Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids

[yelped]

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

Sounds like you're in a certain industry...

[AsherO]

Sounds like you're in a certain industry...

Which industry is that?

[skyguy918]

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.

Did you bring a car seat? My relatively narrow 18.5" car seat is apparently bigger than their seats (17.75").

[S209]

Did you bring a car seat? My relatively narrow 18.5" car seat is apparently bigger than their seats (17.75").

https://tripswithtykes.com/car-seats-on-airplanes-part-1/

[skyguy918]

https://tripswithtykes.com/car-seats-on-airplanes-part-1/

Is there something in that link that answers my question about Spirit's extra narrow seats? Didn't seem like it.

[yelped]

Did you bring a car seat? My relatively narrow 18.5" car seat is apparently bigger than their seats (17.75").

If you're the one sitting next to the car seat, why would it matter? I've sat next to my children in car seats that were wider than the seats and it didn't matter (BH I'm narrow). Also, many United and AA planes have seats that are that narrow.

[JMHO]

Is there something in that link that answers my question about Spirit's extra narrow seats? Didn't seem like it.

Yes.
Read part two.
Snarky.

[skyguy918]

Yes.
Read part two.
Snarky.

It's not snark - someone took the time out to reply to me, and I don't understand the reply, so I'm asking for clarification. I read part 2 and I didn't see anything in there pertaining to my specific question/situation. I've brought car seats on planes in the past, I'm not looking for general info.

I guess I wasn't clear - I was asking for feedback from the guy who just said he flew spirit this week with a 3.5 year old, presumably with a car seat. The follow-up questions would've been did Spirit hassle you at all (either to prove the car seat was FAA approved, or in terms of where you can put the car seat), and was it too big for the seat.

If you're the one sitting next to the car seat, why would it matter? I've sat next to my children in car seats that were wider than the seats and it didn't matter (BH I'm narrow). Also, many United and AA planes have seats that are that narrow.

Lol, yeah - that's exactly the problem. I know my wife is gonna ask me to sit next to our 3yo, and I'm wondering how much it juts into the next seat. I'm not 'narrow' - more on the average side. I figured Spirit has a reputation of having the smallest seats, didn't realize that sizing is common.

[dasmo801]

Did you bring a car seat? My relatively narrow 18.5" car seat is apparently bigger than their seats (17.75").

Didn't bring a car seat.

[AsherO]

@skyguy918 why not get the FAA-approved CARES harness?

I actually have one or two of these at home that my kids outgrew, they’re a breeze to use and compact/lightweight compared to a car seat.

[skyguy918]

@skyguy918 why not get the FAA-approved CARES harness?

I actually have one or two of these at home that my kids outgrew, they’re a breeze to use and compact/lightweight compared to a car seat.

Because I need it for the rental car anyway. I'll probably just take what I have, and if they ask me to check it I will. If not, I'll probably put one of my other kids between us once the little one settles down.

[Moshe Green]

How does one go through security without the kids being traumatized. we had a terrible experience where they made my 2 year old take his shoes off and then wanded him...
what about bringing milk? just hoep they dont see it or show it to them first?

[sillypainter]

How does one go through security without the kids being traumatized. we had a terrible experience where they made my 2 year old take his shoes off and then wanded him...
what about bringing milk? just hoep they dont see it or show it to them first?

Put the milk in a 3.5oz. container, they will find it, waste of time.

Just prepare your children about security, this is the best you can do. Show then that everybody does this to protect the plane.

[moish]

what about bringing milk? just hoep they dont see it or show it to them first?

Many times theyll allow milk if its for baby. Just take it out of the bag first. They will pull it over and test it with a different machine.

[JMHO]

what about bringing milk? just hoep they dont see it or show it to them first?

It's totally ok, you can bring all liquids for infants (possibly little kids too, it's up the TSA agent) but they will definitely pull that bag for a secondary screening and test the bottle/s.

I'd recommend putting all food/drink in a separate bag so they don't have to go through your entire suitcase to find the food.

[yitzgar]

It's totally ok, you can bring all liquids for infants (possibly little kids too, it's up the TSA agent) but they will definitely pull that bag for a secondary screening and test the bottle/s.

I'd recommend putting all food/drink in a separate bag so they don't have to go through your entire suitcase to find the food.

Yep. Have brought milk, water, juice, Powerade etc for babies and toddlers without issue. They do extra screening, so it's easiest to keep them separate

[yerushabubby]

If you have the time, let others ahead of you on the security line while your kids watch (and you explain) what is going on, putting as positive a spin on it as possible (they are making sure that no one brings anything that might be dangerous on the plane, so we are all safe etc...).  The last time I flew with young kids, I explained it to them ahead of time, making it sound like these are things that could cause problems if they fall on someone or spill, rather than explaining terror attacks to kids.

In general, I would recommend drilling your kids on the importance of listening to all authority figures on the trip, including TSA and flight attendants.

[E R K]

As with all new , potentially scary to kids experiences, act it out and talk about beforehand. Even practice wearing a mask for short periods of times. Kids take their cues from grown ups so if they see that you are resentful, chances are they will be too. “Play” airport. And do this many times. Repetition is so important for little kids.

[moko]

How does one go through security without the kids being traumatized. we had a terrible experience where they made my 2 year old take his shoes off and then wanded him...
what about bringing milk? just hoep they dont see it or show it to them first?

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures/traveling-children

[Abebee]

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?

We bought our 5 and 3 year-old "special masks" for the plane. you can find plenty of colorful ones on Amazon and explained to them that the only we can fly on the plane is if we wear a mask. Like mentioned upthread, during the boarding process and prior to takeoff we were extra careful. Once we were in the air they both had the masks down by the chin and had a snack bag in their laps. The FA didnt say anything, but if they did we would have just said i'm sorry and pick it back up.