What are your tips for flying?

[pcgmom]

We plan to fly with our 2 children for the first time. What tips do you have for us? Thanks in advance.

 

[Donald is #1]

First of all, read the TSA site to make sure that you know what you can & can not take in your carry on baggage.http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1012.shtm

Next for the kids, I would keep telling them that it is like a ride so that they won't be nervous. Also arrive early so that you don't have to worry about the lines. It is alot easier to wait at the gate than it is to panic in a line. When you go through security, have either you or your spouse go first. Then send the kids through. Finally have the second adult go through last. This should keep the kids from wondering off on you.

Finally, have a great trip!!!

 

[mdhkitten]

How old are your children?

 

[pcgmom]

Our girls are 2 and 5.

 

[mdhkitten]

Well, my little girl is 2 1/2. She's flown 5 times so far. The one thing that you've got going for is that you have two, so they can keep each other entertained. It's not always easy with a 2 year old since they don't understand that they can't get up and run around, and it's hard for them to sit still that long (at least it is for my dd). The last time we flew I bought her stuff ahead of time that I didn't let her see until the flight. This helped quite a bit on the way down, but unfortunately I didn't have enough for the flight back. I would get things like snacks that you know that they would enjoy, I brought some new coloring books with crayons, and she had a little "erasable" board that had a magnetic pen attached. I think that she liked that more than anything! You can get those at Wal-Mart for around $5-7. It was totally worth the money! What airline will you be flying on?

 

[kidsicet]

You could also try to prepare them for an airplane by "playing" at home. Set up chairs so they get the feeling of how they will be sitting on an airplane. When DD#1 was around 2 years old, she freaked out about the seat belt. I totally forgot to tell her about the seat belt, and it was a real struggle to get her to put it on and keep it on! Bring lots of books/activities for them, and maybe even look into a DVD player to keep them entertained.

 

[bytheblood]

You could take a portable DVD player with headphones and let them watch a Disney movie on the way.
Coloring books are good.


Or, keep them up for a while so they will sleep.

 

[pcgmom]

mdhkitten, we will be flying Delta. Do you use the car seat for the 2 1/2 year old, or does she just sit in the seat? We have heard good and bad reports from those who have wagged the seat with them all through the airport.

 

[mdhkitten]

mdhkitten, we will be flying Delta. Do you use the car seat for the 2 1/2 year old, or does she just sit in the seat? We have heard good and bad reports from those who have wagged the seat with them all through the airport.

I asked about seating because we normally fly Southwest and the seats are 3 on each row, so if your husband was coming then you would either have to split up the children or one of you sit with them both. I'm not sure how your seating arrangement will be. I have not used a carseat for my dd. This past trip she was about 2 1/2, and she just used the seatbelt. It is a pain to lug the seat around! I've done it before. They do have the new C.A.R.E.S. harness that is supposed to fold up and fit in your purse and is FAA approved. It's around $75, but if you flew enough and were concerned about safety when flying, it could be worth it. Here's the website:

http://www.kidsflysafe.com/

 

[KJF]

We just took DD4 & DS2 on their first flight in Dec to Disney. I had a backpack for each child that I packed w/ stuff they never saw before - Crayons (cheapy dollar store ones), new coloring book, Crayola color wonder books (Disney of course), travel size magna doodles, individual animal cracker boxes, fruit snacks. We were on SW & split them up - girls behind boys in the window seats. Didn't take car seats - DH had a point when I was concerned saying that if we crashed we'd have bigger problems than that. They did stay in their seats w/ the seatbelts on. I think they felt like they were "big" being able to do what mommy & daddy were doing. Our flight is only a little over 2 hrs, so it wasn't that bad. Had room left in their backpacks for stuff on the way home. They came in handy at the hotel too - they'd pull them out & color when waiting to leave in the morning. Didn't take them in the parks - left them in the room. DS sleeps w/ a little stuff animal & DD a small doll, so both were also put into the backpack.

 

[NoKatMom]

Make sure that you board the plane when they let you with little kids, don't wait until your sections/seats are called. It gives you more time to settle in. Also, my DD5 had a tough time with her ears on our last flight earlier this month so make sure you have something chewy with you for take off and landing-tootsie rolls work well or something gummie.

 

[KelleyGirl]

I found that using the carseat for a 2 year old is helpful because they are familiar with it. Just as they don't ask to get out of their seat in the car, once in the carseat on the plane, my kids were very comfortable. My kids were young 2's when I took the carseat. After 2.5 or so, I don't think I brought it. My only other suggestion would be to wear slip on shoes. I have 4 kids and getting through security having to lace everyone's shoes back up (including my own) really took some time when there were people behind you waiting!! Our next trip, EVERYONE will be wearing a slip on or velcro shoe!

 

[Makua]

Talk to them about how the plane goes really fast before it goes up in the air, make it fun. I told my DD that there were bumps in the clouds just like on the roads so if we hit turbulance she wouldn't be afraid. One time on a trip from Hawaii to New York we were in the kind of turbulance that has you bouncing off the ceiling if your seat belt isn't on, she had been asleep and rolled over and said "jeez these cloud bumps are bad" alot of people heard her and it helped break some of the tension! Also if their ears hurt have them yawn. If they see you yawn they will and just thinking about it can make it happen!

 

[swillis]

Fly JetBlue! No really, they have the biggest seats, and built in tv's with Disney channel, Nick and PBS. I haven't had to pack a thing for my kids on an airplane since jetblue came around. A pack of gum, and we are good to go!

 

[sleepingbean]

gum (for popping ears) and snack bars went a LONG way for us! Without those we would have had trouble. Each girl had her own small backpack with three lightweight stories, one polly pocket style disney princess toy (small) one small stuffed animal, one activity book, one other small activity (suduko for my older, colors for younger). This worked well for us. The 3-4 yr old was pretty squirmy. Don't put a 3 year old by the isle! That was a mistake. She almost lost her head and foot at different times when the cart came by!

 

[yeahdisney]

Earplanes from Walgreens. My 3 yr old used them and then asked for them on our next trip, so I say they work. They are suppose to equalize the air pressure when the plane takes off and land. We explained them and practiced with them at home prior to take off, my older daughter had issues with putting stuff in her ear. DH uses them too, me too when I have a cold.

 

[deedeed]

My kids have a lot of problems with sinuses and ear pain so the pediatrican said that it is ok to give the kids motrin before we fly. It really helps with the pressure pain. We let each of our kids bring a tiny backpack on the plane and they fill it with stuff they can do. They really like being able to take their own backpack through the airport! We also bring snacks for them to eat and suckers for the landing.

 

[emerymt]

I agree about taking the car seat for a 2 1/2 year old. We have three kids and all of them have had frequent flier accounts since they were babies (we live in the boonies). The familiarity and security of their own car seat really seems to help- but not all will fit, so be sure you take a narrow, booster-type seat.

Another hint is that you can check the stroller if you have a sturdy rolling bag with you on the plane. This is very handy. Just extend the handle on the rolling bag, sit the child on the top of the bag while it's slightly inclined, and go! Our kids thought this was the best! Of course, if your child is squirmy, it doesn't work. We made some pretty tight connections and attracted some smiles using that technique.

The biggest thing is- act like it's a very interesting and exciting car ride. If they get even the slightest hint that you're nervous about flying, they'll pick up on it and respond fearfully. Our babysitter sat next to my (previously) unafraid daughter one time and repeated to her over & over "There's nothing to worry about." It tooks us years to undo that mistake! The most I would do is drive by the airport one day and casually say that you'll all be taking one of those big planes to Florida, won't that be cool? When the engines rev, I get out a book and read. The kids figure out it's no big deal and they're not afraid.

Also, planes can be hot one minute and cold the next. I dress the kids in layers (sweater, short-sleeved shirt, pants) that can easily be removed, and no sandals because their feet will freeze. We love zip-off pants for this reason. Sometimes they wear Teva sandals with socks- though that's not high fashion it gets me out of having to pack tennis shoes.

Also, bring TSA-approved snacks & water. You won't get enough of either on the plane or while waiting in those interminable lines. Little magnadoodles, books and an occasional surprise trinket are really great helps. I'm not a gum fan, but that is great for popping ears and so is any chewy food- tootsee rolls or milk duds are our favorites!

It goes without saying that the favorite blankie or toy HAS to come! You can forget anything else, but don't forget that

 

[meeskamouska]

My DD was 2.5 on her last flight. It was a really long flight from NM to Hawaii. We took her carseat on every flight she has ever been on. it is better for her because she new what to expect sitting in a carseat....a seatbelt was easy to escape from and a novelty. My other trick for flying with her was to get party bags and fill them up with little junk toys. Every hour or two I would give her something new to play with and eat. She is a great traveler and loves to fly!!! GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[Kuffam]

Slipon/velcro shoes are a must! I would also have the kids wear something that is easy to clean or change. You alway hit turbulence when they are eating or drinking. Also bring spill proof cups for drinks.