Early Thursday morning, we leave for Las Vegas. I don't know which to explain first, that early = a 5am flight, which means getting to the airport at I-don't-know-what-time, since
it's Thanksgiving.
AND we're traveling with a toddler.
AND a coworker showed up at the airport a couple of weeks, along with her toddler, two hours before her flight was scheduled to take off, but the flight was overbooked and they'd already given away her seat, and she had to hang out at the airport for six hours. With her toddler.
AND the damn lines*.
Or should I first explain that Las Vegas = home of Sam's parents, since they retired a few years ago. Yes, MrMan has grandparents in the two US cities with the most sinful reputations. I will be pleased to raise children who keep their clothes on.
Now that MrMan's two, we had to buy him a ticket. Yes, this kills me in so many ways since
he just turned two.
AND will probably spend much of the flight in our laps.
AND flights to Vegas are friggin expensive.
But watching him with his grandparents: priceless. (God bless Mastercard, for helping us put things in perspective.)
So, the real question is - for people like us, who don't fly that frequently with a toddler, so don't have one of those seats that rolls, what is the best way to manage the car seat? Did I mention we're changing planes in both directions? And have three hours to suffer spend in Dallas on the way back? And that I'm afraid my oozing head will bust a stitch?
*This one's for Pop.
Posted by Shokufeh at November 20, 2007 04:38 PMWe just went through the traveling-with-a-toddler-and-all-his-gear thing, though thankfully not over Thanksgiving weekend, bless your heart. This time around, I bought one of those folding luggage cart things at Target, and strapped the seat to it. One of us pulled that, the other pushed the kid in the cheapo (but perfectly light and compact for traveling) umbrella stroller. You can even strap a small bag in with the seat. Then when you get on the plane, you just fold up the cart and put it in the overhead. We've tried several approaches so far to lugging the carseat on and off the plane and between terminals, and this one has worked the best so far.
Posted by: Arin at November 20, 2007 10:02 PMOkay, let me dispel your fears about the not-getting-on-the-plane thing. You'll get on the plane. Check in in advance, print your boarding passes, go to the airport and check whatever bags you have. Then you can spend most of your fun airport time waiting in the security line (I think the 2 hour ahead rule is applicable this weekend...I'd recommend it).
I really like the idea of the umbrella stroller and folding luggage cart. I'll have to remember those bits of advice for my future.
And the Dallas airport, while kind of boring, is not that bad.
Posted by: lacey at November 20, 2007 10:36 PMBy the time Kate was born, Will (then 2 1/2) had been on over 40 planes -- everyone of them with me and many of them alone, including several overseas -- and we had never been bumped. Flying early in the morning will help, since folks won't have been checked on hours before on previous flights.
My advice...
Car seat: check it. Check it and forget about it until you get off the plane. Or, get Sam's parents to ask around and borrow a car seat to use while you visit. (Or, ask them to pick up a used one on Craigslist.)
Bring an umbrella stroller you don't mind seeing get beat up and that will hold a semi-heavy bag for you without too much problem.
Bring snacks that don't make huge crumbs. Have empty sippy cups so that you can get fills of stuff on the plane. They will only have juice on board. Finding milk (even in the terminal) can be hard. I bring the little crystal light-style powder to put into water bottles to help the kids drink. I try to keep things (pacifiers, drinks) chilled since it seems to make a difference to my kids' comfort?
It's not always necessary depending on age, length of trip, and number of connections, but in general, I'm an advocate of drugging my kids for flights. Dramamine is my drug of choice. Note: it will work great for one leg of the trip, so choose the timing of administration wisely.
Until the age of 3, Will was a maniac on the plane until it starts to roll down the runway. Then he'd fall asleep. Kate is showing the exact same tendencies. It's really annoying and terrifying to the people sitting around us... I'm sure they are relieved when she suddenly falls asleep to the roar of the engine.
Paying for the kid seat totally sucks. He is going to be on your lap, without question. We usually put the kids between us (Kate is still lap-worthy; Will gets his own seat) and they can share a seat together with all four of us in a row while the plane is in the air. It's precious. The three seats will give you enough room to let MrMan spread out across your laps when he falls asleep.
It's so great to fly with two adults when you've got a kid. And MrMan will be so totally adorable that people will be really nice to you. (Power of positive thinking!)
Good luck!!!
Posted by: Holly at November 20, 2007 11:17 PMI can't wait to hear your stories upon your return! You are bringing back memories of our 24 hr. trip to the States this summer. Ah, pure joy.
Posted by: Sarahj at November 20, 2007 11:51 PMOh wow. You are a brave brave woman. I hope it all goes as smoothly as possible.
p.s. This? "I will be pleased to raise children who keep their clothes on." Hilarious.
Posted by: Sharyn at November 21, 2007 07:19 AM