Flying with kids for 1st time. Some ?'s

[kelliebelly]

Hi, we are flying with the kids for the 1st time! It has also been a LONG time since us adults have flown, so we are a little unsure of some of the new regulations. I have been checking out the TSA sight, but I cannot seem to figure out if you are allowed to take snacks like goldfish on the plane. I know you cannot bring drinks unless you buy them after you go through security, I just can't figure out the food.

Also, has anyone traveled with a Britax Boulevard. We will be taking two of them and I just wanted to know if anyone has had any trouble with them fitting on the plane. Will my kids fit in the same row?

And finally(I think), how early should we get there. Our flight leaves at 6am, so I am thinking it won't be too crowded. Is an 1 1/2 enough time/too much time. Any other tips from you frequent flyers is more than welcome! Thanks.

 

[middleofamerica]

You are fine to bring food! We brought all kinds of snacks on our flight in October. We had a 6:55 am flight then too and I think 1 1/2 hours would be plenty IMO. Sorry, I don't have the stroller though! Have fun!

 

[SmallWorld71]

As the previous poster said, you can take snacks on the plane. (And I strongly recommend you do!)
Is the Britax Boulevard a carriage or car seat? If it is a carriage you check it at the gate. Some airlines like you to do this ahead of time, others as you are boarding. I always ask. Then when you are boarding you leave it by the entrance to the plane (after you walk down the little corridor thingy), they don't come on the plane with you.
I would think 1 1/2 hours would be enough time unless there is bad weather.
As for any other tips, how old are your children?

 

[fakereadhed]

Also, has anyone traveled with a Britax Boulevard. We will be taking two of them and I just wanted to know if anyone has had any trouble with them fitting on the plane. Will my kids fit in the same row?

And finally(I think), how early should we get there. Our flight leaves at 6am, so I am thinking it won't be too crowded. Is an 1 1/2 enough time/too much time. Any other tips from you frequent flyers is more than welcome! Thanks.

We have traveled with the Britax Marathon and it was a little tricky to buckle. I think it might be difficult to get in there to buckle them side by side. Usually they will allow you to board early to wrestle with the carseats.

I would allow 2 full hours for check in. It is like a circus going through security with little kids, carseats, and their gear between taking your shoes off, pulling out your little ziplocks of liquids, and opening dvd players, camera bags, and laptops. It also depends on your airport, some are busier at 6am than others.

Remember to bring something for the children's ears depending on their age-something to chew(star puffs, raisins, goldfish will work)to help with takeoff and landing. When they start to cry it is usually pressure in their ears, and it is better to let them start chewing before this becomes a problem.

If you are bringing a stroller, you can gate check it. Ask for a gate check tag when you check your bags. You can leave it at the end of the ramp when you board the plane and it will be there when you land. We have found a stroller helpful to haul the carseat around if you have a walking toddler.

You might want to post this question on the transportation board to see if you get more info.

 

[kelliebelly]

The Britax Boulevard is a car seat. It is a big one. It is FAA approved, so in theory you would think it would fit, but things don't always work the way they should!

Thanks for the tips! Glad to hear we can load up on the snacks. That should help occupy some of the time on the plane!

 

[PlutoPony]

Car seats must be used only in the seat by the window, so with 2 of them you will need to be in 2 rows. However, I don't know what they do in the case of only 1 adult traveling with 2 car seats - maybe then they'll allow them side by side in window and middle?? People on the transportation forum can likely answer your question if you need more info..... Have a good trip!

 

[tinkandpan]

You can bring snacks through like pp's mentioned. Liquids must be purchased after you go through the security check point. Please be awareif you are using strollers- they will need to be folded up to go through security and the children need to come out.
As for the Britax- we have travelled with the marathon and it is a bit tight so make sure someone gets on ahead of time to secure them- not sure if they will fit side by side, I seem to recall having to put the armrest up on the one side. I believe the carseats can be middle and window but you would need to check with the airline- i am just not sure as I mentioned if they will actually fit side by side.

 

[ahilly]

Remember to bring something for the children's ears depending on their age-something to chew(star puffs, raisins, goldfish will work)to help with takeoff and landing. When they start to cry it is usually pressure in their ears, and it is better to let them start chewing before this becomes a problem.

I was told by our flight attendant on this last trip that to start giving them stuff to chew and swallow one hour prior to landing. She explained that they start desending one hour before you should land and usually parents give stuff too late to the kiddos. We tried it and it worked. I had goldfish and graham crackers for my DS and tootsie pops for DD(left over halloween candy). HTH. Have a great trip.

 

[npmommie]

Thanks for the info on the ears! I would have waited too long on descent! good to know about the crackers too, I was going to have my 7 yo chew gum........but my 4 yo doesnt chew gum so I was wondering what to do for him!

 

[kelliebelly]

Thanks for all the great info. I wouldn't have thought to give the kids the lollipops and stuff an hour before, but I will be prepared now!

As for car seats, Delta will allow you to put two car seats in the same row as long as you are from the same family and neither of them are on the aisle seat. But, I just don't think the Britax are going to fit, since they are both forward facing. I am thinking it might just be a better idea to split us two and two, that way both kids can sit by the window. That was my favorite part when I was a kid, so maybe my kiddos would enjoy that more.? Thanks.

 

[Colinsmom]

I doubt that the seats would fit side by side in one row; I'd plan ahead to split up into two rows and eliminate that last-minute worry.

It's easier to install the car seats if you recline the airplane seat first (then after buckling the seat in tightly, bring the seat back upright). With the Roundabout, you have to twist the buckle 180 degrees (so the flap opens AWAY from the back of the car seat) in order to get it out easily; not sure if the Boulevard is the same.

 

[GymboAddict]

I would also recommend looking at the plane seating chart to see where your seats are and where the exit rows are.

We made the mistake of booking with American online when my son was 4 months - I booked our seats so that we would be sitting in the 2nd row behind the exit row. When we arrived at the airport, the agent told us that she could not allow us to sit in that row since we had a infant carrier / carseat. American does not allow carseats/ infant carriers, etc to be 2 rows in front of or 2 rows behind an exit row. The flight was oversold, so she was going to have to split us up. I totally freaked out.....here I had bought my tickets 6 months ahead of time, purchasing a ticket for my 4 month old, which I input on American's system that he was an infant and their system allowed me to book the seats there. I had no idea this was their policy. She ended up getting us all together, but we had to do the whole check in at the gate thing and the agents there had to work to get us all together. We also had the same problem coming home - which they could not fix that day, we had to wait until day of departure.

So check with Delta and save yourself a nervous breakdown at the airport!!

Also, I notice you are in TX....we fly out of DFW, don't know what airport you'll be flying out of. 6 am or before can surprisingly be busy at DFW....lots of business people flying out in the early AM. My hubby HATES getting to the airport early, but I would rather get there early and breeze through security with no lines, especially juggling young children, snacks, carseats, strollers, etc! Then you can sit down at your gate, collect your thoughts and make sure you have everything.

I let my youngest walk up and down in front of the stores to get the wiggles out before having to sit so long. Its also great time to get some extra water or juice for the flight.

We always pack a carryon suitcase with our DisneyWorld snacks - its actually my DD's little Tinkerbell rolling suitcase we bought at WDW. It fits perfectly in the overhead or on the floor under the seat. I just always put my stuff in ziploc baggies just to be on the safe side. Then you can always use the empty baggies at WDW for something. Last year we took those "little boxes" of Kelloggs cereal, Nutrigrain bars, bags of goldfish, "fun fruits", etc. We had no problems or questions for bringing food through security, so you should be fine.

My DD always wants to EAT once we get to the gate, but I make her and DS wait until we get on the plane. It gives my DS something to do on the plane and occupies him for a little bit before I have to start pulling the "plane surprises" out to keep him quiet!

Have a wonderful trip with your family - noticed it was your 1st - it will be magical!!

Wendy