Friday, July 6, 2007
I really need to
upload the pictures from my camera so that I can post some more pictures to this blog, but I tend to be the type of person who gets consumed with one issue at a time. Right now, it's how in the world am I going to manage flying to Oregon with my two little ones?! I have a connecting flight in Denver to Medford, Oregon. From past experience, connecting flights to Medford usually means traveling to another terminal while carrying everything that you checked at the gate and walking up & down steps in order to go from jet to a smaller prop plane. In the past, I've always been with Johnny & it was only Henri. We've carried car seat, carry-ons, baby, and stroller. Now I'll have my 7-month old & my 3-year old. Any suggestions?
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12 comments:
Here's my suggestions:
1. Skip the car seats or check them as luggage. You can generally borrow car seats from the local dmv or other nice people your family knows.
2. Get a rolling backpack for Henri, so he can carry his own entertainment and treats.
3. Pack as few carry on items as possible. Seriously.
4. This may be the only instance where I would suggest some sort of restraining device for your son. Generally, I opposed to these sort of things but desperate times may call for desperate measures.
5. Better yet, forget all that stuff and call Aunt Alice to see if she would like to fly out with you!!!
I agree with Rachel on all accounts (except perhaps about Aunt Alice, because I'm not sure if that was a serious suggestion or not:) ) Especially very great idea with #2, though I'd be tempted to tether them both into the stroller during the connection and carry or put below your very minimal (see Rachel's #3) carry on stuff.
I would most certainly check the carseats as Rachel suggested. They (airline fold) just throw them in a big bag and you can pick them up at baggage, instead of at the door of the plane. If you could borrow some while you're there, of course that would be better. You could check with car rental places (at your final destination). We always (well, sometimes) rent carseats from them; however, I am not sure (it's unlikely, but you can always ask!!) if you can rent them alone without renting a car.
Your minimal carry-on items could include: mini DVD player (with headphones! Not because other passengers will be bothered, but because Henri won't be able to hear the words/music over the very loud noise of the airplane) and a new or favorite DVD for Henri to watch...in the plane and/or during wait times in the airports.
As opposed as I am to sweets for kids, and certainly on the misuse of them, I do pull out all the stops for airline travel. Big suckers work well because they are big and it takes kids a long time to eat them. But while they are eating them, they are occupied and quiet. Just an idea...
Good luck! It will go fine...and all be over soon:)
Thank you so much for the suggestions! Johnny's folks are looking into finding the car seats. Jennifer--do airlines put your carseats in a bag for you if I do have to bring them? We left our 1 travel bag in OR 2 years ago. Johnny & Henri just left to look at a rolling back-pack from a Craigslist seller. I've e-mailed another Craigslist seller about a harness for Henri. Not sure what to do about getting a mini DVD player--we're flying into a SMALL airport. I will search out suckers & snacks. I'm debating about whether to bring our lightweight single Combi stroller. What do you think? Our double would be too heavy & I don't want the airlines to wreck it. Aunt Alice left yesterday for Japan. :)
I recently flew with both my kids by myself and have this advice to offer:
The double stroller is worth it's weight in gold when a toddler gets tired of walking. (Imagine carrying all your luggage AND a child.) And especially if you are in a hurry to get to a different terminal you'll want to be able to move quickly. I've also found that it's a great place to set my bags while the toddler is walking. Another option: Use a child backpack for baby and only bring the single stroller. This is a tricky scenario for getting through security though with having to take the baby out, put the stroller on the belt etc....
We borrowed car seats as well for our trip so we didn't have to lug ours through the airport - a huge help!!
Candy is great and worth the sugar high to keep them entertained on the plane. It can also help their ears if they are constantly swallowing.
If I think of anything else I'll let you know.
Yes, the airline will give you a bag for your carseat(s). They'll put it in and the extras, too (latch belt, etc.) and seal it up for you. "All" you have to do is take it out of the car:)
I see your point about not wanting the airport to wreck your double...hmmmm...but it would be so handy!
When do you leave? I'd let you borrow our mini DVD player if I could get it to you soon enough...
I concur with all the double stroller feedback, especially if they will check it at the gate for you.
I also think that it might be good to get some Henri-energy out in the terminal before he strapped down in the plane--thus the suggestion for the "restraining device." :)
Oh, and portable dvd players and headphones are awesome! I am also a fan of suckers. Sticker books were also a big hit on our long car ride. I found some great story books with 100+ removable stickers.
I'm excited for your trip!
Just a warning, in our experience, it depends on which airline you are flying as to if they will provide the bag for your carseats or not. We have had it both ways. One airline sealed it up beautifully and another just threw it in with the bags as is. It survived just fine, it was just a little scuffed up and dusty. You should call the airline and find out - you could always just put them int big garbage bags or something to protect them. I also concur with the double stroller. They check them in at the gate and we have never had any damage done to ours. Plus once I traveled alone with Alexander in a sling and got flagged to be searched. I had to shift him from one arm to another and it was a huge pain. No one would hold him for me (I don't think that they are allowed to) and I wasn't allowed to put him on the ground.
HI Yvette,
When is your trip? I hope I'm not too late.
We just got back from a flight to CA and I had some thoughts. Mari was on my back in the mei tai I have and I never was asked to take her out for anything. Other backpack carriers may not work for that though because of all their buckles, snaps, and pockets (you know mine is really simple). We just walked right through security.
I enjoyed not having a stroller, but then again, I did have Eric. I think it may be a good idea to have the single for Henri if you think he won't make the connecting walk fast enough. When I have taken a small stroller in the past, we drove it right up to the door of the plane, folded it, and they took it. It appeared right outside the plane door upon arrival.
Also, some airports (even small ones) have an escort that you can ride wtih in a golfcart type thing. Even for a nominal fee, it may be worth it (some are free). That would be worth checking into.
I totally agree with trying to find other carseats at your destination. There is no graceful way to carry those through an airport.
And like Rachel said, pack light. Take what you think you'll need and half it. Mariella entertained herself with a plastic cup for nearly 45 minutes. For Joshua we had him pack his own special backpack with non-noisy, non-messy toys. We also bought him new activity books (one with stickers, one with mazes)-one for each way. Going to the bathroom was also a highlight, but since you'll be alone, you'll probably want to take care of that before you leave. DON'T FORGET TO USE THE BATHROOM YOURSELF!
Also, it helped us to pack snacks (for both children) in little bags so they had the novelty of picking a new bag every so often, even if the same treat was inside. We brought some sugar treats Joshy's not normally allowed to have, but then we also brought "healthy" treats that he had just never (or rarely) eaten before. Gorp was a big hit as he took his time eating first raisins, then peanuts, then each specific color of M&M. Gum was also a big hit.
Remember you have people praying for you. God is big! And no matter what, the flight can only last so long and then you can just walk away...(from the plane, not the children :) ).
elisa
I leave a week from today on the 16th, so I'm still taking it all in.
Thanks so much for your thoughts! Keep them coming. On Monday, July 16th, the babes and I fly 2 hours to Denver on United Airlines on a jet (6 seats across) with a 2 3/4 hour layover, then 2 1/2 hours to Medford, Oregon on a United Express prop (4 seats across). The same flights today are arriving at & departing from the same concourse (no train-taking then to another concourse), just nearly on opposite ends. I will also need to nurse/change the baby & use the restrooms.
It feels like such a burden to bring a stroller as I have memories with Henri of going through security (folding & lifting it) and having to carry the stroller to small plane down many steps--though I don't know how the United Express area of the concourse is set up. I'm sure there must be some sort of elevator near the gate.
So then I have front carriers: Baby Bjorn (easiest to use, but least comfortable over a long period of time), Rachel's sling (not very good at slinging Cosette), & my wrap (which requires lots of space for me to tie a baby into & am not comfortable with a back-carry yet). If I had unlimited funds, I'd want to go out & get a Mai Tai to try. But since I don't, I lean toward using the Bjorn.
I could be wrong, but I'm not really worried about Henri needing a stroller. I have NEVER known him to get tired of walking/running. I would REALLY hate to be wrong.
In Oregon, Johnny's mom has already obtained a car seat for Henri & a double stroller for us to use. She's still looking for an infant seat.
Jennifer, I would love to consider borrowing your DVD player. I am planning on coming to your birthday party on Sunday, so can we look at it then?
Yvette,
Of course you can borrow our DVD player when you come on Sunday. If we really need to watch something while you're gone we can always watch videos on our computer (Israel and I love Netflix and watch something nearly every night).
A few more thoughts:
I have carried my kids through airports many times in a sling and I have always, always been asked to take them out when going through security, just so you know. And my slings have no buckles, straps or anything.
I have no doubt that Henri would not get tired of walking/running in the airport, but that's not the reason I'd recommend the double stroller. I'd want it for the very reason that he would not get tired of walking/running in the airport! But, you certainly know your son best, so this one is up to you. The double stroller would also be handy when you have to go to the bathroom yourself, or change or nurse Cosette. They have family bathrooms in many airports, you just have to look/ask for them.
I got a great idea once (around Easter) when I flew alone with Kieran...to put various treats, stickers, toys, doo-dads into plastic Easter eggs. The idea being the kid can monkey around with opening and shutting and seeing what's inside the eggs. And since eggs aren't usually around to play with, the novelty of them keeps them entertained. Don't know how you'd get ahold of any if you don't already have some at home.
Stickers and a book to put them in is a great idea.
I borrowed little toys from my friend (who has children the same age) when we flew most recently. Kieran's attention was kept even better by having a NEW toy to play with and I didn't have to buy him new toys, just borrow them.
See you Sunday!
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I am thinking that I will bring a stroller. Right now, I think it will be the single because I don't quite know how to secure the P&T e3 (I'll have to remove the 2nd seat). It's the thought of using a bathroom at the airport that convinced me that a stroller would be handy. But I'm still thinking about it. I've borrowed some "new" toys for the kids. I've got snacks & stickers & coloring books. And maybe I'll be borrowing a DVD player. Thanks!
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