Flying without fun - serious problem

[MazdaUK]

As we can't take any gadgets or even books on board now, does anyone have any tips for amusing 2 kids (12 and 6) on a 10-hour flight to Canada this Sunday? The charged gameboys, the specially purchased books, the lovingly-made trip scrapbook complete with wordsearches, dot-to-dot, puzzles, colouring etc will all be safely in the hold. With cameras, videos etc. Assuming the baggage handlers don't think Christmas has come early.

I'm not arguing with the need to be safe (although I do wonder what damage you can do with a paperback) but as we are flying Air Canada there are no seat-back TVs and other options are limited.

Any info/tips people can give me (including whether Air Canada does kiddy fun packs) most welcome

 

[KayleeUK]

There is a thread on the TP Board about games to play. Not sure about Air Canada though, might be worth asking on the Canadian Comm Board.

 

[Man's Best]

Just a reminder - travel insurance isn't valid for valuables placed with the airline carrier for carriage in the hold and I wouldn't be at all surprised if there was a sharp increase in pilfering by baggage handlers and at the baggage carousels. Looks like it's disposable cameras only!

 

[mushumadness]

Ive a good mind to ups my camera there and back

 

[Funniebunny]

From what I have read and heard on the news today, you can purchase books or magazines to take onto an international flight once in departures. You still can't take drinks and duty free into the cabin on these flights though.
My suggestion is to buy a couple of puzzel books in departures to keep them amused.
Good luck and I hope you have a safe trip

 

[gilld]

On the news they claim you can still buy books etc in Duty Free, but a lot of airlines will confiscate them at the gate.

 

[granmaz]

Probably not worth putting expensive equipment in the suitcases. Perhaps buy the cheapest digital camera available or disposable film cameras, but get the films developed over there so they don't get undeveloped film damaged by x-ray machines on the way back.
Otherwise, can you get insurance to cover such things in the hold?
I would like to think the authorities put more security people to watch over the baggage handlers, security folk who open the cases, etc under the circumstances. I also always worry about the baggage carousels anyway - anyone could take your suitcase before you notice, even before this situation of such valuable items in the luggage. Silly system really.

 

[MazdaUK]

I'll make sure I download all my photos before I go and on the way back so they're safely snapfished.

I'm hopeful the baggage handlers will be too busy with all the extra bags coming through to start rummaging through my smalls.

DH and DS(12) have big feet - probably at least as big as adigital camera (not sure if I can squeeze the video camera in....)

The stuff may be covered anyway under household - I'll have to check.