Domestic Airport Security Guide for those with Anxiety: New Zealand Edition
Security at an airport can be intimidating at the best of times. But, when you have never done this before it can appear like a dance that everyone seems to know the steps to, and you are just in the corner doing the side step shuffle as you have no idea what is going on and you are kind of freaking out. This was my first airport experience.
I had my first security experience solo. I was travelling to another country alone and I also just got off the phone from my boyfriend who told me he had cheated on me and that it was okay because he was drunk. After having a dignified crying session in the airport toilet, I had to go through security. And I was terrified. Because, what if I got stripped searched and everyone saw I am wearing my gross grandma undies, the ones with the holes. Or someone put drugs in my bag without knowing and I went to jail. These were the thoughts rushing through the head. They may seem kind of ridiculous. But when you are in the middle of a spiralling anxiety attack, these are actually one hundred percent rational. Even imagined my time in prison. I did not do well.
So friend, I am making you a guide for the domestic airport experience; A New Zealand Edition. Though I feel like a lot of these would be universal.
Check in
When you arrive at the airport, the first thing you will need to do is check in. This can be done online for a lot of airlines, or you can do it at the airport. Look out for your airline check in area. Once you have reached your check in machine, you can type it your booking reference in to that machine. Then it will ask you a few questions, and then it will print off your luggage tag, if you are checking in luggage as well as your boarding pass. Do not forgot to pick that up. This is an important piece of paper that will allow you to get on the plane.
Attach the luggage tag to your bag and now it is time to check in your luggage.
Checking in Luggage
You will come to a luggage area that is designated for your airline. It should be very near where you checked in. You walk down to another machine. If your bag has straps or is small you will need to grab one of those large plastic tubs and place your bag inside. If it is a hard case or large simply place it directly onto the conveyer belt. Next touch the machine screen, answer some questions about your luggage, and then you will need to scan the luggage tag barcode with the scanner. Then your bag will be off.
Another thing to note is that you carry on bag should not be more than 7kg, while your check in bag can be 23kg. This will vary according to airline, but for Air NZ these are the limits.
Going through the metal scanners
This is the fun part. Make sure when you go through you do not have any prohibited items. For air NZ these can be found here https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/restricted-items . Once you have triple checked that you are all above board and have nothing that will make you seem like a security threat, it is time to get this party started. Once it is your turn, you are going to want to grab one of those plastic containers. Put your bag into it. But only if your bag fits. So a backpack or a handbag, not a huge roller bag. This will go straight onto the conveyance belt. You will need to take out your laptop and any liquids. The liquids need to be in a clear 100ml container, which will again need to be in a clear enclosed bag. It is kind of a Matryoshka doll thing. But they will not let you bring your huge bottle of Pantene shampoo along for the rise. You will also need to detach yourself from your cellphone for a few minutes as this will also need to go in the container.
Take off the jacket. The jacket you are wearing will most likely make the metal detector beep and then you will have to spend time having the wavy thing waved over your body. They will also most likely ask you to take off the jacket. So, let’s all save time and simply take off the jacket. I have tested going through in a hoodie and a poncho, and no one tackled me, so I think this is okay. It is only jackets. I think a blazer would be okay. Oh. Also, take off your belt. Cues sexy music. Not in that way, trust me there is nothing less sexy as the airport security area. Well I guess, maybe a hospital. Anyway, make sure you take your belt off as this can cause the beepers to go off as well.
The only thing you should have on your person when you go through that metal detector is your boarding pass, your clothes, sans jacket and maybe a smile. But do not be offended if they do not smile back. It is kind of their thing, the straight-faced thing.
Walk through when they either give you a head nod, or a regal wave with their hand or they shout next. This means it is your turn to not beep. Think non beepy thoughts as you walk through. If it is all good, you will not beep. If the metal detector beeps you will have to go to the side. The security guy will then wave hand held metal detector all over your body to try and determine why you went beep. Things that can set them off are watches, belt buckles, shoes um, other things with metal in it.
After that bracing experience, look on your boarding pass to find out what gate you need to go to.
Boarding the plane
Now it is time to board the plane. This often means a lot of time waiting around. More waiting. And perhaps even more waiting. This is a great time to read, or catch up on a Netflix show. Or simply stare out into space. Or sleep. Sleeping is a great way to pass the time. When it is time to board, they normally call it over the intercom. Something along the lines of Flight so and so to so and so is boarding now. Normally the first people who board are the so called important people. This means the people in business class, premium class, gold class etc. Basically everyone expect us lowly plebs. Next, they will normally say something along the lines of now boarding rows 1 to 10 or something like that. You can find your row number on your boarding pass. You will then walk up to the gate, they will scan your ticket. Say hello so and so, and you are on your way. Once in the plane, you will again show the air hostess your boarding pass and then you can find your seat. Fingers crossed that it is not the middle seat.
And that it concludes my primer on Domestic Airport Security in New Zealand. Hope this helps.