BY- S M MUJAHIDUL ALAM DEPUTY MANAGER BANGLADESH PARJATAN CORPORATION FORMER HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL AND TOURISM, NHTTI

1. AIRPORT
FORMALITIES
TGTA/ DTM
TRAVEL &
TOURISM
DEPARTMENT

2. If you want to reduce
stress
Get to the airport at
least an hour before the
recommended minimum
check-in time.
This can be as little as
20 minutes for domestic
flights from small airports
if having hand luggage
only, 3 hours for an
international flight.
Get in

3. Landside and
airside
Airports consist of two
areas:
landside with the
check-in and baggage
drop.
airside with the
aircraft. To get airside,
passengers must clear
the security barrier.

4. Check-in
The actual check-in, i.e.
confirming to the airline that you
will take the booked flight and
that the airline should expect
your arrival...and possibly, look
for you should you not arrive at
the gate on time (depending on
specific airline policies)
Handing your hold luggage to
ground handling staff (checking it
in), who will tag it for your
ticketed destination, and take
care of it on its way to your
airplane's luggage hold
Getting your boarding pass to
enable you to continue further

5. Boarding pass
The flight ticket itself
does not enable you to
board the plane; for this,
you need a boarding pass.
 Check-in is the process
of producing your boarding
pass, which includes seat
numbers, departure times
and gates.
 In the security check,
only passengers with
boarding passes are
admitted in.

6. Baggage
The check-in staff will print a
bar-coded baggage tag once your
bags are processed; the longer
part of it will be attached to your
baggage while the shorter part
will be given to you. Keep this, as
upon arrival, some airports may
require passengers to present
these along with their baggage to
ensure that the person carrying
the baggage is indeed the owner.
These baggage tags are also
useful if you suspect some of
your check-in baggage is missing
or similar to other baggage.

7. Security check
Always keep your luggage with you
until you've checked your large
pieces, then carry-ones before and
after personal security check.
Never make jokes about bombs,
weapons, or other security threats.
There is no room for humor on this
topic;
In general, you will not be allowed
to carry any sharp objects (eg. Knives,
scissors, razor blades) or firearms
onto a flight, and these items must be
put in your check-in baggage.
You must present identification
(perhaps except for toddlers) and
boarding pass(es) for your flight. Keep
your ID and boarding passes with you
throughout the process.

8. How to avoid unnecessary delays
 Don't wear hiking boots or shoes with large metal loops or steel plates in the
soles.
 Choose footwear that's easy to slip on and off; wear socks to avoid
dirt/organisms on the floor.
 Avoid wearing or carrying unneeded items you'll have to remove before
inspection.
 Avoid wearing metal objects, like a belt-buckle or use ones that are easy to take
off.
 Put small metal/electronic items in external garment pockets or hand-carried
luggage (so that you do not have to perform extra moves to take them off you)
 Remove items that create bulges from trouser/pant pockets - just an unnecessary
way to generate inspector questions.
 You may be required to show that any electronic device functions. Make sure
their batteries are charged and inserted for a brief demonstration.
 Join a queue with what looks like experienced travellers. They probably know the
ins and out and prepared accordingly, which can make the process proceed much
faster than usual.

9. Boarding times
 Your boarding ticket specifies Boarding time, which is when boarding
starts (not when it ends). Usually the boarding starts even after the
printed time, but for short flights at least 30+ minutes before
departure...for international flights on large aircraft, sometimes 45+
minutes.
 The gate closes (boarding stops) usually only 10–15 minutes before
departure so give yourself plenty of time to get to the gate, especially if
the airport is large, you are far away from the gate, or you don't know
your way around the airport. Contact your travel agent for advice.

10. Delays /
cancellations
Airlines never unnecessarily
cancel or delay flights; it costs
too much, in money, perturbs
many other flight schedules,
and generates poor public
relations.
When they do delay or
cancel, they usually go to
great lengths to arrange seats
on another flight, sometimes
even on another airline.
 If a cancellation has been
caused by them, they are
required by law to pay you
certain compensations and/or
arrange lodging and/or meals
until you can be flown to your
destination.

11. Preparing to board
Find the gate where you are
boarding: be there no later than
30 minutes before the flight's
scheduled departure, and
preferably a little earlier. Even if
you have a few hours before your
connecting flight, it's always a
good idea to go straight to the
gate in order to familiarize
yourself with the area and ensure
you're never more than a few
minutes away in case you lose
track of time.
At the gate, airline staff will
check your boarding pass...just as
you board, perhaps earlier; they
may also want to see photo ID.
Once done, you will be counted
as being on board the flight.

12. Boarding
The boarding gates close
10–20 minutes before
departure (sometimes more)
and you'll likely hear no
announcements to that effect
outside the gate area.
The last boarders
(especially in economy class)
may find all overhead luggage
space full. Any carry-ons that
cannot fit underneath the
seat in front of you may have
to be checked...with valuables
if any.