will need to show a government-issued ID. The agent will give each person a boarding pass with your assigned seat.

The agent will check your luggage to be put on the airplane baggage area.

The boarding pass will tell you what gate your plane will board, the departure time and your seat assignment.

Going through security...

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The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) job is to make everything safe for you to fly!

The TSA will want to see your boarding pass and governmentissued ID (if you are 18 years of age or older) • • • • • • •

They will stamp your boarding pass and give it back to you with your government-issued ID. Then, they will direct you to go through a security check area.

The TSA agents will ask you to remove your shoes (if you are 13 years of age or older) and put them in a bin. If you have a coat or belt or purse - you will be asked to put them in the bin, too.

Place your bin on the conveyor belt so everything can be checked.

You will then walk through a metal detector or a body scanner.

An agent may wave a wand over your hands and body.

Listen to what the agent wants you to do (walk slowly, stop, raise your hands).

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Now that you have gone through security, place your boarding pass and government-issued ID in a safe place.

You will now board a tram (a moving train) at the Pittsburgh International Airport that will take you to the part of the airport where the airplanes arrive and depart.

When the tram stops, you will exit it. You can now find your gate that is on your boarding pass. There are many seats near your gate for you to relax, look out windows or play a game you might have brought with you.

Once you go through the security screening you can go to your bin and take out everything you put in it. You can put your shoes back on.

If you have extra time before you board your airplane, you can shop in the stores or get something to eat. If you have to use the restroom, the airport has many restrooms in different areas.

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It is now time to board the plane...

The Gate Agent will announce that you can now board your plane.

• You will walk up to the gate agent and they will take your boarding pass and may place it in a machine.

• You may get your boarding pass back or they may keep it.

• If you are bringing a carry-on or backpack you will roll it behind you or carry it onto the plane.

• There may be a small gap between the ramp and the door to the airplane - but just step over it.

• A flight attendant will greet you.

• Once you find your seat - you can either place the carry-on in the overheard department or place your backpack under the seat in front of you.

The airplane will depart from the gate...

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When it comes back into the gate you will be told when you can take off your seat belt.

You will be able to get your carry-on out of the overhead compartment and grab your backpack from the floor.

You will leave the airplane in single file.

If you checked your luggage...

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You will need to go to the American Airlines baggage claim area and pick up your luggage.

We hope you all enjoy your experience on the airplane!

Once you get into your seat, you must stay in it and wait for the Flight Attendants to give you instructions.

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The flight attendant will tell you to fasten your seat belt. This will keep you safe just like when you ride in a car.

They will also tell you where the doors of the airplane are, where the restroom is and other important facts.

You can turn on the little light above you or open a vent to make you feel warmer or cooler.

After the Wings for All® experience there will be a small reception in the American Airlines Baggage Claim area. We hope you will join us for some light refreshments and complete a feedback form from The Arc of the United States.

The reception will give you a chance to meet the people who hosted the event and thank them for the experience.

ACHIEVA, The Arc, Wings for All®, Autism Connection, American Airlines and Pittsburgh International Airport all hope you enjoyed your airport practice guide and field trip.

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