Getting onto the plane with 3 little ones and 2 carseats

[Anniegirl]

I am developing a logistical headache and could use some suggestions. We are a family of 5. The boys are : 5, 2 1/2 and 8 months. We are bringing a double AND a single stroller and gate checking them. We are also bringing a carseat for the plane for both the 2 year old and the 8 months old. My 5 year old has ADHD and does NOT listen well. My middle son was a preemie (27 weeks)and is quite developmentally delayed (more like a 15 month old). We are flying Southwest and they do not have assigned seating. I am hoping we will be able to preboard (we are flying into Tampa, not Orlando so there *shouldn't* be as many little ones on board so we *should* be able to preboard). I guess I can hold both little ones while DH collapses the strollers at the door of the plane. Then we each carry one child and a carseat and pray #1 son sticks close by? Obviously we need to sit together. Ugh, not to mention the diaper bag and a bag for activites/snacks to help pass the time for the little guys. This wouldn't be so bad if my children weren't so high maintentance......... Any experienced travellers out there with young ones???

 

[babby]

You will most definately be able to preboard. If you are the first on the plane you can sit in the first section that has three seats in a row and across from these two seats, but these two would be sitting facing the other three, so they would be taking off "backward". Understand? This way the 5 of you can sit together. Have you every flown southwest before?

 

[Anniegirl]

We've never flown SW before. I'd love for all of us to be able to sit together but I don't know how to be sure to be first to board. I don't mind flying backwards and the baby won't care since his seat will be rear facing anyway!

 

[Ardenne]

Get to the gate early, and as soon as an attendant is there, explain your situation. They'll be *happy* to let you board first, because then your struggles won't slow down the other passengers when general boarding is opened. In fact, when I was trying to do it on one trip without DH and with a newborn, one of the attendants came with me and helped me carry everything, then held DD safely while I installed her car seat.

I've never had a problem with an airline letting me preboard with a carseat to install. I'm sure having 2 seats and 3 kids will just make them even more inclined to help out.

 

[lovesdumbo]

The first time I flew with 3 children my kids were 4 1/2, turned 3 on the trip and 11 months. We brought 1 double stroller and rented a single stroller from A Baby's Best Friend (abbf.com) and 3 car seats-one was just a small bottom only booster seat that we used in the rental car. I had a bag for 1 car seat and this great backpack strap thing for the other here's a photo:

and here's a link: Pac Back Car Seat Carrier

I was able to put the booster in the bag with one car and a put my carryon on the seat of the other carseat that went in the PacBack.

I've never flown SW yet...but will on 8/28 but only with my friend, her DH, her DS(15) and my DS(4 1/2). I plan on staying up til 12:01 the night before and printing out boarding passes from their website. I did this for a friend of mine a few weeks ago and she was in the "A" group.

 

[Colinsmom]

Note that you CANNOT put a car seat in a rear-facing plane seat. You could still sit in that front section, but the car seats will have to be on the same side where the seats are facing forward.

I think that your plan sounds right. Send your oldest son on after DH but before you so that he is corralled between the two of you. The worst he can do is wander into an aisle and you have to pull him back. You'll need this type of approach getting through security, too.

 

[Msslaydbug]

I agree - get to the gate early and let someone know what your plan is .....~usually~ they are very good about accomidating. I fflew by myself with my DD when she was a newborn and while I was flying Frontier the Flight Crew was SO helpful !! You should be fine !!

 

[justhat]

I would definitely get bags for your carseats, or something like shown in that picture. That way your hands are free to hold a child each, and you could even hold the 5yo's hand if needed. Bags might be better cause then you can throw the diaper bag in with the carseat so you have less separate items to carry. Realize that this gets heavy, but I find it's easier than carrying a bunch of separate items onto the plane. You can keep them out for walking through the airport and just load them into the carseat bag right before you board.

They'll definitely let you preboard because parents have to be seated next to a child under age 5 (or so they told me when I asked about preboarding with my daughter once).

Also, not all Southwest planes have that configuration anymore, with 3 seats facing 3 seats. I've also had some difficulty installing certain seats in the bulkhead row (my infant carseat, the way the buckle was it just wouldn't tighten, even with an extender) so my suggestion would be to sit in the 2nd row, 3 on one side and 2 across the aisle. Stand with the 3 kids on one side while your husband installs one of the carseats (or he stand with the kids if you're installing it). Then move across the aisle with the kids, sitting one in the carseat if possible so you only have 2 to watch. Then the other parent installs the remaining carseat on the other side and you're all set.

If you haven't installed carseats before on a plane, know that rearfacing seats must be in the window seat. They'd prefer the other forward facing seat to be in the other window across the aisle, but if you really want it can go in the middle between the rearfacing seat and a parent in the aisle. I wouldn't do it this way only because it would be such a hassle to get the baby in/out of the seat if you have to, but if both kids have to be near you then it is allowed (I know my daughter would have thrown a fit if I made her sit with my husband while I sat across the aisle!).

Good luck, and I think with the carseats in backpacks you'll do just fine!

 

[Desnik]

I have a headach just reading your plan!!!LOL

I really always wondered how people with small kids do it. We live in NY and drive b/c DH won't fly. So, I guess I've been spoiled by just throwing everything in the car and having eveything I need with me!

Anyway, I was thinking, could you put the baby in a carrier, like a Baby Bjorn? Then have your stuff you would put in a diaper bag in a backpack diaper bag? Then the single stroller you're bringing, is that for the baby and the kind that the infant carseat attatches to? If so then I would just throw the other car seat on top of it and you or DH could stroll that while the other 2 kids are in the double stroller and you or DH could push that one. Does that make sense? That way you have all your kids with you they can't run off and the baby is safe and snug to you.

BTW, are you using a carseat for your 2.5yo because of his size or because you are required to? I'm asking because I am really trying to persued DH into flying in Nov. I also have a 2.5yo son who was a preemie and he is small too. He only fits into size 18mo clothing. Would I need his carseat for the plane?

 

[lovesdumbo]

I would definitely get bags for your carseats, or something like shown in that picture. That way your hands are free to hold a child each, and you could even hold the 5yo's hand if needed. Bags might be better cause then you can throw the diaper bag in with the carseat so you have less separate items to carry.

The great thing about the Pac Back is that it sits higher and snugger on your back. I found that the car seat bags hang really low and are nearly impossible to walk down the plane aisle with that thing on. And yes you can fit more into the car seat bag (we stuffed ours with winter coats) but you can still put a diaper bag on the car seat's seat with the backpack. I actually had a small cooler and carryon bag on mine. I didn't get mine online-I bought it at a Samsonite outlet and I think I paid $29.95 for it.

Desnik-you are not required to use a carseat but your DS will be safer in it. Are you planning on renting a car at WDW? I wouldn't trust a car rental agency to provide a clean and safe seat. I am still trying to decide if I will bring a car seat for my DD(2 3/4) in Oct. She's already 30 pounds. We will not be renting a car-using a town car service who will provide a car seat for her if we don't take our own. I'm going next Sunday with just DS and we are using ME so maybe if we like that free service we'll try it again in Oct and I think we will most likely leave the car seat at home since we cant use it on ME.

 

[luvdmouse]

Good luck. We've travelled numerous times with our three kids who are three years apart...multiple strollers, multiple car seats, bottles, diapers, etc. Just know that when you finally get there, everyone at DW will be so accomodating. That's why right now I only travel to DW or another very family friendly location. In March I will be travelling with both of my adult handicapped brothers--one in a wheelchair with oxygen and major medical equipment, the other visually impared. My mom is coming along too but she has early onset parkinson's. Finally, the easiest will be my own three kids-6,6, & 9 and DH. We are just taking everything calmly and one step at a time. Just reserved an 8 passenger SUV for under $300 to get everyone around. Trying to decide on best hotel for us now. Half the fun is planning! Good luck and try to relax. It goes so fast as is.

 

[Laura22]

Twice I have flown by myself with 2 children under age 3. The first time my daughter was 2 months and my son was barely 2 years old. I wore my daughter in a snugli, wore a backpack, put my laptop and diaper bag in the stroller, and had my son wear one of those wrist band things that connects to my wrist. My son was terrible on the plane and it was a constant struggle to keep him seated while holding the newborn on my lap, and even worse to get in and out of bags without any room to move.

The second time I flew was about 6 months later and that time I got a double stroller which helped a ton. I carried a carseat for my son and put my daughter on my lap. The carseat was a real pain because I had to strap it into the seat WHILE holding my 9 month old daughter in my arms, and the flight attendants just stood and watched me and wouldn't help (They said - it's your carseat - we don't know how to help you - GRR). But at least then my son sat still throughout the flights.

I am flying alone with them again in a couple months and now they are ages 2 and 4 so it should be a TON easier!

 

[Sheaboys]

I have been traveling to Tampa since all the boys were 6 months old each. Twice I flew by myself with a 2.5 yr old and 5 month old and then again with a 5.5 yr old, 3.5 yr old and 1.5 yr old. Other times dh has been with us. I suggest if your oldest is a wonderer, put a wrist thing on him and you. Put the baby in a snuggli or backpack carrier. Have the strollers already collapsed while in line, that way when you get to the end of the gangplank you just need to put them up against the wall, no fooling around with them. I don't have suggestions for carseats, since I check them in with luggage. The boys fly often 2x a yr at least to Tampa so they stay fully buckled at all times, watch their dvd, play with their leapsters and snack on food. BTW, we only fly Southwest. Good luck! It will all work out.

 

[IwannaseeMickey]

You will be able to preboard on SW, but make sure you ask! They don't announce usually unless you ask.

 

[lkaanda]

We went this past Jan. with a 2 year old and 6 year old. Getting on the plane was not too much trouble, but we found going through the security check to be the hardest part especially if it is crowded. Give yourself plenty of time since they want to check out the stroller, and any bags you have. We had our double jogging stroller, going was easy but leaving out of Orlando was mobbed. It was hard to move it past everyone and manuever all our belongings and 2 kids. Also there is the removing of the shoes etc. Luckily they did not ask us to take the kids shoes off, that helped a little. I guess just have it all organised as best you can and take only the essentials. We checked our car seats so that was one less hassle, but all the kids bags etc. was a bit much. If we go again by plane we will pack lighter. Good luck!

 

[southjerseymom]

Had 2 cars seats and two cranky kids (dd 18 months and DS 3) on a 7am flight (up since 3:30 am) last November. Strollers, diaper bags, toy bags, etc... I read every web page I could find about flying with kids. In the end it was ok. I did look at DH about 10 minutes out of Orlando and say that "this plane better land soon - I'm running out of toys!". In the end it is your attitude. Travelling with kids isn't easy and it sounds like you have your hands full. I was stressing big time before we even got on the plane with the planning and expectations. Just remember it really is true that people don't care what kids are doing on a plane as long as it's not theirs. Have a magical wonderful time.

 

[jtopp]

If you are flying Southwest from PHL, they do have a preboard line, and all passengers with small children go first to ensure ample time to board. We have flown Southwest a few times (relatively new to Philly) and they have a more relaxed, casual attitude to travel then some of the other commercial carriers. They will also assist you with your carseats and help you with your strollers at the end of the jetway.