Large Family and flying -- tips please

[khaoskat]

2 Adults 4 kids (10-2)...

Anyone have any suggestions - we will have all carryon, strollers, carseats...

1) Getting through TSA with everyone and everything w/o holding everyone up forever...
2) getting from point A to point B at our connecting location...

 

[mmorris72]

Get there EARLY, have kids wear slip on shoes if possible such as crocs or sandals. Have older kids carry their own carry on. We have done it twice with 4 kids (similar ages). Enjoy and just relax.

 

[4kids4karen]

Get there EARLY, have kids wear slip on shoes if possible such as crocs or sandals. Have older kids carry their own carry on. We have done it twice with 4 kids (similar ages). Enjoy and just relax.

This! Getting there early is the key.

Also jackets, belts, and shoes have to be taken off at security so if you can already have those removed before approaching (at least belts and jackets) that would help you get through faster. Just stick them into one of the backpacks if there is room.

Be sure you do not have any drinks, even unopened drinks as you will have to throw it out.

Once you have gone through security... move way... by this I mean don't put your shoes, belts, jackets back on right at the end of security. There are normally benches just a few steps away where you will not be blocking people still coming from security.

 

[maxiesmom]

Are you using the car seats on the airplane? If not, check them. The less stuff you have to haul around the better.

As far as making a connecting flight, how much time do you have between flights? If it is only a quick connection, have the kids use the bathroom on the airplane. If the connection is short, you goal will be to get to the next gate. Anything else might have to wait. Also, if you have a short connection anything you have gate checked and have to retrieve will eat up valuable time. Do you need those strollers in the airport, or can you do without them? Again, the less you have to fuss with, the better.

 

[Gracie09]

Look on the Tsa website for video of the security checkpoints so the kids know what to expect. Look for family lanes. If they have them use them.

 

[brymolmom]

Kids 12 and under can keep their shoes on - So don't worry about slip-ons. My best advice is to bring as LITTLE 'stuff' as possible. Yes, you'll need a bunch of stuff for the 2 year old (diapers, and 'distraction toys') - but the 10 year old should be good with a book and maybe ipod (if he/she has one). You'll want lots of hands for the airport so as little to carry the better.

Also - If you have a 5 point harness carseat that is good for the plane, but I see a lot of people carry booster seats onto planes and these can't be used on planes so it's just carrying 'excess' baggage. I would check those if you have any kids those ages.

Don't bring any liquid through security...IMO, don't even bring any 3 ounce containers - then you don't have to dig through your stuff to find your quart bag and keep it separate. Buy the kids drinks after security as needed.

 

[houseofduck]

Children (under 12, I think) no longer have to take off shoes to go through security.

You can also bring drinks through security for young children. Just make sure to take out the drinks and put them in a bin. Sometimes, they will check them separately. Having drinks will slow you down. If you can do without them, I would!

 

[khaoskat]

We will use the stroller to get the 2 year old from place to place...
We will use the carseat on the plane...

After hubby and I flew in Dec. 2004, and seeing what happened to another family, we swore we would never counter check carseats....the poor family had both of their carseats not make the plane and it was the last flight in. So, the dad had to drive 1 1/2 hours home, get the spare seats from the other car, then drive 1 1/2 hours back to the airport and then back home 1 1/2 hours.

I really don't want to get stuck in MCO waiting on the airlines to deliver our carseats....

 

[maxiesmom]

We will use the stroller to get the 2 year old from place to place...
We will use the carseat on the plane...

After hubby and I flew in Dec. 2004, and seeing what happened to another family, we swore we would never counter check carseats....the poor family had both of their carseats not make the plane and it was the last flight in. So, the dad had to drive 1 1/2 hours home, get the spare seats from the other car, then drive 1 1/2 hours back to the airport and then back home 1 1/2 hours.

I really don't want to get stuck in MCO waiting on the airlines to deliver our carseats....

Are you renting a car? If so, are you not checking any bags that you will have to wait for anyway? The airline somehow missing a car seat is not something that happens very often. It is highly unlikely it would happen to you.

I would also make sure you car seat is approved for flight. Not all of them are. Be aware too that you will have to vigilant in making sure your little one is not kicking the seat in front of them. I'm not sure what airline you are on, but if at all possible put a family member in the seat in front of the child in the car seat. That way you won't have to stress about the kicking so much.

 

[set1208]

We are a family of six too. My kids are 13,7,5,3.

My plan is to use our spare lightweight boosters for the boys (not my normal, heavy duty good ones) because if the baggage handlers toss the heavy ones around, they are more likely to crack. I broke the foam liner in my sons last year when I tossed it onto the grass when I was cleaning my car. Expensive mistake! We are flying JetBlue and everyone gets one free bag. I hope to get them both into one bag. I only need two suitcases for all six of us.

For my DD3, I'm picking up a lightweight five point seat for her at Walmart. The ones my kids have are so heavy, I couldn't imagine dragging it all around the airports. She's right on the edge f being able to use a booster but I hate to risk it.

She never uses a stroller but I found out the other day when we were at the zoo on a hot day, the girl will need a stroller in FL! I have a nice lightweight umbrella stroller that I plan on checking too. She's big enough to make the walk through the airports. So that will make one checked stroller, a bag with two boosters in it, two suitcases and two more bags to spare, if needed.

When we go anywhere, DH, DD13 and I each pair up with a little kid. It makes it easy for us to keep track of everyone.

DH and I usually share a carry on for all of our electronics, and my kids each have one too, filled with their own stuff to keep them busy. I may just limit that as well and make up four little baggies of stuff and put it into one carry on to reduce the amount of stuff we have to carry.

The kids don't have to remove shoes.

Good luck to both of us! LOL

 

[Zeebs]

2 Adults 4 kids (10-2)...

Anyone have any suggestions - we will have all carryon, strollers, carseats...

1) Getting through TSA with everyone and everything w/o holding everyone up forever...
2) getting from point A to point B at our connecting location...

We have three kids but the last time we travelled it was a nightmare with all our stuff because the eldest wasn't big enough to push the pushchair and we needed two airport trolleys (we were going away for 3 months)

We do check the car seats, I put a big sign on them saying they are car seats we have checked them a number of times with no issue.

For me I weigh up the inconvenience of taking them as carry on to the chance they will go missing and the checking in wins.

buddy up your kids for security send the older one through and then the younger one straight to them etc. I help my husband put the stuff on the belts, fold up the pushchair etc. When we get through we move out of the way to put everything back together.

re evaluate if you actually need all that you carry on. Not sure how long your flight is but our flight to Florida is 10 hours and our trips to NZ 24 hours, I never used half the stuff we took the first few times. You do not need a book (you won't get to read it with a two year old)

Someone suggested lots of little gifts to keep them entertained, again didn't even get half the stuff out in between, meals, and watching the tv we were fine.

At connecting make the kids carry stuff they want it in their carry on they carry it. I am mean...

Man I can waffle........

have a great time, don't stress and enjoy the trip

Don't stress, you will get there and have a fantastic time.

Kirsten

 

[khaoskat]

My plan is to use our spare lightweight boosters for the boys (not my normal, heavy duty good ones) because if the baggage handlers toss the heavy ones around, they are more likely to crack. I broke the foam liner in my sons last year when I tossed it onto the grass when I was cleaning my car. Expensive mistake!
Good luck to both of us! LOL

Yea, we have heavy duty carseat (Britax Frontier 85 - yes it is FFA approved), and I also worry a bit about it being mishandled, broken, etc. I have replaced too many carseats due to an accident a year and a half ago, no desire to go through it again.

DD1 (5 year old) just has a Evenflo Amp Booster she is in, so it can be replaced easily at Walmart.

We have had to replace foam pieces as well, not cheap...


For us DS3 (2) will be more of a straggler if we don't. My husband tends to run ahead of everyone, and not keep an eye backwards on the kids (has lost the little one at amusement parks before because he gets too far behind hubby)....So, hopefully putting him in the stroller will make it a bit easier to get from A to B without loosing children or hubby getting upset because he is being so slow.

Unfotunately, we don't get any free checked bags. So we are trying to minimize how many bags we check.

 

[laughinplace199]

2 Adults 4 kids (10-2)...

Anyone have any suggestions - we will have all carryon, strollers, carseats...

1) Getting through TSA with everyone and everything w/o holding everyone up forever...
2) getting from point A to point B at our connecting location...

I'd bring as few carry-ons as you can get away with - the 2 yr old definitely doesn't need one. When getting through security and the airport with kids, "less is more." Lots of bags, along with carseats and strollers, just means more stuff to keep track of and potentially lose.

Yea, we have heavy duty carseat (Britax Frontier 85 - yes it is FFA approved), and I also worry a bit about it being mishandled, broken, etc. I have replaced too many carseats due to an accident a year and a half ago, no desire to go through it again.

DD1 (5 year old) just has a Evenflo Amp Booster she is in, so it can be replaced easily at Walmart.

We have had to replace foam pieces as well, not cheap...


For us DS3 (2) will be more of a straggler if we don't. My husband tends to run ahead of everyone, and not keep an eye backwards on the kids (has lost the little one at amusement parks before because he gets too far behind hubby)....So, hopefully putting him in the stroller will make it a bit easier to get from A to B without loosing children or hubby getting upset because he is being so slow.

Unfotunately, we don't get any free checked bags. So we are trying to minimize how many bags we check.

For your 5 yr old, can you take the back off so it's a backless booster? That would make things a little easier and you can gate check it for free.

Is the Frontier for your 2 yr old? I'd consider purchasing a travel seat. The Frontier is going to be a pain to lug through the airport. If you can swing it, you can get a Cosco Scenera or an Evenflo Maestro for about $50. They are both lightweight seats that are great for travel.

The stroller is a must for a 2 yr old. It will be a big help in the airport as well as the parks and your resort.

I know you said you have to pay for checked bags so you are trying to minimize how many bags you check. However, checking an additional bag will allow you to minimize what you have to lug through the airport, which will make going through security and navigating the airport much easier and less stressful. It might be worth the bag fee to have things at the airport go more smoothly.

 

[mcraige]

Do yourself (and everyone else) a favor and check everything that isn't absolutely necessary to have with you on the plane.

When it comes time to board, send one parent (and possibly the oldest children) on board to position the car seat. The parent and youngest should wait to board until final boarding, when the car seat is in position so you can quickly seat the youngest.

If you gate check the stroller, wait until practically everyone is off the plane to get off. Your stroller won't arrive on the jet bridge for many minutes anyway, and by waiting, you don't cause congestion on the jet bridge.

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

Buy a cheap travel carseat for the trip. The Frontier might not fit in an airline seat. We had a cheapo seat from Wal-Mart we used for a few years.

 

[Pesky]

Ditto getting there early and preparing for security way ahead. This includes you and your DH! The faster you two can get stuff out and on the belt, faster you can help the kids. We tag-teamed it. The older 2, you can likely instruct them what to do. But then divide and conquer. My DH would go first, grab as many bins as he needed (and I would say as many as your 2 eldest would need), put his bags up, take out his liquids and shoes. Then your DH could turn and make sure the older 2 are doing the same. I would stay at the rear and help the younger two get their stuff onto the belt, along with my own and talking it up for them. I'd also get the youngest out of the stroller and DH would fold it up. Voila, ready to go. Note that I had a bag of all liquids for me and the kids in ready reach, plus a separate bag for meds. Made it VERY easy.

Connection -- have the buddy system. Each parent is responsible for 2 kids. Make sure each kid knows they MUST stay with the designated parent during the airport haul. That way, if you get separated, no biggie, you're both heading to the same place and have the assigned kids in tow. You might consider have the older 2 more invested by pairing them with the younger two so you each have a younger plus an older. Have fun!

 

[houseofduck]

Most airlines (if not all) allow car seats and strollers to be checked for free.

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

Most airlines (if not all) allow car seats and strollers to be checked for free.

Actually a lot of them do.

 

[lotrisneat]

Definitely gate check your car seats. Then they're guaranteed to be on your flight.

 

[laughinplace199]

Actually a lot of them do.

Really? Which ones? This surprises me. We've been flying for years with kids, car seats, and strollers and have never come across this. It would definitely be good to know which airlines charge for these items.