Thanks for the help! I can hear it now...."you *gasp* bought a seat for your child when you could've flown with them for free on your lap going to BWI?" :D Gotta love having rows of 3 on UA, and E+ no less! Hopefully we can have mom and baby wait until the last Group 4 pax are in line before strapping him in :p

OT question: Are you saying UA won't allow your wife and baby to board with you during elite boarding? If so, I think that's horrible! On AA my kids and my husband (before he had elite status of his own) have always been allowed to board when I do.


Back OT: Enjoy your flight with your 4-month-old. You will remember this trip fondly next year when you are flying with a toddler. ;)

No, my wife is also Premier so we would all be able to board together as a family. However, I have seen this strategy recommended by many an experienced family traveler. One parent preboards with the car seat and baby stuff to get settled while the other parent hangs out with baby until the last minute to board. This way the baby is not sitting on the plane more than he/she needs :D

I think this strategy may really be helpful next year flying with a mobile toddler, as you suggest :eek: Let him run around the terminal and gate area as opposed to up and down and up and down and up and down the aisle!

Ah, hah. Now that makes sense. I wish we had thought of that about 15 years ago. Although..... I'm thinking delayed boarding might work well now that they're teenagers. :D

^ I'm sure the other pax will appreciate that as well. I just wish more parents were as thoughtful, but that's another thread....

Some other advice
1) IF the seatbelt does not fit over the carseat, the FA have seatbelt extenders
2) IF the carseat seems tight, lift up the armrest and then put the seat in. You can then try to put the armrest down.
3) Check you bags and only take the min. We back formula but use the containers where you only need enough for 1 1/2 times the flight (for delays)
4) Agree on having them eat at take off and landing. Have some juice ready if they are not hungry (we do not give juice to the little ones, but during take off it is very useful)
5) Try, Try Try to keep them up and then let them sleep on the plane
6) Do not hesitate to ask for help from the business traveler who is traveling light. Some one will most likely offer to help you (I do whenever I see a mom and my wife has always had someone offer - just never the airline employees)