First time flying. How do I check in? Any tips?

Have no fear! The airport is a simple place. First, you should leave to the airport around 2 and a half hours before your flight if you are traveling within the US, and if you are going internationally, leave 3 hours before your departure time. You will pull up on to the ramp, and you will see signs that will have the names of airlines on them, for example, Southwest Airlines, Delta Airlines, America West, Virgin America, and so on. Stop at the sign that has your airline listed on it. Walk inside with all of your luggage. Walk to the desk, and you will be told what to do by the agent. Give them all of the luggage you want to not carry-on to the plane. He or she will then give you are boarding pass, if you have not yet printed it online, and some baggage receipts, just in case your bags get lost. Then, proceed to the TSA Security, with your carry-on bag. Give the TSA Agent your ID and Boarding pass. They will sign the boarding pass, and give you both items back. They will tell you which line to go to. Put your carry-on bag into the X-ray, and remove your shoes, jacket, and any metal devices including a cell phone, rings, ear rings, belts, etc. Put them in a bin. Then, put them into the X-ray as well. A TSA Agent will tell you to walk under a metal detector X-ray. It will beep if you still have metal on you. If no metal is on you, you will be free to go. Retrieve your items at the end of the X-ray. Walk to your gate. For example, if your gate is B19, walk towards the sign that says, "To B Gates", or whatever your gate number is. Sit down, and wait until boarding. Boarding will be explained to the passengers before entering.

Once you get to your destination airport, walk towards the sign that says, "Baggage Claim"; follow the other passengers if you are not sure where to go. There will be a carousel, and then once you see your bag(s), pull them off. Remember, it may take 10-20 minutes for bags to begin to arrive. Walk outside, and wait for the person picking you up. Good luck, and email me if you have any more questions.

Check in online, print your boarding passes, and go straight to security when you get to the airport. At security you will need to have your boarding pass out (for your first flight), and your photo ID. They will scan your carry-on baggage, and also your shoes so you'll have to be prepared to take them off. You will walk through a metal detector and pick up your stuff on the other side. Check out the TSA websites for information about what you can and cannot take in your carry-on bag, as well as the rules regarding liquids (www.tsa.gov).

When you get to Atlanta for your layover, you will not have to go through security again. You will just head to the appropriate gate and wait for your flight.

See other comments, so much better to check in online, go straight to security. Just go to gate in ATL. Don't forget: Liquids in a plastic bag!

check in online, print your itenerary, go straight to security. in atlanta go to your gate dont go thru security just wait on next flight ! Last time i had a layover was in 05 could be different!

Don't think that this is right

It depends..