New to air travel- nervous about logistics

[IBLarsen]

I have done with and without carseats on the plane, when dd was 1 it helped her sleep on the plane, other than that, I decided it wasn't worth it to drag my car seats on. I'm a car seat fanatic as well, and my 6 yr old son is not allowed to ride in anyones car without a 5 pt harness still. I keep my arms across them when landing just as a 'mom' thing I guess.

About gate checking car seats, we did this several times, and then last trip with AA we were told we couldn't gate check them (at the gate) and that we would have to go all the way back out and check them as luggage. I was almost in tears because that would make us miss our flight! Finally the lady decided to let me get by with it 'this one time' and let us gate check. SO please check with your airline about gate checking. When you do check them as luggage make sure they have a cover on them, and they don't have any checked baggage fees applied.

About ON the airplane with kids. I agree about giving kids decongestant (recommened by our ped), you can take this in a carry on, just make sure to tell them at security that you have liquid childrens meds with you.
Also Lollipops help at take off and landing for the sucking, and it helps keep the kids quiet for a few minutes Take kleenex with you to blow their noses during takeoff and landing..we do this every minute or so when ear pressure builds, it helps to pop their ears. The 6 yr old may be able to pinch his/her nose and blow very gently.

DVD's are great! Alot of people use their laptops for dvd players on the planes, but we have taken a portable dvd player as well, whichever you prefer! We let the kids each take a backpack with coloring stuff and other small toys, and they have a blanket in the backpack also (airplanes are often cold!). We have snacks divied out for them and easy to grab.

My kids just love being on the airplane! I hope you have a good trip!

 

[MG3G]

We frequently fly with our kids. I stopped using car seats on the plane around age 4. Many, many!!! airlines WILL NOT allow two car seats side by side so if you are planning on it don't be surprised if they say no. Car seats must not block someone else so they have to be in the window seat and can not be in an exit row. (They usually won't let two car seats because one seat "blocks" the other car seat passenger from getting out quickly - seriously there is no use arguing with them most airlines won't allow it period.) --- Also no you can't bring a booster and use it on a plane. They aren't FAA approved because they are designed specifically to raise your child up so they can use a regular lap/shoulder seatbelt. They don't do anything but make your kids bigger so they fit the seatbelt better. Since planes don't have shoulder belts - boosters aren't allowed.

As for carry-on - honestly I take A LOT! I would rather be bogged down like a Sherpa then get there and have nothing if my luggage didn't arrive! We take PJ's for the kids, all prescriptions, Tylenol, cough medicine, change of clothes for everyone including adults, electronic games, tooth brushes, lots of snacks! and their blankies and favorite teddy. (The teddies have some serious frequent flyer miles ) The children each have a back pack with toys and lovies, I have a back pack with the clothes/food/medicines, DH carries travel documents & cameras. They have had their own tiny backpack when flying since about 18 months.

For security - get there EARLY. A lot of airports have separate family lanes. ASK! Everyone has to put shoes and coats off and bags on the belt. Make sure no-one is wearing a belt and all pockets are empty. Check batteries in electronics before leaving home! You will have to turn them on at security. Send one adult through and have the other adult keep the kids. (Much harder when I fly alone!!) Then call the kids through one at a time to you. Warn them ahead of time what is going to happen and why! DON"T try to put everything back on right there. Grab the trays and scoop it all up and find the nearest out of the way area to put shoes and everything back on. Delegate either DH or you to double check nothing is left behind ahead of time.

If you fly with a car seat pre-board asp as you will need the time to install it! If you skip the seats be the LAST ones on the plane! The plane won't leave without you if you are right there at the end of the line and this way your kids have at least 20 minutes less time just sitting there stuck in their seats When we fly without car seats we choose the last seats in the plane. Usually the galley is back here so we can flag the flight staff if we need something AND we are really close to the bathroom which means no having to stand dangerously in the isle waiting to go! BUT this doesn't worth with a car seat because it is REALLY hard to not whack everyone with it as you walk down the isle.

Gate check strollers and car seats you aren't using. They take them from the ramp to the plane and put them by hand on board. Then they are waiting as soon as you get off.

Good luck - happy trip!

 

[shellyof4]

I just wanted to add that if you or anyone else is flying from a Canadian airport to an American one, watch out! I just did this with my DD aged 3 and wow, it was insanity. Get there at LEAST 3 hours early. We went through US Immigration (1 1/4 hours) then through the regular baggage screening (1/2 hour) and finally, just when you would normally expect to be free and clear to go to your gate, there was another huge lineup for personal screening. They physically go through EACH carryon (and only laptops and purses are allowed. NO baggage AT ALL) and do a physical pat down on EACH passenger. Even DD aged 3 was patted down. This took another hour and we were lucky because the Men's line was about double that. Women and children had a separate line.

Anyway, this is because of the bomb scare in December. If it has changed, hopefully someone on the board can confirm that they have finally stopped doing this. I flew Canada to US about 3 weeks ago. This doesn't apply going US to Canada.

Anyway, just wanted to give heads up to anyone flying this route and I personally was glad I didn't have much to carry on. That was a lot of standing in line!!!

 

[marmac]

I would certainly recommend taking the carseat for your 6 year old if she is that small. I have a 5 1/2 year old that is very small too (32 lbs). The lapbelts will not help with kids that small if you have major turbulence. I have heard horror stories of kids flying forward and hitting the seat in front etc. In the carseat this wouldn't happen and it is what they are used to sitting in and will be more comfortable. We have a 2 year old as well and we were able to put the two carseats beside each other several times. One at the window and one beside. But it is best to call the airline directly to find out their policy on this.

It is a pain to carry all the carry on items as well as the carseats but it is doable. A great tip I was told was to do up the seatbelts as normal and then you can slip your arm through the straps and carry the seat easily over your forearm. This leaves your hands free to be able to still push the stroller that is full of your carry on items and your kids.

As for carry on we take DVD player with headphones, laptop, cameras, snacks, kids meds, new activity books/sticker books, diapers, wipes, gum, soother (for 2 year old to suck on for take off and landing), etc, etc... If this is all in backpacks it makes it easier.

Good luck with the trip. It seems very overwhelming at this point but you can do it!!

 

[geekypeach]

Okay, so I think I've got it mostly figured out now. You guys are AMAZING. It astounds me- the amount of knowledge collectively kicking around here!

I also saw on SW's website (thanks for that pointer!) that you have to get your boarding pass 24 hours before on the dot to get the best boarding time. I had absolutely no idea. I think that in itself will have a big impact on what ultimately gets that far in the airport! I also called their customer service (wow, so nice!) and they didn't have any problem with us having two children with a plan of having them both in carseats.

I have a good idea of what I will do in mind now, with modifications ready based on our boarding time.

THANK YOU!!

 

[PoohBearFriends]

A quick answer to the last post on page 1. You do have to remove the DVD player and place it in an indvidual bin when going through security. So separate trays for laptop and DVD player.

With our recent trip to Michigan over Christmas the girls and I took up the whole conveyor belt with DVD players, winter coats, boats, personal item, carryon, oh did it take for ever. But the girls are now big enough and experienced enough to help with the drill.

BTW if you have a newer stroller you will be able to fit it on the conveyor belt and it goes through the scanner. Our old Cosco Double stroller was too wide and after a few times of different airports insisting for us to try to fold it and place it through the scanner we finally convinced them it had to be hand checked.