Parents flying with children should be prepared for new passport
requirements. The United States is now requiring
passport identification for travelers entering the country from
Canada, Mexico and South American countries. Gone are the
days when a birth certificate was enough! So next time you
travel to one of the neighboring countries or take a cruise, be
sure that you have a valid passport in hand. If you need
to apply for a passport, do not wait until the last minute.
It can take up to 8 weeks to receive a new passport.
Families have many passports and documents to organize
together. Consider using a Family Passport & Document Case
to make organizing your family's passports a little easier to
manage during times when you need to quickly present your
documentation.
TSA Family Guide
TIPSBefore you reach the airport
Please allow yourself and your family extra time
to get through security - especially for baby
travel or
flying with kids.
Call
your airline or travel agent for their recommended
check-in times for your departure airport.
Talk to
your children before you come to the airport and let
them know that it's against the law to make threats
such as, "I have a bomb in my bag." Threats made
jokingly (even by a child) can delay the entire
family and could result in fines.
TIPS At the airport
Speak to
your children again about the screening process so
that they will not be frightened or surprised.
Remind them not to joke about threats such as bombs
or explosives.
Tell
your children that their bags (backpack, dolls,
etc.) will be put in the X-ray machine and will come
out at the other end and be returned to them.
Let your
children know that a Security Officer may ask to see
Mom or Dad's shoes, but that they will get these
back as well.
You may
want to consider asking for a private screening if
you are traveling with more than one child.
(Courtesy of TSA)
TIPS After You Land
In popular, family-friendly
destinations like Orlando, accommodations are abundant but also in high
demand. Deciding where to stay is an important decision, because whereas
a flight may only last several hours, you'll probably remain in your
accommodations for at least several days. Timeshare rentals are a great alternative for large families who require more space and privacy.
With Florida timeshare rentals you can find
family accommodation options with as many as three bedrooms and extra living space. Rentals also offer access to resort amenities you won't find elsewhere like babysitting referrals and laundry services. And when you don't have to pack extra clothing, you can worry about more important things like making room for your child's favorite stuffed animal.
Welcome and thank you for visiting! It is the support of thousands
of parents just like
you that makes FlyingRugrats.com possible!
Family Travel
Insurance
When families
travel, there is always the risk that a sudden injury or
illness to an an adult will leave minor children without an
attendant. In this case there are family travel insurance
benefits you can get to pay for the economy transport costs
to return unattended children home, with an escort if
necessary.
When you are
traveling alone and you become very seriously injured or
ill, there are also family travel insurance benefits that
can help to bring a family member or friend to your hospital
bedside.
Other travel
insurance benefits provide reimbursement for travel and
lodging expenses when a physician recommends that the
Insured have a family member at their side during a medical
transport.
If you are
planning family travel contact your insurance agent for more
details and information about your travel insurance options.
Readers Write with Questions
about Baby Travel
Reader:
I am so happy to come across your site! I am a new mother of a
5-month-old son. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I need to fly
round-trip twice per month from Austin, Texas to San Jose,
California for work. My parents live in the Bay Area so I am
happy that my son can stay with them while I am at work. I just
really worry about the health of my son having to fly 2
round-trips from Texas to California per month. In your
experience and wisdom, do you see this as a problem if a baby is
flying so often?
--Cross-Country Commuter (1/28/2009)
FlyingRugrats Editor:
Hello, Cross-Country Commuter. In general, there should be no
problem with baby travel for 5-month-old flying regularly. Of course, all
babies are different and only you know particular information
about your child’s health condition. If your baby has any special health issues or if you just have
general concerns and would like to set your mind at ease about
infant travel,
consult your pediatrician.
For business
travel to a routine destination, it can be important to
establish relationships with child daycare centers or babysitters you
can trust at the remote location. It can sometimes be difficult to find
child day care centers that will take a baby part-time. You are
fortunate to have family who can help out!
Both of my first 2 children
flew frequently with my wife on business from the time that they
were 3 months old. They flew up to 2 trips per month between
San Francisco and Houston. They also traveled internationally.
My daughter traveled to London and The Netherlands when she was just 3
months old. My youngest baby is still not yet 3 months and has
not flown at all yet. He may go on a few upcoming trips this Spring though.
As your baby grows older,
you may wish (as we did) to keep your baby on a strict feeding,
playtime, and sleeping schedule. That can be a little more challenging
when you must alternate time zones. This is a big issue for
international travel, maybe not so much of an issue for kids travel between
California and Texas…but 2 hours is 2 hours and babies do not adjust as
well as adults.
However, if you can stick to
a schedule and make the time zone transitions, life with baby will
probably be easier in general since you would be able to plan your days
with a better understanding of what to expect from your baby. And, it
lays the foundation for your baby falling asleep easily at night and
staying asleep for the full night. Uninterrupted sleep is probably
something that you are looking forward to having. I know I am right
now!
I highly recommend a book titled “On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving
Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep” by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam.
My wife and I found “Baby Wise” very beneficial when we were starting
out with our first baby. The book helps with understanding and
implementing concepts of establishing and keeping your baby on a
schedule. As the parent, you will be better off if you own and maintain
the schedule…and do not relinquish that power to your baby. Best
regards and keep me posted!
Baby Travel Tips
The mere prospect of
boarding an airplane
with a baby or toddler can seem
somewhat terrifying for parents traveling with kids. This can be particularly the case if the parents did not
use air travel before having children and not everyone can fly business
class to get extra help. Organization, patience and preparation are
key when making airplane trips with babies or small kids.
Whether flying to locations in the domestic
U.S. like
Walt Disney World
in Orlando or to far off exotic destinations on distant
continents, many of the the difficulties are the same for family
vacations.
We are dedicated to sharing tips and ideas from parents who have gained
expertise by regularly using air travel with children or babies. It is our goal to provide you with information that may
help you better prepare for baby air travel so you will have an easier time while in the air.
Even parents with lots of
baby travel experience can have
problem situations from time to time.
Preparation is key to
helping you reduce the frequency of those situations. We want you
to have knowledge and tools that will help maximize your chances of
having positive family friendly vacation experiences using air travel with your tiny tots.
Browse around our topic areas and see what tips you can uncover.
In addition, if you already have experience flying with kids or
babies and you have new tips or information that could benefit other
parents, feel free to
send us your suggestions. We are always looking for new
ideas to share.
This site is a great place for you to start doing your homework in
preparation for baby travel. Look around, get prepared and
then board your flight with confidence.
When you have kids fly with you, the last thing you need is trouble at
airport security
check points because of your
travel suitcase or
carry on bag contents,
especially if you are on a family trip with an infant that nurses from bottles of formula or
breast milk.
Because of efforts to ensure
air
travel
security, you should expect that your carry-on bags
will be inspected by the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA).
Prepare
yourself by following TSA guidelines with
respect to liquids and gels.
Knowing the rules can help prevent problems at the airport and keep you moving along without a hitch.You will not be asked to do anything that will separate you from your
baby or children.
Baby formula and breast milk are
allowed in your carry-on baggage or personal items. You can take
these through the security checkpoints and aboard your plane.
However, you must be traveling with children, a baby or toddler.
All items including formula or
breast milk will be inspected, however,
you or your baby
or toddler will not be asked to test or taste breast milk or
formula. Security Officers will not test or taste formula
or breast milk.
View
A Video Bringing infant
formula through a security check point.
Except for for prescription and
over-the-counter medicines, baby formula and breast milk, and
other essential liquids, gels, and aerosols, the following rules
apply to all liquids, gels, and aerosols you want to carry
through a security checkpoint.
The TSA has
provided some guidelines in the form of the 3-1-1 for carry-ons:
3–1–1 for carry ons = 3
ounce bottle or less; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag
per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits
the total liquid volume each passenger can bring. 3 oz. container size is
a security measure.
All
liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller
containers or travel bottles. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste
tubes rolled up are not allowed.
Each container must be
three ounces or smaller.
All
liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single,
quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags
that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not
allowed. Each passenger can use only one, quart-size,
zip-top, clear plastic bag.
Each
passenger must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from
their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for
X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security
officers to more easily examine the declared items.
Consolidate bottles into
one bag and X-ray separately to speed screening.
Be prepared. Each time
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) searches a carry-on it
slows down the line. Practicing 3-1-1 will ensure a faster and easier
checkpoint experience.
3-1-1 is for short trips.
If in doubt, put your liquids in checked luggage.
Declare larger liquids.
Prescription medications, baby formula and milk are allowed in
quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the
zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.
Come early and be patient.
Heavy passenger volumes and the enhanced security process may mean longer
lines at security checkpoints.
For additional information about carry on
luggage size and the 3-1-1 program, visit www.tsa.gov.
Bon Voyage!!!
Do you know anyone who just had a baby or
who might benefit from tips about flying with kids? If so, help them prepare for their next
family vacation
by sharing the Flying Rugrats web site with them. By doing so,
you will be providing them with lots of family
vacation tips and advice that has been gathered from families who have
faced the same challenges before them.
Send your friends with newborn babies or small children an email to tell them about
Flying Rugrats!
As parents, we are
responsible for molding our precious babies into well rounded
adults who have an appreciation for the variety of opportunities
that they have available to them as they grow and develop as
individuals. Exposing children to varying geographical
locations and cultures around the world is an important teaching
method that many parents have the option to use for developing
generations of culturally aware future leaders who have
childhood experiences that help them understand and personally
relate to global issues. It is the mission of
Flying Rugrats to arm parents with information about flying with
children, toddlers or baby strategies in an effort to
dispel fear or apprehension about air travel with kids so that families
may better educate our future world citizens. We want to
keep kids flying!
The Airport Screening Process when
Flying with Kids
At the
X-Ray
All carry-on baggage, including children's bags
and items, must go through the X-ray machine.
Examples include: diaper bags, blankets, and
toys.
All baby-related equipment that will fit
through the X-ray machine must go through the
X-ray machine. Examples include:
kids car seats, strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby carriers, travel car seats, infant seats and booster seats, backpacks, and baby
slings.
When you arrive at the checkpoint, collapse or
fold your baby-related equipment. Secure items
that are in the pockets, baskets, or attached to
the equipment and place it on the X-ray belt for
inspection. Plastic bins are provided to deposit
such items.
If any of your baby-related equipment does not
fit through the X-ray machine, security officers
will visually and physically inspect it.
Ask a Security Officer for help gathering your
bags and baby-related equipment, if you need
it.
NEVER leave babies in an
infant carrier while it goes through the X-ray machine.
The
Walk-Through Metal Detector
If your
child can walk without your assistance, it is
recommended that you and your child walk through the
metal detector separately. If you are carrying your
child through the metal detector and the alarm sounds,
the TSA Security Officer will have to additionally
screen both you and your child.
Remove babies and children from their strollers
or infant carriers so that Security Officers can
screen them individually.
You
may not pass the baby to another person behind you
or in front of you during this process.
Do
not pass your baby to a Security Officer to hold.
A
Security Officer may ask for your help screening
your child.
(Courtesy of the TSA)
Looking for
Jobs?
Are you among the many parents who now
find themselves between jobs? If so, be sure to come back
regularly and check the
Job
Finder on Flyingrugrats.com. We specialize in listing jobs related to
childcare, child education, airlines, airport security jobs and
traveling jobs. However, through
our partnership with Simply Hired, you can browse or search
jobs of any category that are available all over the country! Check
back often...and
find
that perfect job!!
to make organizing your family's passports a little easier to
manage during times when you need to quickly present your
documentation. 
in Orlando or to far off exotic destinations on distant
continents, many of the the difficulties are the same for family
vacations.
All
liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller
containers or travel bottles. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste
tubes rolled up are not allowed.
Each container must be
three ounces or smaller.
All
liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single,
quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags
that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not
allowed. Each passenger can use only one, quart-size,
zip-top, clear plastic bag.
