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Taking the Kids™

Flying During the Holiday Season

Get your game face on! SO what if you’re off to visit the relatives during the busiest travel season of the year, weighted down with what feels like the entire nursery in your carry-on bag. Your 6-year-old has brought every one of his Power Rangers in his backpack, while your teenaged daughter must have packed every pair of shoes in her closet. And you have that nagging feeling that you forgot something important.

You can do this! Many new parents choose the holidays to make that first trip with the baby to visit grandparents. Many divorced parents put the kids on planes by themselves over the holidays. Many families fly to share the holidays with friends and family. So what if the airports and planes are jammed and more luggage is going astray than ever.

I’ve made holiday trips with my three kids more times than I can count—and hosted other traveling families whenever we stayed home.

  • CHECK IN ON LINE AT HOME to save time but still ALLOW LOTS OF EXTRA TIME at the airport because security lines are guaranteed to be long.
  • BOOK AIRPORT PARKING ahead at websites like www.Aboutairportparking.com.
  • GO FOR THE GREEN. The Transportation Security Administration has initiated “green” family lanes at every domestic airport that will allow you to take a little more time. These are good bets for those traveling with medically required liquids like insulin.
  • ONLY BRING THROUGH SECURITY TRAVEL-SIZED (no more than three ounces) diaper ointment, hand sanitizer, hair products and anything else you need. You’ll have to take the zip-top out of your travel bag to go through security. Take some extra zip-tops for messy diapers and clothes.
  • BRING ENOUGH FORMULA, breast milk and juice for the trip—you are permitted more than the 3 ounces of liquid that otherwise is the limit. But put them in a separate bin and tell the screener.
  • STASH an empty BPA-Free water bottle and sippy cup in your bag that you can fill for the kids once you are through security. Nalgene makes kids’ bottles that you can order from www.rei.com.
  • SEND THE HOLIDAY PRESENTS Ahead. Otherwise you may be asked to unwrap them.
  • LEAVE THE TIE SHOES AND BELTS AT HOME to make it easier getting through security with the kids. (They have to take off their shoes and belts too!).
  • EXPLAIN to the little ones that their blankie or stuffed panda will have to “get their picture taken” on the scanner. Reassure them they’ll get their lovey back as soon as they’re through security. Fill the kids’ water bottles after you get through security, though you can bring formula and juice for the baby.
  • HAPPY BABIES are better fliers. Try to book flights that won’t disrupt their nap schedules too badly. Feed them before your board. Wheel them right up to the plane in their stroller and then gate check it so that it’s waiting when you get off the plane at your destination. Give the baby something to suck on for when the plane takes off or lands. That may help prevent ear pain from the changing air pressure.
  • GET A SEAT FOR THE BABY. Yes, they can fly for free in your lap until they’re two but the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strongly recommends that all children who fly, regardless of their age, use the appropriate restraint based on their size and weight. Ask about discounted infant fares. Babies are far safer in turbulence or an accident and more comfortable. You’ll be more comfortable too. Under 20 pounds, they should be in a rear-facing seat, from 20 to 40 pounds in a forward-facing child restraint. Children over 40 pounds may safely use an aircraft seat belt. Visit http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/ for more information and check out www.kidsflysafe.com for more about the new compact FAA-approved child aviation restraint small enough to stash in your carry-on bag.
  • CONSIDER bringing a portable DVD player or a laptop so the kids can watch a movie while they’re waiting in the gate or on the plane. Bring a favorite holiday book to read, a deck of cards and a pencil and pad (Hangman anybody?).
  • ENTERTAIN the toddlers with photos of the relatives they are going to visit.
  • KEEP SMILING even if your flight is delayed. Getting angry won’t help the situation.
  • IF YOUR CHILD IS FLYING SOLO: Make sure you have the names, phone numbers and addresses for those picking up your child at the other end. You’ll need to give that to the airline. Give your child a card with that information as well. Make sure they know where to reach you as well. Ask for a gate pass so that you can wait with your child at the gate and then stay at the airport until their flight is in the air. Pack a sandwich, snacks and plenty to entertain your child. Stash a new toy, CD or book in their backpack along with a favorite treat.
  • Make sure teens who are flying as adults know they must speak up if their flight is delayed or a connecting flight cancelled so that airline personnel can make sure they’re not stranded on their own. Make sure they have some money and a cell phone.

Got the M&Ms and chocolate turkeys? When all else fails, bring out the chocolate. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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