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Travel Tips from the Airline Professionals

by Andrew Hart, Airline Pilot

    Family vacations are just around the corner and many of you might be flying to your get-away.  Here are a few tips from some professional flight attendants that might help.

1.    Board early with infants to set up the car seat and stow your gear.  If traveling with older children, consider boarding one parent early to stow gear then bring on the kids at the last minute to avoid being pent up any longer than necessary.

2.    Set the rules right away.  The airplane should be treated just like your car.  Have children buckled up at all times.  It is dangerous and disruptive to have children wandering around or standing on seats.

3.    Always wear shoes when walking around the airplane.  Carpets are dirty and may have small shards of glass.  Bathroom floors are always wet.  YUK!

4.    If traveling as a single parent, the flight attendants will baby-sit while you make a short bathroom visit.

5.    request blankets and pillows as soon as you get on the planes since they go quickly.  They also are essential if you decide to make a tent.  The window seat is usually best for this.

6.    Pack a variety of snacks for the trip.   Make sure you have extra just in case the flight is delayed with you on board.   Even when meals are provided they usually take at least one hour to be served from the time you board.

7.    Extra diapers and formula are a must.   Also don't forget to pack medications in your carry-on for quick access.  Ear blocks happen quickly and medications packed in the cargo hold is of no use to a screaming child.

8.    Make sure you get set assignments together when you make your reservations.  Don't forget that a non-ticketed child (a lap child) does not have meals provided for them.

9.    Carry a camera on you.  Pilots love to have kids up to the cockpit to answer questions or just look around.  At the end of the flight kids can sit in the seat for a picture.  Just don't forget the camera.

    Hopefully you will find these tips useful on your next trip with your kids.  The most important things to remember are to pack light and bring the camera.

With permission, from "The Parent's Page, Tips of the Season,"
THE FAMILY NEWS, a publication of Families First, Portsmouth, NH