Dumb questions about carryons, stroller, carseat

[bigbabyblues]

Can you tell I've never flown? I know it's one carryon per person, and that will be easy for us, DH will carry his briefcase with his laptop (can't get him to leave that darn thing at home) and rolled up changes of clothes for me an him in it, I will have the diaper bag with the kids' things, but we will have to have DS carseat, he's only 15 months old and will be sitting in it during the flight. Also, what do we do with our stroller? It folds up really small, but I don't think it will go in the suitcase with the clothes. Do we need it in the airport, or just one more thing to carry? Also, will our 3-yo be allowed a carryon? I don't think he'll have anything, but he could carry the diaper bag, as it's a small backpack.

Thanks

 

[Jestocost]

If your three-year old has a ticket and his own seat (as I assume is the case if you'll be using the seat), he is entitled to the same number of carry-ons as any other passenger: one carry-on suitcase (within size limits) and one personal item (purse, small backpack or bag, etc.). Based on your list, I don't think you'll have a problem.

For the stroller, you'll probably need to do a gate check. That way you can use it in the airport, but they'll tag it at the gate and you'll leave it with the gate attendant, at the end of the jetway (just before you get on the plane) or on the tarmac outside the plane (if you don't have a jetway for some reason). It will be waiting for you when you get off of the plane or will be delivered to you (probably on the jetway) at your destination.

 

[NotUrsula]

On a domestic flight, each ticketholder has both a checked and carryon baggage allowance. With 4 tickets, you *could* bring on 4 22" carryons and 4 "personal items" the size of a reg. handbag. I say could because I really recommend you DON'T max out your carryons, esp. when travelling w/ kids. You need your hands to manage the children, and you can't do that if your hands are full of luggage.

You should bring enough diapers for 24 hours in your diaper bag, plus 2 outfits per child, a few large ziplocs, and about a 1/2 box of wipes, just in case of airsickness. (Little kids can't hit airsickness bags, trust me on this!) Bring spare shirts for yourself and DH on board for the same reason. Also, bring enough snacks to get the kids through the equivalent of 2 meals; if you have a flight delay you will need them. Sippy cups for both kids; the airlines don't always have cups with lids. Also, you need a toy bag; you'll be in planes and airports for several hours, and the kids will need distractions. (Dad should check on power sources for that laptop if it has a DVD player!) Also, bring at least one bottle of water; one of you may need to drink to clear the ears during takeoff, and the FA's can't serve you anything until the flight is near cruising altitude.

A carseat that a child is sitting in does not normally count against your carryon allowance, but check your airline's website to be sure. The gate-checked stroller is technically supposed to be part of your checked baggage allowance, but since you are checking it in a different place than the rest of those bags, it usually does not get counted. Before you leave home, take any accessories and the hood off of your stroller and put them in your checked baggage; stuff like that on strollers can snag machinery and cause the stroller to get broken in transit. Also, fold it yourself at the end of the jetway. Don't expect the baggage handlers to know how to fold it; they don't, and they will force it and possibly break it if you leave it set up. Putting a strap around the folded stroller is a good idea, it will make sure it stays folded, even if the handlers accidentally hit the release latch.

 

[javaj]

You didn't mention if you purchased a seat for your 15 month old, but you did mention his car seat. I just wanted to make sure you knew that your 15 month is only guaranteed a seat if you paid for one. If he is a "lap baby" then I would re-consider bringing his carseat on the airplane.

 

[seashoreCM]

The child seat must be FAA approved with that seal of approval still attached and you must have purchased a ticket for the child. Otherwise the airline reserves the right to insist that you check the child seat should it be too large for carry on or exceed your carry on allowance.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[bigbabyblues]

I guess doesn't really matter if the seat would count against our carryons or not after I think about it, between a 15-month old, his carseat (yep, it's FAA Approved Britax Roundabout), 3-yo ds, DH carryon, the diaper bag, I don't think we'll need anything extra anyway, plus we'll have our two checked suitcases and the stroller to deal with. I didn't realize the 3-yo would be allowed a carryon as well, or the baby, but I guess we paid for their seats as much as any others.

We did purchase seats for both our boys, there is no way I'd fly with my 15-month old (at the time of the trip, he's 12 mth now) on my lap for 15 minutes, let alone 2 hours. He wouldn't sit still, he climbs on everything, into everything, not a pretty sight I'm afraid.

Thanks for the idea of using DH laptop with a video, that might be very useful, and also for the ideas for the diaper bag.