so nervous about flying tomorrow

[surfergirl602]

I'm flying by myself across the country with my three kids to go home to Maine for Christmas. We live just an hour north of Texas. I have only flown once before in my life, and I'm terrified of flying with the kids by myself. I'm not bringing a stroller, so I have to carry my two year old, the 7 year old will have to carry the carseat, and my 9 year old will take the carryon bag. I'm so nervous about missing our connecting flight in Baltimore. Our window isn't that big. The last time we flew, we waiting on the tarmac for over an hour, and I'm really nervous about missing the connecting flight home.

Can you give this second time flyer any tips?

Oh, we are flying southwest, and I just printed our boarding passes. One less thing to worry about!

 

[LindaR]

I simply cannot imagine doing that! Best of luck to you!

Pack LOTS of "snacks" and things to keep the kids busy. New things or stuff that they don't see all the time (to keep their interest up).

You can have them "drive" you to your next gate. Just let them know you need assistance.

 

[surfergirl602]

I simply cannot imagine doing that! Best of luck to you!

Pack LOTS of "snacks" and things to keep the kids busy. New things or stuff that they don't see all the time (to keep their interest up).

You can have them "drive" you to your next gate. Just let them know you need assistance.

I had no idea you could do that. Hubby usually takes care of everything - its amazing how much I depend on him to take care of us.

We have two dvd players and their DS's. My two year old will be content watching Dora and Diego the entire time. How do I get a "driver"? hee hee

 

[pigletgirl]

Ask the flight attendant! (S)he'll help you get to where you need to go, especially when she sees you're all alone!

Don't worry, it'll all work out. Just take big deep breaths.

 

[NY Disney fan]

You will be fine!! Just focus on landing and getting to your destination.

 

[amid chaos]

It's going to be a long day...but you already know that.

I always had some small new toys or activities to pull out when things got a little crazy. And don't forget simple games like hangman and "I spy".

If you are flying southwest, they are wonderful. Ask the flight attendant near the end of the flight if she could find out your arrival and departure gate number and pull out the magazine in front of you. In the back are maps of the airports,...Have the older kids see if they can find Baltimore, then both gates so you have some idea where to go once off the plane.

Once at your destination, ask a family member if they would watch the kids so you can go lie down for an hour and regroup.

 

[Micca]

You'll be fine. One thing you have in your favor--you're on Southwest.

 

[Maddle]

Yep - it's going to be fine. Just try to be very Zen about it. Give yourself plenty of time getting through security, ask the agents for assistance. Once you've done it, you'll never turn back. Sure, it's anxiety producing, but you just plow right through the anxiety and go...AND you'll be so proud of yourself when it all works out. (I have relatives who STILL won't face their fears and go.)

I cut my teeth as a flyer with little babies in tow. Now the youngest (DS22)flies all around the country on his own since he was in high school, deals with delays (even overnight cancellations!) and is an independent can-do kind of fellow.

Maddle

 

[momrek06]

You'll be fine.

Absolutely. You will be fine. As far as the "window" in your connecting flights.....I will say I had the same type of schedule in August when I was flying from CA to MA.....I called Continental and mentioned that while looking at my boarding passes (that I had just printed off) my connecting flights were so close. The agent on the phone looked at my flights and bumped my DS and I up to the FIRST row. We were able to get right off that plane and get to our gate in enough time to even stop in at the restrooms.

I would call SWA and mention that you are traveling with 3 very young children and wondered what they suggest as far as your seats and being able to get off the plane quickly, make it to the restrooms and then to your next Gate.

 

[surfergirl602]

Absolutely. You will be fine. As far as the "window" in your connecting flights.....I will say I had the same type of schedule in August when I was flying from CA to MA.....I called Continental and mentioned that while looking at my boarding passes (that I had just printed off) my connecting flights were so close. The agent on the phone looked at my flights and bumped my DS and I up to the FIRST row. We were able to get right off that plane and get to our gate in enough time to even stop in at the restrooms.

I would call SWA and mention that you are traveling with 3 very young children and wondered what they suggest as far as your seats and being able to get off the plane quickly, make it to the restrooms and then to your next Gate.

Unfortunately with Southwest, you are not able to pre pick your seats. You get assigned a check in number when you print out your boarding passes. I am hoping for seats very close to the exit. We get ready as we land, and then rush off the plane (well, try to) before everyone gets up and stands around to get their overhead bags. We don't have any, so that helps some.

 

[ols386]

I bet you will do just fine, and that your kids will do fine also. It will be a long day, but you can do it. I'll be thinking positive thoughts for you.

 

[minniecarousel]

Wow - Southwest doesn't allow an adult with small children to pre-board? I guess other airlines do it when there are assigned seats.

Good luck. Stay calm.

 

[Boo'sMom]

A suggestion on flying into New England from Texas. Be sure your winter jackets are easily accessible, as you'll want them before you even leave the airport. It's downright frigid here.

 

[Boo'sMom]

Actually, you'll be able to preboard your SWA flight.
You should be fine. Good Luck!!!

 

[crashbb]

Unfortunately with Southwest, you are not able to pre pick your seats. You get assigned a check in number when you print out your boarding passes. I am hoping for seats very close to the exit. We get ready as we land, and then rush off the plane (well, try to) before everyone gets up and stands around to get their overhead bags. We don't have any, so that helps some.

You'll be fine! Stressing will only make things worse. Assuming that you bought a single (connecting) ticket, SW assumes that you can make the connection - and they know their schedules.

Two points though:

1) Are you using the car seat on the plane? That will greatly impact your ability to "rush off the plane". You cannot start to unhook it until the seatbelt sign is off (i.e. until the plane is basically ready to unload) and they can take a few minutes to unhook.

2) The "drivers" are meant for people with mobility problems and are limited. Often times, you end up waiting for the driver to come to the gate to get you. And, in some airports,the "carts" carry more than one group, so you may have to stop at other gates on your way. Although the carts move faster than walkers, the entire experience isn't always faster.

 

[crashbb]

Actually, you'll be able to preboard your SWA flight.
You should be fine. Good Luck!!!

No, families with small children board between groups A and B. If the OP has an A boarding pass, using family boarding would actually mean boarding later than not using it.

 

[skuttle]

Are you sure you don't want to bring just a cheap umbrella stroller? I can't imagine having to hold my child throughout the airport!! I would go much faster with a stroller for sure!

 

[Boo'sMom]

No, families with small children board between groups A and B. If the OP has an A boarding pass, using family boarding would actually mean boarding later than not using it.

Interesting, that hasn't been my experience with SWA since they changed their boarding procedures. Maybe each airport is somewhat different.

 

[MsDisney23]

You've got some great advice from all the other poster's.

Allow yourself enough time, mayube arrive a little earlier to take off the stress. Allow for bathroom stops. You might want to just pay the skycap and check your luggage at the curb, and you can let them know that you need assistance getting to the gate. They can acutally drive you to the gate on one of their passanger carts. This will cost you a samll tip, say $5.00, but well worth it.

Pack many snacks, and even some sandwiches, kids like the Smucker's PB & J, or homemade ham & cheese, bologna, please no tuna or eggsalad as it will smell up the cabin.

As the one poster stated, it is very cold up here in the North East, dress warm and have those winter coats, hats and gloves ready!

Safe travels and you will be fine.

 

[crashbb]

Interesting, that hasn't been my experience with SWA since they changed their boarding procedures. Maybe each airport is somewhat different.

It's possible that the gate agents are the airports you've flown out of have made up their own rules, but between A and B is the policy stated on the SW website.

Q: Do families still get to preboard?
A: An adult traveling with a child four years old or younger will board between the "A" and "B" boarding groups, unless you have an "A" boarding pass. Those Customers holding an "A" boarding pass should board with the "A" boarding group. With an all-jet fleet outfitted with comfortable, leather seats, our families traveling with small children are easily accommodated together.

Although I have heard of situations where they didn't do the family boarding at all (too many families), I've not heard of a situation where they did a family pre-boarding (i.e. before the A group). YMMV.

They do do a disability pre-board.