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General Airline Guidelines for Families Traveling With Kids in Tow
-Children under 2 years old can usually fly free on your lap. Proof of age is generallyrequired, so bring along a copy of their birth certificate in case there is any question regarding their age.
-If you purchase a seat for your child and want to use a car seat, it must be government approved. A government-approved car seat will bear a label stating that it meets the government standards for use in a car and on the airlines. Soft infant carriers and booster seats are not approved for use on the airlines. In rare instances you may be allowed to use a soft carrier during the flight (though it’s generally discouraged) just be prepared to hold your infant on your lap during the take-off and landing. Boosters are not allowed under any circumstances, so if you bring it along for use in your rental car, check it with your luggage.
-When arranging your seat assignments, make sure that the reservation agent is aware that you are traveling with children so you are not seated in an emergency exit row.
-Car seats and strollers can be checked (and are therefore included in your checked luggage allowance) or taken on the plane (strollers will be gate-checked). Strollers and car seats taken on the plane generally do not count toward your baggage allowance however double check this when you book your flights.
If you decide to check your gear, you’ll need to fill out a gate-check tag at your gate and fasten it to your stroller. If you have connecting flights, be sure to note on the gate-check tag if you want it brought up for you at the next airport or if you prefer it remain checked all the way to you final destination.
-Double-check your luggage for weight and measurement guidelines so you don’t exceed the limits, or you will be charged some rather significant fees.
-Remove any straps or hanging objects from your luggage to prevent it from gettingcaught or damaged and so the strap doesn’t get lost.
-With the airlines inspecting bags fairly regularly now, most locks will simply be cut off and thrown away if they inhibit the process. If however you insist on locking your luggage consider purchasing locks that have been designed to be unlocked by the inspectors when necessary.
-Most of the airlines have some type of rewards program that offers either discounted or free travel if you earn enough points or miles. They often include a long list of partners that generally include a variety of hotel chains, rental-car companies, and restaurants, as well as financial institutions and even retailers. It is well worth checking the list of partners ahead of time to see if your hotel, car rental, or airline (as they often partner with other airlines) participates. Just don’t forget to show them your card upon checking in or you won’t be earning any points at all. Reward partners are subject to change at any time, but partners are more often added than subtracted. For the most current and comprehensive list information, check with the individual airline.
More Travel Tips:
The Name Game
Make sure that all pieces of your luggage, both checked and carry-on, has your name, phone number, and address securely attached. In addition, place a tag inside each piece of luggage as well. Should the outside tag be torn off during handling, this will help to identify you as the owner (and in turn help to ensure that it will be returned to you) should it become lost or rerouted accidentally. Attaching a colored ribbon, brightly colored belt, or unique identification tag to the outside of your luggage will allow for faster and easier identification as the hundreds of often times very similar bags circle the baggage claim beltways. Make sure to keep all of your important papers, travel documents, money, credit cards, driver’s license, valuables (including jewelry, photographic equipment, and any electronic equipment such as a laptop, I pod, cellular phone, or similar), and any prescription medication with you in your carry-on luggage.
Your tickets and your driver’s license (or other acceptable form of photo identification) should be kept relatively handy as they will be checked several times prior to boarding your plane.
Paying A High Price
The fees for oversized and/or overweight luggage are ridiculously high (which you will see for yourself in the next few pages) so don’t take this matter lightly. In my travels over the years, though I have often used the very same oversized suitcases time and time again without any issue whatsoever, out of the blue – bam!, there came a day when the airline decided to strictly adhere to their guidelines. There I was, standing in line with no other choice, forced to pay the horridly exorbitant fees if I was at all interested in having our clothes make the trip along with us.
So You Know:
Luggage dimensions are generally measured in linear inches. To calculate the measurement of your luggage, simply add the bags length, width, and height together -- the sum is its linear measurement.
Keep in Mind that…
Planes can wreak havoc on your child’s ears, especially during take off and landing. To help alleviate some of the pressure keep a pack of chewing gum handy for older kids and have a bottle (or 2) or a sippy cup filled with a favorite drink for younger kids. For infants or toddlers who refuse to drink, a pacifier will help, though not nearly as well as drinking will.
And that…
Plane rides can be a bit frightening for some children, exciting for others. Talk with your children ahead of time and let them know just what to expect. Make sure to bring a favorite toy or blankie for toddlers, both of which will help to provide a sense of security.
Bring along a new coloring book or small stuffed animal for the younger kids, and a new book, Game Boy, portable CD, or DVD player for the older kids as they will provide hours of entertainment at the airports as well as on the plane ride.
Bringing along a stash of snacks can be a life saver as well. Kids can’t always wait for the next snack service (which often times isn’t appropriate for young children anyway), and it’s likely that they’ll hungry again, long after it’s passed by. So stash a few snacks in your bag for just such occasions, you’ll be happy you did - and so will your kids. For longer flights, a kids’ meal (or some type of food item that’s easily carried (and eaten) on the plane) from one of the many fast food restaurants located throughout the terminal can help keep the hungries away, especially now that airline meals are usually not available.
Adults could benefit from doing this as well - there’s no sense in starving yourself just because your flight doesn’t serve a meal or your schedule doesn’t allow you time to grab a bite in the terminal.
Keep In mind that…
When making your reservations, think about what type of seating arrangements will work best for your family, whether it’s best to sit across a single row, or have mom and dad seated in front of or directly behind the kids. Be sure to request your seat assignments accordingly or you (and the other passengers) may be rather unhappy with the results.
Seats located just behind the bulkhead allow for a bit of extra leg room - and just enough space so the kids can stand and move about without disrupting the other passengers (this can be invaluable at times). There’s even enough space for the occasional diaper change (airplane bathrooms are simply not large enough for this rather tricky task).
Unfortunately however, there is a minus - the bulkhead has no under seat storage space, so be prepared to place all of your carry on luggage in the overhead compartments.
A good second choice when traveling with kids is to sit at the very back of the plane. Though it tends to be a bit noisier, it like the bulkhead allows for a bit more room to move about. It also places you next to the restrooms, which can be a big plus with kids along.
If your kids are kickers (or just like to push on the seat in front of you while stretching out), consider seating them behind a family member so as not to disturb or annoy the other passengers. This is an instance where sitting behind the bulkhead would benefit everyone involved.
Cutting Costs:
Generally it is still possible to get the least expensive fare by calling the airlines directly, not just by buying them online (however at times there may be additional benefits, possibly discounts, if you book online). The biggest advantage however is that the live representatives can offer you far more flights to choose when you call them directly.
This is due in part to the fact that they have access to their partner airline flight schedules, something that you won’t find available online (which narrows your choice of flights down rather substantially). For instance, if you are speaking with a US Airways operator they will be able to offer flights via their partner, Continental Airlines, however if you are trying to book your flights online, only the US Airways flights are available to you.
There is of course a trade off; if you book your flights over the phone you will incur a charge of anywhere between $5 and $15 dollars per ticket simply for the privilege of speaking to a live representative. Personally, I still prefer to call when booking my flights - when the destination is as popular as Orlando is, your chances of finding flights that fit your schedule are far greater when you have multiple carriers and multiple flights (thanks to the various partnerships) to choose from.
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