Going to the airport with 2 toddlers

[thumper55]

How far ahead would you arrive at the airport if flying with 2 toddlers? Tuesday this week will be our very first plane trip ever; It will be me and DH, and 2 kids (age 2, 4)

we will park the car at a nearby hotel, then take the airport shuttle at 5:00am. It's about 3 miles from the airport. I don't know if there will be other stops. I am estimating we would get to the airport around 5:20 or sooner.

our flight departs at 6:20 am.


We have one large piece of luggage that will need to be checked in.

We will be carting our 2 carseats thru the airport and bringing them on board the plane.

My plan: DD will be on my back in an ergo, and I will push our cart with the two carseats on it. DH can push our large luggage and walk with DS.


I"m guessing the airport would be dead that early in the morning and there would be no lines for security, etc.

Do you think my timing sounds ok? I don't think I could pull it back much further; the airport shuttle starts at 4:45 am.
I'm just nervous.

[anna7602]

An hour sounds like you will be cutting things a little close. Can you do online check-in? Will you print your boarding passes in advance? I would definitely recommend this. That way you can just drop your suitcase off and go through security.

I missed a flight once because DD suddenly had to poop before we went through security and absolutely couldn't hold it. Then when we got to the bathroom, she had to sit on the toilet forever and ever while I stroked her back. I really wished I had budgeted more time in that instance. But, it was also a very large airport where you have to take a shuttle to the gate once you go through security. Perhaps your airport is more manageable in a short amount of time.

[Deleted]

I agree with PPs. That's cutting it too close. I've seen long lines early in the morning at our small airport. If I'm in your shoes, I would probably do all the check-ins the afternoon before.

[Deleted]

Too close. I also would not count on being able to get a cart. I know that our airport does not allow them past security.

Also, our airports are more busy early in the morning due to business traffic. Never count on a short security line.

We always get to the airport 1.5-2 hours in advance. The kids can run around the gate if you are really early.

Personally, we check car seats as well and use the CARES system on the plane. Way easier than hauling carseats through the airport.

[fortmyersbride]

Not enough time for my comfort.

DS has been sitting in a plane seat just fine since turning 2. I would not bring either carseat on board. If you are really concerned about the 2 yr old breaking loose, get a cares. I certainly wouldn't be trying to tie down a 4 yr old. Check both car seats and whatever you don't need while in the airport. We check a couple of suitcases and them just carry a couple of backpacks on board.

My 4 yr old walks great in airports- until he's tired, waiting in line, etc. I prefer to bring a sit and stand stroller so that he can ride or we can just rest our backpacks on it.

Like pp said, 5am-7am is a busy time at the airport. That is when I have encountered the longest security lines due to business travelers.

[Redpoppy]

How much are you saving by parking at the hotel? I loathe shuttles, especially with kid stuff. As much as I hate paying the parking rates at the airport the amount we'd save for economy or offsite isn't worth the hassle. I wouldn't count on taking the cart through security unless it's your own.

Unless you are at a small airport it is cutting it too close. It really depends on the airport you are going through. At Logan (Boston) it easily needs an hour even that early to check in and get to the gate. Security is packed in the morning, at least on a weekday flight. If it were Tampa airport, I'd feel okay with time frame at least on the airline we fly. We've never had more than 4 people in front of us in line and the JetBlue terminal there will let families with young children go through the priority line at security. Even knowing that we try to get there 1.5 to 2 hours ahead so we have time for bathroom trips and for DS to run around in the kids area.

[thumper55]

I'm the OP.. I am going to pull back our schedule a bit so that we can arrive at the airport earlier. I'll plan to arrive to leave our house at 4am and we should get there by 4:30am

To answer some questions, yes I can check in online 24 hours ahead. and Yes, the cart is my own. It is a small airport (SJC)

I won't be able to save money by parking on the hotel anymore ($8 per day) , and would end up using the the long term parking ($22 per day).

That's totally fine for some more peace of mind that we won't have any issues.

thanks ladies

[af1212]

Another way to build more time into your morning is to split up. You take one kid and the large suitcase and get in line to check it, while your husband drives to the hotel with the other kid and does the shuttle. That way you can meet up at the gate. I have done this before, and when my husband got stuck in security they held the seat. I'm sure they wouldn't have done this if neither of us showed up.

[frlcb]

What time does check in start?

[spk926]

Just a warning because I saw a lot of people recommending it; don't ever check a car seat!!

Checking a car seat is equal to it being in a crash because of how they are handled and treated. If you check a car seat then continue using it and you were in a crash where something happened the company (Britax, Graco, Evenflo....) would no longer stand behind their seat because it had been checked for a flight.

So good for you for putting your child's safety first and bringing their car seats on the plane with you. Not only will they be safer ON the plane, but they will continue to be safe every time they use the car seat after the trip.

[knitty]

Put the four year old in a nappy - that way you won't have to duck out of the security line for a toilet trip.

[grk2012]

Oct 14, 2012 20:28:09 GMT -5 knitty said:

Put the four year old in a nappy - that way you won't have to duck out of the security line for a toilet trip.

No way. Just hit the restrooms before you get in line. My 4-year-old would be mortified if I put a diaper on him after being PT for so long, and probably refuse to go in it anyway.

[thumper55]

Oct 14, 2012 18:16:54 GMT -5 spk926 said:

Just a warning because I saw a lot of people recommending it; don't ever check a car seat!!

Checking a car seat is equal to it being in a crash because of how they are handled and treated. If you check a car seat then continue using it and you were in a crash where something happened the company (Britax, Graco, Evenflo....) would no longer stand behind their seat because it had been checked for a flight.

So good for you for putting your child's safety first and bringing their car seats on the plane with you. Not only will they be safer ON the plane, but they will continue to be safe every time they use the car seat after the trip.

yes, this is what I am totally scared of happening if I check the seats!

[h]

We never get to our local airport more than an hour before our flight, even when traveling with our kids--it just isn't necessary. I would, however, allocate more than an hour for an airport that generally has long security lines.

Usually we check the bags curbside, then DH drops me and the kids off while he parks. I get the kids through security and go to the gate, then DH gets all the carry ons through security and meets us. It is pretty painless.

[h]

Oct 14, 2012 21:54:04 GMT -5 grk2012 said:

Oct 14, 2012 20:28:09 GMT -5 knitty said:

Put the four year old in a nappy - that way you won't have to duck out of the security line for a toilet trip.

No way. Just hit the restrooms before you get in line. My 4-year-old would be mortified if I put a diaper on him after being PT for so long, and probably refuse to go in it anyway.

Yes. My kid would have been humiliated had we done this at 4yo. I can see having a child wear a diaper when traveling if they were in the process of potty training or very, very newly trained. But not at 4.