Whoever said, “getting there is half the fun” obviously
wasn’t “getting there” by flying with children!
While family vacations are
something we look forward to, the transportation part is usually the most
stressful.
Those travel days can be stressful anyway with lines at
security, weather delays, and tight connections, but it is compounded when you
are also trying to keep the kids happy and cooperative.
Here are some of our favorite tips for reducing the stress
of flying with kids by helping to make sure that your airport logistics run
smoothly…
Murphy’s Law Applies to Travel Too
As a parent, I trust you are familiar with Murphy’s Law… you
know the one, if it can go wrong, it will go wrong. You may not have invited
Mr. Murphy on your vacation, but he loves to tag along.
It’s always a good idea to expect the best… but plan for the
worst. There is no need to start your vacation by being stressed that you might
miss your flight. Make sure you leave plenty of time for travel to the airport
and for getting through security before your flight. Plan for traffic and other
delays.
When traveling with kids, or with any larger group, we
recommend arriving at the airport no less than 90 minutes before a domestic
flight or two and a half hours before an international flight.
Avoid Tight Connections
If you aren’t taking a nonstop or direct flight, make sure
you leave plenty of time to make your connecting flights. Nothing is worse than
running through an unfamiliar airport yelling at your children to hurry up and
stick together!
While airlines may allow you to book close connections,
remember that flights will begin boarding around 45 minutes to an hour before
take-off, and most airlines require that you are on board at least 15 minutes
before your departure time. When you think about that, a 40-minute connection
starts to feel a little more stressful!
We recommend at least 90 minutes for domestic connections
and 2.5 to 3 hours for international flights. Remember that most connections
occur at “hub” airports. These airports tend to be larger and more confusing.
Your connection could involve a change of terminals, and at some airports, you
may have to wait for a train or bus to travel from one terminal to another.
Don’t Split Your Flights
We often hear travelers talk about finding a “deal” by
splitting their flight up into 2 tickets. For instance, when traveling to
Europe, they may book a one-way ticket from home to a hub city like Atlanta or
New York and then another ticket from there to their European destination.
This means you will have to collect your bags after the
first flight, then check them in for the next flight, and go through security
again. You will also likely have to change from a domestic terminal to an
international terminal. In some cities, this is not easy to do. Not to mention
that it is not uncommon for travelers to realize too late that their New York
flights are actually arriving and departing from two different airports!
Should you miss your connection, there is nothing you can do
since the airline had no idea you were connecting from an earlier flight and the airline will consider you a no show.
It’s always best to book your flights on one ticket all the
way through. That way, your bags can be checked straight through to your final
destination. Should circumstances beyond your control result in an unexpectedly
tight connection, they will often hold the second flight for you as well.
Pack Smart
When selecting your carry-on for the trip, pick your bag
carefully. Consider all of the little loose things that you’ll be carrying and
make sure there are either pockets to keep them organized and easy to find or
pack smaller bags to keep things together in your carry-on. Be sure you have
room for jackets, pillows, books, or toys that can easily get left behind as
you transition from one step to the next of your trip.
Keep Documents Handy
Something else to consider with your carry-on bag is if it
has somewhere to securely store your documents where they are safe but still
easily accessible. One way to reduce confusion and stress is to have one person
be in charge of all of the travel documents, so they are always in one place.
Everyone can hold their own paperwork at security or when ready to board an
international flight, but once they are through, keep them all together. Not
having to fumble around to find them will save you time and frustration.
Pack Some Power
Traveling with electronics? Make sure you have charging
cords, outlet plugs, adapters, and ideally extra battery packs. One of the most
helpful things to have in your carry-on is a splitter that allows for more than
one device to be plugged in at a time.
Should your flight be delayed, the
outlets in the terminal will quickly be claimed by passengers wanting to be
sure their device gets charged while they wait. Being able to ask if you can
share the outlet, and both have access to power can be a lifesaver!
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry
If you travel frequently, these programs are worth their
weight in gold!
TSA PreCheck allows you to zip through shorter security
lines without having to remove your shoes or take liquids or laptops out of
your bag. An added bonus is that most people in the TSA PreCheck line are
seasoned travelers, so the process is that much smoother and faster. Global
Entry holders are automatically enrolled in TSA PreCheck.
Global Entry helps you speed your way through customs on
your return from an international flight. The last thing you want to have to do
at the end of a long and exhausting travel day is stand in a long line at the
very end of your journey! I've had Global Entry since 2012 and here's how both programs worked for me
Traveling with kids
can be stressful! It’s our job to make family vacations as fun and easy for Mom
and Dad as they are for the kids. Sit back and let us take care of all of the
details… all you have to do is show up and enjoy your vacation! Click here to schedule a time for us to talk and get started planning your next getaway.
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