Squealing across America...

Yesterday we flew from LA to NYC. After all my preaching of an efficient suitcase and clever packing we still looked a little like refugees escaping with all of our belongings strapped to an overpriced luggage trolley. We have been away for over a month though and if you took away all my stuff and the clothes I bought her in LA (love the aussie dollar at the moment!) it wouldn't actually be that bad. You get away with a lot when you can stuff that stroller bag full of other stuff. It never counts as one of your bags so it is like free bag!

Virgin America doesn't have bassinet seats, well certainly not on the plane that we took. My husband and I disagree a bit about Virgin - he thought it was good service, I thought it was a bit average. We forked out for 'upper' class also so I expected a bit more to be honest. Nice seats and the food was pretty good but I can really do without Virgin stewards talking to us all like we are on a 18 to 30's cruise ship.

"...and if you see someone you like the look of on the plane you can always send them a seat to seat message through our entertainment center..." 

Really? If I am flying in a metal box a few miles above the earth with my life in someone's hands I want them to be serious and efficient not be busy helping me 'hook up'. Anyway there was no children's tv or movies on said entertainment 'center'. They did have live tv which has nickelodeon but for most of the flight it was playing a sitcom starring both Miley & Billy Ray Cyrus and no baby needs to be inflicted with that..

I am pretty against tv for babies at the best of times but yesterday, for some reason Bebe decided that squealing at the top of her lungs was both fun and entertaining for all. Having no bassinet or any place to play she got pretty bored of our laps, her toys and walking up and down the aisle pretty quickly. It actually wasn't all that bad but I could have done with some pretty spongebob style colours to distract now and then. Onya Virgin.

I may do a bit of research into the different airlines and what they offer for babies & kids. I suspect they differ greatly. If anyone has a story I'd love to hear it.

Oh, and I seem to have found a way to not have her screaming in ear pain as we land. I had a bottle of sterilised water that she sort of sucked on a little as soon as we started to descend and then the dummy and getting her to look into my eyes as I sang her favourite songs to her to distract. I also had a tissue with a little Olbas oil (eucalyplus would also work) that I waved under her nose. Not sure which worked or if it was just a fluke. I will tell you next week after the next flight!

We also used our new second hand car seat to carry her around the airport (sits on the luggage trolley pretty sweetly) and checked it on at the gate. We then could pop her straight into the taxi and she was as happy as can be. I will be doing that again...

Keep sending me your comments and stories - I am loving all the feedback!

x

Car Seats + Planes & finding a helpful blog...

So, I went against what I originally said and have bought a second hand car seat while we have been in LA. We had a borrowed one here but are going to NY and I couldn't find a company in NY that would deliver to the airport for anything under $100 and I bought a second hand Maxi Cosi on Ebay for $35 + postage! This means we have one when we are in New York for cabs and it also clicks on to our Bugaboo Bee so it will be handy in London. So I need to check the car seat in. I did a search to find out the best way to do this and found a great blog here by a woman who regularly travels with three kids alone - Amazing lady! It is a good blog, I highly recommend you follow it.

http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com

Here is what she had to say about Car seats on planes:

"It's never a good idea to check a car seat as luggage. They get lost and/or broken all the time by the airlines who will decline any responsibility if anything goes wrong. It's not worth the risk.

If you arrive at your destination and need the seat right away, what would you do if it's not there? Get in your car with your child unrestrained? Not only is it unsafe but often illegal.

If your child has a seat on the plane, the best way to transport it is to bring the car seat on board and have your child sit in it on the plane. This is also the safest way for your child to travel.

If you have a child who is a "lap baby" without a seat, bring the car seat to the gate and have it gate-checked. This is no guarantee but better than checking it as luggage. You can put a bag on it if you want but a clear plastic one is best. This way, they can see what it is and hopefully the baggage handlers wont abuse it (too much!)

But still try to secure an extra place on the plane. Ask nicely at check-in if the flight is full and whether you can get an extra place to use your car seat in. Be sure to bring it to the gate even if they're unsure as sometimes seats become available last minute (upgrades, no shows, etc.)

I fly alone with three kids between Europe and California and I have no problems taking a car seat. It can be done if you're organized. You can either use your stroller or do what I do and strap it to a metal luggage cart with an extra bungee cord. Go over to Car Seat.Org for more information.

http://www.car-seat.org/forumdisplay.php…

This way, you'll have your car seat safely at your destination when you arrive!

Good luck and have a good flight!

Source(s):

Former Flight Attendant, 13 years, 2 companies, almost all long-haul international
3 children, now ages 10, 8 & 6, flying since each was 4 months old, between Europe and California about twice a year plus other shorter flights in between, regularily scheduled, low cost, charter, etc.
non-commercial flying tips;" http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com