flying with 2 kids

[Limmer]

We just booked a trip to Calgary for September and I am really nervous. I have never traveled with kids and this time I have a 3 year old and a (will be 10 months). The trip was a gift from my in laws as they have not met our newest addition. We don't have a seat for the youngest and that makes me nervous. Any tips? I have read that you can gate check a stroller, is that true with WestJet? How do you go about it? Do we take our 5 point harness booster for our 3 year old? Or does she just sit in the seat normally?

Any help would be appreciated. I posted here instead of the family board because I would prefer to know how it works with Canadian airlines.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

gate checking the stroller is easy - you can walk right to the entrance of the plane with it, fold it up there and they will store it for you - it will be waiting for you right when you get off the plane. you can do the same with the car seat if you are taking it. I would let the 3yo just sit in the seat - that's what we did with our 4yo when we went. I also gate checked the car seat as I've heard they can be very rough with the car seats.
take lots to do and you should be fine - colouring, books, new little toys they can play with. My kids love flying and love Westjet - on the trip to Calgary you will have the option of purchasing a movie for the kids to watch or there are plenty of kids tv channels for them - it was a godsend for us!! Put on the movie, gave the kids their headsets (bring your own as the ones they give you aren't very good!!) and they were set for 2 hrs of the flight!
Don't forget snacks too - check with the airline what you can bring aboard though as things like water bottles are not allowed.