Flying next week, haven't flown in years, and the first time with kids. HELP!

[taylor1293]

We are flying next week to MCO. This was just decided today and was a gift from my SIL so I am very grateful.

However, I am terrified of flying.

Plus, I've never flown with my kids. They are 10 and 3.

What do I need to know?

Can I carry on the stroller?

Do I need a carseat on the plane?

We are flying American. Can we each carry on one bag and how large can this bag be?

Is there anything else I need to be aware of?

Thanks

Teresa

 

[safetymom]

I suggest visiting Amer. Airlines website. They can help you with the size of your luggage.

I would plan on allowing plenty of time at the airport. Security is tighter now. You should also visit the TSA website. They can tell you what they are looking for when you go through security. By you all using carry on bags you may be subject to searches of your luggage that will increase the time to get through security. I would think about checking your luggage your first time so you don't have to worry about it.

I would use your car seat on the airplane and you can gate check your stroller.

Flying doesn't bother me and I do a lot of it. I just allow plenty of time to reach my gate. I would rather be sitting at the gate with time to spare then worrying about if I was going to miss my flight. I also like the fact that I get to WDW quickly instead of driving.

 

[denisenh]

If you haven't flown in a while and you are a terrified flyer, it is understandable that you feel anxious.
You are smart to ask what you need to know because if you don't have a clue, it will be harder to give your children a good experience.
Keep in mind that flying is still the safest mode of transportation and that many people fly weekly or even more often. It becomes as natural as breathing when you fly often.
As safety mom said
check out AA's website for any pertinent info
click here for American Airlines web site and
click here for Transportation Security Administration web site

Other tips:
You will pack lightly, if possible, and the fact that it is you and 2 little ones helps because their clothing is smaller.
Check out your destination airport for weather reports and use the forecast as a guideline for packing.Click here for MCO web site
You will probably need 2 medium suitcases if you are able and willing to do laundry while away or if it is a shorter trip and a carry on.

For our family of 4, we use 3 carryon size suitcases with wheels (which we use as checked luggage, one for each adult and the kids share one) and usually one duffle bag style carryon which has our toiletries, medicines/first aid (motrin for adults and kids just in case, bandaids, sun screen,etc.) a folder with our travel itinerary, reservation numbers, directions, etc.,

And I carry a large straw purse (with my regular size purse inside which holds our air ticket or conf. # , drivers license, credit card, cash, etc) This straw bag accompanies us to the pool, on side trips, etc., and holds sunglasses, camera, snacks and any other items you may need at pool, beach, side trips, whatever.
You can throw in a few snacks and also pullups/wipes in a ziplock if your little one isn't completely "potty trained".

Make sure that your kids use the bathroom after you have checked in at the airport, if possible, and again before retrieving your luggage at MCO if need be. That way you will be holding less luggage that you MUST keep in your control at all times and hopefully will save you a bathroom trip on a crowded plane.

Check out the TSA website "tips for traveling with children" so that you will know what to expect when passing through security. If you do not have seat assignments, or if you are not sure or just need reassurance that you are in the right place, check with the personnel at the gate desk, if there is one.

Then sit and wait until you are called to board. If you have a car seat that is approved for air travel (it will say so on the car seat) you will hopefully be able to preboard. The car seat must go near the window on a plane, as opposed to center or aisle seat. If it is not approved for air travel, it becomes a carry on or checked luggage. I am not sure off hand about the stroller. Its been years since we have needed one, but I think we checked it.

If you have arranged transportation from MCO check out the website of that provider. MCO is a busy place, but there are plenty of signs and it does all make sense if you are calm and level headed.
You can always find someone to help you. Keep your kids in hand and instruct them to stay with you and what to do if you become separated, which is unlikely.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[stacy6552]

I believe that at age three, they dont reccommend kids fly in carseats. So dont bother lugging it through the airport. You can rent one with your car and most towncar services will proved one free of charge.

Have juice boxes and gum for take off and landing.

A way to help pack is to pack your clothes in ziplock backs with all the extra air squeezed out. We took clothes for our family of 4 for 10 days, plus wedding clothes in two suitcases. I put a full days clothes in one bag (usually got both kids in one) and it makes it easier for the kids to grab the bag and get dressed. Pluss I toss all the bags into the dresser and the worn clothes back into the suitcase loose, so theres no question as to whats clean. Then just shove them all back into the bags to go home.

gameboy gameboy gameboy......

 

[taylor1293]

Thanks so much for all your information. We'll definitely allow plenty of time to get through security.

How do you gate check something?

Originally posted by safetymom
I suggest visiting Amer. Airlines website. They can help you with the size of your luggage.

I would plan on allowing plenty of time at the airport. Security is tighter now. You should also visit the TSA website. They can tell you what they are looking for when you go through security. By you all using carry on bags you may be subject to searches of your luggage that will increase the time to get through security. I would think about checking your luggage your first time so you don't have to worry about it.

I would use your car seat on the airplane and you can gate check your stroller.

Flying doesn't bother me and I do a lot of it. I just allow plenty of time to reach my gate. I would rather be sitting at the gate with time to spare then worrying about if I was going to miss my flight. I also like the fact that I get to WDW quickly instead of driving.

 

[taylor1293]

Wow! Thank you so much for all the great information!

I'm trying to be upbeat for my girls and tell them how much fun it is but inside I feel ill!

Plus, we have a problem with our seat assignments. She was able to get tickets but we are all spread out throughout the planes . I have to call American tomorrow and see what they can do. Obviously my 3 yr old can not be sitting by herself! And my 10 yr old is a little nervous about flying so I'd prefer she'd be sitting next to one of us also.

Thankfully we will be able to do laundry often since we are staying in a villa at OKW. This will save us a lot of packing.

I will definitely check out the tips for traveling with children.

Thanks again

Teresa

Originally posted by denisenh
If you haven't flown in a while and you are a terrified flyer, it is understandable that you feel anxious.
You are smart to ask what you need to know because if you don't have a clue, it will be harder to give your children a good experience.
Keep in mind that flying is still the safest mode of transportation and that many people fly weekly or even more often. It becomes as natural as breathing when you fly often.
As safety mom said
check out AA's website for any pertinent info
click here for American Airlines web site and
click here for Transportation Security Administration web site

Other tips:
You will pack lightly, if possible, and the fact that it is you and 2 little ones helps because their clothing is smaller.
Check out your destination airport for weather reports and use the forecast as a guideline for packing.Click here for MCO web site
You will probably need 2 medium suitcases if you are able and willing to do laundry while away or if it is a shorter trip and a carry on.

For our family of 4, we use 3 carryon size suitcases with wheels (which we use as checked luggage, one for each adult and the kids share one) and usually one duffle bag style carryon which has our toiletries, medicines/first aid (motrin for adults and kids just in case, bandaids, sun screen,etc.) a folder with our travel itinerary, reservation numbers, directions, etc.,

And I carry a large straw purse (with my regular size purse inside which holds our air ticket or conf. # , drivers license, credit card, cash, etc) This straw bag accompanies us to the pool, on side trips, etc., and holds sunglasses, camera, snacks and any other items you may need at pool, beach, side trips, whatever.
You can throw in a few snacks and also pullups/wipes in a ziplock if your little one isn't completely "potty trained".

Make sure that your kids use the bathroom after you have checked in at the airport, if possible, and again before retrieving your luggage at MCO if need be. That way you will be holding less luggage that you MUST keep in your control at all times and hopefully will save you a bathroom trip on a crowded plane.

Check out the TSA website "tips for traveling with children" so that you will know what to expect when passing through security. If you do not have seat assignments, or if you are not sure or just need reassurance that you are in the right place, check with the personnel at the gate desk, if there is one.

Then sit and wait until you are called to board. If you have a car seat that is approved for air travel (it will say so on the car seat) you will hopefully be able to preboard. The car seat must go near the window on a plane, as opposed to center or aisle seat. If it is not approved for air travel, it becomes a carry on or checked luggage. I am not sure off hand about the stroller. Its been years since we have needed one, but I think we checked it.

If you have arranged transportation from MCO check out the website of that provider. MCO is a busy place, but there are plenty of signs and it does all make sense if you are calm and level headed.
You can always find someone to help you. Keep your kids in hand and instruct them to stay with you and what to do if you become separated, which is unlikely.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[taylor1293]

Do you know why it isn't recommended for a 3 yr old to sit in a carseat? Is it safer for her just to sit in a regular seat?

Thanks for the juice boxes/gum tip.

On our last trip to Disney (we drove) we were a family of 4 with 3 large suitcases and 3 small ones, lol. I'll definitely give the ziplock tip a try.

LOL, I wish I had known we were flying before yesterday then I may have given older DD a gameboy for Christmas.

Thanks!

Teresa

Originally posted by stacy6552
I believe that at age three, they dont reccommend kids fly in carseats. So dont bother lugging it through the airport. You can rent one with your car and most towncar services will proved one free of charge.

Have juice boxes and gum for take off and landing.

A way to help pack is to pack your clothes in ziplock backs with all the extra air squeezed out. We took clothes for our family of 4 for 10 days, plus wedding clothes in two suitcases. I put a full days clothes in one bag (usually got both kids in one) and it makes it easier for the kids to grab the bag and get dressed. Pluss I toss all the bags into the dresser and the worn clothes back into the suitcase loose, so theres no question as to whats clean. Then just shove them all back into the bags to go home.

gameboy gameboy gameboy......

 

[safetymom]

I would recommend taking your own car seats. You don't know if the car agency will have appropriate seats till you get there or they ran out. Why take the chance with an unfamiliar seat. You can also rent a luggage cart for $3.00 to carry it.

http://www2.faa.gov/passengers/childsafetyseats.cfm

Here is a link to a government site that talks about child safety seats on airplanes.

 

[safetymom]

To gate check something like a stroller ask the agent at the gate before boarding starts for a tag. It will be filled out and attached to your stroller.

When boarding starts you just go down the jetway and leave the stroller outside the airplane door. You board the plane and they stow your stroller in the lower part of the plane. When you land and deplane your stroller will be waiting for you in about the same area at the new airport. If it isn't wait a few minutes and it will be.

 

[Pollyann]

In May of 2002 I flew with my DS (7) and DD (5). We all had seat assignments apart from each other. After we boarded the plane, our fellow passengers that were seated near us all offered to switch so we could sit together - I didn't even have ask! So my advice is to ask anyone to switch seats to get together - I'm sure that will work. Good luck!

 

[safetymom]

The airlines hold seats back to be assigned at the airport. If you don't already have seats together ask when you get to the airport. Plan to arrive early otherwise you may be stuck asking other passengers to switch seats. Some may but I wouldn't count on everyone moving for you.

 

[HappyMommy2]

You've gotten some really good tips but I just wanted to comment on the issue of being afraid of flying

I used to be VERY afraid when I flew--I'd feel really sick from nervousness, and I had to keep my eyes closed tightly for much of the flight! Now that I have kids, though (they're 4 and 2 and I've flown with them many times), I am SO busy keeping them occupied, taking them to the lavatory, helping them to not spill their drink, etc. I'm too distracted to be scared anymore! Your kids may need less attention on the plane (especially your 10-year-old) but, still, I think their presence will help keep you focused on something else besides your fear.

Have a great trip. What a wonderful present!

 

[stacy6552]

I dont know the physics, but our kids have always had thier own tix and carseats from the time they were 7mos. Our ped said 2 1/2 is when they should fly in the seat on thier own. But our kids were three when we actually had to fly sans carseat.

My theory is that airline seats are shallower than most carseats, so smaller kids can sit on the seat with the belt properly. Because of this, its safer to have them in a seat belt which you can escape from quicker in an emergency.

Reminder: non-harness boosters are not FAA approved safe for flight.

 

[disneymom3]

Well, regarding the carseat issue--the most child injuries on airplanes are caused by turbulence. In most emergencies (i.e., the plane is going down) I don't really think getting unbuckled from the carseat fast is going to do you a whole lot of good.

I have noticed with my 7 year old--who will need a booster until she is 14 if she continues on her average rate of growth!!--the seatbelt on the airplanes ends up across the soft tissue of her abdomen which is why in a car, she still has to be in a booster. ( I know you have to have a full restraint system in the plane.) If the kids' knees do not bend comfortably at the edge of the seat, they tend to slouch down so that they do bend. I know that my younger two are more comfortable in their carseats than in a plane seat and the youngest in particular knows that there is no way he is getting out of that seat which he is used to. If he were just in a seat belt, he wouldn't get that he has to stay there. And if you are renting a car, you want your carseat anyway.

I too have had to ask strangers to trade seats with me and it has never been a problem. Yeah, some people won't want to, but most of them want to sit next to my three year old a lot less than I want to sit by him!!

Don't worry! Bring snacks and fun stuff to do. For the three year old, those magic ink books are fun. Word searches and mazes for the older one as well as a walkman with books on tape. Have fun on your trip.

 

[MRS AR]

I've flown with my kids, now ages 20, 18, and 14 for several years. I agree with the suggesion to gameboy, gameboy, gameboy. You never know when flights will be delayed, and they make time pass much faster. Try to borrow one from a friend if your budget won't allow you to purchase one. I've loaned one to friends in such an emergency. And, don't forget to bring a good book for yourself. Some of the best reading time can be found in an airplane. Have fun and remember your kids will have fun on the flight if you do too.

 

[NotUrsula]

For carseat use on aircraft, age is totally irrelevant; what matters is weight. The FAA recommendation is that children who weigh less than 40 lbs should use a carseat on an aircraft.

There are restrictions on which seats will accomodate a carseat; if you plan to use one, inform the airline in advance so that your seat assignments can take that into account.

 

[tjmw2727]

You have gotten great advice so far - most of which I agree with and won't repeat!

I used the carseat until about age 3 - I think that's your call either way, just make sure the seat is FAA approved and has a sticker if you decide to use it. If your traveling alone I would gate check the stroller with a 3yo, just ask the attendant at the gate how they handle that. If your traveling with another adult and your youngest is 3 I would either check the stroller through with luggage or rent at the parks - ymmv.

Bring along whatever your kids like, polly pocket, model magic, books, color wonder, and yes - gameboy are fav's with my kids. My oldest just got a video now thing for christmas so that will hit the airplane as well.

The one thing I wanted to mention - but don't be alarmed is that its not often easy to "just switch seats. I fly alone with my two young dd's and have had trouble in this regard way to many times.
Even when booking 9 months in advance our seats have been switched and not together due to change of equipment whatevery.

Don't worry...DO check in at the gate as soon as it opens and explain your seating arrangement. Generally speaking the gate agents will call up single passengers to move and accomodate your need. Sometimes they can do it an other times they can't - then you have to ask when boarded. I have had excellent experiences with others moving for me and unfortunately had awful experiences as well.

I hope you have a great flight and enjoy your vacation.

TJ

 

[taylor1293]

Sorry it took so long to respond, we have been out of town.

Thanks to everyone for all their responses!

We have decided to bring the car seat for safety reasons. Her carseat does have the sticker on it that says it is usable for car and plane.

Hopefully we won't encounter any problems with changing seats.

I'm already sick to my stomach about flying and it's still 2 days away. UGH

Teresa

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Try not to stress too much about the flight. Hang in there and let us know how it went when you get back. Good luck!!