? about stuffed animals and airport security

[AnnetteF]

We are leaving in 3 weeks and DD is 3 years old and brings a "friend" with her everywhere she goes. It's not always the same one and I never know who she will decide to bring until we are walking out the door, but I know that one of her stuffed animals will be joining us on our trip. Do they just x-ray them like carry on bags? Any problems with the ones that "talk", where there might be something inside it that makes it talk? I don't want her trip starting out by having to throw away one of her beloved friends. That would be traumatic for all of us! I would rather have to put my foot down before we leave and not let her bring one or put it in checked baggage, if it's necessary, but I just want to know if it is?
Also, I'm sure a new one will be joining us on the way home.

 

[dzneelvr]

Whatever your party has in their hands will be put through the xray machines. So far, I've not heard of any issues with stuffed animals--but they are VERY strict on the carryon liquids policy Putting it in your checked luggage is always the best solution

 

[queenarmadillo]

I never had any problems with mine, but am not sure I have taken one through since the increased security came in. To be on the safe side, I would make sure it is a "regular" toy with no hidden bits inside it. It will have to go through the x-ray on the belt, not with the child through the scanner. Wires for speech components etc could look a bit suspicious on the x-ray, and whilst it would probably be ok, the security would be well within their rights to cut it open to inspect the metal parts. The normal toy will show up as being all the same consistency inside, so they will be able to tell you have nothing hidden inside it. If talking toys are wanted for the rest of the trip, they will be ok in your checked luggage.

ETA If youre worried about any part of your checked baggage not being allowed through, take a stamped package envelope and allow plenty of time so you can go out and post the item back to yourself.

 

[lighttech]

What a great idea with the envelope! I'm definitely going to take one just in case.

Whatever you do, I'd talk to DS about it several days in advance. Explain that she'll have to give up the animal to security on the xray belt but will definitely get it back on the other side. Handing over your special friend to a stranger could certainly be scary. And, airport security is NOT the time for a meltdown!

Maybe comparing the security guard to a policeman would help?? Since we train them to trust police and firefighters.

Also, my DS likes to play all kinds of real life imitation games at home. ("Mommy, you behind the counter. I go buy stuff...") Maybe you can play airport and practice handing over the friend AND getting it back in a minute!

I need to check up on airport rules myself. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[lnh'smom]

What a great idea with the envelope! I'm definitely going to take one just in case.

Whatever you do, I'd talk to DS about it several days in advance. Explain that she'll have to give up the animal to security on the xray belt but will definitely get it back on the other side. Handing over your special friend to a stranger could certainly be scary. And, airport security is NOT the time for a meltdown!

Maybe comparing the security guard to a policeman would help?? Since we train them to trust police and firefighters.

Also, my DS likes to play all kinds of real life imitation games at home. ("Mommy, you behind the counter. I go buy stuff...") Maybe you can play airport and practice handing over the friend AND getting it back in a minute!

I need to check up on airport rules myself. Thanks for the reminder.

It is scary to a child. August 2002, my cousin got married in Colorado. My husband just started a new job so he couldn't go with DS (just turned 2) and myself. I was 5 months pregnant at the time. On our way home, we flew out of Denver. Of course they pick me to pat down and take my shoes off, they wouldn't let my son stand beside me so he was scared to death, he hasn't seen his dad in almost a week, he has been living in a hotel room and then they grab his blanket away from him and basically pull him through the metal detector and just toss his blanket on the x ray belt thing. He was screaming and crying. I realize they want everything to be safe and it hadn't been a year since 9/11. I just felt like they could have been a little nicer about it. I had no idea they would take his blanket away. I am not complaining, better safe than sorry, but they let him just walk through the metal detector on our flight out, not sure why they couldn't again. Anyways, I wish we had "practiced" or talked about it before it had happened.

 

[Hannathy]

If your child is taking a backpack (mine always did) have them put their friend inside the backpack right before security-so they will be extra safe when they go for their ride thru security. That is what we always did when they were young. It always made them more comfortable that their special animal was nice and safe inside the backpack and kept the stuffed animal from getting caught on the belt or dirty or forgotten in the rush. Just keep everything matter of fact and this is just what goes on and I don't know why anyone would be scared. If they don't have a backpack they have tubs the things go in and have your child put their animal in one themselves so they can see that they are just riding thru the walkway.

 

[lighttech]

It is scary to a child. August 2002, my cousin got married in Colorado. My husband just started a new job so he couldn't go with DS (just turned 2) and myself. I was 5 months pregnant at the time. On our way home, we flew out of Denver. Of course they pick me to pat down and take my shoes off, they wouldn't let my son stand beside me so he was scared to death, he hasn't seen his dad in almost a week, he has been living in a hotel room and then they grab his blanket away from him and basically pull him through the metal detector and just toss his blanket on the x ray belt thing. He was screaming and crying. I realize they want everything to be safe and it hadn't been a year since 9/11. I just felt like they could have been a little nicer about it. I had no idea they would take his blanket away. I am not complaining, better safe than sorry, but they let him just walk through the metal detector on our flight out, not sure why they couldn't again. Anyways, I wish we had "practiced" or talked about it before it had happened.

Gosh I'm sorry this happened to you! It just broke my heart thinking about my little guy in the same situation. Especially not letting him stand by you while you were getting checked. Like you said, I'm willing to put up with just about anything for safety's sake, but a little consideration when a child is involved would be nice. I'm not sure you can ever practice for other people being inconsiderate.

Hope the next trip goes much better! And have a blast with the Mouse.

 

[HLAuburn]

I just skimmed the responses, but we just went through the same thing w/ DD, so I thought I'd tell you what worked for us. I told her she could bring ONE friend along, so she picked a dog toy that squeaks! (Weird, I know). Anyway, we talked about "James" (yes that's his name) having to go in the bucket and through the xray machine just like the bags, and then we walk through the machine and he'll be on the other side. I think its important to tell her that she can get her "friend" on the other side and that he has to go through the xray machine - that way there are no surprises and meltdowns.

Good luck!

Oh, and BTW, James made it through fine!

 

[emma'smom]

The first time I flew alone with my dd, she was just about a year old. SHE actually got picked for inspection!! They made me sit her in a chair (thank goodness she could sit up well) and step away from her while they wanded her. I'm not sure what they thought might be hidden in those little Mary Janes and why I couldn't just hold her and have them wand both of us.

Anyway, she was young enough that it really didn't phase her too much...but my goodness, I thought it was pretty extreme. This was just after 9/11 and we were flying out of a small airport (just how the terrorists entered the airline system). However, it seeme a bit extreme.

These days, dd has now flown so often that she has to remind me to take my shoes off and she has her stuff in a tub before I even figure which bag has my laptop in it. She's a pro!

 

[eeyorefan74]

We flew to Tampa and back in June, and both times DD's bag was pulled off the conveyor belt for further inspection. The first time we weren't sure why, but on the way back, they stopped the belt and yelled, "Does anyone have a talking animal?". Turns out DD had packed a stuffed kitten that meows. No big deal, but next time we'll only take non-talking animals.

 

[AnnetteF]

We flew to Tampa and back in June, and both times DD's bag was pulled off the conveyor belt for further inspection. The first time we weren't sure why, but on the way back, they stopped the belt and yelled, "Does anyone have a talking animal?". Turns out DD had packed a stuffed kitten that meows. No big deal, but next time we'll only take non-talking animals.

This is exactly what I am worried about. She has a lot of talking animals, like the kind from Build-a bear. Did they let you bring it through in the end?

My concerns are not so much her having a meltdown while it is x-rayed - I think she'll be OK with that if I explain it beforehand and let her know what to expect. I just don't want her to have to leave something if they tell us she can't bring something. Thank you queenarmadillo for the envelope suggestion - that's a great idea if we find ourselves in that situation.

 

[eeyorefan74]

They did let us bring the stuffed animal through in the end after they checked it out. But I don't think I'd chance it with talking animals again. DD adores her stuffed animals, and it would be a major crisis if we had to leave one behind.

 

[Florimel]

Our DD is stuffed toy mad, but has always been quite happy to let them go through the bag check - teddy goes adventure there. Our first year we made them passports (as a way of limiting the hoardes of cuddly stow aways rather than to give to the airport officials!) I think pal mickey went through in the hand luggage before without problem, but not since the increased security.

 

[AnnetteF]

They did let us bring the stuffed animal through in the end after they checked it out. But I don't think I'd chance it with talking animals again. DD adores her stuffed animals, and it would be a major crisis if we had to leave one behind.

Sounds like you know exactly what I mean! I think I'm going to try to steer her away from the ones that talk. Problem is, right now she says she wants to bring her June and Annie from Little Einsteins to meet the real ones (we're going to the Playhouse Disney lunch and she knows it!) Since they talk, if she doesn't forget about that, they'll have to be in checked bags. Then, she'll want one to carry with her. Then, I'm sure she'll aquire a couple more on the trip. Sounds like I better bring an extra suitcase!

 

[rwrocksme]

Now, I have a funny story about this that you are gonna love to hear! (Fozzie Bear ref.)

When I was 8, my mom took me to the American Girl store in Chicago, and I took both of my dolls with me on the plane. We were going through security in our local airport (we were the ONLY people in line) and we put my bag on the conveyor belt, with the dolls inside. There were two women running the security checkpoint, and one wasn't paying attention to the x-ray screen, so the other one yells, "Oh my God, they have dead bodies in there!" The other officer belived her, and started to FREAK, while the other one just sat there and laughed.

I thought she really thought they were bodies.