ACK! Getting around the airport with all our STUFF & kids?

[Karenj2]

I'm beginning to panic a little bit... We're going in September (< 30 days!) with our 4 year old and twin 15 month olds. I'm trying to figure out how we're going to get around the airport since we won't have a stroller (we're renting once we get down there).

We will be dropping off our suitcases at check-in (yay!), but we'll still have the diaper bag, a bag for DD4, probably a bag for DH, plus the two car seats for the twins for the plane ride (they're the HEAVY radian RXTs). And the kids...

I usually use SSCs for the babies, and we have two (one for DH and one for me), but that leaves DD4 to walk. Do you think that'll work? Anyone have tips for carrying the radian rxts?

 

[mcjaco]

Start weight lifting???

Honestly, the airport last year (my twins were the same age at the time), was the worst part of the trip. We just planned for a lot of extra time to lug the two umbrollers, the two cars seats (which we bought bags for with carrying straps), and the diaper bag. It was a pain, but with the extra time, IIRC we got there three hours early, it wasn't so bad. I could put things down to rest.

Not looking forward to it again in three months......

 

[Karenj2]

Do you remember the car seat bag brand? That sounds cool...

 

[Raenstoirm]

Some like this to turn the car seats into "strollers" for the airport?

 

[AKL_Megs]

Not sure how the Radian is in the back, but with our Britax, if you tighten the straps all the way, they loosen in back and you can throw it over your shoulder like a backpack.

 

[DisneyWillow1975]

We have the same car seats and are having similar conversations for our upcoming trip with twin 2 1/2 year old boys. There is a strap you can but from Diono for the Radians so you can carry them on your back. I haven't used one so no idea if it is convenient or not but wanted to throw it out there.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

I would pay the extra to hire an airport porter to assist with all of the bags and carseats so that the adults can focus on the kids. It would be worth the hassle, just dont forget to tip

 

[anc876]

SSCs and other baby carriers are lifesavers. You should be just fine. The Radians are designed to be worn backpack-style when traveling, but I've never done so with ours and of course they'd be quite heavy given the steel frames. We use our Safety 1st Complete Airs when traveling so we don't beat up our primary seats too much. I've flown cross country by myself with my two littles and a ton of gear, and babywearing made it so much easier. I'd have a baby on front, backpack on back, pushing a stroller with the carseat strapped to it, and pulling a suitcase behind me while my older son walked alongside me. Good times.

 

[mrsp1030]

We bought a car seat bag that is a backpack also. Great for stuffing extra blankets in and stuff too. We also do not use our radians when traveling, too heavy, and take our Britax or safety 1st complete air. As for the 4 year old, maybe bring a small backpack that is wearable. All my kids had the junior backpacks from llbean at that age and were perfect or the small pottery barn kids ones. You could also find a bag they could pull instead.

 

[snoopy5386]

Are you renting a car once you get down there? You didn't mention a seat for the 4 yo so that is why I am asking....if you are not and you are just bringing the seats for the plane, well I'd skip them then. Rent it buy 2 CARES harnesses instead. We've brought car seats on a plane before and it makes the already small plane seat area that much smaller, kids can't use the tray table, etc. I don't use them on the plane any longer, but I understand wanting to restrain 15 month olds. The CARES harness works great.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

Any reason why you don't want to bring your stroller? You can still gate check them right?
When we moved our stroller was such a saver. We had twins, a toddler and a school aged child. I just threw everything on the stroller and was off. lol Then when we got to the gate they checked it there.

 

[Fantastic4]

Backpack for the bags to free arm/hands. When I traveled overseas with two littles alone I got a small dolly from target, put the car seats on that (flip flopped them so they fit like a Tetris game) then bungee corded them to the dolly. Sounds like a pain but was very quick and easy.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Some like this to turn the car seats into "strollers" for the airport?

I have seen these in the airport, what an awesome idea! Nice to keep them corralled a bit and it's their car seat so a known entity

 

[Karenj2]

I'm on my phone, so I can't see all your replies to answer them all, but I'll try!

We're not bringing our stroller because we're renting from OSR. (I love our City Select double, but it's difficult to fold up). We're not renting a car while we're down there - the car seats would be just for the plane.

We actually have a CARES harness, which I didn't think about - the one time we tried it with my 4yo when she was younger, she hated it. (I'll have to see if the twins meet the minimums, too). That could be a great idea, though! I'd have to buy/rent/borrow one if we do.

I think DH is leaning towards the porter.

 

[DopeyDame]

This isn't helpful at all, but we flew once with the Radian. I hated it so much that we actually bought a new carseat for the next trip.

If you only need the seats for the planes, use your CARES for the 4 year old (or nothing, depending on size and maturity), and spend the money to get the Cosco Scenca or similar cheapo carseat for the plane. It will be money well spent.

 

[Mainst]

Some like this to turn the car seats into "strollers" for the airport?

We have one of these and have used it once. Great for airport. We decided that lugging a car seat into the plane was too much so we switched to CARES.

 

[pineappletreat]

We have the same car seats and are having similar conversations for our upcoming trip with twin 2 1/2 year old boys. There is a strap you can but from Diono for the Radians so you can carry them on your back. I haven't used one so no idea if it is convenient or not but wanted to throw it out there.

I HIGHLY suggest the strap (or the rolling system). I didn't read the carseat instructions well enough and thought I could just loosen the Radian straps and carry it---darn near killed me especially since the car seat weighed more than my daughter! I also loosened it enough to loop over the handle of the rollaboard but still was difficult to manage with 2 little ones.

You know, I'm a frequent flier (WITHOUT kids) and fly 2+ times/year with kids and never knew you could HIRE an airport porter. I think my look of sheer desperation has gotten me a porter once or twice, but not always. Actually am out of town now, wonder if I could get one for the way home because even just hauling the booster seats now there was so much stuff to lug that I desperately needed a shower once I go ON the plane.

 

[MommyMK]

There is absolutely no way I'd haul car seats, especially Radians, for just a plane ride. It's not worth it.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I have Radians too, and I think you have to buy an accessory to wear it as a backpack.