Air Travel

Question:

>I suggest taking a valium before getting on the plane, and then

I definitely agree with this. My husband and I recently flew UT to FL with an 18 and  30 month old.  I had the car seat for the toddler and bought one of those vests that secure a lap baby to your seatbelt, but an 18 month old is definitely not a lap baby.  My children rarely nap on a plane.  Takeoff and landing never bothers their ears.  But they cannot sit still for a minute.  Do what ever you can to get a seat for the baby.  Both our flights were overbooked.  What a nightmare…

Response:

We fly a lot with out kids and I recently posted a long response to someone on this topic. If you search my name you should be able to find it. I think it addresses just about every issue you could think of. Susan http://havinganotherbaby.com * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

I suggest taking a valium before getting on the plane, and then giving one to all the passengers. just kidding. just know to expect a restless cranky child, be patient, and don’t worry about the people around you-it will only add to your stress. Most people are understanding about it.  Flying in the morning or laaaate at night sounds good-if she will fall asleep in a strange place. Mine never would. The last flight I took her on the entire plane applauded when we landed-it was a small plane and she was keyed up tired, whiny, argumentative, and disobedient. Have something for her to suck on when you take off and land-or gum but that’s kindof young for gum. Also, a few new toys may work. Pull one out if she get’s very cranky. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >we are planning to take our 18 month daughter on a flight that is >approximately 4 hours long.  Having never done this before, I’m seeking >advice on the best way to do this.  Such as, fly in the morning or at night? >Buy a seat for her or not?  How to stay sane as a parent?  Any thoughts are >welcome. >Thanks, >Melinda

Response:

we are planning to take our 18 month daughter on a flight that is approximately 4 hours long.  Having never done this before, I’m seeking advice on the best way to do this.  Such as, fly in the morning or at night? Buy a seat for her or not?  How to stay sane as a parent?  Any thoughts are welcome. Thanks, Melinda

Response:

First, try to get a flight that is during her nap time.  This way she will probably sleep for part of the flight.  Request a seat assignment in the bulkhead, they have a little more legroom, and you don’t have to worry about her grabbing the hair of people in front of you.  LOL!  You don’t have to buy a seat for her if she is under two at the time you travel, however, they recommend that you do, and bring her car seat.  Most of the airlines will give you a discount for buying a seat for a "lap baby".  Try to bring some snacks for her, and juice.  Bring quiet toys and books.  Also, if you can, get her a few new things, just for the plane ride, she will be more interested new toys, than ones that she plays with all the time.    Make sure she has a bottle or sippy cup for take off and landing, so her ears don’t pop.  The last thing is just try to be as relaxed as you can, and take whatever happens in stride, most people on a plane are much more understanding than you would think.  Oh, and don’t forget the pilot wings for her baby book!  <g>  Hope I didn’t forget anything, enjoy your trip! — Tricia Mommy to Daniel (4), Bryan (3), and Allison (1)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> we are planning to take our 18 month daughter on a flight that is > approximately 4 hours long.  Having never done this before, I’m seeking > advice on the best way to do this.  Such as, fly in the morning or at night? > Buy a seat for her or not?  How to stay sane as a parent?  Any thoughts are > welcome. > Thanks, > Melinda

Response:

> we are planning to take our 18 month daughter on a flight that is > approximately 4 hours long.  Having never done this before, I’m seeking > advice on the best way to do this.  Such as, fly in the morning or at night? > Buy a seat for her or not?  How to stay sane as a parent?  Any thoughts are > welcome. > Thanks, > Melinda

Do buy a seat.  An 18 month old toddler is a heck of a lap filler if she is awake at all – which is more likely if she’s in your lap vs. in her familiar car seat.  Safer on her, keeps your sanity, and your surrounding fellow passengers will be better off, too. Also, fly at her normal bedtime if you can – unless she’s a very nervous sort, she’ll likely fall asleep.   Banty

Response:

she’s right about staff helping!  overall we have had pleasant experiences flying with our boys but I’ll never forget my first flight with my little one.. we flew home alone without Dad.. the flight was delayed.. it was nap time.. I STRUGGLED on the plane and there was no preboarding so no room left for the stroller and diaper bag… FINALLY after I was in tears (Alex had been in  tears A LOT longer)  another passenger helped me stow the stuff… BUT the check in agent was a dear and kept the middle seat OPEN and so Alex had his own spot and there was a lovely Grandma in the window seat who was on her way home from visiting her grandson who was just Alex’s age.  PHEW. he was asleep almost as soon as the plane was in the air! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I agree- buy her a seat and bring her car seat. > She will be used to her seat and be more likely to sleep that way( if > she is used to sleeping in the car) > And it is safer. > Also I would bring her stroller and keep it until you reach the gate- > then ask the staff to "gate check" it. > Then it will be waiting for you when you disembark. > Also don’t expect any special treatment from the airlines staff. If you > get some attention and help with the baby be pleasantly suprised. > They seem to busy and just watch you struggle with all your baby stuff. > They give you about a one minute head start to board- which only makes > you feel rushed because you are standing in the aisle trying to get the > baby settled- then everyone else starts to board and you feel like you > are blocking the aisle. I would almost rather be last. > Have a good time. > J > > we are planning to take our 18 month daughter on a flight that is > > approximately 4 hours long. Having never done this before, I’m > seeking > > advice on the best way to do this. Such as, fly in the morning or > at night? > > Buy a seat for her or not? How to stay sane as a parent? Any > thoughts are > > welcome. > > Thanks, > > Melinda > Do buy a seat. An 18 month old toddler is a heck of a lap filler if > she > is awake at all – which is more likely if she’s in your lap vs. in her > familiar car seat. Safer on her, keeps your sanity, and your > surrounding fellow passengers will be better off, too. > Also, fly at her normal bedtime if you can – unless she’s a very > nervous > sort, she’ll likely fall asleep. > Banty > Before you buy.

Response:

I have to say that the best I’ve ever experienced flying with the babies was on Southwest.  The worst was by far American, my littlest, who was 10 mos at the time got his head hit by the drink cart, she was running it up the aisle, and he leaned out.  She never even apologized, offered ice, or anything.  I was partly at fault, but as anyone knows, a little one like that moves fast, and what if it had resulted in a serious injury, not just a bump on the head.  I still felt an apology was in order.  The gate attendants weren’t very nice either, I had two little ones, a double stroller to gate check, a diaper bag, and a big full size car seat, and all they said was, "you can’t take that on the plane".  I filed complaints about all of the above, but of course never heard back! — Tricia Mommy to Daniel (4), Bryan (3), and Allison (1)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> she’s right about staff helping!  overall we have had pleasant experiences > flying with our boys but I’ll never forget my first flight with my little > one.. we flew home alone without Dad.. the flight was delayed.. it was nap > time.. I STRUGGLED on the plane and there was no preboarding so no room left > for the stroller and diaper bag… FINALLY after I was in tears (Alex had > been in  tears A LOT longer)  another passenger helped me stow the stuff… > BUT the check in agent was a dear and kept the middle seat OPEN and so Alex > had his own spot and there was a lovely Grandma in the window seat who was > on her way home from visiting her grandson who was just Alex’s age.  PHEW. > he was asleep almost as soon as the plane was in the air! > I agree- buy her a seat and bring her car seat. > She will be used to her seat and be more likely to sleep that way( if > she is used to sleeping in the car) > And it is safer. > Also I would bring her stroller and keep it until you reach the gate- > then ask the staff to "gate check" it. > Then it will be waiting for you when you disembark. > Also don’t expect any special treatment from the airlines staff. If you > get some attention and help with the baby be pleasantly suprised. > They seem to busy and just watch you struggle with all your baby stuff. > They give you about a one minute head start to board- which only makes > you feel rushed because you are standing in the aisle trying to get the > baby settled- then everyone else starts to board and you feel like you > are blocking the aisle. I would almost rather be last. > Have a good time. > J > > > we are planning to take our 18 month daughter on a flight that is > > > approximately 4 hours long. Having never done this before, I’m > seeking > > > advice on the best way to do this. Such as, fly in the morning or > at night? > > > Buy a seat for her or not? How to stay sane as a parent? Any > thoughts are > > > welcome. > > > Thanks, > > > Melinda > > Do buy a seat. An 18 month old toddler is a heck of a lap filler if > she > > is awake at all – which is more likely if she’s in your lap vs. in her > > familiar car seat. Safer on her, keeps your sanity, and your > > surrounding fellow passengers will be better off, too. > > Also, fly at her normal bedtime if you can – unless she’s a very > nervous > > sort, she’ll likely fall asleep. > > Banty > Before you buy.

Response:

I agree- buy her a seat and bring her car seat. She will be used to her seat and be more likely to sleep that way( if she is used to sleeping in the car) And it is safer. Also I would bring her stroller and keep it until you reach the gate- then ask the staff to "gate check" it. Then it will be waiting for you when you disembark. Also don’t expect any special treatment from the airlines staff. If you get some attention and help with the baby be pleasantly suprised. They seem to busy and just watch you struggle with all your baby stuff. They give you about a one minute head start to board- which only makes you feel rushed because you are standing in the aisle trying to get the baby settled- then everyone else starts to board and you feel like you are blocking the aisle. I would almost rather be last. Have a good time. J – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> we are planning to take our 18 month daughter on a flight that is > approximately 4 hours long. Having never done this before, I’m seeking > advice on the best way to do this. Such as, fly in the morning or at night? > Buy a seat for her or not? How to stay sane as a parent? Any thoughts are > welcome. > Thanks, > Melinda > Do buy a seat. An 18 month old toddler is a heck of a lap filler if she > is awake at all – which is more likely if she’s in your lap vs. in her > familiar car seat. Safer on her, keeps your sanity, and your > surrounding fellow passengers will be better off, too. > Also, fly at her normal bedtime if you can – unless she’s a very nervous > sort, she’ll likely fall asleep. > Banty

Before you buy.

Response:

If you bring the car seat on be sure and have the part of the manual that says it is FDA approved handy or taped onto the seat or they might not let you use it.  Also, some airlines require that the carseat be in a window seat so that it doesn’t block anyone in.  I found this out after baby and seat were strapped in of course Good luck, Nikki – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> we are planning to take our 18 month daughter on a flight that is > approximately 4 hours long.  Having never done this before, I’m seeking > advice on the best way to do this.  Such as, fly in the morning or at night? > Buy a seat for her or not?  How to stay sane as a parent?  Any thoughts are > welcome. > Thanks, > Melinda >Do buy a seat.  An 18 month old toddler is a heck of a lap filler if she >is awake at all – which is more likely if she’s in your lap vs. in her >familiar car seat.  Safer on her, keeps your sanity, and your >surrounding fellow passengers will be better off, too. >Also, fly at her normal bedtime if you can – unless she’s a very nervous >sort, she’ll likely fall asleep. >Banty

Response: