Never been on an airplane before

[bballrules]

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Hey all, I was wondering if you could help me out with some questions. I've never been on an airplane before and I will have to for the first time! I just got an interview invite from Creighton and I live in southern California. First off, where do I buy my airplane tickets(What's the cheapest place online)? Also, all I need is a passport right? Did you guys wear your suit too while flying, since you didn't want to get it wrinkled? I'm trying to save money so I don't want to get a hotel. I am planning on sleeping at the airport then taking a cab to the school that very morning. Do you guys have any suggestions or answers to my question? Thank you so much.

 

[lphiewok]

first of all, to buy airplane tickets you can try places such as

www.cheaptickets.com
www.lowestfare.com

and there are many other website where you can purchase your tickets.
I have heard that Wednesday 1 AM is the cheapest time to buy a plane ticket (that's when new promotions come out) but i cannot back it up with facts

you can bring a passport with you but as long as you're not coming from Canada or different country, all you really need is govenment ID (such as driver's license would be enough) as long as the flight is domestic

about your idea of sleeping at the airport, it sounds like a good idea but at the same time you want to be fresh in your head and the way you look. so i really would recommend you to find at least cheap motel or somewhere you can get some good sleep (so you don't look all tired and smelly) the night before your interview. you dont want to leave bad impression on your first interview just because you wanted to save little money for hotel

people most of time do put your suit in their suit case, and usually you can fold them correctly to minimize wrinkling of your suit and if you get a hotel room, they should have an iron where you can iron it before you go to your interview. but if you really want to stay at the airport before your interview, i guess you can wear it when you leave your place but i wouldnt suggest it

congrats with your interview and good luck!

 

[DDS1386]

about your idea of sleeping at the airport, it sounds like a good idea but at the same time you want to be fresh in your head and the way you look. so i really would recommend you to find at least cheap motel or somewhere you can get some good sleep (so you don't look all tired and smelly) the night before your interview. you dont want to leave bad impression on your first interview just because you wanted to save little money for hotel

So true. I actually slept at the airport the night after my interview at Creighton and it was absolute hell. That airport is absolutely dead. The food shops closed so early and I was so starving that I ate some of the jelly on a condiments tray. There's nowhere comfortable to sleep and nothing to keep your attention while your awake. I did laps around the airport up and down the escalators to tire myself out and finally passed out on the floor at like 4 am. Seemed like a good idea when I made the decision to sleep there at the time, but in retrospect 80 bucks to avoid that exeprience would be well worth it. And this was after the interview. Do yourself a favor and don't put yourself through that before your interview, I couldn't even imagine how horrible you'd feel the next day.

 

[btk2333]

I would agree, spend the $50 (you should be able to find somewhere cheap) and get a good night's sleep, you don't want to run the risk of being miserable all night

good luck!

 

[AggieDDS]

Watch out for the snakes on the plane. 0_0

 

[dcsk8element]

The food shops closed so early and I was so starving that I ate some of the jelly on a condiments tray. There's nowhere comfortable to sleep and nothing to keep your attention while your awake. I did laps around the airport up and down the escalators to tire myself out and finally passed out on the floor at like 4 am.

LMAO that is priceless, for the record i wish i was there to see u run the escalators.

 

[blankguy]

I recommend getting an inexpensive motel or hotel. I don't think it is a good idea on such an important trip.

 

[lemoncurry]

travelocity.com often has low rates. also look at Southwest. If you're in SoCal, you may be able to fly on Expressjet, which offers a non-stop flight to Omaha for cheap. That's what I did and it was worth it.

definitely get a room. all it needs is a bed and a shower, so unless you're worried about other stuff, you can find a room, ANY room, that will be cheap. You can also try and find a student at Creighton who lives off campus who might be able to put you up for a night.

These days, plane travel sucks. You'll be lucky if you get a drink and a bag of pretzels. The flight is almost surely to be delayed, and security is a pain in the arse, although it was getting better last time I flew. Get to the airport with at least an hour to spare. Two hours is better since it is your first time. Go to the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) to check the current regulations for carry-on items, especially the liquid stuff you are able to bring on board. Personally, I would just check my bags except for a very small carry-on tote that has a book, an ipod, a DS lite, some snacks (no drinks) and maybe a travel pillow, plus any meds that you may need to take.

bon voyage!

 

[uesider]

I really think you can ruin your chances of acceptance by sleeping in an airport! Airports are not meant for sleeping. After spending ~$1000 on DAT fees, application fees, DAT prep books, etc etc... it is NOT worth it to save $50 and ruin your interview. I would really second and third the suggestions here and say to find a hotel where you can clean up, shower, and get a good night's rest. I am so surprised at the amount of people that try to do this after spending sooo much on the application process. I realize you haven't been on a plane so probably don't realize how unsafe and unsanitary airports are, but believe me, it is not worth it. Good luck!!

 

[ChoDog]

Man, are you serious?! You don't know where to buy a plane ticket? How about asking your friends or parents. Anyways, don't sleep at an airport to skimp on a few dollars. You should check out some hostels (hostelworld.com)

 

[downelowe]

If you don't want to spend money on the hotel, why don't you try to catch an early fight like around 6 am? That would give you enough time to get to the school for the interview at 2pm. That's what i'm planning to do. when is your interview anyway?

 

[bballrules]

Thank you for all your input and help. I have one last question after getting to the airport in Nebraska. I think I will definitely get a motel room. Is it easy to find a cab there to go around? I'm not sure what to do after I land at the place because I've never been in this situation before. Thanks again!

 

[HurricaneKatt]

Hey all, I was wondering if you could help me out with some questions. I've never been on an airplane before and I will have to for the first time! I just got an interview invite from Creighton and I live in southern California. First off, where do I buy my airplane tickets(What's the cheapest place online)? Also, all I need is a passport right? Did you guys wear your suit too while flying, since you didn't want to get it wrinkled? I'm trying to save money so I don't want to get a hotel. I am planning on sleeping at the airport then taking a cab to the school that very morning. Do you guys have any suggestions or answers to my question? Thank you so much.

I've probably spent about 30% of my life on a plane nor in a an airport! lmao I have been on a plane at least once or twice, it not more, a year since I was about 8 or so.
Good places to find cheap tickets:
Orbitz
CheapOAir
cheaptickets.com
Kayak

I would REALLY REALLY suggest going to this site:

http://www.cheapflights.com

It looks up tickets from various cheap ticket places like the ones above (orbitz, etc) so you can really scar around to find the cheapest one. There's another site similar to, a bit better even, than this, but I don't remember it....
wait
here it is

http://www.cheapticketlinks.org/

As for your passport, as long as you are staying in the US you do not need it. If you go out of the Country, even to Canada, you will. I just looked and Creighton is in Nebraska, correct? If so, forget a passport - you don't need it and it will only waste your time.

As for sleeping in the airport....not a great idea if you want to be fresh, clean, and well rested for your interview. The second link I pasted (cheapticketlinks.org) has a search option for hotels WITH the ticket I believe. I have spent many a night sleeping in the airport and let me tell you, you usually wake up sore, cranky, feeling like you have not slept at all, and feeling not so clean. Helps a bit if you can brush your teeth, but I generally find sleeping in the airport leaves me feeling like I need a long hot shower. It is definitely an option, but from personal experience - a LOT of it - I would NOT suggest it.

I may not be a pro on all of the interview stuff since I am only a Sophmore in undergrad this fall, but I have a ton of experience with the whole travel thing (haha oh the wonderful life of an army brat). You can pm me if you have questions. 🙂 If not, I wish you luck and have fun! Hope the interview goes well! 👍🙂

 

[HurricaneKatt]

Thank you for all your input and help. I have one last question after getting to the airport in Nebraska. I think I will definitely get a motel room. Is it easy to find a cab there to go around? I'm not sure what to do after I land at the place because I've never been in this situation before. Thanks again!

A lot of hotels have a van that you can hire to come pick you up from the airport, and vice versa. A lot of airports have hotel vans waiting.

 

[eternalxdemon]

once u get to the airport u can ask the tsa where to hail a cab. they're always really helpful. 🙂 good luck with the interview.

 

[Dr2BSoon]

I used to live in Nebraska, and I have to tell you that the Omaha airport will be a good place for your first flying experience. It is tiny, easy to navigate, and very clean. Once you get off the plane, go straight down the hall, out of the secure area, turn right, and head down the escalators. Baggage claim will be right there, as will all of the rental car places, hotel information and taxi information. Omaha has lots of cheap hotels and transportation to Creighton will be cheap and easy. When you call the cab place make sure they know how to get to the Creighton medical center (medical and dental area), not the undergrad campus! Good luck and enjoy Nebraska.

 

[Lopyswine]

i tried to save money on a hotel for my NYU interview and I ended up in a hostel.

the hostel would not have been so bad except for the fact that my roomate was a raver from eastern europe. I couldn't understand a word he said and he played techno music till like 3am.

 

[bballrules]

Thanks for the help!! I have one final question. How much is the average cost for an interview? For the plane roundway plane tix, a night in a hotel, food, and for the cab? Thanks!

 

[visbimmer79]

$170(hotel one night) + $200(extra)
+ $ air ticket(don't know exact cost) from CA to Ohio for CASE interview
😀

 

[Dr2BSoon]

During the week if you stay in a hotel of the Super 8 or Red Room Inn variety, you will spend $50-80 in the Midwest. I found a flight into Omaha a few weeks ago for $99 when I went to visit my parents. So flights can range from $99-to 500ish. Rental car or cabs are $50ish, food is $50ish, and interview outfit is $50-100ish. Good luck!

 

[PChemGrad]

try http://www.studentuniverse.com, you can usually find good deals for college students. Its worked for me several times.
If you do get a hotel room, one thing I would suggest doing is hang up your suit as soon as you arrive. If it is a little wrinkled hang it up in the bathroom with the shower running as hot as possible so the bathroom becomes a steam room, it will take care of some of the wrinkles.

Applying to dental schools is not cheap.
expect to spend ~$200 - 600 for each interview you have.

 

[rollredroll]

once you get on the plane. take a quick survey of who might give you some in-flight trouble. have a few cocktails for some "liquid strength" and get ready for action.

 

[visbimmer79]

wait until you go inside of the airport...after ticketing...when u are heading toward ur gate

Then u can find a lot of places to enjoy foods..

Trust me!!