xparxy
By Cate Latting
Every day, parents are packing up and heading to the airport with kids in tow. Between deciphering TSA regulations and coping with crowded planes, families wanting to travel by air must be more prepared than ever. Ten travel experts reveal how to survive flying with kids.
Don't have any kids? You could always lend a hand, or at least try not to roll your eyes when we board the plane.
Photo Caption: Our experts share their tips for traveling with children.
The Expert: Joe Megibow, vice president and general manager of Expedia.com (www.expedia.com), and father of three
The Problem: As flights fill up, finding seats together is getting harder. "Before our third child was born, the four of us (including our 5-year-old and 2-year-old) were each put into different aisles, which was great. That's not doable with a third."
The Solution: With some airlines it works to simply book as early as possible so that you can ensure you get seats together. With others, you're going to need to pay an extra fee to choose your seats. Sometimes that fee is waived for loyalty program members, so join up and/or pay up. You don't want to be separated from your child on even a short hop.
The Expert: L. Jasmine Kim, general manager of Travel-Ticker.com (www.travel-ticker.com), and mother of two
The Problem: Airports can be disorienting -- you arrive at one terminal, but your connecting flight may be in another. And we all know that everything takes longer when traveling with kids.
The Solution: "Research and map out the airport ahead of time," Kim says. "This way, you can familiarize yourself with the things that matter the most to you, like the check-in area, your departure gate, or the nearest bathrooms and food courts." From Tampa and Chicago to Singapore and Munich, some airports also have play areas for kids.
Kim also recommends using technology to help you stay ahead of the game. "Download an app (try FlightTrack or Flight Status) that sends alerts to your mobile device if there are any sudden gate, time, or plane changes. And be sure to check the TSA website (www.tsa.gov) for the latest requirements. For example, the TSA recently passed regulations that enable kids under 12 to walk through security with their shoes on."
Photo Caption: Pass the time with the Dinosaurs in the Horticulture Display inside Terminal 1 of Changi Airport, Singapore
The Expert: Corinne McDermott, founder and managing editor of HaveBabyWillTravel.com (www.havebabywilltravel.com), and mother of two (6-year-old Megan and 3-year-old Riley)
The Problem: Every parent knows that getting out the door for a trip with the kids can seem like an impossible task.
The Solution: "Being on time (or early) is key to making sure that you're not feeling rushed," McDermott says. "You won't be sweating the minutes if the lines are longer than usual at security or if you have to attend to an ill-timed diaper blowout … What has helped us is having decent carry-on luggage, like Osprey's Vector series. There are pockets and storage areas to keep things organized, but not so many that we can't find anything."
If two adults are traveling with the kids, divide and conquer. "When traveling as a family, one of us is responsible for our stuff and one of us is responsible for the kids. This helps us keep track of everyone and everything during bathroom breaks and snack times."
The Expert: Leslie Carlin, travel writer and mother of two
The Problem: When traveling with small children, the amount of stuff you have to lug along is alarming. It's hard enough to keep track of your kids, much less all the bottles, diapers, wipes, extra clothes, snacks, pacifiers, and toys.
The Solution: "If your child is young enough for you to carry in a baby carrier or sling, do that and check your stroller," Carlin says. "I think it's so much easier to do this than worry about folding up the stroller when going through security and then again at the gate. This is especially true if you're traveling alone."
Keep in mind that lap infants cannot be in baby carriers during take-off and landing. You'll need to hold them in your lap or buckle them into their seat.
Photo Caption: Checked strollers waiting to be loaded onto a United Airlines flight
The Expert: Lisa Gurry, editor and mother of three
The Problem: Toddlers and younger kids often have trouble staying put during a flight. Though most airlines allow a "lap infant" under 2 to sit on a parent's lap with no extra charge, the FAA recommends putting any child 40 pounds or under in a FAA-approved child safety seat.
The Solution: "This can be challenging with restless little ones, but many airlines are now requiring this and your child will be safer."
The Expert: Linda Rutherford, vice president of communication and strategic outreach for Southwest Airlines (www.southwest.com), and mother of a 12-year-old girl and 14-year-old boy
The Problem: It's hard enough to spend a day traveling by air, but add to that the perils of sibling rivalry and you may have the makings of a vacation nightmare. "My children always vie for the window seat," Rutherford says.
The Solution: Nobody wants to see siblings duking it out in Row 24, so talk to your children about age-appropriate flight etiquette. Consider rewarding good behavior with special treats during or after the flight.
When refereeing the battle over window versus aisle seats, "the best way to avoid a war is to flip for it," Rutherford says. "Winner gets the window on the outbound flight; the other child gets it on the return."
Photo Caption: Kids playing during a flight
The Expert: Amy Foley, flight attendant for Southwest Airlines (www.southwest.com), and mother of 8½-year-old Aiden
The Problem: Bored kids are prone to meltdowns -- and seat kicking. Whether it's relying on electronics, new toys, coloring books, or candy, do whatever it takes to keep a child occupied on the plane.
The Solution: Most people would agree that the more "stuff" you have with you the better. Whether it's an iPad, an iPod, a laptop, or a portable DVD player, there are plenty of devices to load up with movies and games. "Most airlines, including Southwest, have a policy on headphone use, so some kid-sized headphones may be a good investment." Aside from the gadgets, "twist crayons in a zippered pencil pouch, a coloring book, and a simple spiral notebook are always in my backpack for my son."
If you must get up and walk the aisles with your kid, "please wait for the seatbelt sign to be turned off," Foley says. "Also, if you can hold off until the service is complete, that really helps the flight crew out. It's hard to maneuver the aisles with little ones underfoot."
Photo Caption: Griffin Technology Crayola MyPhones earbuds ($14.99, www.griffintechnology.com) for kids
The Expert: Abigail Galindo, flight attendant for JetBlue (www.jetblue.com), and mother of three
The Problem: Traveling across time zones can leave one bleary-eyed and exhausted. And no one wants to start a vacation with cranky tots or (extra) moody teens.
The Solution: "Follow the light. Sleep when it's dark; wake when it's light," Galindo says. "Children adapt more quickly than adults. When traveling east, try to keep your child up and get his first bedtime closer to local time rather than having him fall asleep too early and waking up too early. When traveling west, your child may have trouble falling asleep the first night. Do what you can to entertain your child, but wake him up at local time the next day regardless of what time he fell asleep."
Photo Caption: A family naps on the plane.
The Expert: Rob Connors, assistant vice president of marketing for Alamo (www.alamo.com), and father of four
The Problem: When you get off the plane after a long flight with kids, the last you want is a hassle at the rental car desk. Luckily, most rental companies are equipped to accommodate a family's needs.
The Solution: Rather than flying with car seats, you might want to consider renting them along with your car. Most companies have them, so be sure to request them when you reserve your vehicle. "Alamo offers all the extras -- car seats for the little ones, GPS units, and toll-pass products," Connors says. Though the perks may cost a little more than if you packed your own gear, small conveniences can often make the biggest difference after a long day of air travel.
Photo Caption: Alamo Car Rental desk at SeaTac Airport in Seattle.
Every day, parents are packing up and heading to the airport with kids in tow. Between deciphering TSA regulations and coping with crowded planes, families wanting to travel by air must be more prepared than ever. Ten travel experts reveal how to survive flying with kids.
Don't have any kids? You could always lend a hand, or at least try not to roll your eyes when we board the plane.
Photo Caption: Our experts share their tips for traveling with children.
The Problem: As flights fill up, finding seats together is getting harder. "Before our third child was born, the four of us (including our 5-year-old and 2-year-old) were each put into different aisles, which was great. That's not doable with a third."
The Solution: With some airlines it works to simply book as early as possible so that you can ensure you get seats together. With others, you're going to need to pay an extra fee to choose your seats. Sometimes that fee is waived for loyalty program members, so join up and/or pay up. You don't want to be separated from your child on even a short hop.
The Problem: Airports can be disorienting -- you arrive at one terminal, but your connecting flight may be in another. And we all know that everything takes longer when traveling with kids.
The Solution: "Research and map out the airport ahead of time," Kim says. "This way, you can familiarize yourself with the things that matter the most to you, like the check-in area, your departure gate, or the nearest bathrooms and food courts." From Tampa and Chicago to Singapore and Munich, some airports also have play areas for kids.
Kim also recommends using technology to help you stay ahead of the game. "Download an app (try FlightTrack or Flight Status) that sends alerts to your mobile device if there are any sudden gate, time, or plane changes. And be sure to check the TSA website (www.tsa.gov) for the latest requirements. For example, the TSA recently passed regulations that enable kids under 12 to walk through security with their shoes on."
Photo Caption: Pass the time with the Dinosaurs in the Horticulture Display inside Terminal 1 of Changi Airport, Singapore
The Problem: Every parent knows that getting out the door for a trip with the kids can seem like an impossible task.
The Solution: "Being on time (or early) is key to making sure that you're not feeling rushed," McDermott says. "You won't be sweating the minutes if the lines are longer than usual at security or if you have to attend to an ill-timed diaper blowout … What has helped us is having decent carry-on luggage, like Osprey's Vector series. There are pockets and storage areas to keep things organized, but not so many that we can't find anything."
If two adults are traveling with the kids, divide and conquer. "When traveling as a family, one of us is responsible for our stuff and one of us is responsible for the kids. This helps us keep track of everyone and everything during bathroom breaks and snack times."
The Problem: When traveling with small children, the amount of stuff you have to lug along is alarming. It's hard enough to keep track of your kids, much less all the bottles, diapers, wipes, extra clothes, snacks, pacifiers, and toys.
The Solution: "If your child is young enough for you to carry in a baby carrier or sling, do that and check your stroller," Carlin says. "I think it's so much easier to do this than worry about folding up the stroller when going through security and then again at the gate. This is especially true if you're traveling alone."
Keep in mind that lap infants cannot be in baby carriers during take-off and landing. You'll need to hold them in your lap or buckle them into their seat.
Photo Caption: Checked strollers waiting to be loaded onto a United Airlines flight
The Problem: Toddlers and younger kids often have trouble staying put during a flight. Though most airlines allow a "lap infant" under 2 to sit on a parent's lap with no extra charge, the FAA recommends putting any child 40 pounds or under in a FAA-approved child safety seat.
The Solution: "This can be challenging with restless little ones, but many airlines are now requiring this and your child will be safer."
The Problem: It's hard enough to spend a day traveling by air, but add to that the perils of sibling rivalry and you may have the makings of a vacation nightmare. "My children always vie for the window seat," Rutherford says.
The Solution: Nobody wants to see siblings duking it out in Row 24, so talk to your children about age-appropriate flight etiquette. Consider rewarding good behavior with special treats during or after the flight.
When refereeing the battle over window versus aisle seats, "the best way to avoid a war is to flip for it," Rutherford says. "Winner gets the window on the outbound flight; the other child gets it on the return."
Photo Caption: Kids playing during a flight
The Problem: Bored kids are prone to meltdowns -- and seat kicking. Whether it's relying on electronics, new toys, coloring books, or candy, do whatever it takes to keep a child occupied on the plane.
The Solution: Most people would agree that the more "stuff" you have with you the better. Whether it's an iPad, an iPod, a laptop, or a portable DVD player, there are plenty of devices to load up with movies and games. "Most airlines, including Southwest, have a policy on headphone use, so some kid-sized headphones may be a good investment." Aside from the gadgets, "twist crayons in a zippered pencil pouch, a coloring book, and a simple spiral notebook are always in my backpack for my son."
If you must get up and walk the aisles with your kid, "please wait for the seatbelt sign to be turned off," Foley says. "Also, if you can hold off until the service is complete, that really helps the flight crew out. It's hard to maneuver the aisles with little ones underfoot."
Photo Caption: Griffin Technology Crayola MyPhones earbuds ($14.99, www.griffintechnology.com) for kids
The Problem: Traveling across time zones can leave one bleary-eyed and exhausted. And no one wants to start a vacation with cranky tots or (extra) moody teens.
The Solution: "Follow the light. Sleep when it's dark; wake when it's light," Galindo says. "Children adapt more quickly than adults. When traveling east, try to keep your child up and get his first bedtime closer to local time rather than having him fall asleep too early and waking up too early. When traveling west, your child may have trouble falling asleep the first night. Do what you can to entertain your child, but wake him up at local time the next day regardless of what time he fell asleep."
Photo Caption: A family naps on the plane.
The Problem: When you get off the plane after a long flight with kids, the last you want is a hassle at the rental car desk. Luckily, most rental companies are equipped to accommodate a family's needs.
The Solution: Rather than flying with car seats, you might want to consider renting them along with your car. Most companies have them, so be sure to request them when you reserve your vehicle. "Alamo offers all the extras -- car seats for the little ones, GPS units, and toll-pass products," Connors says. Though the perks may cost a little more than if you packed your own gear, small conveniences can often make the biggest difference after a long day of air travel.
Photo Caption: Alamo Car Rental desk at SeaTac Airport in Seattle.