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Distant Lands

Wednesday, 20 February 2008

What your flight attendants know that you should too, Part 1

media_114;right;thumbHelpful tips from some anonymous friends in the skies - who have, trust us, seen it all.  Next time: on-the-plane survival tips…

Packing and airport terminal survival tips:
  • Always get to the airport as early as possible.  Flights start to board 45 to 25 minutes before departure, so try to be at your gate at least 45 minutes to an hour before the flight. 

  • Because you're going to be in busy public places, to keep an easy eye out for your children, dress all kids in similar clothes, all in khaki pants or jeans, and all in red or orange shirts.  This makes it easy to see them as well as describe them.

  • Have each child take a small backback with some of their favorite toys, activities and books.  Child back packs are best because they can wear them and you don't have another bag to carry.

  • Take necessary things such as medications, bottles and formula and diapers, one extra outfit just in case, (the must haves) in smaller carry ons, like diaper bags, and not in the suitcase type carry on.  Sometimes due to full flights or smaller regional jets like the ones I work in, you will have to gate check bags.  On smaller regional jets, you get your gate checked bags back in the jetway before going to your next flight, but on the large mainliners if you have to gate check a bag they will send that gate checked to your final destination, in cargo all the way (except for strollers and wheelchairs of course).

  • Many airlines preboard families with small children, but just in case, as soon as you get to your gate, ask the gate agent about preboarding, since you'll need a little extra time.

  • Many frequent flyer parents bring dvd players with the child's favorite movies.

  • They also bring with them snacks and food the child likes. 

  • And many flyers have instilled some training (or have some strategies in place) to calm their child, or distract them from a tantrum. (ed: while this doesn't always work, sometimes it does…)


** (late addition: check out the February 19 NYTimes'  article, "Bringing along Baby Food…" - TSA employees determine that packing enough food to wait out an extended delay is too much.  Thanks for the tip Sarah!)
Posted in Americas : Asia : Europe : Infant : South Pacific : Toddler : Young Child by Fran W. at 4:46 AMPermalink

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