Seeking Airplane Travel Advice!

I'm not responding to the what to pack, because it sounds like you got plenty of responses to that. I don't know if it's the age of the child (my son was 6 months on our first airline trip) or just the airline, but we almost didn't get to fly because I didn't have proof for the airline (not for TSA) to take him. I guess it may also depends if you paid for a seat for them. I would look at the airline's website and see what it says. A quick look at one airline says "proof of age" required for all ages. So, we were standing at check in without a birth certificate or any other document to prove he was ours, and phoning our doctor's office, begging them to fax something to the airline that said he was a patient in their office and when he was born. So, as soon as we got back home, I took our son to the DMV and got a state ID for him so we never have to go through that again. I imagine part of it is to prevent kidnappings, but I can tell you I did not need the added stress to get his boarding pass.

I just saw that you said Continental (https://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/airp..., so it looks like you don't need ID with them.

I would recommend a backpack as a carryon and/or a backpack or wrap carrier for the 2yo. Then you can have hands free for other things. I think at that age, I would use a Chunei carrier. (http://www.hosausa.com/) You put it on like a vest, and there is a seat built into it so that he feels secure while sitting in it. Both my husband and I used this on our last vacation with our 3yo. (http://www.ihosacanada.com/chuneireviews.php)

You are not required to have a carseat on an airline. They can just sit like everyone else. But, if you want to have a carseat, on the plane (opposed to checking it is as part of your luggage) then it has to be FDA approved. (In the past we checked a carseat, and they had plastic bags to put it in when we checked our bags.) The Sunshine kids seats are FDA approved, but very heavy. So, I bought a backpack carrying case to go with it, and my husband will wear it backpack style. I'm sorry I can't tell you if it's a good idea or not, since our trip with this seat will not be till the end of the month.

Feel free to pm me if you have other questions. Hope you have a good trip!

Here are some ideas to keep them busy on the airplane.
http://www.bigbluetrunk.com/ourcorner/550

Your kids don't need any ID at all since the travel is all within the US.

For car seats, you will probably be happier if you check them rather than bring them on the plane. Your kids will be a lot more comfortable in the regular plane seats since they'll have more room to move around. Plus, if they are in car seats, they won't be able to use the airplane tray tables.

Bring each of them a couple of new toys or games in the carry on, plus LOTS of snacks and a change of clothes for each. Bring a sweatshirt too since planes are sometimes cold.

Have fun!
K.
http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/karenchao - fun games for kids of all ages! Great for travel!

Did you buy seats for both the kids? If yes you can bring the car seats on. We put our 2 yro in the hiker pack and since we had a seat for him we got a carseat bag and put the hiker pack in it to put under the plane. We also brought our stroller and put all the carryon luggage in that while he was in the hiker pack.. you did not say if you had somone with you besides the kids. But they also have like a rack on wheels for the car seats and the kid sits in it while it is on wheels and you can push/pull them through the airport.

For identification, they need a birth-certificate.

For things on the plane.. snack food, new books, new toy to keep them entertained. Extra shirts for all, (in-case someone gets sick). Favorite bed toy.

I just traveled by air with my daughter for the first time from Atlanta to San Juan. She had just turned three at the time so what I did was but something new and save it for the flight. Buy new books,stickers for them to stick all over themselves, a activity book. Anything new to them will keep them entertained for awhile. Plus showing them the clouds and the buildings and talking about what you are doing in a plane.
As for what you can bring...bring juice boxes or something that looks like its for kids. My daughter only drinks flavor water. so I called the airline and the airport and they both told me as long as the seals weren't broke and I pulled them out of my bags and put them in the bin it would be fine. I did as they said and the screaners took the water and threw it in the trash because they said she was no child since she is extremely tall and looks like she is 5. So TSA told me if they are juices boxes or something that is more kid type then it should be fine. You can bring snacks if you think you need them.
As for what to put them in...you don't need anything for your 4 yr old. However with your 2 yr old you can either have the child sit in your lap with the belt over both of you. You could also have the child sit by themself in their seat or you can buy a harness to wear in the seat.

For ID type stuff you don't need anything but they tried asking her what her name was. Then they proceed to ask her who we were going to see, who I was and her name. They let us go through finally but when I called the TSA they said that is not what they do.

Another thing to think about is dress simple and easy. Then put them in slip on shoes since everyone has to take their shoes off for screening.

And last if you choose to take their car seats you could get a car seat cover so they they are protected when you check them in. Most airlines will let you check the car seat for free and it won't go against your luggage count. Plus on the way back you can stuff extra stuff in the car seat and its basically a free baggage.

Good luck with your travel. It really isn't that bad after you go through it once.

Here is my two cents

1) Try not to take anything that you will have to carry in your hands. Take a backpack type large purse so you will have your hands free.
2) Play items - Go to the dollar store and buy some stickers, coloring pads that have the colors with them, gel stickers (they love these) - that way even if they lose something it does not matter. Take a favortie small toy along and a small sized book.
3) Food - I usually take stuff that is not messy - cereal bars, frozen gogurt ( so it does not go bad and is thawed by the time they want to eat it) , some hershey kisses to cheer them up if they get upset on the plane.
4) No id requried
5) I would not take carseats.
6) One change of clothes. I try to take soemthing that is one piece like an overall so you don't have to pack too much stuff.

It never hurts to have your kid's birth certificates, but they don't need i.d. for their flight. Check out www.onestepahead.com for a GREAT rolling car seat carrier thing! It sounds like what you need. You can gate check a stroller, and I would at least put the 2 year old in an umbrella stroller for the getting around the airport part (and you can hang your carry on bag on the handles). Put some new toys, markers, crayons and coloring books in their bags. If your 4 year old is into anything like Leapster or if he/she has a portable DVD player -now would be the time to use it! If they both like Legos, put a bunch in a ziplock and build some stuff on the lap trays. Mine are that age, and they both LOVE Legos! You don't have a very long flight, so that's good! Since neither of them have flown before, it will probably be an exciting adventure.

You do NOT need specific car seats, but it's a good idea to strap them into their car seat in the plane seat. Many don't do this, but it's safe, it keeps them contained, AND it gives you a place to put the seat without gate checking it!

Seriously, I cannot emphasize putting that 2 year old in an umbrella stroller strongly enough! No carrying, and when you get to Atlanta, you'll be glad. I don't know about the Cleveland airport, but Atlanta is HUGE and you'll be walking a big and taking a train to baggage claim then walking more to your rental car, Marta, pick up or taxi.

No, your kids don't need id, but I always travel with a copy of my daughter's birth certificate, her SS card, and an insurance card all in one wallet that stays in her little backpack when we travel. There is also emergency contact information in there. My daughter has flown several times a year since she was born and have never been asked for id on a domestic flight.

Most car seats with 5-point harnesses will do in an airplane...I've only even witnessed people being refused to use certain boosters. However, I'd just check them--or atleast one of them. They take up too much room and just aren't necessary to safely travel on a plane.

Car seats are an exception item on Continental so you won't be charged and they won't go toward your baggage allowance. Buy a zippered travel bag or wrap in heavy duty trash bags and tape (don't forget to pack supplies for the return trip).

Use the sky caps and curbside check-in to help you lug everything to the check-in counter. Bring a pile of ones with you for tips. Electric carts are also readily available and they'll take you right to your gate...or use an easy to collapse umbrella stroller for the little one. I was still carrying my little one at two in a pack...we never did the stroller thing.

For your carry-on, use a roll-a-board sized to fit in the overhead bin with several smaller bags packed inside. One with clean clothes, one with entertainment, one with snacks, etc. You can easily get out what you need without having to dig through everything. Once you're on board, pull out the individual bags and stash them under the seat.

If your little one is in diapers, pack individual diaper changing "kits" in ziploc bags...makes it easier to pull out what you need for one diaper change. There isn't a whole lot of room in those bathrooms. Keep in mind that not every aircraft even HAS a changing tables. Check this before the plane takes off so you can make plan B.

Make sure the four year old uses the bathroom right before you get on the plane. He/she make be freaked out by the whooshing sound those dang toilets makes.

Just make your life easy and avoid any unnecessary liquids through security. Unless your children are exceeedingly picky, it just isn't worth the hassle. There is juice and water and milk on the other side of security...and plenty on the plane--just take small sippy cups.

Must haves for my carry-on: small trash bags (don't use grocery bags, they often are leaky...and there are some things you don't want to leak...lol), hand wipes, washable markers (we've been known to write on each other when she gets a little antsy); snacks; gum or pacifier

Good luck.

Hi J.,
We travel often and this is what I have found to be the easiest:

1.Book the care seats! Nightmare trying to get them to the gate. Bring a stroller/double stroller for the kids and check this at the gate. It is nice to keep the kids controlled in as well as a place to hang your bags on the back.

2.Kids do not need proof of age unless they can fly free for age reasons.

3. Bring a DVD/laptop for a movie.

4. Do not bring crayons or any other annoying and round item that will keep rolling off the tray. I think i learned this after a few rounds of nausea after spending most of the time looking under seats for toys. They have those flat magnet toys which are nice for the plane or anything with a string attached like one of those doodle pads.

Snacks/drinks!

Good luck!

Hi J.!
I have flown with my daughter by myself several times, so here's my two cents.
In a carry-on, I would have books, small toys, dvd player, dvds, headphones, favorite snacks, sippy cups, crayons/color wonder markers, coloring books, etc. My daughter wasn't potty trained until she was 3 so we needed to take diapers/pullups and wipes. You might also want a change of clothes. Can your 4 year old carry a small backpack with his/her own things in it?

You have a choice when it comes to car seats. It truly is up to you if you check it or have your child sit in it on the plane. If you do check it, it should be free (at least it is on the airlines on which I have traveled).

I would also pay the baggage fee to check any bags besides your carry-on.

I have never needed any identification for my kiddos. If you have a passport for them already, then you could bring that. I have never been asked for any though.

Will you be taking a stroller? If you are, keep in mind that it has to be folded so that it can go through the x-ray machine. If you decide to take the 2 year old's carseat, can you get the attachment that turns the car seat into a stroller? You could gate-check the stroller or the attachment, but that would allow you to keep your 2 year old contained while going through the airport.

Be sure to let the kiddos move around as much as possible before boarding the plane. That will tire them out! :)

Good luck and stay calm. If you are calm, the kiddos will be calm. Enjoy your trip!!!!!