If you've flown out of Hartsfield-Jax with a baby

SunMoon&Stars · November 2011

......you can take baby strapped into a carseat onto the parking shuttle, correct? We plan to fly out for Thanksgiving with my 2.5 month old in her car seat and snap n go, which we'll gate-check. First time flying with a baby (obviously)

Not having much luck googling, and I called the airport parking info number, which just said to leave a VM and they'll call me back in 72 hrs. (uh-huh).

Any other tips on flying with a baby are welcome, too. Thanks.

frlcb · November 2011

I'm confused by your question. Do you mean can you take your car seat onto a parking shuttle (like park and fly) and strap the carseat in? No, they don't have seat belts. You can carry your baby in her infant seat, and put it on the seat next to you, but I would just hold her.

We have flown often with our kids - my biggest advice is to let her suck on something on take off and landing (although I have always heard the ears popping doesn't actually start until they are after 1, although it doesn't hurt). If you are ff'ng bring more than you think you need, as well as diapers, just in case. Bring a change of clothes for baby and I always bring a shirt for me, in case of vomit. 2.5 months is a super easy age to travel, they pretty much eat and sleep. I always wear my babies, which makes it easier to have hands free, although you can't wear them on the plane for take off or landing.

Juelsr · November 2011

Last time we rode the shuttle, we had LO (10 months) on our laps- I can't see them having a problem if you left her in the seat- and having less items to carry would probably make it easier on you. You will have to take her out to go through security- even if she's sound asleep. Our ergo was great during the flight. I was also able to breastfeed during take off and landing; had not heard that the ears don't pop until 1 year, but at the very least it made for a sleepy not a cranky hungry baby for the flight. If you didn't buy your little one a seat- check in at the gate as soon as you get there, and if they have extra seats they will usually give you one for the baby, if not- you can gate check the car seat.

Try to reduce the number of things you are carrying as much as possible. One diaper bag with the extra sets of clothes and your ids. Much more than that becomes cumbersome.

mingaling2 · November 2011

frlcb:
I'm confused by your question. Do you mean can you take your car seat onto a parking shuttle (like park and fly) and strap the carseat in? No, they don't have seat belts. You can carry your baby in her infant seat, and put it on the seat next to you, but I would just hold her.

Actually, they DO have seat belts. All the Park n Ride buses managed by ATL have seat belts in all the seats.

frlcb · November 2011

mingaling1:
frlcb:
I'm confused by your question. Do you mean can you take your car seat onto a parking shuttle (like park and fly) and strap the carseat in? No, they don't have seat belts. You can carry your baby in her infant seat, and put it on the seat next to you, but I would just hold her.

Actually, they DO have seat belts. All the Park n Ride buses managed by ATL have seat belts in all the seats.

You know, after I posted that I was thinking that I remembered putting one around Finn once but couldn't remember if it was here or somewhere else. Thanks for clarifying I have never seen someone use a carseat on one but that doesn't mean you can't ask to I guess!

mingaling2 · November 2011

frlcb:
You know, after I posted that I was thinking that I remembered putting one around Finn once but couldn't remember if it was here or somewhere else. Thanks for clarifying I have never seen someone use a carseat on one but that doesn't mean you can't ask to I guess!

I only know because I was trying to figure out what those black box-y looking things were between each seat. Doh!

decaturbride · November 2011

I usually fly with our Phil and Ted stroller. They just help me lift the whole thing into the shuttle with DS still strapped in. So I am sure they won't mind having the baby in the carrier on the floor.They are very helpful every time I use Park n Fly.

Bring as little stuff onboard as you need. It will already feel like you have a ton of stuff with you when traveling with a child, so make it as easy as possible to get yourself on the plane. Ask the gate agent if there is an open seat for the carrier and you can bring it on for free. That is unlikely for Thanksgiving travel, but good info for future trips and you can never tell. It doesn't hurt to ask.

Bring an extra shirt for yourself, just in case and plenty of diapers, food and, extra clothes for the baby.

At your daughter's age, she will do great. Once you get everything packed, traveling with a baby that age is pretty easy. Have a great trip!

FortMyersBride · November 2011

GL! I agree with bringing extra shirts, more diapers and wipes than you think you need, and extra pacifiers (you don't want to be digging btw the grimy seats looking for a lost one!). Thanksgiving is the first time I'm flying with DD, but we used to fly every couple mos with DS starting at 5 wks. I used to put him in the travel system until I got to security, then wear him the rest of the trip (moby when he was little, then the ergo). For whatever reason, they never actually made me take him out of the moby for take off/landing. I'm not sure if they thought he was just wrapped up in a blanket, or if they didn't want to risk waking an angry baby.