Very first time flying!

[shadonjenon]

Our trip to Disney in Nov.08 will the the very first flight for myself and my children: dd15, dd9, ds11, dd4. So I have a few questions about how the whole thing works.

1. Do I need to bring a booster style car seat on board for my 4 year old (she will be 1 month away from her 5th birthday at the time of travel.) and we will be renting a car while in disney.

2. What exactly do you pack in a carryon? I know things like laptop, ipod, books, magazines, leappads, ect. are good to help pass the time, and maybe a few snacks; but do you include things like clothes and toiletries? Our flight is only about 2 hours so I don't know why I would need to put things like underwear and shampoo in my carryon.

3. Is the restiction on the size of liquids in a quart ziplock baggy just for carryone items or does that apply to your checked baggage as well.

4. How early should we arrive before our flights departure time?

5. How many carryon's is each person allowed? How big can it be? and does a purse count as a carryon?

I think thats it for now. I really don't want to be one of those annoying people who holds up the line because they don't know how things work, so I am trying to gather as much info as I can before hand.

 

[madenon]

Hi Shadonjenon,

exciting isn't it, to fly for the first time?

Most of the answers you're looking for, you can find at the homepage of the airline you'll be using. They'll state (or link) everything from how late you should be at the airport (add time for yourself, just in case of a trafficjam, busy airport, kid taking up more time than you thought etc.), up to the rules at what you can bring with you.

The rules can change per airline for instance for carry-on (allthough safety regulations apply for all!), so it's easiest to just check out the site. Each airline I've just (or checked out when preparing) has sites that are very easy to use and informative. Especially when you're flying for the first time. Also most of the sites will have good info on situations that may require you to make some extra pre-arrangements or arrive earlier at the airport than normall.

The liquid-rules only apply for carry-on, so if you would want to bring a gallon of water in your luggage; go ahead.

The carseat; you wont need it for flying. Some of the small babies might be allowed to stay in their maxicosi -allthough at takeoff and landing they'll have to sit at the lap of an adult, in restrains-, but only if there happen to be extra seats available. Kids at the age of 4 can handle the seat, no problems. Just like a normall chair, but with restraints. It's up to you what you think is most comfortable. Bring the seat along for the rented car, or rent a car seat in Orlando and not having to take it with you.

What to put in carry-on? What you like! Some prefer to put everything in there, so they can bypass luggage-claim. But when travelling with kids, I doubt it you'll be able to take everything as carry-on. So take something with you that'll entertain the kids (allthough 2 hours are very ok for a first flight to keep them pretty busy) and something for yourself. You'll want tickets, money, camera, anything of value in the carry-on. It can be wise to put 1 change of clothes per person in the carry-on. If your suitcases would get lost or get in later, at least you wont have to worrie about the first day. In that case; put everything in there you'll need need need on the first day. Also put all medication you're taking with you in the carry-on.

Food or drinks might be something to consider. While you can buy them on board, they'll be expensive. It varies how the airline handles it, some give free drinks -and/or food- on the short flights, others don't.

I'm travelling a bit longer to WDW (coming over from Europe ), and this is what I'm planning on taking in my carry-on;
- all papers, money and cards, prints with my info on it etc.
- sunglasses
- some pen & paper
- something to freshen up like deoderant etc.
- change of close just in case my luggage gets lost (and whit using the ME, if it doesn't get there for some hours)
- some sunscreen so I can start my vacation, regardless of where my luggage is
- some entertainment for onboard (allthough not really needed when flying intercontinental)
- inflateble pillow for the sleepinghours
- medication and needed papers for customs
- anything of value like camera and mp3-player
- ziplock bags; protection for tickets etc. while in wet rides. Again; just in case of the luggage not............
- mobile phone
- the extra medical stuff and aids I'm bringing along
- comb and some make-up


Except for the medical stuff this weighs never more than 11 pounds. And somehow I allways end up leaving the airplane thinking "I'm taking way to much carry-on with me I never had to use during the trip, I'm doing something wrong".

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

1. Booster seats are not allowed on planes, so that solves that problem.

2. You may take whatever you like in your carry-on, as long as it does not violate TSA guidelines:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

3. The 3 oz. liquid/gel restrictions apply to carry-on luggage only.

4. You should arrive at the airport at least 1 1/2 hours before flight time, possibly even 2 hours with kids, lots of luggage and if you think there will be long lines.

5. Check your airline's web site for specific carry-on guidelines. Usually you may bring 2 items, such as a backpack and a small suitcase, or a purse and a backpack, etc.

If your children have never flown, check out this info from the TSA website to get them prepared:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm

Keep in mind that all rules are subject to change and if you aren't traveling until Nov 2008, no need to be too concerned now.

 

[shadonjenon]

Thanks a bunch for the quick responses.

 

[goofy4tink]

Most of us here will always recommend packing a change of clothes and basic toiletries in your carryon. Sometimes, not often, but sometimes, luggage is misdirected. It's nice to be able to change your clothes and freshen up..so I always pack a change of clothes, a swimsuit (if traveling to WDW in the warm months!!), some snacks, a book, travel docs, all my electronics (cameras, cellphones, etc), in my zip-loc quart sized baggie I put suntan lotion, toothpaste, shampoo, mouthwash, hand lotion, Purell.
I haven't had my luggage go astray in many years, but even so....it's nice to have those things at hand since so many of us use DME and don't have access to our checked bags for the first several hours of our stay.