Need help, airport procedures!

[KATIESMOMMY]

Ok, I know my trip isnt for 9 months, but I am obsessing over this and it is driving me crazy. None of us have ever flown....ever. Can someone walk me through what to do when you get to the airport??? We are leaving from SBN, I believe we will be switching plances at CVG ( or it may be ATL) and then into MCO.
It will be me, DH, DD 2 and New baby 3 months. We will have a few pieces of luggage, double stroller,2 car seats, a diaper bag and 2 carryons ( I think).
Do we lug everything in to the counter or will there be someone at the curb who will help us ( DH swears they dont do that anymore)?Do they have some kind of luggage carrier you can rent to move everything across the airport?Once we check the baggage we dont have to see it again until we get there,or do we move it from one flight to the other? Should I keep my digital camera and camcorder in my carryon or do we check it too?Also, where do we go when we first get there?I believe we go to a counter for our airport, but not sure if there is a special place to go for the luggage.Where are the security checkpoints?I read that we have to put the carseats and stroller thru the xray and m worried about wrangling the kids and all the luggage at the same time

I feel really really foolish, but at this point I just dont know how we are going to lug everything through the airport. If someone could give me a step by step it would be appreciated! TIA!!

 

[msklcassidy]

Step 1 is remember to breathe and have patience.

When you arrive at the airport you will usually find a skycap who will either assist you with curbside check (not available everywhere) or they will take your stuff inside to the airline's ticket counter. I don't know what airline you are flying but be sure to have your itinerary with you. (If you are flying Southwest, you can print out your boarding documents 24 hours before your flight time). The airline ticket counter will put destination tags on all your luggage (be sure to put your own with your contact info: name, address, phone on EVERY bag -- checked and unchecked) and will give you your luggage receipts and boarding documents (unless you already have them). After this, at most airports (or at least the ones I fly in and out of) you will have to take your bags to the TSA screening area for checked luggage (the person at the airline counter will direct you to where it is). You give the luggage you want to check to the TSA and then you won't see it (or be responsible for it again) until you get to Orlando. Most airports do have luggage carts you can rent.

Once you've taken care of your checked luggage, you'll head for the gates. At the security screening area you will need give your photo id and boarding document to a person who will look them over and then direct you to a metal detector area. You will need to put all of your carryon items and coats into bins (provided)to go through the conveyor belt/xray thing while you walk through the metal detector. You may be asked to remove your shoes (I generally travel in sandals/flip-flops/ or keds so I don't have to do this! My husband, however, who has size 13 feet always has to remove his shoes since he won't wear sandals/flip-flops.) You will be allowed to carry the infant through the metal detector, but your 2 year old will have to walk (unless there is a disability)through on his/her own. I generally "sandwich" my son between my husband and I -- i.e., I go first, then my son, then my husband. Your stroller will go through a side area and you will get directions about where to put it. Often times the leg snaps on your little ones clothing will set off the metal detector. Don't panic. Just ask to be wanded. (The TSA guys and gals are generally pretty good when you are travelling with little ones).

I don't know if you are putting the kids in carseats or not on the plane. If so, yes, you will have to wrangle with them and the kids. Be sure your car seats are FAA approved or you won't be able to use them (I think now nearly all of them are). Again, the airport screeners will help you get the stroller/carseats through screening so you don't have to/aren't expected to suddenly be an octupus!

You can "gate check" your stroller instead of checking it if it is easier to transport the kids through the airport with it. I've generally packed mine in a case and checked it instead of "gate checking" it without a cover..but I only have one kid.

As far as the camera equipment goes...film cannot go in checked luggage...but you're traveling with digital so nevermind. I ALWAYS carry my camera on and wouldn't dream of checking it since I'd be afraid it would be stolen. Also, you might want to leave the videocamera at home since remember, you are already juggling a lot of stuff at disney (kids, stollers, diaper bags)...but I'm not much of a video person...still pictures work great for me.

Here's what I'd carry on...diaper bag (loaded with supplies), some snacks (your flight can be delayed and the airlines don't have much onboard anymore), toys for your 2 year old. Camera/video camera and the car seats --that's it! Keep it as light as possible so you aren't stressed just with flying!

If you are flying with kids in carseats, remember the car seat is required to be by the window so that access to the aisle is not restricted. Also remember that kids ears (more so than grownups) are sensitive to the pressure changes. Talk with your pediatrician about giving the kids some sudafed or other decongestant. Make sure you have a sippy cup for your 2 year old so that she can suck on it or teach her to chew gum to help alleviate the ear pain. For the new baby, either breast or bottle feed going up and down (unless they are sleeping).

I started flying with my son when he was 6 weeks old -- he's always been a great flyer!

Hope this helps. If you have more questions, let me know.

 

[tkldisney]

Great directions msklcassidy!
Most of the airlines now offer online checkin 24 hrs. in advance. I would definitely take advantage of this.
Another thing is the shoes, as stated she wears sandals/flipflops which I recommend for everyone (even 2 yr old) or any non-tie shoe. We just automatically take ours off and put through x-ray that way there's no issue.
I also suggest you take a drive through your departure airport if it's not to far away, this way you can watch some of the other travellers. One thing is you cannot stop or park in front of passenger dropoff/entry unless you are actively unloading. You could always park and walk inside & locate the tkt counter you will be using and familarize yourself with the process.

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

thank you , thank you, thank you!!!! I don't know if it's beacuse I am pregnant or what, but I was up till 4am worrying about this You have no idea how helpful you are! Thanks so much!!!!

 

[Sandi]

You've gotten great advice and you're going to be just fine. I just wanted to add that you should be sure to bring a change of clothes for EVERYONE (not just the children) in your carry on bags. First, your checked luggage could get delayed (not likely, but certainly possible); More likely is that someone will spill a drink on mom or dad in flight and you'll want a change of clothes (can you hear the voice of experience?).

Finally, when you're packing your bags, I suggest that you put entire outfits in ziploc bags and squish out all the air. You'll be able to pack more and you can just pull out an entire outfit in one pull. Also, DO NOT pack one suitcase for mom, one for dad, and one for the kids. Mix it up so that if a bag is delayed or lost you aren't missing everything for one person.

 

[CarolA]

A few more hints....
At some airports it doesn't matter WHAT type of shoes you are wearing... you have to take them off... Assuming the TSA will EVER be consisent is pretty much just wasting effort.

FILM and valuables should NEVER go in checked luggage. Checked luggage is subject to much higher x-rays and it will ruin film. There is no telling how many folks have access to your luggage, but figure valuables will disappear down there.

Locking luggage. You will get lots of different advice on this, I don't bother. If you do make sure you have NEW TSA approved locks. These locks can be opened by the TSA if they need to inspect your luggage. (Now I figure if the TSA can open the lock so can everyone else so the lock is worthless but.....)

 

[CarolynNC]

You might also check out the website for you airport. You can use the map to locate your ticket counter and check out parking. It looks like a small regional airport. It might help you feel more confident when you arrive.

Once we check the baggage we dont have to see it again until we get there,or do we move it from one flight to the other?

Every time I've had to change planes my luggage was transferred without my having to retrieve it and check it again. If you want a definitive answer give the airport or airline a call. There's a phone number and email address on the website.

 

[Kycha]

You have plenty of time before your trip. So, think about making a trip to the airport just to get the layout. If you go before hand, you won't be stressed, you can easily find your airlines ticket counter and find out where the security area is. Although they won't let you through security without a boarding pass, you can at least see what is involved.

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

thanks everyone!yes it is a smaller regional airprt, used to have a lot more airlines going through it, in the last few yrs they lost AA, and quite a few others, still beats driving to Chicago and is only 10 miles from my home. I actually have been in there a few times to rent cars and topick my MIL up at the baggage carousel, but that was pretty much before all the security of 9/11.
I told DH that we will be making a trip there this weekend ( am sure DDI will love to see the planes leaving) but he just rolled his eyes so mybe just me and the baby will go.Men.........
Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions, you have NO IDEA how much you all have helped!

 

[pk1959]

Hi Katiesmommy, We have flown out of SBN many, many times and absolutely love the small airport it is. You will have absolutely no problems. In fact, we are getting ready to fly out at the end of this month again to Las Vegas trying the new Allegiant Air. Also thinking of using Allegiant out of South Bend for a planned trip to Orlando in December. You can relax, everyone there is very friendly and helpful.

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

Hi Katiesmommy, We have flown out of SBN many, many times and absolutely love the small airport it is. You will have absolutely no problems. In fact, we are getting ready to fly out at the end of this month again to Las Vegas trying the new Allegiant Air. Also thinking of using Allegiant out of South Bend for a planned trip to Orlando in December. You can relax, everyone there is very friendly and helpful.

Hi! My BIL has flown Allegiant to LV 3 times with Allegiant, he absolutely LOVES them! He said it was much better than ATA and with that cheap non stop he goes to LV more often now. He said the planes fill up, but they are always on time!The only bad part of Allegiant is the go to Sanford instead of MCO or we would be taking it. Am sure you will like them!

Do you know if any of the airlines have curbside checkin here? I remember after 9/11 they said on the local news it was D/C, but DH swears he read that they have it back now, but am unable to find anything on any of the websites. Me and DD were going to go today, but here in Mishawaka it is just so cold and rainy/snowy I just didnt feel up to it.

thanks for the info!

 

[pk1959]

Hi Katiesmommy, I don't think there is any curbside checkin at SBN. We flew out of there this past December, and I didn't see anything like that. One thing you want to be sure you DON'T do is park your car curbside and run in to help with the bags or kids or whatever and leave your car parked there unattended for even a second! You will have a $100 fine so fast your head will spin!! When we were there in December, there was several announcements about descriptions of cars followed by 'you now have a $100 ticket on your vehicle'!!

I wondered why it didn't sound like you were using Allegiant for your upcoming trip. We are not sure what we are going to do yet in December because of needing a car rental and not finding very favorable prices from the Sanford airport. Right now any savings from flying Allegiant is being eaten up by the higher car rental prices I am getting. I figure we have plenty of time till December, I will wait and see what I come up with this summer. Would be nice to fly from one small airport into another small airport. I was happy to hear that we wouldn't be disappointed with our plans using Allegiant for Vegas.

Good luck with your planning.

 

[Gary M]

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/mexpress.htm If you are staying at a WDW resort you can use the Disney's Magical Express (DME). Click on the link to read about it. The baggage you check at South Bend will be delivered to your WDW resort room without you touching it. If you are flying Delta then you check your baggage at the resort and you won't touch it again until you are home. I guessed you are flying Delta because of the layover in either CVG or ATL. As of now there is no charge for the DME.

 

[msklcassidy]

The Disney Magical Express is only available if you fly into Orlando (MCO) not Sanford. You might want to look at a town car if you are flying into Sanford. We generally use Tiffany and have always been very pleased with their service (and grateful for the grocery store stop to get water!). We've not flown into Sanford before, but I do know that Tiffany goes there. By the way, we generally don't ever need a car at Disney. The few times we have had one (either from driving down or driving over from somewhere else) the care has stayed parked the whole time.

Katiesmommy....you've gotten great tips from others. I've honestly never packed an extra change of clothing (for my husband or myself) in my carryon before (mostly because I never have had the room). I used to pack extras for my son...but he's 7 now, so I don't. In all the years (and hundreds of thousands of miles I've logged in the air) I've only had my luggage lost 1 time...I got it a day later though.

One last thing....I don't ever lock my luggage (post 9/11). But I do always put a colorful ribbon or an unusual luggage tag on it so that I can tell my black roll behind suitcase from all the other ones on the conveyor belt!

As to the tip about using DME...we've never used it before, but with all you are already juggling, either that or a car service (they get your luggage for you) is a good idea.

Have a great trip!

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

thanks everyone for the help!
We wont be using Allegiant because this a trip we won and WDW is actually booking the flights, I am guessing it Delta, either that or United (ted) as they are the only ones flying from SBN to MCO right now.Even if they start charging for ME we wont have to pay it as they are paying for ground transfers.

pk1959- when are you going in December. Playing around with flights from SBN recently ( just seeing what was out there) United and Delta both had $188 rt out of SBN!Havent checked in a week though.Good tip about curbside, my nephew works for Corporate Wings out of SBN, does the refueling,etc, and he says they give out an average of 3 tickets per shift on the weekend!

Btw- me and DD took a trial run Saturday . OMG, she just loved watching the planes, terminal is fairly small and was easy enough to navigate, I always thought it was bigger.( Have lived here all my life,lol) I actually stood around and watch people checkin and then went over by the security checkpoint doors just to watch, I thnk I was making them nervous after about 30 minutes as all of a sudden a security guard came up and asked if he could be of assisantance, lol. I told him what I was doing and he smiled and kinda laughed, he told me he could tell I was pregnant and that I looked a little perplexed,lol.Gotta love looking 7 months pregnant at 3 lol.
Dear Nephew came over and rescued me, lol and took me over to corporate wings, wow, to be rich enough for private jets!!!His boss got me permission to look around one, what cute planes!
Thanks everyone for your help, I think I have a handle on it,well as much as I probably ever will! At least I didnt dream I left the baby in the car tonight! thanks all!

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

pk- took a quick gander and right now the prices are a little more, United with a 1 hr connection in Chicago is 233 and Delta thru CVG or ATL is Base Fare:

Total: $189.00 (USD)
$38.20 (USD)
$227.20 (USD total

 

[ducklite]

IMHO CVG is a MUCH more manageable airport than Harts Field or Chicago.

I'd like to comment on some of the above advice, most of which was really good.

First off PLEASE, I BEG OF YOU, DO NOT give a two year old GUM! It's a choking hazard for them, and most two year olds do not understand not to play with it or drop it out of their mouth. In the past year, three times I've ended up with gum on my clothing because someone stuck it or dropped it where it didn't belong. Give her her sippy cup or a juicebox, it will have the same effect.

Second, I agree, carry on your cameras, medications, a change of clothing for everyone, an extra change for the baby, and double the number of diapers you think you'll need.

You might want to consider booking your seats in the back of the plane. You'll be first on and be able to have plenty of time getting situated. Then you'll have plenty of time to get off when you arrive without holding up other passengers.

I would gate check the stroller. You can use it to carry "stuff" while you carry the kids--if you put the three month old in a sling it will free your hands. I've seen a lot of women using them at WDW lately, and unless it's really hot, my guess is the baby is more comfortable, being close to mom must be comforting in that new environment.

It's very possible your kids will both fall alseep on the flight if they are in car seats--it's not disimilar to being in the car.

The car seats can only go in window seats, so you'll have to book two rows. I'd book on in front of the other. I would put the two year old in the seat behind the baby so when he kicks the seat (which he will do) it's the baby's seat he's kicking. Because the baby will be in the car seat, he'll probably never feel it. Perfect solution!

Bring a couple new toys for the two year old. Because of the car seat, his tray table isn't going to be usable, so coloring might be out. If he's an older two, colored chenille pipe cleaners might work, depends on his dexterity levels at that point.

Change the baby before you get onboard. Take the time once you are onboard but while they are still loading the plane to take the two year old to the lav. It will probably be too scarey once the plane is in motion, but if he's used it before take off it won't be as bad. Make sure he's out before you flush! Most lavs are now equipped with changing tables over the toilet. Bring ziplock bags to put dirty diapers in so it doesnt' stink up the plane.

Anne

 

[pk1959]

How lucky are you winning a trip to the World!! I had to laugh picturing you lurking in the airport making security nervous!! Glad you got to check it out and feel much more comfortable now. Thanks for the tip on seeing such cheap airfare on carriers other than Allegiant. So far the cheapest I have seen was Delta for $232 and Allegiant is $185. Much depends on the car rental prices that I get from both airports.

Good luck to you on your trip to WDW, and the new addition to your family!

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

ducklite]

IMHO CVG is a MUCH more manageable airport than Harts Field or Chicago.

We have no choice in this matter unfortunately, as WDW travel is booking that.

You might want to consider booking your seats in the back of the plane. You'll be first on and be able to have plenty of time getting situated. Then you'll have plenty of time to get off when you arrive without holding up other passengers

I have a question about that, someone pmmed me and said that the ride in the back is rougher than over the wings? I had not planned on riding in the back unless have too.I dont believe getting ourselves situated would take any longer than anyone else to be honest.We have not booked a seat for the new baby yet as WDW travel wouldnt do it without a name and actual birthdate (their rules they said) and I was going to book a seperate seat on our own, but I dont want us to have to be in 2 seperate rows if possible, so I probably wont now.....we will just gate check the infant seat and check DD seat as she will be close to 40 lbs by then as she is already 36 inches and 35 lbs now.


thanks for your help!

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

How lucky are you winning a trip to the World!! I had to laugh picturing you lurking in the airport making security nervous!! Glad you got to check it out and feel much more comfortable now. Thanks for the tip on seeing such cheap airfare on carriers other than Allegiant. So far the cheapest I have seen was Delta for $232 and Allegiant is $185. Much depends on the car rental prices that I get from both airports.

Good luck to you on your trip to WDW, and the new addition to your family!

LOL- lurking, made me laugh! Btw-paper advertised NWA has $183 flights tr for NWA out of SBN now....ty for the congrats! We were happy about the trip win then 3 weeks later found out we were pregnant, definately changed our plans! WOuld have preferred to wait till the baby was a bit older as my OB doesnt want me to go being pregnant (am high risk) so we put it off as long as we could, trip has to be done by Dec 17th,2006.