Help for a newbie.

[wbarkhur]

I have never flown and have a ton of questions I am hoping that someone will know the answers to. My family will be flying out of Denver, to MCO, flying out Nov 20, back Dec. 5 (Have not bought tickets yet still waiting for SW prices). There are 7 of us Me, DH, DD12, DD10, DS7, DS6, DS2. We are staying off site and plan to rent a Mini van. My questions are......

1. What type of ID are we all going to need to fly? Do we need to get passports, what type is acceptable?

2. Will my 2yr old need a safety(car) seat on the flight?

3. How do you choose your seats on the plane? I know we can not all sit in the same row, just worried that with so many of us we will be split up all over the place, not wanting that to happen.

4. I am going to pack each of the kids a travel backpack with toys and games, and snack type of stuff. Will this be ok as a carry on bag?

5. What are the ages in FL that kids have to be in car/booster seats. I am sure the 2yr old, but not sure about the 6yr old or 7yr old.

I am sure I will have more questions as we get closer to booking our tickets. Thank you for your help.

 

[kidd_freeper]

1. What type of ID are we all going to need to fly? Do we need to get passports, what type is acceptable?

Driver's license for each adult is usually sufficient. A passport is not necessary for flights that originate and end domestically. You can vouch for minors, they do not need IDs

2. Will my 2yr old need a safety(car) seat on the flight?

I don't believe so, but check with your airline. The seats use lapbelts without a shoulder strap, thus a safety seat is unnecessary.

3. How do you choose your seats on the plane? I know we can not all sit in the same row, just worried that with so many of us we will be split up all over the place, not wanting that to happen.

Southwest has their own system. I really doubt that your group of seven will be split up. If it is, you'll be close together.

4. I am going to pack each of the kids a travel backpack with toys and games, and snack type of stuff. Will this be ok as a carry on bag?

Yes. Liquids and pastes are not going to make it through securiy though. You can bring empty sippy cups and buy juice/drinks after you go past security

5. What are the ages in FL that kids have to be in car/booster seats. I am sure the 2yr old, but not sure about the 6yr old or 7yr old.

Less than four needs a car seat. Less than six needs either a car seat or a booster seat. If the 6 or 7 year old are unusually small for their age, I would recommend a booster seat so that the belt doesn't lay across their throat (Orlando drivers are a bad combination of confused tourists and the elderly, so a mild degree of safety is suggested). If the six year old is of normal or big size, he will be thrilled at the chance to ride without a booster seat.

 

[skiingfast]

1. Only the adults will need ID's, driver's licenses. Or a state issued photo ID.

2. No, but if you want to bring it she can sit on it if it fits in the seat. Some rear facing child seats will not becaus the seats are so close to each other.

3. I'm not current on SW policies but as far as I know you don't choose your seats until you are about to sit down. They load a bunch of people at once. It may be tricky. If you fly another airline you c ould choose your seats.

4. Yes a childs back pack is usually a perfect sized carry on. Bigger bags are ok too. Also take lunch with you no drink, just food. You can also carry this on in a grocery bag, it's like a purse.

5. Don't know FL law. Ask the rental company, they will rent car seats and should know.

6. You know of Magical Express right? If you don't need the van all of your trip you could cut some cost and gain some convenience using it.