Tips needed: Getting through the airport with kids and all the stuff???

[daisy1234]

I am trying to figure out how in the world we can get through the airport with all our stuff!!! I guess once we check the suitcases...everything will be easy!!! WE have 2 large suitcases and they seem to just make the size requirements! I will have a booster pad and 1 carseat! One stroller! I have a Plicko...18#. I really hate to spend $80 bucks right now but DH is thinking a MAC would be soooo much better for this trip. My kids will be almost 4 and 7! Any tips appreciated!

 

[ladulce]

Ok. I have flown with 2 young ones several times. After checking your bags, push them in the stroller until you get to security. The booster pad may fit underneath the stroller. If it doesn't DH gets to carry it whileyou push the stroller. (lucky him)... Then, at security, you will put the small booster through the security camera along with everyones shoes. The will "scan" the larger booster. Send husband through first. Each child will have to walk through the scanners on their own, so, just tell them to walk to daddy. Then, they will wand scan the stroller. DH should be collecting the shoes, pocket contents, and the stroller now. Then, you go through and re-shoe everyone and put them back into the stroller. Push the stroller to the entry of the airplane and ask them to store it for you. When you land, they will (usually) have it set up and waiting just outside for you. It sounds like a lot, but, you can do it. I just wish someone had prepared me the first time that they were going to force my 1 1/2 year old to walk through on her own..... Really- is she the terrorist???? Anyway, Good luck!

 

[daisy1234]

Thanks! That is very helpful!

 

[mjkacmom]

The last time we flew, we had 7 suitcases, and at least 7 carry-ons, 3 booster bottoms, and every single kid carried something! Actually, DH left me and all of the kids at the luggage carousel, and all 5 helped me grab out luggage, and carry it to the doors, while DH got the car.

 

[Colinsmom]

Carseats and strollers that fold go through the x-ray also. They only hand-scan these items if they do not fit on the x-ray belt. Also, empty your pockets long before you get to security - put it all in a backpack pocket or something. Wait until you are past security to pull that stuff out again.

At the gate, you'll need to get a gate-check tag, either from the gate agent at the desk, or from the agent taking boarding passes. It's different every time we travel, so just ask at the desk when you get to the gate how they want you to do it.

ETA: Jackets, sweatshirts and sweaters all need to be removed to go through security, so do it well ahead of time and shove them in a bag or backpack, too. Put the kids in slip-on shoes, but with socks (I don't let the kids walk through in bare feet) since shoes need to come off to go through security.

 

[wrighter]

In addition to the juggling act of getting through security, I wanted to offer my family's (almost) fool proof plan for getting everything to the check-in desk.

Let me preface this by saying my DH despises paying skycap.

When arriving at the aiport, we do not pull up to the "drop off" zone - we pull up to the "pick up" zone, or baggage claim. Usually we can find a discarded luggage cart. We load up the cart as much as possible with our gear. I take the cart and one child into the airport and start making our way to our airline's check-in area. Meanwhile, DH takes the remaining child to park the car. He brings any remaining luggage with them and meets us at check in. (This, of course, doesn't help your security line issue, but it has worked great for us and thought it might be helpful.)

Good luck!

 

[BeckityBobbidyBoo!]

We will have one stroller, a huge carseat and each of us will have a backpack with our entire 10 days worth of needs stowed inside. The carseat will get a ride on the stroller and the four year will walk or if necessary be carried partway by the non-stroller-pushing adult.

 

[Mkrop]

DOnt forget you need your boarding passes and DL handy so put them somewhere easy to get to.

Also some airpirts the stroller fits through the machine and others it has to be taken separately. Definitely prepare each child for going through on thier own, maybe role play with them.

Good tip about the bag and putting coats in, what a pain it was to remove the kid's hoodies. I will try this next time

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My kids always wear crocs too. its much easier than having to fool around with tie shoes in the security line. I agree about making the kids carry something. My DD and DS have been dragging along their carryons since they were both 2.

And if you're taking 2 large suitcases, make sure you weigh them, 50 pounds max. allowed. It is very expensive if you go over the weight limit.

 

[BarbWB]

Mom of 4. We travel cross-country 4-5 times per year, so we have developed a system.
We pull up to curbside check-in and dump all of the luggage. If there is no line, we show both adults id's at the curbside check-in and then DH leaves to park the car. If there is a line or it is cold, I take all of the kids inside and get in line. DH usually makes it back before check-in. If not, we wave the next party through and wait for DH.
We do not take carseats on board the plane. If your 4yo is small, you might want to, but the 7 yo does not need one. You can check the carseats and they will put it in a big bag to protect it. It's not perfect, but it is okay.
We check luggage and head to security.

Each child carries his/her own backpack with plane toys/games/books. They test it ahead of time -- if it is too heavy, they need to eliminate and repack. The kids pack their own stuff (with guidance for the younger ones -- I don't even check anymore for my 9 and 11 yo dd's) We no longer need a stroller, but it was great when my youngest DS had one! We always gate checked it (just ask at the boarding gate for a gate claim-check for a stroller. If you are at the front of the plane, you will probably have to wait for them to bring it up after the flight).

At security, we ready ourselves .. Crocs or slip-on shoes are definitely helpful. Wear socks, though, b/c no one wants to be barefoot on an airport floor!! Everything goes through the xray (including small strollers). One adult goes through then the kids, then the last adult. You will need a boarding pass, but not an id.

After that, assuming no security check (I have been scanned before with kids who couldn't walk yet -- I was not a happy camper!!!), you are home free. Grab a water bottle and you are good to go!

It's not too bad, but give yourself plenty of time so you aren't stressed about making your flight. My DH likes to make it with just minutes to go. I like about 20 minutes (or more) to grab a magazine and a Coke!

 

[set1208]

Do my little guys ( 9 mos and 2 y/o) NEED to have car seats on the plane? Is it required?

Thanks

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Do my little guys ( 9 mos and 2 y/o) NEED to have car seats on the plane? Is it required?

Thanks

Not required. We never flew with carseats with kids of any age. Both my kids always hated their car seats so it would have made the plane ride worse.

 

[summermac]

Just as I was starting to freak out about driving, I find this post. Damn, that's a lotta work for boarding a plane. Whew.

Good luck poster!

 

[Mkrop]

. You will need a boarding pass, but not an id.

!

In Philly we needed an ID at the beginning of security, checked byt the first TSA agent, but not as we got to the xray machines and stuff, just boarding passes. This was also our experience in MCO. You approach the security area, they check ID and boarding pass and then you go through security

 

[XYSRUS]

Oh my! We always use a skycap. They're so helpful and efficient. Yes, you have to tip them but I consider it part of the expense of travel. Each of the 4 kids is responsible for their own carry-on. I still make them wear tennis shoes in the event of an evacuation, but they know how to maneuver themselves to get through security. Plus, make sure you have your liquids/gels in appropriate quantities and containers. I think that is what makes/breaks your security screening experience.

 

[sparkyboy]

OP, we have traveled with our twin grandbabies since they were 2-now 4. Explain to the children ahead of time what to expect. Our twins know that they need to take off their shoes but not their socks; coats, and bags with toys. No drinks until we are safely through security. They know how to get the gray tubs and how to walk through the scanner.Have your ID out and your boarding passes out. Be sure to have all of your liquids in the appropriate size baggie and ready to put in the bin. Have your pockets empty, laptop out of case and in its own bin. Have one adult walk through first and then send kids through and then the last adult.

Thankfully, we are now past the strollers and car seat, but we still use sky cap. They are worth every penny we tip in making our airport portion of the trip stressfree,

Also, check with your airport to see if you need their birth certificates. some do require proof others have passed on.

Take a deep breath, get water, caffine drinks, potty breaks and enjoy your vacation.

 

[dougsmom98]

Our large suitcases have a strap on them so they can be linked together. DH rolls the two large suitcases behind him with one hand and carries my DD's car seat with the other. I push my DD in the stroller. DH and I both have backpacks on our backs. That is what we use as carry on luggage. One backpack has food and things to entertain the kids and is stored under the seat in front of us on the plane for easy access. The other back pack has a change of clothes, bathing suits, meds... in case the luggage gets lost and is stored in the overhead compartment. Each of our boys has a rolling backpack with their clothes for the week. Since they were 4-5 they were in charge of rolling that through the airport along with their low back booster seats. The booster seats actually rest nicely on the handles of the rolling back packs. We check the luggage, rolling back packs, car seats and booster seats and then it is just the two back packs on our backs and the stroller that we need to get through the airport with the kids. Once you get through security, it should be smooth sailing. Good luck!

 

[arielmomma]

I would recommend cutting down on how much luggage you bring. When we go with two kids (one I still have to bring diapers and the works for) we limit ourselves to 1 large suitcase to share between all of us for a trip of at least a week and a carry on backback. If we fly an airline that charges for baggage, we each bring a carry on and we load them and the carseat on the back seat of our double stroller and make our 4 year old walk. We put all of our ID's and boarding passes and snacks in a fanny pack for easy access. This makes it pretty easy.

 

[pjzkent]

I also highly recommend slip on shoes, it does speed things up some. Each child also has a rolling backpack carry on that they are responsible for. Do you need to take the stroller? We did a stroller swap on disboards last trip and that cut down on baggage. We check our car seats at the curb (but we also fly SW so no bag charges)

We also do the curb check in, one grownup takes all the luggage to curb check, the other parks the car and comes back. It is complete insanity while it is going on, but once you arrive, it is just a bump in the road

 

[AwaitingMagic]

Have them wear easy shoes - my kids wore crocs - easy off and back on!!