Flying for the First Time!

Hi.
I just flew this past weekend - Sat. and Mon. for the first time in 25y. It was a first flight for my 9y and 3y. Boy did I learn alot!

MUST HAVES:
1. Each person can have 1 Qt. size clear ziploc bag with shampoo,lotions, toothpaste. No container can be over 3oz. (security sticks to this!)
2. You cannot take drinks through security, but there are tons of food and drink places once you get past security and that stuff can be taken on the plane.
3. Take lots of single serve snacks (cereal, cookies, crackers - but no liquids)
4. Take a DVD player that has a good battery charge.
5. Take headphones that can be seperated and shared.
6. Go onto the plane website and try to pre-pick your seats.
7. If your child has a DS, they can play that, when the pilot allows, with headphones.
8. Take a book or something to entertain you. I worried about the kids, and forgot a book for me!
9. You and hubby will both need your driver's licenses to get through security.
10. Get your tickets and check any baggage, carseats as soon as you get there, and then go through security. Don't waste time outside of security.
11. Get to the airport at least 2 hours before your flight leaves. Our plane left at 3:45, we got in line for security at Orlando at 2:15, didn't get through their until 2:50, then had to get to our gate. We got there 10m before they started boarding the plane.
12. Put ID tags on all of your carryon bags and bookbags.
13. Put a lead/leash on your 3y old. Sounds crazy, but it saved my sanity. My daughter has a backpack of a puppy that has a 'tail' that the parents can hold on to. I took that off of the pup and attached it to her airplane backpack. I did get some looks, but it was the only way that I could walk through the airport, carry our stuff and keep track of the 2 kids. Plus she thought it was fun.
14. If you have any prescription medicines or liquid medicines, wrap each of those in their own plastic bag. Ours leaked all over the bag. All medicines should be in one large sealed ziploc bag. This will also need to be taken out of your carryon to go through security on its own.
15. Wear easy slip on/off shoes. Everyone HAS to take their shoes off at security. They do have benches on the other side so that you can sit and put shoes back on, but slip on/off is just easiest. My 3y old wore her crocs.

Check as much stuff as possible. The plane will be croweded, and there was really only room for each person to have a backpack of stuff at their feet. Since you are travelling with a 3y old, they will allow you to be part of the first group boarded. When you get to the airport, get your boarding passes and get through security. Don't waste time at stores and such. They have the same stuff on the other side.

The take off was a breeze. Much quieter than I had remembered. Our flight was 2 hours long, and there were several times that I had to remind myself that we were moving. We did hit some turbulance, but it felt like when you are riding in a train and the train car moves side to side. The loudest part was the landing. After they land, the slowing of the plane caused some shaking, but if you just keep thinking of it as a roller coaster ride, or such, you'll be fine.

Have fun.
M.

Don't be afraid. Your doctor can give you a prescription pill that will relax you a bit if you are too nervous. People fly everyday. It can be boring. Bring lots of things for the kids to do while they are seated, games, music, DVDs, computer if you have one. There will probably be a movie. Bring snacks. Lots of snacks. Bring a pillow to rest your head or your child's head.

Don't think about it too much. You will all be fine!

.I recently flew alone with my 2 little ones, and one thing I found helpful was to board last. If you need the extra time to get settled, it makes sense to board early, but then you're stuck on the plane for an extra 20 min or so. Plus, you'll have to quickly get out of the aisle to let others board, which can be tough with kids. I also brought new little toys and some treats, but what my 2 year old really liked was talking about the airplane. It may be difficult when you're nervous, but while you're taxiing before takeoff you can point out other airplanes taking off, the trucks of luggage and fuel on the runway, the airport, etc. Maybe before you go on the trip you could spend some time talking about or looking at airplanes and facts about them, then talk about that stuff while you're on the plane. (my kids are a little younger, so I don't know if this would be as entertaining for yours). If you can, make sure you're in a row where you can see out the window; usually the row behind the wing is a bad one, but depends on the plane I guess. And the last row of seats doesn't recline, at least not in the "smaller" planes I've been on.
On a different note, I have always been nervous about flying, even though I know it is safe. My husband recently started piloting with an instructor, and he is already flying solo for some flights. He says that the way the plane is designed, once you're up there it's more work to land than keep it in the sky. Granted, I'm not getting in a plane with just him anytime soon, but it does make me feel better getting on a commercial plane, where pilots have way more experience and practice in all sorts of conditions. I know all the safety information in the world is useless if you still feel nervous, so maybe one of those over-priced drinks (I'm thinking wine or bloody mary, not soda) could take the edge off. Good luck, hope you have a fun trip!

Your kids will have a great time! Here is a list of things to bring on the airplane to keep them occupied.
http://www.bigbluetrunk.com/ourcorner/550

For the kids: get some new stuff for them; coloring books, books to read, little travel games, a new little toy or two (my son loves the matchbox cars - that type of thing), that you have on hand for once you get on the plane and the kids get restless. If you're flying Virgin, they have tvs in the back of each seat, although not a lot of kids programs, but they do have some games and music too. My son loves my husband's iPod, and was entertaining for much of our 6.5hr flight to the east coast. If you have a portable DVD player, make sure the batteries are charged. Single serve snacks and a little treat (if you allow that) can also be helpful (like a couple of single serve candy bars, the little ones). If you're lucky, the kids might sleep a bit; my son is 2.5 and still takes naps, so that was a couple of hours. If the kids have their own backpacks, allow them to pack them with a few favourite toys from home, but keep your "new" stash hidden until they tire of their favourite stuff.

Your kids are older - chances are they will be very excited about flying for the first time. They will take their cues from you, so try not to be nervous. Flying is very safe - heck, I barely noticed our pilot landing on our last trip 1.5 weeks ago. Hopefully your husband will be traveling with you and will be able to help keep the kids occupied. Don't forget something fun for you to read too!! :)

Have a wonderful trip!!! You'll all do great!!!

I've never flown with my kids, but the one piece of advice I will give, is try NOT to show fear (of flying or anything else) in front of your kids. It will not only make them nervous, but make them scared as well, because fear is a LEARNED behavior. They will "learn" to be afraid of flying if they see that you are terrified. Try to see things through their eyes. What a new & exciting experience they (and you) will have together! Take pictures of them in the airport, on the airplane, etc., and have them take pictures of you. Enjoy it & good luck!