Author Topic: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids  (Read 14052 times)

Offline SuperFlyer

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #20 on: January 19, 2022, 02:34:55 PM »
I see Americans filling themselves often with drugs but apparently also their kids...

That being said, I believe the only major tips needed are for toddlers and younger.
Older that that, just a minimal of common sense would suffice.
As mentioned before, they should have something to occupy themselves and foods they enjoy.

So for toddlers and younger: try to have them rather tired when boarding, and feed them a warm bottle not when taxiing, but actually when the plane is picking up speed for take off. The flight attendants are nicely strapped up by now, and so you maneuver easily.
The fact that they drink warm (thick formula preferably), not only won't they be scared of the noises, it will also avoid earache, and help them fall asleep.

As the plane is starting its decent, if they get irritated, give them again a bottle to get rid of their earache.

Offline ckmk47

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #21 on: January 19, 2022, 02:47:27 PM »
My kids went on a cross country drive with their kids.
The medium aged ones each got:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075ZX34R9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Offline motec bb

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #22 on: January 19, 2022, 03:49:05 PM »
Dan used to recommend the Go-Go Babyz Travelmate (I had the mini version which seems to now be discontinued). Looks like you hacked your own. Nice!
Yeah I found those all to be expensive and flimsy. This contraption is $30 total! And very sturdy:)

( And u can use it as a normal hand truck when ur not traveling lol ;)

Offline Abebee

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #23 on: January 19, 2022, 04:07:56 PM »
I bought this for my eldest when he was 3-4 year old and he loved it. He was so excited to sleep on it.. fell asleep right after take off  :)

https://jet-kids.com/shop/jetkids-bedbox/
Feel like this is a much cheaper option for this.
https://www.amazon.com/Inflatable-Airplane-Available-Adjustable-Toddlers/dp/B07DQBY83F

Offline AsherO

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #24 on: January 19, 2022, 04:10:07 PM »
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Offline Dan

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #25 on: January 19, 2022, 04:23:37 PM »
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline AsherO

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #26 on: January 19, 2022, 04:29:54 PM »
Here's why that costs more:
https://twitter.com/dhtoomey/status/1479214458987855880

Sorry, it isn't a given that Finland is part of Scandinavia, though it's certainly Nordic. Most Nordic people (Finnish or not) will tell you Finland isn't part of Scandinavia.
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Offline Baglach

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #27 on: January 19, 2022, 11:14:34 PM »
Need to fly with 3 kids under 5 to LHR. Option 1 United/Jetblue, have status so free bags, priority etc. But more strict with masks, or fly VS no status but probably more relaxed with masks for kids?

Online Moshe Green

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #28 on: January 23, 2022, 05:07:16 AM »
anybody have any good snack ideas?

Offline yerushabubby

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #29 on: January 23, 2022, 09:03:42 AM »
depending on ages and likes/dislikes among the kids -

pretzels
dried and fresh fruit (cut up in storage containers)
veggie straws
baby carrots
grape tomatoes
carrot, pepper, and cucumber sticks

don't forget some "real" nosh - candy and junky snack foods - as bribes and rewards for good behavior - those should be kept under a parent's control.

Online Moshe Green

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #30 on: January 23, 2022, 12:26:08 PM »
what about crumbs?

Online SSLPhD

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #31 on: January 23, 2022, 01:50:45 PM »
anybody have any good snack ideas?
Anything that doesn't need to be touched: bars (cereal bars, fruit bars), squeeze apple sauce, squeeze yogurt.  They don't need refrigeration (there's CS shelf-stable yogurt, not sure about CY) and create minimal mess.  Be sure to pack yogurt, apple sauce, etc. in each kid's 3-1-1 bag.
44/50, 46/63

Online Moshe Green

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #32 on: January 24, 2022, 05:57:25 AM »
how does one convince their kids to wear a mask for hours on end. both little ones and big ones (kids, not masks)?

Offline moko

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #33 on: January 24, 2022, 06:03:54 AM »
how does one convince their kids to wear a mask for hours on end. both little ones and big ones (kids, not masks)?
how do you convince your kids to go to daycare everyday? How do you convince them to go to sleep?
That's just what we're doing.
More important, when (if) your child takes their mask off and cabin crew says something about it, apologize and just stick it back on their face.  Don't argue about why the rule is ridiculous.
If it happens again, rinse and repeat.
Most of the issues with passengers kicked off flights involved some sort of argument, even if they were right

You can be right or get what you want (or get where your going). Usually not both.

Offline yerushabubby

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #34 on: January 24, 2022, 08:13:42 AM »
how does one convince their kids to wear a mask for hours on end. both little ones and big ones (kids, not masks)?

Practice ahead of time, but make it non negotiable.

Online Moshe Green

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #35 on: January 24, 2022, 10:02:18 AM »
Practice ahead of time, but make it non negotiable.

my kids havent worn a mask since we got corona the first time around! a year and a half ago!
how can we practice? set up chairs in rows of three and sit there for hours on end with masks on?

Online Moshe Green

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #36 on: January 24, 2022, 10:05:37 AM »
how do you convince your kids to go to daycare everyday? How do you convince them to go to sleep?
That's just what we're doing.

a) They do that every day since they were born. most of my kids were never on a plane.
b) daycare is fun, sleep their tired. mask is not fun. mask is not needed when one is tired.

More important, when (if) your child takes their mask off and cabin crew says something about it, apologize and just stick it back on their face.  Don't argue about why the rule is ridiculous.
If it happens again, rinse and repeat.
Most of the issues with passengers kicked off flights involved some sort of argument, even if they were right

You can be right or get what you want (or get where your going). Usually not both.

Now thats good advice ;) But my kids will probly talk back to the staff  ;D

Online dasmo801

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #37 on: January 24, 2022, 10:36:14 AM »
how does one convince their kids to wear a mask for hours on end. both little ones and big ones (kids, not masks)?

Just flew to Miami and back with my kids. Youngest is 3.5 years old. We practiced masking before the flight and she seemed to be fine with it. A few minutes into the flight she had a change of heart and insisted that a mask on her chin is good enough. We would remind her and it would help for a few minutes before she would push it back down.

I know i'm not supposed to say anything nice about Spirit Airlines here but their flight attendants were great. They walked by us many times and other then one of them making a playful gesture to my daughter to raise her mask, they said nothing. 

Online Yehuda57

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #38 on: January 24, 2022, 10:44:33 AM »
Just flew to Miami and back with my kids. Youngest is 3.5 years old. We practiced masking before the flight and she seemed to be fine with it. A few minutes into the flight she had a change of heart and insisted that a mask on her chin is good enough. We would remind her and it would help for a few minutes before she would push it back down.

I know i'm not supposed to say anything nice about Spirit Airlines here but their flight attendants were great. They walked by us many times and other then one of them making a playful gesture to my daughter to raise her mask, they said nothing.

This has been our experience as well. Most flight attendants will be understanding. Be on your kids like a hawk during boarding through take-off, and then relax. In all likelihood, FAs will look the other way if they see you are making an effort. Even if your kid lowers or removes the mask, make sure it remains visible, and always have backups in case an ear loop gets ripped off, or it gets doused in apple sauce or something.

Offline AsherO

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #39 on: January 24, 2022, 11:42:32 AM »
This has been our experience as well. Most flight attendants will be understanding. Be on your kids like a hawk during boarding through take-off, and then relax. In all likelihood, FAs will look the other way if they see you are making an effort. Even if your kid lowers or removes the mask, make sure it remains visible, and always have backups in case an ear loop gets ripped off, or it gets doused in apple sauce or something.

It’s not about actual compliance, it’s just about being compliant…
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