Airport Security and Toddlers

lrn327

A Parenting post made me think of this.

We've finally decided where to take C (Boston, yay!) but we've never flown with him before.  Has anyone flown recently with a toddler?  I'm particularly worried about airport security and getting through the checkpoints.  He's very clingy now, will probably actually refuse to walk, and will most likely be in tears, particularly if anyone touches him. 

enjoylife

Last we flew was when A was 20 months, they still let me carry him through airport security (I was 36 weeks pregnant too so maybe they just didn't want to open that can of worms).  The other thing is if they want him to walk through and your H is with you one of you hold him and then have him walk/run to the other on the opposite side, but I think they still let us carry them for now. We fly again in May with both boys, so I'm curious what others say. Have a great trip though!

lindseybell3

We fly regularly, having family abroad.  We just flew to Ireland for Christmas.  I'd recommend bringing his carseat for his seat on the plane and a luggage handle to turn it into a stroller.  You can buy them online but my husband got a cheap carrier from Lowe's and jerry-rigged it.  It's easier than hauling around an extra stroller, unless you want one on the trip.

Security is a pain in the pooper.  If you bring anything, like a sippy cup with water or milk or snacks or fruit pouches, they will test the liquids (it doesn't take long; they just dip a strip into them)  and either take away the pouches or make you go through a full pat down.  We did the pat-down because we didn't want to lose the pouches, as T. flipped out on the floor.  He didn't like it that Daddy had to take his shoes off.  Probably no one will touch HIM though.  They didn't pat down T... just one of us had to do it. 

Just bring whatever will entertain him on the trip.  For international flights, we are lucky and get seat back entertainment with movies which is a godsend, but we also bring sticker books, magnet books, new little toys, coloring books, snacks... whatever keeps him happy.

Good luck! 

lindseybell3

Sorry, meant to add too... when you go through checkpoints they usually let ppl with small children go through first.  T. walked but I don't think they'd have a problem with you carrying him if you need to. It shouldn't make any difference as long as he goes through.

lrn327

enjoylife:

Last we flew was when A was 20 months, they still let me carry him through airport security (I was 36 weeks pregnant too so maybe they just didn't want to open that can of worms).  The other thing is if they want him to walk through and your H is with you one of you hold him and then have him walk/run to the other on the opposite side, but I think they still let us carry them for now. We fly again in May with both boys, so I'm curious what others say. Have a great trip though!

Thanks, that's a good idea to have DH on the other side.  And lol about the can of worms but bet you're right!!

lrn327

lindseybell3:

Sorry, meant to add too... when you go through checkpoints they usually let ppl with small children go through first.  T. walked but I don't think they'd have a problem with you carrying him if you need to. It shouldn't make any difference as long as he goes through.

Thanks for the tips and the international perspective too!  We hope to travel to Europe next year.  We've decided we'll take the carseat with us so we'll look in to a strap or cart too.

JRP00

I flew in October with Brooklyn and didn't really have a hard time. During the check points I carried her through and they only made us go throught the medal detector instead of the body scanner. I never had to take her shoes off and i'm pretty sure they can't ask you too. She was under two so she sat on my lap. I bought a kindle and also brought my lap top for movies, games, and books.

kj07

The last time we flew with B was in November.  I was able to carry him through security without any flack from the TSA agents.  As our bags are about to go through the x-ray screen, I tell the agent that there's food/drinks for my baby in there - that way when something 'suspicious' pops up on the screen they're prepared.  I've have some checkpoints just wave us through, others pull us aside for for the vapor test.  I've never had to make the choice of tossing them versus body pat, but we haven't flown international so maybe that makes a difference. 

Some airports have a family screening line so you don't have to wait in the long lines with everyone else.  Those airports are the best .

Take C's birth certificate with you, just in case you're asked to show it.  Here you can order a wallet sized certificate - it's still bigger than a license, but much easier to carry around than a full-sized certificate.

 

kj07

I also agree - take the car seat on the plane (assuming C isn't a car seat hater).  B knows that he has to stay in his car seat and what the buckles are for so I think it makes him easier to contain and reduces fights and tears.  At least on SW you have to install it on a window, so he's guaranteed a bit of a view.  We also install ours RFing  - that way he can't kick the seat in front of him and I find it's easier to keep track of everything.

Oh, I also recommend the book Planes by Byron Barton.  B loves that book cause he loves all things vehicle, but I think it does a nice job of introducing the simple concepts that go into a plane flight.

lrn327

kj07:

I also agree - take the car seat on the plane (assuming C isn't a car seat hater).  B knows that he has to stay in his car seat and what the buckles are for so I think it makes him easier to contain and reduces fights and tears.  At least on SW you have to install it on a window, so he's guaranteed a bit of a view.  We also install ours RFing  - that way he can't kick the seat in front of him and I find it's easier to keep track of everything.

Oh, I also recommend the book Planes by Byron Barton.  B loves that book cause he loves all things vehicle, but I think it does a nice job of introducing the simple concepts that go into a plane flight.

Thanks!  C has Trains by the same author and loves it!  Also, probably needs to be saved for FFFC but I haven't applied for C's birth certificate yet.  Guess I should get on that huh?  Yeah, Mother of the Year, right here!

kj07

lrn327:

kj07:

I also agree - take the car seat on the plane (assuming C isn't a car seat hater).  B knows that he has to stay in his car seat and what the buckles are for so I think it makes him easier to contain and reduces fights and tears.  At least on SW you have to install it on a window, so he's guaranteed a bit of a view.  We also install ours RFing  - that way he can't kick the seat in front of him and I find it's easier to keep track of everything.

Oh, I also recommend the book Planes by Byron Barton.  B loves that book cause he loves all things vehicle, but I think it does a nice job of introducing the simple concepts that go into a plane flight.

Thanks!  C has Trains by the same author and loves it!  Also, probably needs to be saved for FFFC but I haven't applied for C's birth certificate yet.  Guess I should get on that huh?  Yeah, Mother of the Year, right here!

We have the Trains book too - they're two of B's favorites - I'm pretty sure I can recite both from memory.

As to C's birth certificate status - thanks for giving me a little laugh this afternoon.  This is the motivation you need to get on that!

mommyfied

We flew a month ago! Went perfect

Bring with you some snacks (raisins and other dried fruits), silent toys like cars/dolls, drawingstuff and a teddy.

Stay well fed and hydrated.

A calm parent means a calm toddler  

If you are travelling with one toddler and two parents then you should be able to have an awesome trip

lrn327

kj07:

lrn327:

kj07:

I also agree - take the car seat on the plane (assuming C isn't a car seat hater).  B knows that he has to stay in his car seat and what the buckles are for so I think it makes him easier to contain and reduces fights and tears.  At least on SW you have to install it on a window, so he's guaranteed a bit of a view.  We also install ours RFing  - that way he can't kick the seat in front of him and I find it's easier to keep track of everything.

Oh, I also recommend the book Planes by Byron Barton.  B loves that book cause he loves all things vehicle, but I think it does a nice job of introducing the simple concepts that go into a plane flight.

Thanks!  C has Trains by the same author and loves it!  Also, probably needs to be saved for FFFC but I haven't applied for C's birth certificate yet.  Guess I should get on that huh?  Yeah, Mother of the Year, right here!

We have the Trains book too - they're two of B's favorites - I'm pretty sure I can recite both from memory.

As to C's birth certificate status - thanks for giving me a little laugh this afternoon.  This is the motivation you need to get on that!

Ha ha, glad to be of service!!  And yes, good motivation! 

theuntaggablek

These are all great tips. We flew in December to see family at Christmas & didn't bring the carseat on the plane - not so good. He really, really, wanted to look out the window, but couldn't see if he stayed seated, and so it was a constant battle to have him sit down. Books, a leapfrog (used only for that occasion), and a puppet we hid under a blanket worked to keep him entertained on the way home.

Security wasn't a big deal - they let us carry him through the checkpoint, with shoes on (coat off). His blankie did have to go on the belt through the scanner, which was momentarily upsetting, but not too big of a deal. We didn't mess with bringing drinks through security for him, but we did bring an empty sippy cup so we could fill it once we cleared security.

sroszc

Great tips from PP's above!  We also use his convertible car seat on the plane (flew most recently end of Sept).  We found a 'ratchet' type strap on amazon that we used to strap his car seat onto a piece of rolling carry on luggage.  Worked great!  Ditto lots of snacks, stickers and coloring books and an ipad if you have it.  I also saw a tip to bring some blue painters tape since it's cheap and easy to peel off.  It was cool for us for about 5 minutes, ha. Oh!  And pack those squeezable veggie/fruit packs.  I've never had anyone question them in security and they are a great snack for longer flights.

We were able to carry C through the security, shoes on and have never been asked for his birth certificate.  I also bring empty sippy cups and just fill up with water and milk once through security.

We are flying for our first time with 2 in March and I'm much more anxious!

GL and have fun!

 

missmuffin87

That's awesome that you decided to go to Boston. When is your trip? I can probably give you ideas for fun toddler activities in and around the city. 

Just be prepared that if you haven't flown into Logan before its typically a little more high security (and thus slower) than other airports (at least in my experience). Like they will make you take off his shoes, whereas other airports might be ok with a toddler wearing shoes through the security check. Basically they will just annoy the crap out of you and make you do security things that make you feel like "really is this necessary, it's a toddler." 

lrn327

sroszc:

Great tips from PP's above!  We also use his convertible car seat on the plane (flew most recently end of Sept).  We found a 'ratchet' type strap on amazon that we used to strap his car seat onto a piece of rolling carry on luggage.  Worked great!  Ditto lots of snacks, stickers and coloring books and an ipad if you have it.  I also saw a tip to bring some blue painters tape since it's cheap and easy to peel off.  It was cool for us for about 5 minutes, ha. Oh!  And pack those squeezable veggie/fruit packs.  I've never had anyone question them in security and they are a great snack for longer flights.

We were able to carry C through the security, shoes on and have never been asked for his birth certificate.  I also bring empty sippy cups and just fill up with water and milk once through security.

We are flying for our first time with 2 in March and I'm much more anxious!

GL and have fun!

Thanks, yes, the strap from Amazon!  That's what I want to get.  

lrn327

missmuffin87:

That's awesome that you decided to go to Boston. When is your trip? I can probably give you ideas for fun toddler activities in and around the city. 

Just be prepared that if you haven't flown into Logan before its typically a little more high security (and thus slower) than other airports (at least in my experience). Like they will make you take off his shoes, whereas other airports might be ok with a toddler wearing shoes through the security check. Basically they will just annoy the crap out of you and make you do security things that make you feel like "really is this necessary, it's a toddler." 

Thank you!!! Will PM you.