The Lollipop Road

Posts Tagged ‘flying’

Flying first class with a baby is not only possible, but likely easier than flying in coach.  The fear of baby spitting up or having a smelly diaper is a deterrent for many parents, not to mention the crying and other uncontrolled behaviors of an infant.  What will people think?  After all, it is first class.

Despite the recent chatter advocating the creation of separate seating for families on airplanes, it really isn’t that bad.  Although we’ve endured a few dirty looks and snide remarks as we’ve settled into Row 1 with our little cherub, most passengers and flight attendants have been very gracious and helpful.  The trick is to be prepared and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance.

Like when flying coach, lap infants in first class fly free on domestic flights.  Be careful if you are flying internationally, however, as the infant fare is typically 10% of the least expensive fare for your cabin.  If you are seated in the first class or business cabin, you’ll pay a bit more for an infant than if you were in coach.  Okay, so that’s great, my baby flies free, but I can’t afford first class!  I hear what you’re saying…there are economical ways to fly first class, many of which you’ll learn about by reading my blog every day.  In our case, we typically use frequent flyer miles to fly first class on longer itineraries and red-eyes.  The incremental mileage cost is small compared to the benefit.  When you’re traveling 5+ hours, it really does make the trip easier.

No matter where you are sitting on the airplane, you’ll want to make sure you have ample supplies (wipes, diapers, extra clothes, food, etc) handy.  Although we do bring along a few baby toys, there is usually enough on the airplane to keep baby busy.  For some reason, those flight safety cards and in-flight magazines are fascinating toys.

However, the main goal is to coincide the flight with nap time.  A sleeping infant will make the time pass quickly and keep everyone else on the airplane happy as well.  The best part about first class is that if things don’t go as well as planned, the liquor is free.

Being seated in first class will have its privileges.  Even if the gate agent has overlooked pre-boarding (which happens very frequently), being seated in first class will automatically entitle you to priority boarding.  We always recommend sitting in the first row, also known as the bulkhead row; you’ll be able to get settled more quickly upon boarding.  There is no storage on the floor for baby’s many necessities, but your flight attendant will be happy to assist you in retrieving them when necessary.  Having no seat in front of you will allow easy entrance and exit as well as eliminate the problem of baby kicking or grabbing the seat in front of them.  These seats are often blocked, but you may call the airline and request these seats upon making your reservation.  Tell them you are traveling with a lap infant and they will assign the seat of your choice as well as add your infant to the passenger record.

The first row will typically accommodate a bassinet.  Let me just say now, don’t use the bassinet, you’re flying first class and there will be plenty of room for you and baby in your seat.  Airplane bassinets can be dangerous, unreliable and undoubtedly more trouble than they are worth.

If your flight is more than 2 hours, you’ll likely be served a meal during mealtimes.  If you are traveling alone, it will be a challenge to partake in the first class meal service, so you’ll need to plan accordingly.  You may be able to find a sympathetic neighbor or flight attendant to help out for a few minutes, but don’t rely upon it.  Make sure that everyone is fed and fresh before boarding.  Traveling as a couple, it will be fairly easy, you can take turns eating and entertaining baby.

The extra space that first class affords for you and baby will make it a much smoother and more enjoyable trip.  Don’t worry about what those around you think, but do be respectful.  Enlist the assistance of the flight attendant.  As a first class passenger, you will receive more attentive service, which can be of great value when traveling with an infant.  Need something to sooth those swollen gums…one bottle of whiskey coming up.  How about a warm bottle…no problem.  They’ll take your coat, help fetch baby gear, give you a blanket to keep you warm and make sure that your flight is a pleasant one.  First class with baby is definitely the way to go!

Disclosure

Once in a while I come across an article in the mainstream press that is so controversial or polarizing that I cannot help but respond to the assertions being made.  Today was one of those days.  As I was reading an article entitled “Daddy Can’t Fly – Parents who shouldn’t be allowed on a plane”  written by Christopher Elliott for MSNBC, I couldn’t help but laugh at the silly notion that parents or their kids should be banned from flying simply for doing things that kids do.

I mean, really, he must have had to dig pretty deep to come up with the most extreme cases of bad behavior.  While kids should be disciplined and must learn to be respectful, there are just some circumstances that will  be beyond the control of parents.  Babies and children cry for many reasons.  What if the child is sick or in pain?  Do you remember when you were a kid?  No, Mr. Elliott, that’s right, you were a perfect child.

I will, however, agree with him on a trend toward bad parenting.  More than once, I myself have had to discipline someone else’s children on a flight.  Most of the time, the parents are embarrassed, but I have encountered one or two who simply didn’t care.  Yes, it does happen, but according to Mr. Elliott, you would think that this is the norm…it isn’t.

Probably the worst encounter I have ever had involving  “kids” was prior to having children.  We were seated in Row 2 in the first-class cabin (flying on miles as usual) and a forty-something couple was seated in front of us.  It seems that coach wasn’t good enough for their darling teenaged daughters, so for half of the flight they sat on the floor with legs extended into our space.  They were certainly old enough to know better as was the flight attendant.  I guess rudeness isn’t limited to parents of young children, Mr. Elliott.

At the end of the day, however, the worst behavior that I’ve ever experienced hasn’t come from kids or their parents, that honor is reserved for the inconsiderate adults that perhaps should be banned from flying instead.  You know who they are.  They own the plane; they take over your space; they talk loudly to their seatmate for the entire flight; they drink themselves into oblivion, then proceed to disrupt the entire cabin; they smoke in the lavatory and get escorted off the plane by law enforcement once you arrive at the gate.  So, Mr. Elliott, the biggest, whiniest crybabies aren’t kids, they’re adults…you know, the ones that you can’t discipline without getting punched (Mitt Romney might be able to tell you something about this).

I don’t so much mind disciplining other people’s kids, so long as the parents don’t need disciplining too.  Just ask my four year-old – one evil stare from me and he turns into a little angel.  Truth be told, I will take a screaming kid any day over the countless obnoxious adult seatmates that I’ve had over the years.  At least I can discipline the kids.

My children are not perfect; I do care if my children misbehave and I can control my children.  Mr Elliott, these parents and kids that you describe are no different than the misbehaving adults; they just happen to be a more convenient target.  You know, the amazing thing about our Constitution is that it extends to kids too…go figure, I thought the only rights they had were those that we gave them as parents.  Hmmm…don’t let them find out, otherwise we’ll never be able to control them.

What do you think?  Let us know your thoughts on this controversial topic.

Disclosure

Okay, so I have a secret…I’m a huge aviation nut.  I love planes, airports and anything remotely related to flying.  Luckily our two boys seem to share my obsession, which got me to thinking about a great (and free) kid friendly activity that can be done locally or while traveling – visiting a local airport.

Unlike larger, more commercial airports, local general aviation (GA) airports are usually very convenient and accessible.  Although the aircraft are smaller, you’ll actually be able to get close enough to see the planes and enjoy the show.  If you’re really lucky, you might even be able to get up close and personal, if you ask nicely.  It’s a great activity because nearly everyone has a GA  airport nearby, whether they know it or not.  Check out AirNav for a list of airports near you.  Oh, and best of all – it’s free!

Weekends and holidays will hold the most promise for a decent amount of traffic, as will clear and sunny days.  Some local airports even have restaurants!  Even better – you can sit back, relax, have lunch and enjoy the planes zipping around the airport.  If it’s larger planes you’re after, even major airports with commercial traffic have some great viewing spots within the terminal and outside of security.  For example, TGI Friday’s at Newark Liberty International Airport (Terminal A) has some amazing front row seats that overlook the field.  It may be a bit unusual, but the kids will love it!

That brings me to my all time favorite airport for watching planes.  Unfortunately, it is halfway around the world on the Thai island of Koh Samui.  The open air terminal sets the stage for ideal viewing.  Standing about 15 feet from the runway, you can almost feel the vibrations from the sleek jets that scream down the runway in front of you.  It’s absolutely awesome!

So, the next time you’re wondering what to do with the kids, take them to the local airport.  Watch the planes, have some lunch and enjoy the (free) show.

Disclosure

I know there many of you out there who are pregnant and wondering what to do about taking that long planned vacation before your little bundle of joy arrives.  After all, this is a time for celebration, seemingly endless research (if you’re anything like us) with hopefully a wee bit of rest thrown in before your world is turned upside down in the nicest way possible.  There is definitely a lot of information to digest and many twists and turns to navigate throughout this very special time, but what about taking that darn vacation? 

Many people will warn you about going anywhere farther than your backyard, but modern medicine and communications has made traveling a whole lot safer and easier now.  But what if you’re sick?  This is a valid question and for most of us, not a big issue if we just plan ahead.  Typically, the first 3 months can be challenging for most mothers-to-be.  Between morning sickness, frequent urination, food aversions, and mid-afternoon exhaustion, you may wish you were on another planet, never mind an exotic Caribbean island. 

Taking your vacation after this “initiation” period should alleviate many of your pregnancy symptoms that may cause you to secretly plot to eliminate your travel companion (your husband) who convinced you to go on vacation in the first place!  And not straying too far from home during the last 6 weeks of your pregnancy is advisable as well.  For many of us, carrying baby around for 8 months takes its toll on our backs, and you never know when baby is ready to make their debut into this world.  There are also strict airline, as well as cruise ship pregnancy timeliness you must adhere to as well.  These guidelines are for you and your baby’s safety as well as their protection from any lawsuits should any early arrivals occur. 

Note the McDonald's Salad!

Now, of course this doesn’t mean that if you follow the above guidelines your travels will not be without challenges.  I have never seen a vacation that goes 100% as planned anyway, have you?  When I was pregnant with my first son, my husband and I traveled to Japan for 2 weeks.  I was almost 4 months along and was fortunate to never really suffer morning sickness during early pregnancy, so what could possibly go wrong, we thought.  If you ever go to Japan, as you might have guessed their food is stunningly different from what you might find in the United States.  In fact, fried food is the norm and fresh fruits and vegetables (you know, the high fiber foods) are rather difficult to find.  When you have to rely on a salad from McDonald’s for your vegetable selection, you know you’re in trouble.  Hmmm, what do you think happens to a pregnant woman devoid of fiber?  So, during our 2 week whirlwind tour of Japan, I paid a visit to a pharmacy to see what remedy I could find to alleviate my little problem. 

Fortunately for me, the pharmacist was a woman because what transpired during the next 20 minutes was nothing short of storybook fodder.  I played a game of charades called “name that ailment” with a captive audience of 3, the pharmacist, her assistant and another woman who may or may not have worked there!  Once they finally understood my situation, the pharmacist quickly pulled a remedy off the store shelves.  Hmmm, is this okay for a pregnant woman to take?  So the game began again, only this time, the pharmacist realizing that I was pregnant, quickly snatched my salvation out of my hands.  With sadness I said “thank you” to my new friends, hung my head low and staggered out into the busy streets empty handed.  The assistant clearly made out much better, with an unbelievable dinnertime story to tell her family and friends, as was obvious from her non stop laughter during our little impromptu game show.

Yummy - Miso & Rice...Again

Oh, I almost forgot to mention the miso with rice served for breakfast every morning.  My husband and I couldn’t keep it down after the third day. I guess it’s just not our thing (I did more vomiting in Japan than the first 3 months of pregnancy).  A giant thank you to the British Pub is Kyoto – you saved our lives! 

When I was 5 months pregnant with our second son, we went on a 3 week RV trip through the Midwest, Canada and Alaska.  The trip was great with the only pregnancy mishap being my accidentally sitting on the seat belt buckle and tearing a large hole in the leg of my maternity pants!  I quickly sewed them and we were on our merry way.  I don’t think we can blame the large rock flying out from the dump truck in front of us and cracking our windshield on pregnancy.  Nor can we blame the bridge that scraped the side of our RV as we precariously crawled over it during the road construction.  And I don’t know what to say about the drawer that flew out of the kitchen in the RV as we went around a mild curve at 20 mph, screws and springs flying everywhere!  Yes, mishaps happen, even when you’re not pregnant; the stories just aren’t as funny. 

Check back tomorrow as we review some of the specific airline restrictions regarding travel during pregnancy. 

Disclosure

It seems like nearly every airline has jumped into the game with cheap airfares as part of the New Year’s sales.  With tropical destinations from $29 each way, getting away from the cold this winter just got a whole lot easier.

Here are a few of the fare sales currently being offered: Read the rest of this entry »

Travel document requirements for kids (children under age 16) entering the United States are different than those for adults.  Although seemingly simple, there are some twists and turns to navigate. Read the rest of this entry »

In issuing it’s most recent security requirements for international passengers flying to the United States, the TSA narrowed the list of countries subject to enhanced screening measures to 14.  These suspect nations include Afghanistan, Algeria, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Read the rest of this entry »

Our post entitled New TSA Security Requirements Impacting Families has been updated to reflect additional clarifications from the airlines and TSA.  Implementation has been left to the discretion of the airlines, which will likely result in inconsistency, so be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.  Safe travels!

Disclosure 

As a result of the events onboard Northwest 253 on December 25, 2009, the TSA has issued additional security directives to airlines, impacting family air travel.  These new directives are in place for ALL flights to the United States (including flights from San Juan and the USVI). Read the rest of this entry »

Norwegian Cruise Line implemented a Winter Weather Guarantee for it’s sailings out of New York a number of years back.  Their promise – if the ship departs late by 12 hours or more due to inclement weather, you have the option of an onboard credit for that sailing of $100 per person (max $200 per cabin) or a credit in the amount that you paid for the cruise to be used on a future sailing within 1 year should you choose to cancel.  Oh, and they will also reimburse you for reasonable expenses incurred to re-arrange travel if you choose to cancel. Read the rest of this entry »