Need help from experienced air travelers!

[kristenrice]

Since my last flight was over 4 years ago and 2008 will be my first flight with kids, I have a question...

This may sound absurd, but is it possible for one person (say, me) to check in at the airport, get boarding passes and check the bags for our entire party? The reason I ask is because we live about 10 minutes from the airport and it would be great if I could do all the checking in while the DH is at home with the DD's who will be 2 and 4 at the time of travel. That way, I could do the waiting at the airport and they could wait at home and join me about 30 minutes prior to departure.

I am assuming that with all the security and stuff, we will ALL have to be there the 2 hours in advance and subject everybody within earshot to my less than patient daughters. If that is not the case, please advise! I want this trip to be as smooth as possible for al involved.

 

[CarolA]

You can get boarding passes on line so no you don't have to all be present for that.

Technically all adults should be present when checking luggage. I "guess" that you could check in for you and your kids (assuming you bought the two year old a ticket that would give you 6 suitcases you could check. If DH's is in there, I don't think they would know. I have checked my boyfriends luggage under my name often)

Plus most planes board 30 minutes in advance. So your DH and DD's could easily miss the flight if they don't arrive until 30 mintues in advance. They need to arrive much earlier to get thru security and get to the gate. It's hard to tell how much earlier without knowing your airport.

 

[NotUrsula]

You should be able to get your boarding passes online, but as Carol pointed out, 30 minutes for arrival at the airport is cutting it way too close. They should plan to be at the gate absolutely no later than 45 minutes before scheduled departure, which would probably mean that they need to get into the security line at least and hour before, and 90 minutes before would be better.

Remember that if only one person is there to check bags, you will normally only be allowed to check the amount of that one person's baggage allowance.
So you would have to pack lighter if you did it that way.

 

[magicaldisney]

Just remember that 2008 is quiet a ways off yet. Just within the last year regulations have changed when new threats arose. You won't be absolutely sure what the situation will call for until you are closer to your travel date. It is possible that everyone flying will be required to be all together at all times, who knows?

 

[kristenrice]

Thanks everyone....

I thought I might be living a pipe dream.
We are flying out of Grand Rapids so I don't know how "busy" an airport it is. I know that it is small enough to walk from one concourse to the other in about 5 minutes.
Another quick question, if you have preassigned seats, does it matter if you are the first or last people on the plane? I would rather not board the plane early and then have to deal with the kids in their seats for another half hour before we even taxi.

Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Talk to the Gate Agent. Usually, boarding order is determined by convenience; but I know Song generally used to not allow a zone to board until all passengers from the previously-announced zone/s were accounted for. I'm sure they'll let you wait when you explain why, but STAY IN THE GATE AREA, please. Don't even wander over to the next gate.

 

[salmoneous]

If I have a pre-assigned seat and don't need the overhead space, I usually wait until the last boarding group is called before getting on the plane. Never had a problem.

 

[solgent]

I could do the waiting at the airport and they could wait at home and join me about 30 minutes prior to departure.

Lots of airlines have kiosks for self-check in. No line or a short line.

We travel often with our children beginning when our oldest girls were 11 months old. Particularly during the toddler years, I would get in line and DH would "guard" the children nearby, coming over to join in the line when I was at the front. This way the children themselves do not have to wait in line.

On the other hand, WDW involves waiting in line. We told the kids that the most important part of being a good traveler is PATIENCE. We would then compliment them lavishly on their patience.

I actually think that with younger children it is better to get to the airport even earlier than you would when travelling alone. That way there is no pressure. If the security line is very long, you can wait and try to jump in when it's shorter. Children are very fascinated with the bustle of an airport. If you get there with no time to spare, you will all be a lot more stressed.

 

[havencruiser]

The time it takes to "walk" from one part of the airport to another is something you can control. The length of the line waiting to pass through security checkpoints and the amounts of screeners and scanning machines they have operating at any given time is not under your control. The 90 minutes they recommend is just about right. Even an hour would be cutting it too close to get to the airport.

 

[bgirl29]

Hi there!

We live by Grand Rapids too. We flew a couple weeks ago on a Sat. at 10:30 am and it took us about 20 minutes to get through the security line back to the gates. Also check in was done manually by you on a new computer system, so this was taking a little longer while everyone was getting use to this, but the line was quite short. Also did you know that they do have a small play room for the kids to play in as well as an arcade.

We arrived not quite 2 hours before our flight and between checking in, watching planes land and take off, checking out the game room and grabbing a quick snack, the time did pass quite quickly. My youngest is 6 yrs old though.

The last time I had flown was 3 years ago and that was at 6 in the morning and at that time the airport was quite a bit busier so checking in took much longer, and then going through security takes longer now, so I too think 90 minutes or a little more is about right for our airport.

Good Luck and have a great vacation.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

This may sound absurd, but is it possible for one person (say, me) to check in at the airport, get boarding passes and check the bags for our entire party?

If you do self-service, you can check everyone in yourself, but if you are checking bags, all adults checking luggage must be present with ids.

If you are not flying until 2008 (!) why in the world are you worrying about this now? Who knows what the rules will be then?

 

[dudspizza]

On the other hand, WDW involves waiting in line. We told the kids that the most important part of being a good traveler is PATIENCE. We would then compliment them lavishly on their patience.

This sums up my feelings. Start teaching your kids patience and what they are to expect when they do fly. They will be 2 and 4 when they fly, which is plenty old enough to understand what they need to do...

Have a great trip!

Duds

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

One thing I've learned by travelling with kids is that it's always better to allow plenty of extra time. If you're rushing and stressed, it's no fun for anyone. If you can leisurely stroll through the airport, you can point out other planes and stop to watch a little. I'm one of those people who's always running late for most things but even I'm early to the airport!

I've always brought a child-size carry-on full of coloring books, snacks (no juice anymore,) and now that they're older, Game Boys and portable dvd players (best $ we ever spent.) When they were younger, I tried to bring quiet toys that wouldn't disturb other passengers like Play-Doh and Etch-A-Sketch.

When it comes to air travel, you never know when you'll have to wait for what feels like forever so it's better to be prepared. I've explained to my kids plenty that no matter how long it seems in the airport/plane, it's still way faster than driving!