Explain it as if I'm 2: What do I do when I get to the airport?

[epcotfan]

Another thing. Some people don't realize they suffer airsickness until they are up in the air. You might want to take some Bonamine, Bonine or Dramamine as a preventative measure about 45 minutes before the flight if you have never flown before.

 

[dreamalittledream]

Our tantrum was over a soft silky blankie. Our ds wailed and thrashed, but then, the security guys made us try to get him to walk through the security gate vs. us holding him. Have you every successfully made a ticked toddler walk ahead without his blankie? For some reason we weren't allowed to carry him through. It was a very trying experience. But we did survive the ordeal and this was going to LAX not MCO.

that is when you use the blanket to entice him to walk thru! carrot and stick like. I think they just like to torture parents, they probably share stories at the end of the week and the winner gets a prize.

 

[all4fun]

This is from the TSA website:


http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1020.xml?CFID=21179934&CFTOKEN=65396226


Traveling with Children...

Every person, regardless of age, must undergo screening to proceed beyond the security checkpoint. Even babies must be individually screened. You will not be asked to do anything that will separate you from your child or children.

Screeners are specially trained and understand your concerns regarding children. Your children will be approached gently and treated with respect. If your child becomes uncomfortable or upset, you will be consulted about the best approach to resolving your child's concern.

The Screening Process

X-Ray

* All carry-on baggage, including children's bags and items, must go through the X-ray machine. Examples include: diaper bags, blankets, and toys.
* All child-related equipment that will fit through the X-ray machine must go through the X-ray machine. Examples include: strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats, backpacks, and baby slings.
* When you arrive at the checkpoint, you should collapse or fold child-related equipment and secure items that are in the pockets, baskets, or attached to the equipment. You will place these items on the X-ray belt for inspection. Plastic bins are provided to deposit such items.
* When child-related equipment does not fit through the X-ray machine, the equipment must be visually and physically inspected.
* Ask screeners for assistance to help reunite you with your bags and child-related equipment, if needed.

ALERT!

Babies should NEVER be left in an infant carrier while it goes through the X-ray machine. uhh, duhh!!! lol

For information regarding what is permitted or prohibited from being in carry-on luggage, please refer to our prohibited items section.

The Walk Through Metal Detector

The screener will need to resolve the alarm for both the adult and child if something sets off the alarm as you are carrying a child through the metal detector.

* Babies and children must be removed from their strollers or infant carriers so they can be individually screened.
* You may not pass the child to another person behind you or in front of you during this process.
* Do not pass your child to the screener to hold.
* The screener may ask for your assistance with secondary screening of your child.
* If your child can walk unassisted, it would be best to have the child walk through the metal detector independently.

Children with a Disability

If your child has a disability, screeners may ask you what abilities your child has in order to determine the best method for screening (e.g. carry the child through the walk-through metal detector, hand-wand procedure).

If your child has a disability, screeners will never attempt to remove the child from his or her equipment. This will only be done at the discretion of the accompanying adult.

TIPS Before you reach the airport

* Please allow yourself and your family extra time to get through security - especially when traveling with younger children.
* Call your airline or travel agent for information on recommended check-in times for your departure airport.
* Talk to your children before coming to the airport and let them know that it's against the law to make threats such as, "I have a bomb in my bag." Threats made jokingly (even by a child) can result in the entire family being delayed and could result in fines.

TIPS At the airport

* Speak to your children again about the screening process so that they will not be frightened or surprised. Remind them to not joke about threats such as bombs or explosives.
* Advise your children that their bags (backpack, dolls, etc.) will be put in the X-ray machine and will come out at the other end and be returned to them.
* Let your children know that a screener may ask to see Mom or Dad's shoes, but that these too will be returned after the inspection.
* You may want to consider asking for a private screening if you are traveling with more than one child.

 

[Dznyjenn]

Having recently flown with my newborn (at 6 weeks old)...I'll be happy to share my tale!

Left MCO with my mother..was surprised that since the last time I flew with a baby, they had changed the stroller policy, and wanted me to put my huge Laura Ashley stroller through the machine. Had to give the baby to grandma, take the car seat part off and slide it through. IT GOT STUCK. The arm hadn't clicked into place, so as it started through the machine, the arm got caught on the side, the seat rolled forward, and the whole thing got wedged in tight and tighter and tighter. I had to YELL to get someone's attention, afraid first that it would break the machine and I'd be arrested ..but even more afraid that they were going to break my baby's new car seat! A guy came over, made someone stop the machine and he ripped, yanked and manhandled my seat out of there. He flipped it over, so the bottom was facing up..(no rolling) and it went through fine, although it still bears scars of that day. The stroller barely fit. The wide back wheel base was scraping the sides as it went by...I held my breath.

I was muttering a bit..not really complaining, but I was getting frazzled, my face was hot with embarassment..people were staring, etc..so I was muttering to myself. Well, apparently, they don't enjoy muttering, so my mother and I were forced to trot out our boarding passes again, and prove that we had legitimate reason to have just put ourselves through that torture! As if I would have done it voluntarily!!!

I panicked at the idea of doing the same thing again on the way home..without my mother's help...so I bought this AWESOME sling (was custom made for me by a woman in Oregon...) and was on my way. Guess what? At PDX..the x-ray machines were smaller, and there was no way in heck my stroller was fitting. So after telling a guy, he happily hand-checked the stroller, no problems. So, you never can tell!

Sorry it was long..but I thought you might enjoy the visual of a frantic, panicked mother screaming at TSA to save her expensive stroller she can't afford to replace from the stroller-eating x-ray machine!