Looking for advice for flying with a family of first timers and bad flyers

[geetey]

Traveling at the end of January to WDW with my sister and her family. Travel party - myself, sister, BiL, 8, 6, 4 yr olds.

Sister and BiL are both bad flyers - feel sick, very anxious, etc. Haven't flown for more than 10 years. Kids have never flown but are already picking up on the anxiety of the parents. I am an experienced flyer with Global entry. While I would love to ditch them and proceed through Pre-check without them that would be mean to both them and everyone else trying to get through security! haha Would CLEAR help with security in MCO? (Clear is offering a free trial.) I am not worried about getting there (airport is smaller; terminal is only SWA). I am concerned about the lines at MCO. Any thoughts? Tips?

Should I just take everyone's bags with me through Precheck? Take the kids and let the adults go through alone?

 

[robinb]

I would go through security with them and not go through Precheck without them. You will be able to support them in line.

 

[EACarlson]

If you can get the Clear Biometrics done before you leave that would be a very good option. If not, I don't think it's worth it to do at MCO for a one off. Depending on when your flight out is, you may be able to book a time slot for TSA in advance. IIRC, it's available until 11am. I would go through Pre and be waiting for them as they get through their screening, maybe taking the older one or two kids with you.

 

[sam_gordon]

I thought Clear just got you through a separate waiting area into the TSA checkpoint. It doesn't change the ID scan, taking off shoes, getting stuff out of your bags, etc, right?

 

[EACarlson]

I thought Clear just got you through a separate waiting area into the TSA checkpoint. It doesn't change the ID scan, taking off shoes, getting stuff out of your bags, etc, right?

Clear is the ID check. If you have Clear you scan and go right into the scanning area. If you don't have Pre you still have to deal with taking off your shoes and taking stuff out of bags but you get to skip the line to get to the TSA agent checking BPs. At MCO that can be a substantial savings.

 

[RogueX]

I've found with kids who have never flown, especially those who pick up the stress from those around them, it's helpful to give them a bit of an overview on what to expect going through security. That area can be absolute chaos and stressful for the most seasoned travelers.

For the kids, honestly, I think having a distraction on board during the flight, making it an adventure, etc, seems to help settle kids nerves when they are first time flyers. But then again, my first ever flight was when I was 7, unaccompanied and we hit severe turbulence. Instead of freaking out, I held my arms up and acted like it was a roller coaster.

 

[VandVsmama]

I would go through security with them and not go through Precheck without them. You will be able to support them in line.

I agree. Skip Precheck and go through the regular line with them. It sounds like your calming influence/presence might be really helpful!

 

[Donna M]

Lines can be horrible at MCO, but being ready before getting in them will be a huge help. I would help them get everything out of their pockets and into their carryon bags before the line starts. Tell them about placement of laptops (nothing on top of them in the bins), taking off shoes and coats, belts if needed. I am experienced and it is still stressful. My dh is always pulled over. Last time he didn´t take his phone out of his pocket, and I forgot to take out my cpap machine, but my excuse was that we had two kids in a stroller with us.

Having enough information before the trip can be a big help in alleviating anxiety.

 

[geetey]

Thanks everyone! Luckily the first leg isn't at MCO! That long line getting to the ID check is what I'm worried about. We will be doing the first leg from St Louis which is a manageable airport. We've already started discussing how to handle the flight and the order we will be sitting. No laptops this trip but they will have a couple of ipads so that part should be easy. Both flights are in the evening so a reservation won't help but hopefully CLEAR is still open after 4 pm. I'm going to look into that option further.

 

[butterscotchcollins]

For the adults, may I suggest medication? I was a nervous flyer for many years, white-knuckling my way through 6-hour cross-country flights weekly for work, and I finally caved and asked my Dr. for something to help. After a while I didn’t even need it because the routine of safe flights was reassurance itself but for the first few months it was a godsend for my anxiety.

 

[AuntieL]

I will say if they have the time my mom got her KTN back in 2 days (she has complicated name issues too) - all kids under 12 are covered with the adults. Many credit cards offer a refund for it. I get it I fly from Des Moines and it's not a big deal but it's a huge time saver in large airports.

 

[unrequited23]

My experience at MCO is with young kids TSA sends one parent through just the metal detector (not the full scanner) then send the kids individually and the remaining parent gets sent to the full body scanner line. This is different from how my home airport handles groups with kids (probably because it's not a major tourist destination for families.) So, I would emphasize that each airport does things their own way and that they yell a lot at MCO...

We watched a TSA youtube with my kids before the first time we flew and it went over the procedures. Also, Olly Goodbye Stress gummies help me when my anxiety gets out of hand.

 

[Kjdisney]

If you can, I would definitely do the clear. I fly out of mostly larger airports, but I haven’t seen Clear not available if it operates at an airport. Sometimes it might be at just one check point, but was available even if low waits in security lines.
My FIL is terrible flyer, and getting him to the front of the line without waiting was great! I had to go with him through regular screening lane, you can take children through the pre check with you but they wouldn’t allow an adult to go through.
I think it is best for everyone to stick together in the same line. Sometimes if you ask the agent, and can show you are precheck you can still leave electronics in your bag and your shoes on even in general screening. This would allow you to help the others and get through security more quickly
I also bring cards and we play gin rummy while waiting to board, totally distracting for him. We have also found audio books/music with noise canceling headphones is good in both boarding area as well as on the plane to keep him calmer.

 

[Boopuff]

I know when we have something new to do, watching videos can help. I'm sure there are some good videos about flying (maybe some geared to kids). My main thing is to really make sure the kids know what to expect. (you don't want to be "that" family that holds up everything!)