Airports, the 8 differences between Italy and the United States: from shoes to First Class. Beware of missing the plane
No, they (fortunately) don't have a thing about liquids under 100ml that have to be stuffed into sachets of [...]

No, they (fortunately) don't have a thing about the liquids under 100ml which must be stuffed into clear plastic bags before security checks, as is the case at the vast majority of British airports. But Americans have their own, of peculiarities compared to Europeans, when it comes to flying. And coming a little bit prepared, to those differences, can help.
In this article:
The starting point for everything when you go to the United States is. they are not as 'elastic' as we Europeans are. In fact, they can be stiff to the point of being irritating. And the important thing, especially if you are traveling there on vacation, is to try to get irritated as little as possible.
Security checks
No (or almost no) fast track, only fast routes for U.S. citizens who, for a fee, have subscriptions to TSA, Clear, and other similar products that European passengers cannot subscribe to.
Thus, if you take a domestic flight, even in continuation of the transatlantic flight from Europe, keep in mind that at security checks you will have to take off your shoes. And that they don't care what kind of shoes you're going to have: they may be flip-flops, but you're going to have to take them off anyway, put them in the tray and proceed barefoot to the scanner. Therefore, if you are picky and going barefoot on the worn carpeting of American airports gives you the creeps, remember to wear socks, because overshoes don't even know what they are over there.
Terminals are sad
Passed security checks, don't expect the endless shopping malls that are now in any European airport (or almost any). There the stores, bars, and places to eat are placed in no particular order and the variety of supply is generally less than what we are used to in the old continent.
This doesn't mean the prices are low: the writer paid $12 in Newark for a pint of beer drunk on a stool. So the 'let's eat at the airport' idea is not necessarily the wisest, at least economically, unless you consume your meal in a fast food restaurant.
The philosophy of airport display boards
If you are looking for your flight On the information boards, keep in mind that unlike at our place, flights are listed not in the order of departure time, but in the alphabetical order of destinations: so, all flights to (for example) Atlanta will be shown one after the other and then go on to (another example) Baltimore, Chicago, and so on.
The terminal is the "home" of the company
In larger airports, if there are multiple terminals, they are often not divided between 'international' and 'domestic', but by airline: American there, United there, Delta on the other side.
Companies, in these cases, They own or otherwise directly operate the terminals, and also handle baggage handling (so if they lose them to you, it is their fault). At other airports, perhaps smaller or with a single terminal, Instead, they own the gates from which their flights depart, something that simply does not exist here in Europe.
In lounges you tip (or pay extra)
One big difference in American lounges is that 9 times out of 10, even the smallest ones, have a bar counter. As we see in the movies, Americans arrive home and already have the bottle in hand, let alone when they travel. Almost all of them have basic, free items, and then a premium offering for a fee, and you can even pay with miles.
The other certainty is that Americans tip bartenders., to waiters and in general to staff working in loiunge at customer contact. Yes I know, we Italians are the worst in the world when you talk about tipping, but the reality is that in the U.S. it is customary, so don't be a bum.
You get on the first available flight
Once at the gate, don't be startled if you see Long lists of names on the boards associated with the term 'standby': If you have regular tickets, you will not be on the list. It's just that, unlike us, Americans sometimes try to change flights once at the airport, perhaps to leave with the previous one for their own destination.
So it is normal to make "same-day" changes if you fly with traditional carriers it is almost always free and allowed, but even Southwest and other carriers allow you to change your flight without much trouble for travelers, say like taking a train (without) reservation in Italy.
The First Class (it's actually the business)
Are you traveling on what they call 'domestic First'? Don't expect to have lounge access by right if your flight is within the United States. To do this you will have to have some 'pass' or have the loyalty program status of the company or international alliance to which it belongs.
On board, they call 'First' on domestiic flights what we call 'Business' on European flights, whether those flights are operated with single-aisle aircraft or wide-body aircraft. In either case, however, the seat will not be the same as Economy, as is the case here in Europe, perhaps with the 'plus' of the seat next to it left empty.
There 'First' still means wider and more comfortable seats (and individual screen IFE) and more legroom or, in the case of flying widebody (which happens on some of the longer routes such as transcontinental routes or to the Hawaiian Islands), lie-flat seats.
Curtains should not be opened during takeoff/landing
Finally, especially in hot summer months such as these, you will notice that almost all the blackouts will be lowered, with the cabin plunged into darkness as if you always fly at night. There is no obligation here and everyone does as they please.
It's not that they are moles--it's that they suffer from the heat and keeping the 'curtains' down keeps the cabin cooler. So, if you are chilly, remember to have a sweatshirt with you, because it can get very cold indeed on board. And if darkness bothers you or you simply want to enjoy the natural light during the flight, atssure a seat near the window so that you have control over the blackout next to you.
And did you notice any other differences? Write them in the comments.