Airplane travel with 2 kids - carseat or no carseat?

Re: Airplane travel with 2 kids - carseat or no carseat?

There is security at each gate... need to go to the bathroom? You must exit the gate and come back through security. It is screwy.

They've actually fixed the bathroom issue. There are now bathrooms in each boarding area. Phew. But yes, it IS wacky (and quite unusal -- I've been in loads of airports and it's the only one like this I've seen). Each area (divided pretty much by airline) has 3 or 4 gates, and their own security. If you had a flight that landed at 22 and you needed to board a new flight at 14, you'd have to go back thru security. But since they're generally grouped by airline, I doubt that happens a lot.

[peggyfromwastate]

Re: Airplane travel with 2 kids - carseat or no carseat?

One more thing that I thought of- I would pack an extra outfit for D as well as an extra T-shirt for yourself. If the baby spits up a lot all over you, you may want to change. And if D gets nauseated and throws up all over himself (yes, this has happened to me when flying alone with the 4 kids) you'd definitely want a change for him. Less gross- he could just spill his drink all over himself too...

I also give the kids lollipops for the takeoff/landing. They usually don't get candy at home, so that's a treat, and it helps them have something to suck on for ear pressure. So if D would like a lollipop, that may distract him.

I would imagine it would be nearly impossible to nurse D during takeoff or landing. They will make you strap him in to his seatbelt. I tried to hold Luke once when he was 2 and like 1 month, and since he was ticketed they made a big issue of it, I had to wake him up, he was screaming, etc... Anyway, there's just not a whole lot of space and how you can nurse 2 kids in that space is beyond me!!!...

Prepare yourself for odd looks, but be grateful that you are traveling in a "friendlier" region of the US. I get culture shock every time when I hit my layover and am out of the northeast/midatlantic personality disorder area. :P When I hit the midwest, the people are so friendly and helpful. (As in they don't openly sigh at me, or tell me I have too many kids, or yell at my kids to get out of the walking lane on the moving sidewalk...)

A word of caution about DVD players. They are a bit hard to set up on the airplane, with the space constraints and a baby in your lap. I would skip it entirely. Plus you have to remove it from the carrier at the gate, which is just another step. Plus D has to be able to use headphones, so if you really want to do the DVD, get him used to using headphones ahead of time. I usually do bring a DVD player in case there is a weather issue or an extra-long layover experience, but I don't get it out on the plane b/c it's such a hassle.

You'll make it, but after you are done you will feel like you have just climbed a mountain or something-- it's a marathon, indeed.

[Urowife]

Re: Airplane travel with 2 kids - carseat or no carseat?

I just wanted to pop in and say that this is all really great advice that I'm tucking away for the future. DH and I will be traveling this May with our ~2 month old, but what a vastly different and comparatively easy experience that will be (2 adults w/ 1 kid vs. 1 adult w/ 2 kids). But, I know that in the future I will have to travel like this (by myself with kids), so I'm trying to glean this good info now!

Michele - good luck!

[DCJenn]

Re: Airplane travel with 2 kids - carseat or no carseat?

Definitely bring a change of clothes for kids and at the minimum, a clean shirt for you. I wore ed up apple juice and blueberry yogurt from Moscow to DC...

I smelled great by the end of the day.

Jenn

[SuzySunshine]

Re: Airplane travel with 2 kids - carseat or no carseat?

Has anyone ever used one of these car seat trolley's? Looks like Adele and I are going to TX for Easter.

http://travelingwithkids.com/proddetail.php?prod=434

[Michele]

Re: Airplane travel with 2 kids - carseat or no carseat?

The car seat trolley thing was the TravelMate that a couple of people have and use.

--------------------------------

So I leave tomorrow!! I bought a new carseat and had it shipped to my parents. I'm bringing the infant seat we don't use and checking it. I'm going to wrap Kai and umbrella stroller Daegan. For the plane I'm just going to use the seat belt. I looked into the special airplane seat belt thing for kids but it doesn't have a strap that goes between their legs so he could just wiggle out the bottom and it can sometimes interfere with the seat tray on the back of the seat....so we're just going to chance it.

I'm packing diapers and a change of clothes for the kids and a change of shirt for me.

Got Daegan a new coloring book and I'm bringing some snacks for him. Downloaded a couple of games to my iPhone for him as well....which is mostly working now!! Yay.

If I can just make it through the 50 errands I have today....

If you read this.....it counts as my hall pass.

[SuzySunshine]

Re: Airplane travel with 2 kids - carseat or no carseat?

have fun Michele and good luck - we bought a CARES Harness cheap on e-Bay and we're going to try that.

Have a great time!

[Michele]

Re: Airplane travel with 2 kids - carseat or no carseat?

The CARES was the one I was talking about some people having problems....let me know how it works for you and we might still get one for next time...May!

Re: Airplane travel with 2 kids - carseat or no carseat?

It sounds like you have a good plan, Michele. It seems like there are always other passengers (usually grandparents) who are more than happy to help. You'll do just fine.

The part that stresses me out the most when flying is going through security. I'm always worried about holding up other passengers while we wrestle with folding up the stroller, taking the babe out of the carrier, deal with shoes, etc...but the new family lanes are a lot more relaxed.

Enjoy the time with your family!

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Re: Airplane travel with 2 kids - carseat or no carseat?

Safe Travels!

[spotty_dog]

Re: Airplane travel with 2 kids - carseat or no carseat?

Sounds like a good plan. About what I might have done except I'd probably make the toddler walk with his backpack-leash (and regret not having a stroller when he got tired, LOL!). I've never had to take the baby out of the mei tai for security. I did have to go through security again on an LAX layover -- we were taking a different airline that left from a separate terminal. Most airports have "behind security" transportation even for that situation though.

Enjoy your visit!