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Flying with twin 4 month olds tomorrow. Any advice? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Wooderson
- Start date
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Taking 4 kids is going to be rough.
Wooderson
Fight The Power
General Malaise
Footballguy
My advice? Drive. 
I don't think you need their BC at that age. I think the only reason you would need them is if they looked older than 2, but weren't. Airlines charge full fare for 2 and over and if you try to monkey around with it, they'll ask for proof. No way they'll mistake a 4 month old for 2+.
Good god, though...you are insane. Consider Tylenol.
I don't think you need their BC at that age. I think the only reason you would need them is if they looked older than 2, but weren't. Airlines charge full fare for 2 and over and if you try to monkey around with it, they'll ask for proof. No way they'll mistake a 4 month old for 2+.
Good god, though...you are insane. Consider Tylenol.
Notorious T.R.E.
Showdown!™ Administrator
Don't, duh.
Notorious T.R.E.
Showdown!™ Administrator
Also, if you do. Offer everyone in the vicinity drinks on you.
General Malaise
Footballguy
Rayderr
Footballguy
Yes, you do need to bring a birth certificate.
Also, if it's just you or just your wife, flying with them, the other one of you can get an "escort pass" which will allow you to go through security and stay with the kids until they get on the plane.
Rayderr
Footballguy
Southwest required one for my daughter who was 10 months at the time she flew back to VA with my wife.My advice? Drive.
I don't think you need their BC at that age. I think the only reason you would need them is if they looked older than 2, but weren't. Airlines charge full fare for 2 and over and if you try to monkey around with it, they'll ask for proof. No way they'll mistake a 4 month old for 2+.
Good god, though...you are insane. Consider Tylenol.
NCCommish
Footballguy
Parrothead
Footballguy
don't sit near me
Nick Vermeil
Footballguy
Bring photocopies of the the birth certificate. If they are breast feeding or if you have a bottle for them, hold off feeding until you are number 2 for take off. Then let them drink while you are gaining altitide. This helps with the ears popping. With any luck they will pass out and you can order a cocktail. Rinse repeat for landing.
Nick Vermeil
Footballguy
I doubt you have extra seats, but when you finally do get seats for the kids I recommend bringing an old flat pillow for them to sleep on if you don't haul your car seat onto the plane to strap them down. You should be able to fold one up in your carry on.
Wooderson
Fight The Power
It's my wife and I traveling with the twins.
Now get this 3 flights to the destination 3 flights back home.
Not sure how I let my wife talk me into this. I got suckered in by they have to see my family and I want delayed Christmas with my family.
Ill need a few drinks once we get to the destination.
Now get this 3 flights to the destination 3 flights back home.
Not sure how I let my wife talk me into this. I got suckered in by they have to see my family and I want delayed Christmas with my family.
Ill need a few drinks once we get to the destination.
RUSF18
Footballguy
JFC. This borders on child abuse.
Where do you live/where are you traveling that you're talking a 3 leg trip?
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
We took my daughter to the Caribbean when she was 5 months old. We live on the west coast. We were scared ####less. 2 planes, an island style taxi, a ferry ride......it went off without a hitch.
We brought her GC, Tylenol, and 50 lbs of useless junk. Running through the atl airport with WAY to much baby paraphernalia was the suck. In hindsight, I wouldn't have brought half the stuff we brought.
As mentioned above, make sure they are eating as you take off, but most importantly as soon as you start to descend. Ask the flight attendant to give you a heads up and try to feed all the way down.
Gllllll pssssss
We brought her GC, Tylenol, and 50 lbs of useless junk. Running through the atl airport with WAY to much baby paraphernalia was the suck. In hindsight, I wouldn't have brought half the stuff we brought.
As mentioned above, make sure they are eating as you take off, but most importantly as soon as you start to descend. Ask the flight attendant to give you a heads up and try to feed all the way down.
Gllllll pssssss
Captain Quinoa
Footballguy
Check them at the gate.
LinusMarr
Footballguy
RUSF18
Footballguy
It's probably harder to handle when it is 3 flights, but I'd cancel this trip in a nanosecond and hope to salvage some credit down the line with the change fees.
Actually, if you could get the airline to send an email blast to all the passengers on your flight, they'd probably buy you out.
Wooderson
Fight The Power
NCCommish
Footballguy
E Street Brat
Footballguy
If you bring those kids close to me, I'll expect both.General Malaise said:Notorious T.R.E. said:
Or handjobs.
Nick Vermeil
Footballguy
3 flights is silly, but I will point out that it is 10 times easier to travel with infants than with toddlers if you time the feedings on take off and landing. Our 2 year old is a holy terror on flights now and he's a happy kid. I can't imagine what it would be like if he was a tantrum thrower.
Golden Gopher
Footballguy
My kids are 3 and 18 months. We've flown several times with the 3YO, and a few times with the 18MO. Usually, we get compliments on how well-behaved they are on planes. There have been a couple of exceptions (where they were terrors, basically), but for the most part, you just have to hope for the best (and control what you can control, and try not to worry about what you can't control).
I can't add much that hasn't already been said, but I'll just reiterate a few things. First, yes, you should bring a COPY of the birth certificates. That allows you to bring the child (or, in your case, both children) as a lap child (no ticket purchase required). Just make sure that, once you get your boarding passes, the lap child is notated on both, or you'll have trouble getting through security.
Second, don't overpack. Ok, maybe that's not possible (at least, with my family, it doesn't seem to be). But, at least don't overthink what you need to bring on the plane, in terms of carry-ons. Take whatever you would typically bring on the plane, as a single (or at least without kid) person, and throw it out the window. Not literally. Just bring the essentials. Diapers, wipes, extra change of clothes (for them, and possibly you), a couple of toys, blankets, stuffed animals (or whatever best keeps the kids' attention at their age), etc. Forget the laptop, tablet, or a book to read... You likely won't have time (or space) for it, and if you carry that stuff on, just leave it in the overhead compartment. But, again, the less you have to carry on, the better. You're already going to be carrying the kids, diaper bags, and probably a small cooler (for milk, bottles, etc.). You don't need a backpack full of #### that you won't use, and if you bring too much on the plane, not only will you have no space, you'll be kicking yourself that you did (not to mention more likely to lose and/or forget something on the plane).
Third, take a stroller through security, and gate check it as you board. Much easier to carry all of the aforementioned #### that you'll be bringing, if you can just throw it in/on the stroller. We have an awesome double-stroller (side-by-side seats) that holds our kids, plus lots of space for storage. But, again (and, yes, this is worth repeating a third time), once you check the stroller, you still have to drag/carry everything on board, so keep it to a minimum.
At their age, the best scenario would be to hold off on feeding them (bottle or otherwise) until you are taking off, if that's possible. I'm not saying to starve them for hours before flying, but instead of feeding them before boarding (for example), wait until you're on the plane. Not only will this help their ears, it will likely help put them to sleep. Between drinking, and the vibration (as long as the turbulence isn't too severe) from the plane, they'll be sleepy (hopefully). Bring extra milk (or water if you are using formula)... You can take a cooler through security for that purpose, but be prepared to have them check it thoroughly. Which brings me to my next point....
Give yourself extra time. EVERYTHING will take twice as long with the kids. Ticketing, security, boarding, layovers, etc. The worst feeling possible (in terms of flying) is not only knowing that you're running late and/or potentially going to miss your next leg/flight, it's knowing that you also have 10 million things to remember/carry. So, if you normally need to be at the ticket counter an hour before your flight, give yourself 2.5 hours. Trust me, no matter what, you'll still likely end up pushing it, in terms of time.
I have two more pieces of advice, and these might be most important). Number one, throw some cash (or a debit card) into a pocket (or somewhere) where it is most accessible, so that you can easily grab it while seated. If worse comes to worst, you might need a cocktail or two. It sucks to wish you had a jack-n-coke, screaming baby in arms, and your $$ is all in a bag in the overhead compartment.
Lastly, be considerate of others without letting the rest of the passengers get under your skin. There is always bound to be some ####### moron who wants to spout off about the fact that there are small children on the plane. In most cases, those idiots either never had kids, or forgot what it was like. In either case, that's not your problem. Do what you can to make the flight as enjoyable as possible (for you, for the other passengers, and most importantly, for your kids). Yeah, they will probably cry some (you can't prevent that from happening). Just remember the other things (mentioned above), and the flight will at least be bearable.
Oh, and don't sweat the fact that there are three flights, rather than just 1-2. Depends on the length of each leg, I guess, but in most cases, I have always preferred a multi-leg trip versus non-stop. Sometimes, it helps (with kids) to be able to get off the plane, even if it's just for a few minutes. If they do have a major meltdown, a change of scenery can help (versus having to hold them for another 2-3 hours, when nothing seems to be helping). Just remember to limit what you carry on, so changing planes isn't a disaster.
Good luck.
I can't add much that hasn't already been said, but I'll just reiterate a few things. First, yes, you should bring a COPY of the birth certificates. That allows you to bring the child (or, in your case, both children) as a lap child (no ticket purchase required). Just make sure that, once you get your boarding passes, the lap child is notated on both, or you'll have trouble getting through security.
Second, don't overpack. Ok, maybe that's not possible (at least, with my family, it doesn't seem to be). But, at least don't overthink what you need to bring on the plane, in terms of carry-ons. Take whatever you would typically bring on the plane, as a single (or at least without kid) person, and throw it out the window. Not literally. Just bring the essentials. Diapers, wipes, extra change of clothes (for them, and possibly you), a couple of toys, blankets, stuffed animals (or whatever best keeps the kids' attention at their age), etc. Forget the laptop, tablet, or a book to read... You likely won't have time (or space) for it, and if you carry that stuff on, just leave it in the overhead compartment. But, again, the less you have to carry on, the better. You're already going to be carrying the kids, diaper bags, and probably a small cooler (for milk, bottles, etc.). You don't need a backpack full of #### that you won't use, and if you bring too much on the plane, not only will you have no space, you'll be kicking yourself that you did (not to mention more likely to lose and/or forget something on the plane).
Third, take a stroller through security, and gate check it as you board. Much easier to carry all of the aforementioned #### that you'll be bringing, if you can just throw it in/on the stroller. We have an awesome double-stroller (side-by-side seats) that holds our kids, plus lots of space for storage. But, again (and, yes, this is worth repeating a third time), once you check the stroller, you still have to drag/carry everything on board, so keep it to a minimum.
At their age, the best scenario would be to hold off on feeding them (bottle or otherwise) until you are taking off, if that's possible. I'm not saying to starve them for hours before flying, but instead of feeding them before boarding (for example), wait until you're on the plane. Not only will this help their ears, it will likely help put them to sleep. Between drinking, and the vibration (as long as the turbulence isn't too severe) from the plane, they'll be sleepy (hopefully). Bring extra milk (or water if you are using formula)... You can take a cooler through security for that purpose, but be prepared to have them check it thoroughly. Which brings me to my next point....
Give yourself extra time. EVERYTHING will take twice as long with the kids. Ticketing, security, boarding, layovers, etc. The worst feeling possible (in terms of flying) is not only knowing that you're running late and/or potentially going to miss your next leg/flight, it's knowing that you also have 10 million things to remember/carry. So, if you normally need to be at the ticket counter an hour before your flight, give yourself 2.5 hours. Trust me, no matter what, you'll still likely end up pushing it, in terms of time.
I have two more pieces of advice, and these might be most important). Number one, throw some cash (or a debit card) into a pocket (or somewhere) where it is most accessible, so that you can easily grab it while seated. If worse comes to worst, you might need a cocktail or two. It sucks to wish you had a jack-n-coke, screaming baby in arms, and your $$ is all in a bag in the overhead compartment.
Lastly, be considerate of others without letting the rest of the passengers get under your skin. There is always bound to be some ####### moron who wants to spout off about the fact that there are small children on the plane. In most cases, those idiots either never had kids, or forgot what it was like. In either case, that's not your problem. Do what you can to make the flight as enjoyable as possible (for you, for the other passengers, and most importantly, for your kids). Yeah, they will probably cry some (you can't prevent that from happening). Just remember the other things (mentioned above), and the flight will at least be bearable.
Oh, and don't sweat the fact that there are three flights, rather than just 1-2. Depends on the length of each leg, I guess, but in most cases, I have always preferred a multi-leg trip versus non-stop. Sometimes, it helps (with kids) to be able to get off the plane, even if it's just for a few minutes. If they do have a major meltdown, a change of scenery can help (versus having to hold them for another 2-3 hours, when nothing seems to be helping). Just remember to limit what you carry on, so changing planes isn't a disaster.
Good luck.
Jobber
Footballguy
Great advice.My kids are 3 and 18 months. We've flown several times with the 3YO, and a few times with the 18MO. Usually, we get compliments on how well-behaved they are on planes. There have been a couple of exceptions (where they were terrors, basically), but for the most part, you just have to hope for the best (and control what you can control, and try not to worry about what you can't control).
I can't add much that hasn't already been said, but I'll just reiterate a few things. First, yes, you should bring a COPY of the birth certificates. That allows you to bring the child (or, in your case, both children) as a lap child (no ticket purchase required). Just make sure that, once you get your boarding passes, the lap child is notated on both, or you'll have trouble getting through security.
Second, don't overpack. Ok, maybe that's not possible (at least, with my family, it doesn't seem to be). But, at least don't overthink what you need to bring on the plane, in terms of carry-ons. Take whatever you would typically bring on the plane, as a single (or at least without kid) person, and throw it out the window. Not literally. Just bring the essentials. Diapers, wipes, extra change of clothes (for them, and possibly you), a couple of toys, blankets, stuffed animals (or whatever best keeps the kids' attention at their age), etc. Forget the laptop, tablet, or a book to read... You likely won't have time (or space) for it, and if you carry that stuff on, just leave it in the overhead compartment. But, again, the less you have to carry on, the better. You're already going to be carrying the kids, diaper bags, and probably a small cooler (for milk, bottles, etc.). You don't need a backpack full of #### that you won't use, and if you bring too much on the plane, not only will you have no space, you'll be kicking yourself that you did (not to mention more likely to lose and/or forget something on the plane).
Third, take a stroller through security, and gate check it as you board. Much easier to carry all of the aforementioned #### that you'll be bringing, if you can just throw it in/on the stroller. We have an awesome double-stroller (side-by-side seats) that holds our kids, plus lots of space for storage. But, again (and, yes, this is worth repeating a third time), once you check the stroller, you still have to drag/carry everything on board, so keep it to a minimum.
At their age, the best scenario would be to hold off on feeding them (bottle or otherwise) until you are taking off, if that's possible. I'm not saying to starve them for hours before flying, but instead of feeding them before boarding (for example), wait until you're on the plane. Not only will this help their ears, it will likely help put them to sleep. Between drinking, and the vibration (as long as the turbulence isn't too severe) from the plane, they'll be sleepy (hopefully). Bring extra milk (or water if you are using formula)... You can take a cooler through security for that purpose, but be prepared to have them check it thoroughly. Which brings me to my next point....
Give yourself extra time. EVERYTHING will take twice as long with the kids. Ticketing, security, boarding, layovers, etc. The worst feeling possible (in terms of flying) is not only knowing that you're running late and/or potentially going to miss your next leg/flight, it's knowing that you also have 10 million things to remember/carry. So, if you normally need to be at the ticket counter an hour before your flight, give yourself 2.5 hours. Trust me, no matter what, you'll still likely end up pushing it, in terms of time.
I have two more pieces of advice, and these might be most important). Number one, throw some cash (or a debit card) into a pocket (or somewhere) where it is most accessible, so that you can easily grab it while seated. If worse comes to worst, you might need a cocktail or two. It sucks to wish you had a jack-n-coke, screaming baby in arms, and your $$ is all in a bag in the overhead compartment.
Lastly, be considerate of others without letting the rest of the passengers get under your skin. There is always bound to be some ####### moron who wants to spout off about the fact that there are small children on the plane. In most cases, those idiots either never had kids, or forgot what it was like. In either case, that's not your problem. Do what you can to make the flight as enjoyable as possible (for you, for the other passengers, and most importantly, for your kids). Yeah, they will probably cry some (you can't prevent that from happening). Just remember the other things (mentioned above), and the flight will at least be bearable.
Oh, and don't sweat the fact that there are three flights, rather than just 1-2. Depends on the length of each leg, I guess, but in most cases, I have always preferred a multi-leg trip versus non-stop. Sometimes, it helps (with kids) to be able to get off the plane, even if it's just for a few minutes. If they do have a major meltdown, a change of scenery can help (versus having to hold them for another 2-3 hours, when nothing seems to be helping). Just remember to limit what you carry on, so changing planes isn't a disaster.
Good luck.
We've flown with very small kids as well. Ours slept most of the time and to be honest, were quieter and better behaved than all of those "adults" giving me the stinkeye for having kids on a plane. As a guy who has somewhat older kids now, I couldn't care less if a baby is balling their eyes out right next to me for the whole flight. Plane rides suck no matter what. The little extra noise of crying does not phase me. And really, those that do get bothered? Well they're welcome to charter a flight next time they go somewhere. F-em.
Notorious T.R.E.
Showdown!™ Administrator
TobiasFunke
Footballguy
When I flew with a 4 month old I bought a bunch of chocolate chip cookies and muffins and whatnot from the airport Starbucks and offered them to everyone in our row and the row in front of us and behind us. Definitely recommend this strategy. You might even end up with some friendly mom type helping you out.If you bring those kids close to me, I'll expect both.General Malaise said:Notorious T.R.E. said:
Or handjobs.
Brony
Footballguy
So no handies Mr. Prude?When I flew with a 4 month old I bought a bunch of chocolate chip cookies and muffins and whatnot from the airport Starbucks and offered them to everyone in our row and the row in front of us and behind us. Definitely recommend this strategy. You might even end up with some friendly mom type helping you out.If you bring those kids close to me, I'll expect both.General Malaise said:Notorious T.R.E. said:
Or handjobs.
RUSF18
Footballguy
A lot of airlines now only take cards, no cash allowed, even if it's exact change. So I'd make sure a card is in there.
Golden Gopher
Footballguy
Yeah, that's why I mentioned debit cards. Wasn't sure if all airlines have gone the route of no cash, or not. But, I know a few have for sure.
El Floppo
Footballguy
We've lived by this (kids are 2 and 6 now)- and never had a problem with flying with them. We start with the bottle when we're lined up to take-off... number 2 sometimes means a wait. The harder part is doing the same for landing. Ideally, we let them start as we started our descent- but sometimes they say we're starting our descent and then just circle for 45 minutes (thanks for that JFK).
4 months is a perfect time to be flying- they are immobile and sleep a lot (unless they're colicky/finicky- then you have no business leaving your house with those ####ers).
We also use duct tape. Lots and lots of duct tape.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Spend $50 on a portable video player and bring spare batteries. Let them watch as much as they want. Bring good snacks and a few favorite toys. You'll be fine.
ETA: oh. Four months. That age is actually easier IMO since they can't really move yet and they'll sleep some for sure. 2-4 years is when it gets harder.
ETA: oh. Four months. That age is actually easier IMO since they can't really move yet and they'll sleep some for sure. 2-4 years is when it gets harder.
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