I will be flying with my 4 yr old and 1 yr old by myself and need any tips you can give. I am very nervous because this is only my 2nd time flying. I am not nervous about the flying part just the airport part. (Atlanta airport) I will have 2 car seats, a stroller for Luke to ride in and Jack walking with me (Heaven help me.) and one carry on. (I will check the rest of the luggage) Also I am flying on buddy passes, so I don't know how helpful the attendants will be.

By Feona on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 01:14 pm:

Well I imagine you need most of you attention on the one year old....

How about game boy for the four year old if he already has one?

Crayons for both of them and paper.

Anything they can do together?

How long are you flying for?

By Mommmie on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 01:24 pm:

Sounds like you need someone to walk in with you to help you at least until you can locate a cart. That's a lot of stuff!

By Jtsmom on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 01:27 pm:

The flight is only 2 hrs and I think they will do fine. I am just worried about how to handle it all in the airport. I have an unnatural fear of someone snatching my children for some reason. Always have. I know Luke will be fine because he will be in the stroller, but I am worried how I will keep up with the rest of the stuff and Jack. He is so very active.

By Bea on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 01:44 pm:

Before you unload the car go to the arrival terminal, and get one of those rented carts. They are almost impossible to get at the departure gates. Roll your baggage in to check in on the cart, and use it to carry the car seats etc to the plane with you. It will be well worth the dollar or two you pay.

By Crystal915 on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 01:48 pm:

I flew with the alone with the kids at 13 months, from Austin to Philadelphia with a plane change in Memphis. It was bar none the hardest flight ever. Take lots of snacks, toys, earplugs (j/k... sort of). Do as much as possible ahead of time, to make check in as quick as possible. Use the transportation carts if possible. Call ahead to see if you can get assistance getting the carseats and everything to the terminal. BOARD FIRST! (They'll let you pre-board) I don't know what a buddy pass is, but I'm sure the attendants will still be helpful, because they want this to be as smooth as possible for everyone's sake. The attendants on my flight gave me a HUGE bag of the little airline pretzels, because they were the only thing that made Maddie happy. HTH, I am not trying to scare you, it's just that I had to fly home for a funeral, and I was just exhausted by the whole ordeal.

By Trina~moderator on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 01:51 pm:

I would carry a backpack with your essentials and carry on items so that your arms are free. Your 4 yr. old could carry a backpack as well with toys and kid stuff. How about a rolling luggage rack for the car seats? How much does your 4 yr. old weigh? Is he/she big enough for a booster seat (40+ lbs.)?

By Crystal915 on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 01:51 pm:

Oh, I forgot to add, I held one child, and had a seat for the other. I carryed the carseat on my back and pushed the double stroller. They made me take the kids out of the stroller, fold it up, and x-ray it at security, I could have killed someone for that.

By Kate on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 02:06 pm:

I would suggest a hand holder or 'leash' for the four year old. Attach it to him and to the stroller so your hands are still free, but your son is attached to the stroller that you are holding onto at all times. Better safe than sorry.

By Mrsheidi on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 02:16 pm:

I know what you mean, Crystal...I always have to go through the "body cavity check" section too...as if I have a bomb. There's nothing like a wire bra setting off the wand, while you're holding your screaming child. What's worse is that they took Connor's blankee out of his hands and put it through xray...grrr...
Advice:
I've been on at least 6 trips with Connor and the attendants and others are SO helpful.
Here's what we packed for the little one for the plane:
1. Cooler with pre-made bottles/sippy cups (Collapsible cooler)
2. Ziploc freezer bags for diaper changes
3. Enough diapers in case we had to stay somewhere and got stuck.
4. Plastic containers of snacks and then the wrappers were good entertainers.
5. Wipes- Not only for the butt, but for the face too!

As far as the airport goes...
I would do curbside check-in while your kids are strapped in the car. Get a luggage cart and put it in your car. Then, go and park. The luggage cart will help with your car seats.
And, my diaper bag is a backpack and that helps too.
Can you have someone help you when you get to the airport? Are you parking or is someone dropping you off?
The Atlanta airport is easy to navigate, but the elevators are insanely busy.

By Heaventree on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 04:22 pm:

Are you asking me personally? Just kidding, I haven't read all the posts, sorry if someone already mentioned this one, but ask for a bulk head seat in advance if you can, you'll have lots of room and no one in front of you and they are usually close to the washrooms.

There was a thread in the parenting section on this same topic a month ago, try doing a search for more ideas.

By Feona on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 08:09 pm:

How are you going to carry the two car seats and hold on to a four year old and roll a stroller?

Doesn't see possible....

By Jtsmom on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 10:18 pm:

I don't see how it is possible either, but it is going to have to be done. I am going to have to get a luggage cart when I get to the airport. I am sure it can be done, I just panic over things when I don't know every detail of how it will work out. Someone is going to be dropping us off at the airport, so maybe they can sit in the car with the kids until I go get the cart. Will they let people do that?

By Crystal915 on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 12:20 am:

Can someone escort you to security? If not, I strongly suggest calling the airport or airline and seeing if they will help make accomodations. Even if you have to pay for someone to assist you (think bellhop type person) it will be WELL worth it. I still shudder over my whole experience with the car seats and all.

By Jtsmom on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 12:14 pm:

I just ordered a "Safefit - Cover N' Carry Car Seat Protector" from Babies-R-Us. It is suppose to hold all types of car seats even the large ones. It has wheels and a handle! So after I check my luggage, I will just push the stroller, pull the carseat on its wheels (or it is a backpack too) the diaper bag will fit under the stroller and Jack will help me push the stroller. Now the only thing I have to work out is how to attach the other carseat to something, maybe somehow to the stroller. I think it will all work out.

By Crystal915 on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 01:13 pm:

I put one on my back, kind of like a backpack. Maybe you can do that. Good luck!!

By Mommmie on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 01:34 pm:

I hooked my rolling luggage to the stroller's handle. Trouble comes if you encounter steps or an escalator. I had to pick up the whole mess and go up and down steps in Rome's airport when my son was 1. Makes me tired just remembering it and it was 9 years ago. Bathroom breaks are also difficult.

By Bellajoe on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 04:28 pm:

Does your 4 yo really need a car seat on the plane? We flew 3 hours to Florida last year. My ds was 3, almost four and we did not bring the car seat on the plane, we checked it with the rest of our luggage. That would be one less thing to carry.

Have your 4 yr old wear a (light) backpack with some of his toys and maybe a few snacks in it. My kids both wore their back packs with leap pads while walking through the airports. They were fine.

By Jtsmom on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 04:52 pm:

Well, he is only about 30 lbs. I don't know how still he would be without his car seat. I don't know if he has to have one or not. I am on a search now for a seat or step to attach to the stroller for him to ride on in the airport. I didn't realize how expensive they were. I hate to spend that money on a one time use thing (probably) What do you think?

By Feona on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 08:20 am:

Did you call the airline and ask if they can suggest anything?

I know disabled people fly so I don't see why you can't get some extra help.