At the Airport

Date: 3/17/2024

Time: Check your flight schedule online. Flight times and gates are subject to change. Please arrive at CMH airport at least 2.5 hours ahead and check in with your flight group teachers (see Flight Itinerary). The flight change makes the wait time in Chicago shorter. Be prompt. We will go through security check with the chaperones in a small group. 

Notes: 

1. Check your passport and eTicket before you leave home.

2. When you arrive at airport, check in with Dr. Yan and Dr. Yang first. The United Airlines check-in counter service could be crowded on the second day of spring break and the line could be slow.  If you arrive too late, your luggage might not make the flight.

3. Dr. Yan and Dr. Yang will be at Columbus Airport at least two and half hours before our departure.  Please arrive at the airport at least two hours before our departure time.  Dr. Yan and Dr. Yang will wait by the ticket counter until everyone checks in with UA.  Dr. Yan’s cell phone number is 614-595-6381, and Dr. Yang’s number is 614-956-8437. Please turn on your cell phone in the morning in case we need to contact you. If you don’t show up in airport in time, you will miss the trip altogether.

4. Students should wait for an adult trip chaperone to go through a security check together.  Be prepared to follow TSA instructions (all liquids in a one-quart ziplock, no metal in pockets, etc.).

5. One of the adults will be waiting at the gate ahead of time. Report to him or her right after going through security check.

6. Please be aware of the flight schedule and time changes in Chicago.

Notes: 

1. Keep hydrated on plane. If you miss the water cart, you can always go to the kitchen in the back and ask for water.

2. Try to take naps. Playing video games all the time is not in your best interest.

3. Our trip contact parent is Mr. Edwin Lim (lime@columbusacademy.org). He will email all parents to report our safe arrival in Taiwan.  If our return flight is delayed, we will contact Mr. Lim to share that information with all the parents.

4. Try to keep healthy before the trip by drinking water, exercising, having enough sleep and using hand sanitizer. Since we have time to pack before the spring break, please get plenty of rest before we travel.

Notes: 

1. When we get off plane, there will NOT be restroom and snack breaks until we are all gathered. Plan ahead by using the restrooms on the plane before we get off.

2. Upon arriving Taipei and Osaka Airport, a flight attendant will give you customs entry form.  Please complete the form (in pen) while you are on the plane.  You also might need to complete a health form after arriving.  Keep your pen handy!

3. Throw away any fruit before entering customs.

4. Keep your tech devices with you in a zipped case.  Never leave any valuables in suitcases.

5. Check the seat pocket and overhead compartment before you leave the plane.

6. We will find a spot for our group to gather as we get off the plane and we will do a head count before we head to customs together.

7. Students, please go through customs with your team leader.  Don’t take off alone!

8. After we pass through customs, we will get our luggage from the carrousel.  You should not need to declare any items.  We will use the restrooms before we get out of the customs area.

9. We will not exchange money in the baggage claim. Please do your currency exchange before the trip. 

10. Take a picture and make a copy of your passport pages (picture page) as a backup.