Airport Questions

[all4fun]

When we flew last fall I had a sippy cup w/chocolate milk for my 4yr old (we hoped he would drink it on the way to the airport) and was told that was ok but if it had been water or juice I would have had to toss it. This was as we were going thru the TSA checkpoint. The rules seem to change a little every time we go thru and i hear so many different stories about what is allowed or not allowed I try not to take anything liquid thru and just buy what I need on the other side of security.

I always try to wear shoes that slip on and off, and ds has shoes that are easy to fasten as well (velcro! no shoe strings to mess with). This helps speed things up but it's still a pain and yeah, it never made sense to me that they make us take our shoes off but don't give us anywhere to sit to quickly put them back on.

Going thru security is always stressful for me too. It is made tons easier if the people running the checkpoint have a nice demeanor, which sometimes actually does happen. DH was stopped to check our bag w/the laptop and the tsa agent actually was very quick, had a smile on his face, and even gave us some quick tips for our trip back home (ie. laptops have to be turned on, they don't care about digital cameras/camcorders, or cell phones... I can't remember if they wanted us to turn on the DVD player). It was nice for once, to not be treated like we were terrorists tring to get away with something terrible.

Unfortunately,, driving is not an option for some people - it would take us four days each way if we drove. I look at security as an unfortunate necessary evil, and try to take deep breaths as we hurry thru as quickly as possible get it over with so we can enjoy the rest of our trip. If that's the worst part I can deal with it (or so I keep telling myself, LOL).

 

[PrincessPoohsMom]

Because we live very far from family, we do a lot of flying with DD (at 15 months now, she's made 6 trips involving flights). We've got the security process down to an art form:

No liquids, gels, creams at all. Empty sippy cup, I bring hand sanitizing wipes, apply a lot of diaper rash cream the last diaper change b/f leaving home and just get another huge application the first chance I can after retrieving luggage.

Shoes for DD stay in carry on until we pass security. DH & I are in slip ons.

No one has on a belt, all pockets are emptied. We take off coats, hats, etc. and stuff them into the suitcases just before checking.

IDs and boarding passes go in a back pocket (why I always wear jeans on planes).

And we even have the order for the x-ray worked out: stroller, diaper bag, shoes, car seat. So coming out the other end we can pop open the stroller, put DD in, diaper bag goes in the basket underneath, slip shoes back on, grab the car seat and go.

Air travel with small children is definitely stressful. The best suggestions I can give is to always show up very early for that first flight, and try to give yourself at least two hours between connecting flights (if the first flight gets delayed). Pack some new toys/activities/snacks and hand them out every 10-15 minutes during the flight to keep your little one distracted. Drinking liquids, sucking on a pacifier, or hard candy/chewing gum will help with ear pressure. Most important, just keep taking deep breaths, and try not to stress yourself out too much. Even if you get grumbles from your fellow passengers (which we have a few times) just remember that you'll never have to see them again once you land.

Good luck, enjoy your trip!

 

[fishie]

the airport was the most stressful part of our trip the last time

Too true. We actually were on a flight the morning that the initial liquids & gels ban went into place, and we were lucky enough to be able to ship some stuff back in a box b/c we were at my ILs. But I really felt for all the security guards, that day, who had everyone yelling at them and causing scenes, because their hands were tied. Of course, I also understand the anger & frustration of everyone who had to throw stuff away right there in line.

meanwhile, i learned that i was not allowed to leave my bags unattended while i took the kids to the car. so get this...i was expect to LEAVE MY CHILDREN UNATTENDED while i took the bags to the car!!!!! this "security" is absurd IMO.

sigh. Another example of Government Intelligence at its best.

Glad it all worked out, though.

 

[mousebymarriage]

My DS is 6 years old but was born shortly before 9/11 and his first trip was at 6 months old. Anyway, when we flew out of Newark airport in NJ my DS was asleep in the infant seat and the security screener made me take him out of the seat so he could put the seat through the x-ray machine. I had to hold DS and walk through security and then they made me stand on the side so they could pass the wand over him. Talk about being paranoid. I assume that this was done because 9/11 was still so fresh in everyones mind.