What are good travel tips for airline travel with multiple children?

Question

Five children ranging from 6 mo to 11 years. I am worried about how to get through the airport. Can I use a stroller and take it on board? Can I request a private security screening? What are the things I need to know before I attempt this?

Thanks for the help, great suggestions. Adam, I wish I had known that about JetBlue BEFORE I bought tickets with another airline... Paul, I think you could use some more bran in your diet and Tumbling, how is it selfish when I pay for each seat?

Answer 1

I have experience in this. My kids are ages 3 to 11 and we fly at least once a year, or more. I don't think you can get private security clearance...never heard of it. The stroller is fine. You can check that at the gate, i.e. they'll take it and put it under the plane so you won't have to drag it on board.
As far as the security screening goes, here are some tips from me. Don't put too much clothing on them, like accessories...belts, extensive jewelry, jackets, bags, purses will all have to be taken off. Try to choose "flight" shoes that are easy to get on and off of them so you won't be blocking the security lane and frustrating everyone else in your path...been there! Just remember to keep it simple. Try to take as few things as possible on board...trust me on that!
But what you do want is things that will entertain them. We have Nintendo DS for the kids and VideoNow players. Those work real well. The 11 year old will be happy listening to an Ipod usually. But if you can try to fly JetBlue. They are excellent for your situation. We flew JetBlue in December. The reason they are great is because EVERY plane seatback has a satellite tv monitor and satellite radio. My kids just sat there watching Nick Jr. cartoons -- all nice and quiet and happy -- for a four hour flight!!! It was great. I hope this helps you!!!

Answer 2

Please don't even try it.

The most frustrating thing I encounter when travelling (and I travel weekly) is not the apathy of the airline "service" desk, lost luggage, airport security, bad food, thoughtless delays, or seemingly randomized schedules.

The most frustrating thing I encounter when travelling is people who think that it's okay to put very young children on an airplane.

Y'see, I could be selfish and say it's just about me and talk about how much I hate it when your kid screams in my ear and kicks my seat for the whole flight... but that's okay because only other people's kids do that (not yours).

BUT what does happen to your children that you expose to airline flights is the massive air pressure changes, confines, and emotional stress that air travel places on a person.

Y'see, your six-month-old child does not know how to "pop" their ears when the air pressure changes. You then expose them to tremendous pain and suffering when you do that.

You frighten your children by putting them in a strange place with many people they do not know.

You force your children to sit still and be quiet for an extended period of time (which children just aren't wired up to do--they need room to play!)

So, I beg you, for your children's sake--don't take them on an airplane until they are old enough to handle it.

Answer 3

Some excellent suggestions here.

I would also recommend getting seats at the front of the section of seats, sometimes called bulkhead. You can have easy access to all the kids, and to the bathrooms, plus you won't have to worry about them bothering the people in front of them.

Once you know the type of plane you're on, you can go here to find the seats you want; then call the airline to select them.

http://www.seatguru.com

Answer 4

I don't know how to get through security with kids, but to keep them quiet and content on the trip learn EFT (it's simple and there's a free manual at http://www.emofree.com). Look up "children" in the search engine on the site to see how it applies. It's a simple combination of talking and acupressure. Little kids like it and it can be fun. Reduces anxiety, stress, fear, irritation, and other difficult emotions. Calms crying babies so you don't have to deal with the irritation of people like the one guy above.

EFT even helps get over jet lag if you're going three time zones or more. For that see http://www.jetlagpassport.com.

Answer 5

Remember to drug your children. We don't want to listen to your baby cry the whole freaking time. And yes, are you are selfish to think that we should be understanding.