1st time flying out of Newark questions

[renae3]

Hi everyone. Well, its been over 10 years since I have flown, so I assume things have changed! We will be flying out of Newark from Jet Blue and it will be myself, DH, DD3, DS6, and DS9. I have so many questions and am clueless....can anyone help me? Where do we park? Is it better to take a shuttle offsite and have them drop you off at the terminal? We will have lots of luggage....does hubby and I have to carry it all or are there carts? What is the check in process? Can we bring food on board?

Any hints to help us newbie fliers? Oh, we also need luggage....any suggestions? Sorry for all the questions.....but we need help! Thanks so much in advance!

 

[lurkernj]

Newark is our home airport too. On-site parking is expensive, so we have gone offsite. I know we used to use avistar-mcclellan, but their rates are sometimes expensive. I'm can't be sure, but I think we used e-z park last summer. Both provide transportation to the airport and efficient pickup service. Last summer, they were already waiting for us when I called them to pick us up. We try to pay under $10/day, can sometimes get good deals around $7/day. I wouldn't hesitate to go this route. The shuttle driver will help you with your luggage to some degree, but there are carts and guys at the curb to help you too.

You can bring food on-board, just no liquids. Your fellow passengers would appreciate if it wasn't something smelly

Can't say much about luggage, just something that moves well with wheels, and some things with straps so you can stack it ontop of the one with wheels.

 

[jel0511]

EWR is my home airport as well. We park at the Parking Spot 2 and they usually have a coupon for $10 a day. They pick you up right at your car and drop you off right at the terminal. Jet Blue flies out of Terminal A, so you'll be the first stop. When you get dropped off, the driver will help you remove your luggage from the van, but after that you're on your own to get it to check-in. We usually have each of us take a bag, there are 4 of us, and drag it to check-in. If that's not an option for you, there are carts for rent $4 then pile your luggage on top to get to check-in. I can't remember if Jet Blue had curb side check-in, they probably do and there usually is a fee per bag to use this service.

 

[mieuxmew]

We are flying out of Newark for our trip to Disney this year. Have always used Philly or Atlantic CIty airports, as rates are cheaper. Both airports are much smaller and easier to travel with kids. At Philly, I had an offsite parking service that rove you and your luggage in your car and on return met you at the terminal with your own car. Much easier with kids and luggage (less transfers). Haven't found this with off site parking at Newark. If anyone knows of such a service please share!

If you don't live too far from Newark, you may want to consider a car service. You would be picked up at your home and dropped off at the terminal. Much more efficient. For us it is $150 + tip round trip. My husband keeps joking about offering to pay a friend's college kids to drive us to and from the airport.

To find good rates on offsite parking check this website
www.aboutairportparking.com

I do not recommend long term parking at Newark. Besides being expensive it is very time consuming. My husband and I used long term parking a few years ago (no kids) and no kidding it took an extra 45 minutes to drive there, park and get a shuttle to the terminal!

 

[mieuxmew]

Regarding luggage....

Airlines have a limit of 50 pounds each (Spirit is 40 pounds) and 62 linear inches (length+width+height). Anything larger or heavier will incur a heafty oversize/overweight fee (or both!) Manufacturers give dimensions for suitcase unfilled and do not account for wheels or handles, so take a tape measure with you when you shop.

I would get 26 or 27 inch spinners. Spinners have 4 wheels on the bottom, so no need to pull bag. Advantages of spinners are they are MUCH easier to manuever, as you don't have to pull bag behind you. One person can easily walk with two suitcases (no weight to drag). (it is even possible for one person to manage 4 suitcases with two upright back to back and lining up handles). My kids have no problems pushing a suitcase each and they are tiny 7 year olds. They love it and fight over whose turn it is! Look for suitcase UNDER 10 pounds empty! I have 26 inch Hayes Disney suitcases I bought on a great sale. I tie a very colorful bow on our suitcases so I can quickly recognize our suitcases at baggage claim.

Check Macy's one day sales. They can have some really great deals on suitcases and you can see them in person . Bring a coupon. Spend a few more dollars and get good quality suitcases. Makes a big difference traveling with little ones in the long run. Samsonite is top rated, but can be pricey. Hayes is also very well respected. Check Sam's or Costco if you are member.

Hope it helps!

 

[njmom47]

Are you far from Newark Airport? There are hotels nearby that you can stay the night, leave your car there (for a small fee, cheaper than airport parking) and they will have a shuttle to take you there. We usually fly out of AC but last year I flew out of Newark and used a shuttle service (but it was only me). When the kids and I flew a few years ago, we had a private car service (but we knew the guy so we got a decent rate) but we have also used a shuttle service. I had one medium size suitcase when I was alone, but when we all fly, we've done curbside check in...so much easier than lugging stuff through the airport. The security lines were very quick as well. I went behind businessmen because they usually fly freuently and are quick to know how to get through. Newark is a really big airport compared to AC.

 

[DVC BLT]

Newark is also my primary airport, given that I live in Essex County.

I also have young children 2 and 4 and know exactly what your facing. I do not like dragging the kids on the "shuttle" with a stroller and our bags, so what I do is pull up to Terminal A (JetBlue) and the first stop is an outside JetBlue counter. Park the car along the curb and leave the kids in the car, go to the counter and check in and let the guys there take your bags out of your car and you wont see them again until Orlando. Yes, it may cost you a few extra bucks ($10 with tip?) but its worth it. Then my wife and kids get out to see the gentleman at the counter and they wait for me inside while I go park offsite / long-term.

When the kids are older and I can leave the stroller home, you bet we'll take the shuttle from an offsite long term parking vendor.

With all that said, for our next trip i'm getting a car service to take us in a van for +160 with tip each way. I'm on vacation, not looking to kill myself.

Security is a pain with the kids, pack your patience and give yourself plenty of time so you don't have to worry about getting held up. Our last 2 trips, I got randomly selected for additional security screening (with a 18 month old in one hand and a diaper bag in the other). Nice...

Good luck - have a great trip!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You need to visit three websites before your trip. Go to JetBlue's website for luggage information to make sure you get luggage which is not oversized for either check-in or carry-on, as well as an explanation of all of their other policies (boarding, seat selection, food available for purchase, etc.). Then go to TSA.gov to familiarize yourself with current security regulations, including what can and cannot be brought through security. They have good information on travel with children as well. Then go to the website for Newark for a map, transportation options, etc. This should answer most of your questions.