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15 Family Flying Tips
Are you panicking at the prospect of juggling suitcases and carry-on luggage, diaper bags, car seats, and bottles? Try these down-to-earth tips to help you take the skies in stride.
As a flight attendant for a major airline, I have always been in awe of the parents who courageously face the wild world of air travel. Between the juggling of baby paraphernalia and carry-on luggage it is a daunting challenge.
Are you facing a flying adventure? Don't panic! With the right preparation and knowledge, you and your family can calmly find yourselves cruising through the airport and, a short time later, flying at 32,000 feet.
Make a List
From diapers, wipes, and formula, to changes of clothing, you know what items your family can't live without. Simply make a checklist beforehand and you'll be ready to hit the skies! (See BabyZone's Traveling with Baby Checklist to help you plan.)
Keep Time on Your Side
Plan on arriving at the airport with plenty of time to spare to locate parking, make bathroom stops, negotiate lines, and generally find your way around. But first, on the morning of your travel day, call to confirm that your flight is still scheduled and running on time. Check the weather at the airport in your destination city. Also, keep tabs on the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) level so you can allow for the extra time needed if there's a possibility of heightened security.
Check Your Luggage
Remember, the less you have to bring on the plane, the less you have to take off. Instead of standing in line at the ticket counter, use the curbside skycap service found outside of the terminal. Often, the skycap line is not nearly as long as the ticket counter line.
Be Ready to Flash Your ID
It is impossible to get into the departure area without proper identification and an airline ticket with a matching name. Keep your itinerary, proof of travel, and ID available to show any inquiring security or airline personnel. One idea is to wear a lanyard that has a slot for light paperwork and your driver's license for easy flashing. Some airlines offer these wonderful time savers to passengers on a complementary basis, so be sure and ask.
Related Links
- Article: 12 Tips (Learned the Hard Way) for Traveling with a Small Child
- Advice: Managing Toddler Car Sickness
- Slideshow: How New Airport Security Rules Affect Flying with Your Baby
- Quiz: Test Your Family Vacation Destination IQ
- Poll: Would you travel through Europe with a baby in tow?
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