Travel with Children - Tips for Travel With Kids from Another Flight Attendant

I'd thought I'd share.

She only has one child but a lot of what she says confirms what I've written.

It is very commercial. She's pushing a lot of products I don't think are entirely necessary, for example, a normal metal luggage cart works just as well as the overpriced Gogo Travelmate.

She also says the old, trotted out myth that kids need to suck on take-off and landing aren't necessary lol!

It's very reader-friendly!
http://cloudsurfingwithkids.blogspot.com/

It is very commercial. She's pushing a lot of products I don't think are entirely necessary, for example, a normal metal luggage cart works just as well as the overpriced Gogo Travelmate.

True, but you can't take an airport luggage cart past security (were you referring to a personal luggage cart?)

I think that paragraph about infant ear pressure is just written poorly. I think what she meant to say was, if the child is sleeping, there's no need to worry about giving them a bottle or pacifier to equalize the pressure. And while crying IS an effective way for babies to release the pressure on their own, most of your fellow passengers would prefer you at least attempt to nurse or give a bottle or pacifier first... mercifully both of my children always slept through the descents!

and yes, I assumed you were talking about a folding luggage cart (like you would buy at Target, etc.). That is what we plan to use next summer to tote two carseats through the airport. The Traveling Toddler Accessory on Amazon is great to strap a carseat to a wheelie bag. According to other travel sites/blogs I read, the Cosco Scenera carseat that I always recommend for traveling does not fit on the Go Go Travelmate.

I thought it did! Amusing as the cart costs twice as much as the car seat...

Honestly, you can use a foldable luggage cart and it works just as well as a Gogo Travelmate. Get one with a metal base. The Gogo has a plastic base and I had a bad experience with a cart with a metal base when I first started flying (loved dragging my bag by hand through the airport-ugh!) I've heard the Gogo can break and doesn't fit all car seats.

The carts that aren't allowed through security are the large ones that the airport usually rents. I use these until I check-in and then I'd put my car seat on my own metal, foldable luggage cart and head to security.

I'm not being paid by this company but this is mine. I love, love, love it. At $75, it's still cheaper than the Gogo Travelmate and mine's lasted over 20 years of abuse, both flying and carting various car seats on countless flights.

http://traveloasis.com/flitelitec525.html

The carts that aren't allowed through security are the large ones that the airport usually rents.

But in many airports outside the US one can use smaller carts complimentary past security until boarding.

At MUC they are available as soon as one exits the screening area, as at many airports around the world.

I've seen those but honestly, it's easier to just use my own. I could roll it down the aisle to my seat and I had it as soon as we landed.

I've seen those but honestly, it's easier to just use my own. I could roll it down the aisle to my seat and I had it as soon as we landed.

True, if you had your own. I think however that many people who fly in American airports don't realise that they exist (they even exist in Canada) and they are often very useful for many people, not just those with children.

Sometimes I use them for my small rollaboard, handbag, and coat, just so that I have everything consolidated in one place whilst I travel through the airport. At larger airports they really do come in handy for a lot of people, and I was hoping to correct the comment that luggage carts are only available landside.

I don't see them often. I think only at the larger European airports. Good for duty-free shopping. Anyone see them in N.America?

I don't see them often. I think only at the larger European airports. Good for duty-free shopping. Anyone see them in N.America?

Yes, they exist in Canada, and certainly in Asia as well. It isn't just larger European airports either.

Our airport is pretty big but none there. Haven't seen them in non-Paris airports in France.

i've seen them in AMS and LHR but don't remember seeing them at STN

Thank you for sharing my blog with your readers! I appreciate seeing the responses as well.

"It is very commercial. She's pushing a lot of products I don't think are entirely necessary, for example, a normal metal luggage cart works just as well as the overpriced Gogo Travelmate."

I hope I'm not turning people off by showing products I find useful. I don't mean to say they are the ONLY way to travel, just that they help me. Regarding the Gogo Babyz TravelMate, I don't consider it overpriced since I've used it for nearly 4 years, approximately 40 flights a year. The $89.99 price has been well worth it for me. Someone traveling once a year might prefer using a cart.

Thanks, blueflamingo, I need an editor. LOL You're right, What I meant was there is no need to wake a baby during descent in order to give a bottle, etc. If the baby shows signs of discomfort by all means do what is possible to prevent pain and crying.

I don't consider it overpriced since I've used it for nearly 4 years, approximately 40 flights a year. The $89.99 price has been well worth it for me. Someone traveling once a year might prefer using a cart.

No one said it doesn't work. It's a lot of money for what is just basically a luggage cart. Many are half the price (including some with a metal base). Mine was almost as expensive and has been going strong for over 20 years. I used to use it for work.

What I used to do about the ears, and you may want to add, is visit the doctor a few days' prior. My son was absolutely plagued by ear infections as a toddler and we did "catch" one right before leaving. Healthy ears can handle pressurization changes but if there's an infection, it can be really painful, even damaging.

Parents really fuss over this, waking their children up unnecessarily, forcing them to drink... It's a very over-rated issue and honestly, I hardly saw any problems in my 13 years flying and 12 years flying with my kids.

Here are my non-commercial tips. They aren't copyrighted so steal what you want. I fly alone with three kids between Europe and California, plus other flights. http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com