2 1/2 Yearl Olds Going Through Security...talk me through it.

[SamSam]

DH and I will be taking our 2 1/2 year old twin grandson to WDW with us in a couple of weeks and I'm just not sure of the security procedure for them. Will they have to walk through on their own? possibly between gramma and grampa..or will we be able to carry them?

 

[WDGPCFR]

You will not likely be able to carry them through the security checkpoint. The best way to do it is for one of you to go through first and then send the kids through. It would be great to have a prize on the other side but you have to empty your pockets before going through.

 

[Disney4Shaw]

With our son I walked through and he followed me. His Dad came through last. That way he was not "alone". He had no problem with it at all. You never know with kids that age how they are going to react. We were also told he didn't have to take off his shoes which made things a little easier.

 

[PWammy]

They walk through alone, shoes on, everything on the belt. I take all the time I need, it can be a little stressful. When she was in her stroller I would pop it back up and buckle her in and then get myself back together with my shoes and bags.

 

[Gracie09]

We were able to walk through with my daughter (we carried them). As long as the metal detector didn't go off we were fine. If it did we would have to go through one by one.

 

[SamSam]

Thank you for your quick responses...love the helpfulness of everyone on the Disboards.

I will prepare them to walk through on their own, me (gramma) going first then each boy followed by grampa. They are very social and love people so I think it will go okay, however, one of them gets scared pretty easily in new situations so I will do my best to prepare him.

It will definitely be an adventure for two oldies who haven't traveled with kids in many years.

 

[Madzac]

I would guess it depends on the agent but I was able to carry our DD, in fact I had her in a front pack (19 mon old) and they didnt even make me take her out on either time through.

 

[SamSam]

I would guess it depends on the agent but I was able to carry our DD, in fact I had her in a front pack (19 mon old) and they didnt even make me take her out on either time through.

We do change planes going and coming, so I am preparing for the fact that different agents will have different requirements. It would really be sweet if they let us carry the boys through, but I'm not counting on it. They're 2 1/2 - look 3 because of their size, so more may be expected of them.

 

[aubriee]

My husband and I took our then 3 1/2 y/o GS to WDW last Feb (2012). We talked to him before the trip about how Nana would go through the metal detector first, then he'd follow, then Bopop would come right behind him. When we got to security, we were pulled over to the full body scanner. As we got into line, I started explaining how I'd go through, the doors would close, then I would have to put my feet on the yellow footprints inside, and would have to raise my arms up and stand really still while they took a picture, then the door on the other side would open, I'd walk out and then he'd have to do the same thing. He is very tiny for his age and looked maybe 2 y/o, but is also very smart, so was just nodding that he understood and would do it, but also looked rather tentative and nervous as he held my hand. The gate agent over there, shook his head, glared at his coworker who had pulled us out of the other line and told my husband to take our GS and go back through the other line with the regular metal detector. I asked if I could go with them, but he said no, one of us had to go through the scanner, but there was no use putting our GS through that, so he was sending him and my husband through the regular metal detector. My husband sent him through first, telling him to wait for him on the other side. My GS did fine, but really was not happy that I was seperated from them, even though he could still see me. I'm still not sure why I got called out for the body scanner. I was wearing shorts and a thin tshirt, so obviously was not able to hide anything, even if I'd wanted to. Anyway, my point is, you might want to prepare them that one of you might get pulled to another area to go through a different scanner, so you might get seperated, but that's OK and not a big deal.

Oh yeah, if they have any kind of stuffed animal with them, let them know ahead of time that they will have to let it go long enough to go through the scanner with the carry ons. The first time, I took my GD on a trip she had a little stuffed green bunny that she took everywhere and was very unhappy when she had to put it on the belt to go through the scanner. That was my fault for not preparing her.

 

[bumbershoot]

aubriee, you can opt out. They aren't even supposed to be sending a family to that scanner at all, from our experience. DH loves being with us on trips because he knows he won't be sent to the scanner (he opts out and gets the patdown instead), while before he got "status" with airlines he was sent there on most times through security on his business trips.

Anyway, I just say "I'll take the patdown" if I'm traveling alone and they want me to do the scanner. My son is an experienced traveler and is nearly 9, and I do not think he would like seeing me in one of those things. Of course seeing the patdown would probably just make him giggle madly, LOL.



OP, just get there EARLY, refuse to rush, listen to what is being told to you, ask questions if you have them. Getting there early will save everything, because you don't have to rush anywhere.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

OP, why not check TSA's website for this information?

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/traveling-children

http://apps.tsa.dhs.gov/mytsa/video...+trip+easier.+Go+to+www.tsa.gov+to+learn+more.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I would guess it depends on the agent but I was able to carry our DD, in fact I had her in a front pack (19 mon old) and they didnt even make me take her out on either time through.

That is because infants and small children may be carried through the metal detector (see the links posted above), although you may be subject to extra screening.

A 2 1/2 year old is more than old enough to walk through a metal detector.

 

[maxiesmom]

aubriee, you can opt out. They aren't even supposed to be sending a family to that scanner at all, from our experience.

That has been my experience too. If you have anyone in your group that is under 12 they should send you all through the regular walk thru metal detectors.

 

[CourtneyL]

That has been my experience too. If you have anyone in your group that is under 12 they should send you all through the regular walk thru metal detectors.

I wish this was our experience at MCO... Both times we flew when DD was an infant my DH got pulled aside for extra scanning/pat down. Leaving me to deal with ALL the bags, DH's shoes and pocket things, the stroller, the car seat, and a baby. Wasn't a fun experience at all.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thank you for your quick responses...love the helpfulness of everyone on the Disboards.

I will prepare them to walk through on their own, me (gramma) going first then each boy followed by grampa. They are very social and love people so I think it will go okay, however, one of them gets scared pretty easily in new situations so I will do my best to prepare him.

It will definitely be an adventure for two oldies who haven't traveled with kids in many years.

It's not going to be a big deal at all. Practice at home. Have your grandson practice walking through a doorway. Put up a pretend conveyor belt that he gets to put his things on.....make him feel more important. As noted already, if he has a 'lovie' it will have to go through the scanner...and this freaks a lot of little ones out!! Reassure him that it will come right out!!!
When kids know what is going to happen, they react very well. It's the not knowing and subsequent frenzy that gets to them. Be sure that he is aware of what will happen at security. Tell him that people will be rushing around, all in a dither. Have him practice walking through that doorway, in between you two. Reassure him that one of you will be waiting for him as he walks thru, and the other one is right behind him. Let him know that even if another adult gets thru, there won't be an issue and tell him what to do.
My dd started flying at 3....she was expected to be responsible for her own carryon and going through security then. Yes, we 'taught' her but she was on her own. We needed to know that she knew what to do.

 

[MaleficentRN]

You've gotten a lot of great advice. I just want to add to prepare them for if the alarm on the metal detector goes off, it will make a noise and they will be wanded and possibly patted down. I like the "walking through the doorway" game. Maybe make a game that who ever makes the door "beep" gets a prize?

 

[SamSam]

With all your wonderful advice and links, I feel much better about security. We are actually picking the boys up today for an overnighter, so we'll talk about some of things that will go on when we fly in a couple of weeks. We also have a child's book about flying that we'll read.

Thank you all!

 

[bleeps]

[deleted]

 

[nhmommy]

We do change planes going and coming, so I am preparing for the fact that different agents will have different requirements. It would really be sweet if they let us carry the boys through, but I'm not counting on it. They're 2 1/2 - look 3 because of their size, so more may be expected of them.

Typically you only go through security at your airport of origin not at layovers.

 

[arthuruscg]

When we went with my 18month old, he walked thru by his self. Grandma went first and I told him to go to grandma. With so much going on at security, he didn't even know what was going on and we made it into a game.

If you keep calm and relaxed, he will be calm and relaxed. It is the monkey see monkey do behavior.