Rookies at flying

[aubriee]

Another question: Would sunblock be considered a liquid?

Four of the five of us are very fair-skinned and we require sunblock and lots of it. *lol* I know I can only pack containers of about 3 oz. on the carry-on. I usually buy the continuous spray stuff because it's much faster to sunblock three kids with that than the lotion. But the continuous spray doesn't come in small containers.

The towelettes are OK in a carry on, but spray or lotion must be in a checked bag. You can put little travel size bottles of sunscreen (3.4 oz or less) in your 3-1-1 bags,.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I've been flying for years, and haven't seen this type of configuration. On a train? Sure, but not a plane.

Yes, WN did used to fly planes with some rear facing seats. They got rid of them more than 10 years ago:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/biztravel/2001-02-20-southwest.htm

You can see a photo here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/matt-bna/3161382252/

Quite a few airlines have backwards facing seats now in business and first class as well. You just aren't sharing leg space with another passenger, as you used to do on WN.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We paid the fee for early check-in, so I believe they automatically check us in and we can print our boarding passes anytime beginning like 36 hours before our flight. We were afraid to not be able to sit together, so we thought the extra fee was worth it.

You can print your boarding pass 24 hours before your flight.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes, WN did used to fly planes with some rear facing seats. They got rid of them more than 10 years ago:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/biztravel/2001-02-20-southwest.htm

You can see a photo here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/matt-bna/3161382252/

Quite a few airlines have backwards facing seats now in business and first class as well. You just aren't sharing leg space with another passenger, as you used to do on WN.

Wow. Did I start flying Southwest that long ago? I've been on that configuration, and I loved the rear-facing seats.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yes, WN did used to fly planes with some rear facing seats. They got rid of them more than 10 years ago:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/biztravel/2001-02-20-southwest.htm

You can see a photo here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/matt-bna/3161382252/

Quite a few airlines have backwards facing seats now in business and first class as well. You just aren't sharing leg space with another passenger, as you used to do on WN.

I stand corrected. Yet another case of 'just because I didn't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist'!!!

 

[ollyg]

Hi, everyone.

We are flying to Disney in 17 days. My husband and I have only flown once, pre-911 and before we had three children.

We are flying Southwest. Our kids are ages 4, 5, and 7. I am just trying to imagine the logistics of getting our baggage from the hotel to the airport to the baggage check. I mean, do they have baggage carts like the hotels do? Do we pull up to the airport and unload and then go park?

We have booked a park and fly at a nearby hotel that offers free shuttle service to the airport. But there is also a hotel attached directly to the airport that offers a "people mover." It's quite a bit more expensive than the hotel we have already booked. Is it worth the extra expense to not have to do the shuttle thing?

We are planning on packing three large rolling suitcases for the five of us and taking two carry-ons and three backpacks. We figured my husband and I could each pull a large suitcase and a carry-on. My oldest daughter can pull a large suitcase and wear her backpacks. Our two littlest girls can wear their backpacks. (Of course, this is assuming nobody decides to dart off in the crowd, etc. -- mainly thinking of my four-year-old here).

Any advice from families with young children who have navigated airports is much appreciated.

Thanks!

We also fly out of Pittsburgh and usually have the 1st flight out. We have stayed at the Crown Plaza and also the Red Roof Inn and used their shuttle service and the curbside check in with no problems. I priced it out and it was just a few $$ more to stay at the hotel vs. the fee at the long term parking at the airport.

I also was impressed with the wait times on our arrival back in Pittsburgh. We have never waited more that 15 minutes for our shuttle.

 

[prestonbunch]

We also fly out of Pittsburgh and usually have the 1st flight out. We have stayed at the Crown Plaza and also the Red Roof Inn and used their shuttle service and the curbside check in with no problems. I priced it out and it was just a few $$ more to stay at the hotel vs. the fee at the long term parking at the airport.

I also was impressed with the wait times on our arrival back in Pittsburgh. We have never waited more that 15 minutes for our shuttle.

Thank you for the info. I'm glad to learn about the curbside check-in. That has really alleviated a lot of my stress about getting three kids and all the luggage from point a to point b.

I've decided not to switch our reservations to the Hyatt based on what everyone's told me here. I think we'll do fine with the shuttle from a non-attached hotel. Plus, we are staying overnight both on departure and upon return because it will be a late arriving flight, so I'll be glad to avoid the more expensive Hyatt.

Does anyone know if they still give wings to kids for their first time flying? My girls are so excited to go on a plane!

 

[prestonbunch]

One more question . . . we are planning to take our double stroller. Can we push it right up to the gate? Do we need to tag it in any special way or will they take care of that when we arrive at the airport.

Thanks!

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes, definately - when you get to your gate ask the gate agent for a gate check tag for the stroller. Wheel the stroller to the entrance to the plane and leave it there - folded with any accessories removed. The stroller will be delivered to that same place when you land.

 

[DebbieB]

They were passing something out to the kids on our flight SW 3 weeks ago.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm sure that if they know it's your kids' first time flying they'll give them something. Also....get that stroller tagged when you first get to the gate area. Don't wait until you are ready to board!!! That's what one family did when I was flying a few weeks ago..held up the entire boarding proceedure while they got the tag, filled it out, and afixed it to the stroller!! You can get it tagged when you first get to the gate area.

 

[prestonbunch]

Went shopping today for some vacation stuff and I did find travel size bottles of the continuous spray sunblock. Yippee! They are 1.8 oz. each. I bought 2. I figure that should be enough to get us through until our luggage gets to our resort.

Bought TSA approved locks. (What makes them TSA approved anyhow? Just curious.)

Ordering my middle daughter's LL Bean backpack for Kindergarten a little early so we'll have it for the trip.

Got cute Disney princess diaries, activity packs, and invisible ink books for the plane ride.

14 days to go!

 

[prestonbunch]

I'm sure that if they know it's your kids' first time flying they'll give them something. Also....get that stroller tagged when you first get to the gate area. Don't wait until you are ready to board!!! That's what one family did when I was flying a few weeks ago..held up the entire boarding proceedure while they got the tag, filled it out, and afixed it to the stroller!! You can get it tagged when you first get to the gate area.

Will do! Thanks for the tip!

 

[kamik86]

Went shopping today for some vacation stuff and I did find travel size bottles of the continuous spray sunblock. Yippee! They are 1.8 oz. each. I bought 2. I figure that should be enough to get us through until our luggage gets to our resort.

Bought TSA approved locks. (What makes them TSA approved anyhow? Just curious.)

Ordering my middle daughter's LL Bean backpack for Kindergarten a little early so we'll have it for the trip.

Got cute Disney princess diaries, activity packs, and invisible ink books for the plane ride.

14 days to go!

TSA approved locks can be opened with a special key the TSA has. Note that the TSA does not always use these and somtimes will cut your lock anyway, due to this I just dont' bother to lock my bags, however if you do you definitely want to use TSA approved locks or your almost definitely going to have them cut off.

 

[tjmw2727]

Went shopping today for some vacation stuff and I did find travel size bottles of the continuous spray sunblock. Yippee! They are 1.8 oz. each. I bought 2. I figure that should be enough to get us through until our luggage gets to our resort.

Bought TSA approved locks. (What makes them TSA approved anyhow? Just curious.)

Ordering my middle daughter's LL Bean backpack for Kindergarten a little early so we'll have it for the trip.

Got cute Disney princess diaries, activity packs, and invisible ink books for the plane ride.

14 days to go!

Sounds great - good find on the sunblock I will have to look for that. You can have one 1 quart bag per person btw so if you need more each ticketed passenger can have a 3-1-1 bag!
Keep in mind that your bags generally arrive 3 hours after you check in (not after you land) so plan for that + a delay to be on the safe side.

Unfortunately ITA with the PP -don't be surprised if the locks are cut - some TSA agents are just to lazy to use the key. Carry anything of any value in your carryon and bring a few zip ties or keyrings for the trip home if your luggage won't stay closed without a lock.

LL Bean backpacks last forever- good investment!

I would also bring something chewey like gummy candy or gum (if you allow it) and or lollypops to help with ear pressure. I also purchase water bottles with a sport top after security as this also helps with the ear pressure.