Kids and flying - Need help planning

luvmykids wrote: As it stands, we are still planning on me and all four kids flying to GA for Spring Break...it will help a lot that Nikka is coming but I'm still a little nervous about me being the only adult with three little kids who've never flown before.

Do you think it would be worth it to pay more for nonstop flights, to get the whole thing overwith a little quicker and not have to deal with changing planes, or do you think they need a layover in order to have a break and maybe try to run around for a little bit? (Aimee, if we change planes it will probably be at DFW hint hint )

Also, what the heck do I do about all the car seats? I know you can gate check them, can you also check them with the skycap? That way we could get out of the car, hand them over and have them out of my hair.

Any other ideas? Or is it just crazy to attempt this?

Maddie&EthansMom replied: A layover might not be so bad. How long is the flight? How long is the layover?

I'm pretty sure you can check the carseats at the curbside. You can probably find that information by calling or checking the website of your local airline.

luvmykids replied: Right now I kind of have my pick of flights, so I could have an hour layover, which might be good since it wouldn't drag on but could also be scary if we're delayed at all, or I can have over two hours in which case you would have to come entertain us

grandma replied:
If you do this, you are my hero....how old are you kids?
One thing is for sure you will probably get special treatment once on the airplane.
I would go nonstop, but that's just me.
My niece actually takes her carseat on the plane and puts her boys in the carseat for the ride. She says they are use to it and it restrains them

luvmykids replied:
The younger ones are two six year olds and a four year old. It just now dawned on me, they're not so little I guess They just seem that way to me

Maddie&EthansMom replied: They should do fine on a direct flight. I think a layover would just make them more antsy. It's kind of a PITA switching planes and DFW is like another city...lots and lots of walking. I would be concerned about finding my gate with 4 kids in tow.

And of course I would LOVE to entertain you....if TSA would let me.

luvmykids replied:
Oh yeah, I forgot about that, you can't get to the gate area anymore It's been a long time since I flew

grandma replied:
lol - that makes it better they are babies, and we all know how much stuff it takes to travel with babies. When my grandbabies come to stay overnight, it looks like they have enought stuff for a week...

luvmykids replied:
My poor kids didn't get to go hardly anywhere when they were babies for that very reason

We did take a spur of the moment road trip to San Diego when the twins were two and Macie was about 6 mos....we had an Excursion back then and that sucker was loaded down And we stayed at a hotel that ONLY had valet parking b/c they were downtown, those valets and bellmen were so happy to see us leave

sparkys2boys replied: No advice but wanted to say you are a BRAVE BRAVE girl

lovemy2 replied: Yes - leave them with the skycap if you aren't using them on the plane - the other idea is to rent them there - we rented a high chair when we went to Disney - there is a couple of companies let me look it up again I can't remember what it was called - but that alleviates one less bag/thing to take - if you are ok with rented car seats - I am not 100% sure I would be but -

Bring things to do and ABSOLUTELY pay for the non-stop flights - invest in a portable DVD player not sure if you can get one with three headphone jacks but maybe - snacks and things to do are my best recommendations - and maybe a leash for the terminal

lisar replied: If it were me and my kids I would do a direct flight and pay more. Less confusion changing plans with the kids. But thats just me.

luvmykids replied:
I actually was one of those people who leashed their kids when they were smaller People either thought it was hilarious or horrific

mckayleesmom replied: Ok...well I am the unfortunate one that can never find direct flights to my moms house....We usually have pretty big layovers....It is also always just me with both kids. Before you pay more for a direct flight....call the airport where the layover is scheduled for and ask what kind of shopping and stuff they have. I know that the airport we were layed over in had a really nice playground area indoors for kids. The kids ate lunch and played while we waited for the next plane ride. I also make sure they have a brand new coloring book, crayons, cars for Russell and some kind of dolls for Mckaylee...

Now a day the Airports are like malls....so its not so bad during layovers...you can shop...

luvmykids replied:
I know, I love the ATL airport...it has better stores than our mall

Calimama replied:
Hurry up and do another one of those!!

Anyway since you have kids you can pre-board, that'll make things easier. I think you can check your car seats outside, but I'm not 100% sure. I would do a flight with a layover. I'd try to find one that's NOT 20 hours but also not 45 minutes. That way you have plenty of time to get them all into the bathroom, get food, let them stretch their legs, buy a new toy, etc.

Celestrina replied:

Our Lil' Family replied:
They were just happy to see the lady who packed in WalMart bags leave their 5 star hotel!

luvmykids replied:
Well, they kind of go hand in hand, if the kids weren't so little we wouldn't have had SO many Walmart bags

Brias3 replied: I usually try to avoid the layover flights, especially when I'm traveling alone with the kids. Though the opportunity to stretch is nice, nine times out of ten I end up feeling like its more a nuisance than a help because it becomes a struggle to get the kids to the bathroom, find snacks and navigate to the new terminal in a strange airport. Not to mention it does make the trip longer as a whole too. JMO though!

I swear by the portable DVD players- they have been a lifesaver on many a trip for us I always also pack backpacks for the kids' carry-ons. That way, all of their stuff is in their bag, activities, snacks, everything and I'm not digging into my bags for a snack or toy every five seconds. Plus, they can actually carry it onboard independantly too- we aren't jumbling a ton of bags through the airport.

GL!!

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Oh wow, I do have to say...YOU ARE CRAZY WOMAN!! I would reccomend stops. My kids always do better getting off the plane for an hour, stretching their legs, eating something...over just going for a direct flight. You are already checked in, so sitting around the terminal isn't too hard. Can you rent the carseats when you get there? A lot of car rental places or even some kids stores rent them. Otherwise I would bag them up and check them like a piece of luggage. DH just did this with Wil's carseat when they went to CA. Have each kid bring their own rolling suitcase, if they will push it on their own. They can carry it on the plane, plus it's the thrill of pushing something that will keep them busy. We just bought a portable DVD player for Wil's last trip and it was a huge hit! GL

luvmykids replied:
I know I thought of having my mom go with us but for one thing, can't really afford another plane ticket, and two, she still has trouble with her ankle and knee and I'm afraid it would actually be a little harder if we had to hurry Nikka will be a big help.

The direct flights are 2hrs and 57 minutes so I think we'll go for it that way, I figure by the time we take off and settle in it will leave just enough time for a movie and then we'll be done.

The only thing now is that the flights I want are filling up fast so I need an answer from DH NOW and haven't been able to get ahold of him

eta: I am definitely going to try to rent car seats

Calimama replied:
Leave him a message asking him if you think $1400 is too expensive for a pair of shoes.. He'll call you back before you even hang up.

luvmykids replied:
ROFL I am totally leaving him that message!

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
OMG that is GOOOOOD!!!

luvmykids replied: He finally answered, and he is NO fun! I asked him if $1500 was too much for a pair of shoes and he just said "Well, is everything else paid?"

Anyway, he didn't give me the go ahead because he said he's buying frequent flier miles from a friend....I don't have any idea how that works