Moving in Alone. Need Help

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Alabama
1

<p>I just found out today that I’m moving in alone. My father can’t get the time off of work necessary to take me, and he found cheap plane tickets. </p>

<p>This will be my first time in Alabama because we postponed my orientation to August 17 in order to save on travel costs. </p>

<p>I apologize in advance for all of my questions. </p>

<p>Neither I, nor anyone in my family, has ever been on a plane before. How early before the flight should I arrive at the airport? Is there anything special that I need to do in preparation for boarding the plane? I’m not sure what size carry-on bags are. Would two carry-on bags be enough for me to be able to take everything that I absolutely need? I will be shipping the rest. </p>

<p>My plan is to take what I absolutely need with me on the plane, ship most other things, and do the store pick-up at Walmart or Target for everything else. The problem is that I don’t own a car, and, due to medical problems, I have yet to learn how to drive. Is this plan feasible for someone alone without a car? By what date should I ship my boxes?</p>

<p>I plan to call UA in order to ask if I can move in a few days early. (My move-in date is the day after orientation.) I understand that the legal age in Alabama is 19. If I am not allowed to move in early, is there a safe hotel or motel that is easily accessible that will allow 18 year-olds to stay alone? </p>

<p>This is the list of things I need to do before moving in. Please tell me if I’m missing anything.
-Open up bank account.
-Get credit card.
-Pack and ship boxes.
-Pack carry-on bags.
-Get my shots and fill out immunization forms.
-Print out work study forms.
-Order items online for store pickup.
-Order ride on bus from airport to campus. </p>

<p>Thanks for any help. I understand that I am asking a lot of questions. I don’t have anyone in my family that has experienced this before, so I (obviously) need lots of help!</p>

2

<p>What airline are you flying? From which airport?</p>

3

<p>When are you scheduled to arrive in Tuscaloosa and where are you coming from? We move my D in on the 10th and will be there until the 11th. I would be happy to help you get things picked up at Walmart/Target if you are there on the 11th. I’m a mom and at 4’11", I don’t think you would be afraid of riding with this “stranger”.</p>

4

<p>You will need a federal or state issued photo ID for security checkpoints. (Since you don’t have a drivers license this might be something you don’t have and don’t want to be rushed in obtaining.)</p>

5

<p>Tommy, I will be flying Southwest Airlines. </p>

<p>SMBradshaw, thanks so much, but I won’t be in Alabama on the 11th. The hospitality that I have experienced on this forum is overwhelming. Roll Tide!</p>

<p>NRDMOM, I have my ID. Thanks for the reminder to have it on me.</p>

6

<p>I really doubt you’ll find a hotel room anywhere at this point. If you do, verify whether you’ll be allowed to check in. Staying alone shouldn’t be a problem, but checking in might be.</p>

<p>Your best bet is to contact Housing and explain your situation and see if they’ll allow you to change your move in date. There is a shuttle that runs to Walmart and Target. I’m not sure, but I think it is just on weekends.</p>

<p>If you’ll send me a PM once you’ve finalized your plans, I’ll try to help you out with getting you to Target and Walmart and back to campus if our schedules are compatible while I’m there for D’s move in.</p>

7

<p>If you can’t find a hotel or get housing to let you move in early, please contact the Honors College and tell them your situation. They may be able to find a solution for you. </p>

<p>Let me know if you have a problem. :)</p>

8

<p>Thanks bamagirls and mom2ck. My plans should be finalized tomorrow. I’ll definitely call both the honors college and housing. Bamagirls, thanks for the offer. Does the shuttle only run on the weekends for the entire school year? I’ll definitely have to find the schedule for that.</p>

9

<p>I will be on campus from 8/13 through 8/18. I am helping with recruitment but will have some free time as well. I am happy to help. Maybe we can put together an email/text/phone list for her so she can reach out to multiple people if one is not available?</p>

10

<p>ahpimommy, that would be phenomenal if other people are willing to do it. There are people I’ve known for years who aren’t this open and generous. This makes me even more excited to attend Bama.</p>

11

<p>My son will be there for outdoor action. What dorm are you staying in? He is the only one coming in early in his suite in RCS-N 3rd floor(think I wrote that right!!), so if you are in that dorm, you may be able to stash some things in there until you can get in your room. </p>

<p>Let me know if you want his contact info, and I can PM you his address. Are you on the incoming freshman FB page? Try to find other students doing orientation on the 17th. </p>

<p>And have you been in contact with your roommate? When are they getting in? </p>

<p>Also, what airport are you leaving from (where do you live?)</p>

12

<p>I’ll be on campus 8/17-8/18. Please count me in for assistance if needed.
It’s a girls’ weekend for me and my BFF in Ttown. We’ll be on campus to experience Bid Day ;)</p>

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<p>A couple of friends and I will be in RCSN early as well. Let me know if you need any help (storing your stuff or needing a ride somewhere).</p>

14

<p>Wait, you are going 2 weekends in a row??? NOT FAIR…</p>

15

<p>OK let me see if I can give you some help…First of all let’s start with Southwest check in. I’m not sure what airport you are flying out of but a good general rule of thumb is that you need to check in at the airport 2 hours prior to departure. Especially if you are checking luggage.</p>

<p>The lines at TSA checkpoints are much longer this time of year in some airports. We fly out of Midway and I have seen the lines double in length from normal this summer as the TSA is trying to convince the govt to not cut its budget. So less TSA agents on the line…</p>

<p>When you get to the security line you will need to have your Security Document, or Boarding Pass and your Drivers License, if you do not have a DL then you will need to get a State ID. Or you can use a Passport if you have one. YOu must have one of these 3 items to pass thru security.</p>

<p>Once the TSA agent checks your ID, he will hand you them back and you will go to the screening area. You will take a bin, put your shoes in it, put your backpack on top and your carryon will go on the conveyor belt thru the xray machine. Do not leave your belongings until they are on the conveyor and going thru. Then you will pass thru the metal detector or you will have to go to the xray machine. The TSA will direct you either way.</p>

<p>Once you clear that you will pick up your belongings that were in the bin and go to your gate. Make sure that you stay in the gate area at least 30 minutes prior to your flight time. </p>

<p>OK back to packing: Take two suitcases and fill them as much as you can … be aware that the max weight is 50# or you will be charged for overweight luggage. We used the bathroom scale to weigh ours and we were at 49#. I think the fine is $100, but you’d need to check the site to be sure.</p>

<p>I highly recommend space bags if you have them, they really do cut the bulk of bedding, towels, etc. I also recommend that you use luggage straps…that way you don’t have to worry about your luggage ending up all over if a zipper splits. Ok so that is your checked luggage…now on to your carry on…</p>

<p>In your carry on bring all of your electronics, cords, meds, and a change of clothes just in case your luggage does not make it. Have all of your liquids in 3 oz or less containers in ONE quart size ziplock bag. TSA can be really picky about this, or they may not even care. If you do a search in google for “bag and zip for the short trip” you will see the pdf with a graphic of how things should be arranged in the quart bag.</p>

<p>You can also bring a ‘personal item’ as a smaller carry on. This would be a computer bag, or a backpack. Put a snack in here, book, magazine, etc and then pack some more of your stuff in it.</p>

<p>Took my son to do the Disney Internship using this process and he was there for 7 months with no problem. When he got there he emptied them out and then put one inside the other and shoved them under the bed. Used them to come home and all was good.</p>

<p>I am the head of travel for a large college in Chicago. I work with students, many who have never been a plane before, all the time, please feel free to PM me if I can help at all with travel advice.</p>

16

<p>Vlines, I am staying in Riverside East. </p>

<p>I am on the incoming freshman Facebook page. I think someone already posted about orientation on the 17th. I’ll check and see who’s attending that day. </p>

<p>One of my roommates is doing OA, so she’s moving in early. I’m not sure about the other two roommates. I’ll ask them. </p>

<p>I live in MD. I’m leaving from the BWI airport.</p>

17

<p>Thank you, asaunmom and Tommy. </p>

<p>Thanks, buzymom3. Having some insight into the flying process eases my worries a lot. That’s the main reason I’m nervous. I can’t believe how early I have to be there! If it wasn’t for you, I probably would have missed my flight.</p>

18

<p>We’ll be there 8/17-8/19 - add us to the list. We plan on a store run or two as well. One can only sniffle sadly into DS’s clean boxers during unpack for so long - </p>

<p>What’s the best way to start a list? Alphimommy?</p>

19

<p>I live in Maryland. I sent you an email just a minute ago withm son’s contact info. If one of your roomates is doing OA, then maybe she can let you put your stuff in the room a little early. That would be ideal. </p>

<p>I sent you my son’s contact info too. He said to call him or friend him on FB and he is happy to help. </p>

<p>Do you need any help while in MAryland? We are in Pasadena, if I can, I would be happy to help before you leave.</p>

20

<p>Do you know what day/ time you are flying out exactly? </p>

<p>Remember that you can mail some items to school also. That may save you money if you have things that you were given for graduation, or that you already have at home to use.</p>