Airport and packing issues.......

[beautybelle]

We are leaving on May 10 for our Disney trip and we are flying with our 1 year old. Im freaking out though because there will be 4 of us and I dont know how in the world we are going to manage getting through the airport with baby, carseat, stroller, and luggage for all of us. What did you all do? Help!!!!

 

[Rapunzel]

If I can get thru secruity alone with a 9 month old, 3yr old, baby carrier, stroller and 2 carry ons, I think anyone can do it!

I even was one of the lucky choosen to get the extra security screening. Just make sure that when you get in line you already have the baby out of the carrier (if you're bringing it) and the stroller folded up. One adult will carry the baby thru with them.

Good luck!

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

I agree - you'll be fine. I made it through security by myself with my son, stroller, car seat, and carryon and I too had an additional screening b/c my son has milk issues and I had some soy milk for him in the carryon (which I told them about but they still have to check). The big thing with the car seat is to see if you can get a cover that has a strap which won't make it any lighter but easier to carry through the airport. Really the hardest part is security b/c you have to take of jackets, shoes, etc. Just make sure you put the stroller on first and send one person through with the baby so on the other side they can open the stroller, put the baby in, and help with the rest. Then the rest should be a breeze - just check in at the gate for a tag to gate check the stroller. Also we always choose to board last rather than first so that our son can run around as much as possible. If you need to install a carseat you can send one parent onboard to handle that (and store carryons) while the other hangs out in the gate area.

Good luck!

 

[CocozMom]

We got back on Sunday and we had no problem. We had the following...
2 large suitcases
2 small suitcases (to keep the large suitcases below 50#)
1 set golf clubs
4 carry on bags
3 year old
16 month old
double stroller
We didn't have a car seat, but I have flown with one in the past and I second the recommendation of getting a rolling bag with backpack straps to get it through the airport. They are lifesavers. I found mine at babies r us for about $20.

Before we left the house I made sure that DH could handle all four checked bags by himself. I stowed/hung the carry-ons on the stroller and pulled the golf bag.

The hardest part was getting on the shuttle from long term parking. We asked the driver to stop at the curb check for Southwest and he was happy to help us pull the luggage off and set it in front of the podium, we were also happy to tip him. Honestly curb check saved us a LOT of trouble. Then it was just juggling shoes, carry-on bags, kids and stroller through security. I took DS's shoes off in line and stowed them in my carry-on, stuffed jackets in the bags just before they were checked at the curb and we juggled the rest. It was easier than I thought it would be.

I know it is hard to but don't worry, you will make it through with flying colors. Remember don't let anyone rush you. They can wait a couple extra minutes.

Have fun!!!

I almost forgot. We also practiced waling through security with DD at home. We made her take off her shoes, walk through a doorway and wait for me on the other side. We would mix it up with beeping and wanding. She loved it and was great when we went though security. She was actually upset that she didn't beep. I don't know how much that helped but I think it helped her feel more confident.

 

[liznboys]

Here's what we had on our recent trip:

Our four sons ages 7, 5, 3, and 11 months.

2 Large suitcases (checked)
1 Medium suitcase (checked)
2 Booster seats (each in travel carseat bags-checked)
2 Convertable carseats-for the plane
3 Carry-on bags
1 Stroller-gate checked

It was crazy (C-R-A-Z-Y!!!), and was not without some very stressful moments... But, we did it.

We planned out everything, how we would get from point A to point B at each step of the way from parking at the airport to ultimately getting into our rental minivan at MCO. (And the reverse coming home.) Going through security was the most worrisome, but it goes by SO fast that you're through before you know it. We also used those airport carts you can rent and we used those guys with the carts who you tip. It was well worth the cost of those things to get the help we needed.

Have a good trip!

 

[surfer_ed]

Your Stroller should carry allot. For the first time on our last trip I had to use Curb-side Check-in and a skycap on the other end. It was worth the $10 bucks. Inlcuding 2 car seats, we had 8 bags a 2 year old and a infant.

 

[kristenrice]

You might want to look into this...
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog...Id=85184&categoryId=85218&subCategoryId=86218

I'm still thinking about getting 1 (or 2) for our trip in January with DD's 2&4. We never travel, let alone fly so I am not sure I want to spend that much on something we will only use once. I'd love to find a used one but no luck yet.

Here is a discount code for $5 of your order too SPRINGFUN (exp. 4/1/07)

 

[monorailsilver]

Throw everything in your stroller that you possibly can (packed of course & not loose since your stroller has to go thru security & then folded up when you get on the plane).

As for your car seat, expand the straps as far as they can go & wear it as a back pack. It can get a bit uncomfortable but just move it & it works.

When we flew in 2005, it was me, dh, dd 4 & ds 22 months.

We had 2 strollers, a cooler (ds is allergic to dairy/nuts), car set, each kid had a rolling small Disney suitcase, dh & I each had a bag.

I had so many things for the kids to do & my 4yo watched movies with my dh & I just fed my 22 month old gummy bears (I broke them in 3's to make them last) & lollipops. I tried to do stickers with him for a bit but that got old.

I am dreading our next trip since we now have another little one but I know for the plane it will be 2 DVD players & half as many toys so that we only have 2 carryon's or at the max 3.

 

[jamesmommy]

Please do not extend your straps and use the stroller as a backpack as mentioned in a previous post. This is not safe, and puts undue stress on the straps, which could cause them to fail if you were in an accident. This is one of the reasons a carseat needs to be replaced if you are in an accident.

Although it is rarely done, I have read in many different places that seat belts themselves should actually be replaced if used in an accident.

You can put the carseat in the stroller, or buy a backpack to carry it in, or buy one of those wheeled stroller carriers to put it on.

Amie

 

[AngieWin]

When we have flown with little ones and all their gear, I would carry the smallest one in a sling and the stroller would hold the carseat and as much carryon luggage as possible. I even did this in November flying solo with my then 14 month old.

When traveling with dh, I would send him and one of the older kids on the airplane first and he would install the car seat while I waited with the little one(s) until the final boarding call. This worked much better for us. And then when getting off the plane, we didnt move until the plane was pretty much empty and got off last. Alot easier than trying to rush while other passengers are trying to get off too.

 

[beautybelle]

Thanks for the responses. Im really dreading it but hoping all will be fine. This is our first time having to take all this stuff.

 

[all4fun]

This site has a ton of info: http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com/ it was written by a former FA who flies frequently with her three kids

I've gotten the car seat thru the airport a few different ways.
I've strapped it to a luggage cart like shown HERE

I've put it back to back with my stroller, hooked the fwd facing "foot" of the car seat on top of the stroller basket (this was a Cosco Touriva aka Scenera 5pt - great seat for traveling), ran a short bungie cord thru the fwd facing belt path and hooked it on either side of the stroller to hold it on. DS then sat in the stroller seat and I let the stroller do most of the work. This was on a lightweight umbrella style stroller btw (Kidco LS2000).

I've also just carried it upside down over my arm (great way to get it down the airplane aisle I might add).

When you go thru security you'll have to break down your stroller and put both it and the CRS thru the X-ray machine. The Car Seat will most likely fit best if you place it on the belt face down.

We try to remove coats before we get in line and wear shoes that slip on & off easily just to make the process less time consuming. Make sure your LO isn't wearing anything with lots of metal, like overalls. It will set of the metal detectors.

Flying IMO is a just a means to an end. Just keep your destination in mind and a good sense of humor. You'll survive!