More flying thoughts
I’d appreciate your thoughts.
1. I’m hearing I should check my bag. There are two reasons this makes me nervous: 1) I’ve lost luggage before making a similar flight (Ohio to Portland) and that terrifies me so reassurance is welcome; 2) I need to bring my laptop because that’s the way my job is. I’m nervous about checking the laptop since I believe that baggage handlers are unkind. Thoughts?
2. I’m relieved to hear that the attendants are likely to help. Also we’re flying through Cincinnati so Brett was saying he think the gates will be pretty close. I’m going to hit up Amber about that stroller offer to see if her stroller is better than our stroller, which it sounds like it is. (As an aside, how lucky am I that some of my favorite bloggers are actually here in my real life world????)
3. I have two diaper bags. One a nice big one that would carry tons of small toys, etc. The other is smaller but is a backpack. I’m hearing you all say the backpack one is the way to go. I could also borrow Brett’s backpack, which is bigger (thinking out loud) but not nearly as cute (like for the wedding when cuteness counts). I’ll pack all three tonight and see which works better.
I am getting ready to travel with my 4 month old grandson and have been having these same thoughts. I am not sure how to take on stuff with me and not have too much. I also carry my laptop and would never check that bag. So, hopefully, someone that has done this and is a pro can advise us both. Have a great hump day.
Two things that I don’t know if anyone has told you:
1) Did you know you can call the airlines and tell them that you are traveling alone with a baby? I did this 2 years ago and when I came running down the corridor, pushing a stroller, the last person at the gate, the attendant knew it was me and had been expecting that I would need extra help. The staff can be really helpful, esp. when you let them know ahead of time that you’ll probably need assistance.
2) Leave extra time to go through security! I thought I could just wheel the stroller through the security gate. Nothing doing! They have to collapse the stroller and put it on the conveyer belt with everything else (I had to ask one of them to hold my baby while I did this!). I should have left at least 20 min. extra to deal with the security and going through that with a baby. FYI.
Also, as a side note, I had one large diaper bag that I put my purse and everything else in and it made life much, much easier. Go with the one, large backpack if you can. About checking your suitcase: yes, I know it is a hassle, but with a baby and a carseat, I would go for it. It might be a risk, but it’s worth it not to hassle with the suitcase on top of everything else.
FYI. Good luck!
keep in mind that you will have to put the backpack/diaperbag either under the seat in front of you, or overhead. (or under the seat in front of madison — i doubt she needs the legroom!;-) ) so in terms of packing, you may want to think about how accessable you need certain things to be and pack the bag accordingly. or keep a couple small things (1 diaper and some wipes, snack, etc. in your purse if you plan to have one)
hanging the carseat on the back of a stroller will work, as will putting the stuff in it and then having madison in the carrier. may be a bit bulky/unweildly for a bit, but should work. if there are escalators, look for handicap accesability and an elevator. You will have to check a stroller under though — if you do it at the gate, they will usually bring it out to meet you at the gate again instead of having to get it at baggage claim.
and aside from focusing on all the technical stuff, enjoy!
I would definitely NOT check your laptop–if it’s lost, baggage insurance will not replace, plus damage issues.
I flew cross-country with my 20-month old (changing flights in Chicago) and couldn’t get the airline to offer any assistance, even though I had to schlep my backpack and Britax marathon carseat (and of course my son) all the way across O’Hare to change planes. Some very kind passengers gave me a hand at various points, but not a single airline employee did. But we survived, and didn’t miss any flights. One thing my partner has discovered about the car seat–if you’re really desperate, you can clip the straps together, extend them, and wear it as a backpack!
do not check your laptop! A family friend of our had hers “disappear” the last time she flew! They will make you do some strange things with it at the security checkpoints, but it’s worth it to know where it is! (take it out of the case, and sometimes send the case through the scanner thing.) I have no advice for travelling with a youngster but second calling the airport to let them know that you’re flying alone with a youngster. I’ve flown through the Cincy airport and it’s manageable
another do not, do not, do not check your laptop! caution. think of it this way, besides the fact that some baggage handlers have sticky fingers, after you see it moving off on the conveyor belt it most likely takes a fall of 4-8 feet into a luggage cart and then has other bags land on top of it.
oh yeah, have a great time!
Keep the lap top with you. You have an iBook right? It’s pretty small, I can fit mine in my purse. Make sure the battery is charged because they will make you turn it on when you go through security.
I have often checked strollers and carseats at the gate, they stow if for me and bring it out and have it waiting for me when I get off the plane.
I think J will be more help than you realize. This might also be a chance for her to bond with Madison on the plane a little, peek-a-boo, itsy bitsy spider, etc.
I’ve never traveled with baby but I have flown lots in the past couple of years.
DO check bags. If it’s a non-stop flight odds of losing them are pretty low. You’ll have your hands full already with Madison and carry-ons. It’s usually quicker to check them with a skycap at the curb if you want to cut back on waiting in line.
DON’T even think about checking that laptop. Also keep in mind when you go through security you’ll have to remove it from your bag so it can be scanned separately from luggage.
Keep in mind you’ll probably have to remove shoes, belt, keys etc to get through security so slip on shoes are convenient. If you make sure your keys and other metals are stashed in diaper bag already that will help the security stuff go smoother. Also keep your I.D. and boarding pass in hand. The level of helpfulness or rudeness in security seems to depend on the current security level and which airport.
It’s a bizarre ballet keeping your id/boarding pass in hand, removing jacket/shoes, extracting laptop from bag and shuffling through the line all at once. Allowing extra time for delays in security is always a good idea.
It seems all the airlines are cutting back or about to cut down on staff. Don’t count on them being helpful.
I’m looking foward to hearing your stories when you return!
oops.. I didn’t read all the posts before posting (you ARE changing planes)…
ah well, if it were me I’d still check bags. Just to keep things simple along the way.
Everyone already said mostly everything. Just a quick note to say that I travelled recently (Feb. 6) with a toddler (3) and an infant (9 months), from Philly to Washington Dulles, where I was taking a flight to Brazil. The attendants were helpful, even though I was told flatly at both airports that *there’s no assistance to mothers with young children, only to disabled or older people*. They only helped me because there was no way I could get out of one of those smaller planes and climb down and up stairs with a baby in my arms, two diaper bags (a packpack and a regular one), a small suitacase (laptop there), my older son’s carseat, and the stroller (that only at the gate). Once inside the airport, I had to do it on my own. I had actually gate cheked my infant’s stroller/car seat (travel system) so I could close him in there and put the other carseat on top. Oh, yes, and I endured an international flight (9 hours) with a lap baby (2nd time… the 1st time my oldest was 1 1/2 and I was pregnant - I’m used to the stuff, will do it again with both kids in December)…
Anyway, good luck. You’ll be fine, but don’t be pissed if the airport personell isn’t that helpful. Oh, yeah, and tell us how it went later!
Just another comment to say that our experience flying with an almost two year old in the States was very mixed - some airports helpful, some not. Also with checking the stroller at the gate - not always possible, and can depend on the size of the stroller. I would talk to the airline beforehand, but even then you don’t always get the right information, since it can also depend on the airline.
As for checking baggage, I always do and have never once had a problem. But not a laptop!
Also I would see if you can board early, or at least be at the front of the line, because fitting a car seat into an airplane seat is often easier said than done.
3 year old calls, i gotta go.
i’m so glad you are posting about all this– we are considering taking our 3 year olds to El Salvador this August and it all seems very complicated!
What’s the rules on car seats– do you have to bring them on the plane, or are you figuring that you’ll need it most on the other side, in portland?
I flew last year alone with a 13 mos old. Allow for LOTS of extra time. On the way there, through JFK, I ha allowed 1.5 hours and it wasn’t enough, ended up running through the airport.
Don’t check your laptop, yikes! But check everything else you won’t need on the plane and between flights.
The stewardess will take your stroller at the plane entrance and have it waiting when the plane lands. Board early and get the carseat buckled in, stuff stowed where you want it. Leave J with the baby to board last. Bring water and snacks for yourself too, on both my flights I was busy with the baby and couldn’t eat when they came around.
Bubbles and a blow up beach ball are a fun airport diversions.
Good luck!
I’ve flown a bunch with my child (now 3) and the experience has been variable–sometimes flight attendants/airport staff are helpful, sometimes not. If you are using the car seat on the plane–which I think is a great idea, as it will give your child a safe and comfy place to be–and it doesn’t fit, ask for a seat belt extender (I once had an obnoxious flight attendant tell me that I shouldn’t bring a car seat that doesn’t fit on the plane, and she made me gate check it for the leg. I was steamed since at that time my daughter could have flown as a lap child but I’d paid for a seat so we could use the car seat. Then on the next leg a helpful flight attendant saw me struggle and said ‘oh, you need a belt extender. I’ll be right back.’)
Every time I fly I pack too many things in the diaper bag–you can probably get by with fewer amusements than you expect (advice I am not always good about taking myself, even though every time I think “I took too much stuff.”) Make sure you can get to what you need, whether it’s a quick snack, an amusement, or a diaper.
I travel with a Sit’n'Stroll car seat (which converts to a stroller) and it is nice to have stroller capability in the airport even though we still use a sling. You want to maximize ways to carry your baby while allowing you to have hands free.
Mostly, remember that the plane ride will end, no matter who cried, blew out their diapers, screamed bloody murder, slept for hours, ate well or not at all, smiled and flirted with the people behind you or ignored everyone but you. Don’t get stressed over what you can’t control–I find it actually pretty relaxing to fly with my kid b/c especially once we’re on the plane, the only thing I have to pay attention to is her. So enjoy.
Susan