Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Recent Comments:
Bravo Alaska Airlines - bag not on the belt in 25 minutes? $25 off your next flight! {Gadling}
Apr 29th 2009 1:53PM This seems like a generous offer, but having waited at the baggage office to report lost bags, I wonder how much extra time it takes to get that $25!
TSA to Create new Green "Family" Lane {Gadling}
Nov 18th 2008 12:30PM We've had this system in Seattle for a while now & as a parent who travels frequently with her kids, I can confirm that it is the slowest (which makes it tough with very young kids).
That said, I've noticed that at many airports TSA has also figured out how to make the family line more convenient for families. In San Francisco and some other airports, kids are offered a sticker for walking through the metal detector, there are usually extra staff on hand to help parents get their gear off the conveyor belt, and there's extra space (sometimes with child-sized chairs) for getting shoes back on.
Debbie
http://www.deliciousbaby.com
Making Travel With Kids Fun
Galley Gossip: A question about losing booked seats on the airplane {Gadling}
Oct 27th 2008 12:29PM Great article! We often get split up from our kids when we travel, but since they're both very young, people are always willing to trade seats so that they don't have to sit next to an unattended toddler!
A couple of additional tips: if one gate agent or flight attendant is unsympathetic, there's no need to spend a lot of time arguing, just move on to another employee who might be more sympathetic. Also, if the airline you are flying offers drink vouchers for sale, that makes a nice bribe for the passenger you want to trade with.
Debbie
http://www.deliciousbaby.com
Galley Gossip: A question about traveling with car seats and strollers {Gadling}
Oct 20th 2008 8:08PM Heather,
You make a great point about knowing how to install your car seat before you get on the plane. If you rent a car, you'll need to install it again, so it's helpful to bring along the manual.
When we can, we do without the stroller altogether and use a sling to get through the airport (most of the time TSA will let you pass through security without removing baby from the sling), but I also like the Quinny Zapp stroller because it folds down small enough that it can fit in the overhead bin. There's no risk that it will be lost or damaged by the airline in transit (both of which have happened to our umbrella)
Debbie
http://www.deliciousbaby.com
Galley Gossip: Best invention for kids on the airplane - CARES {Gadling}
Oct 13th 2008 2:11PM I'm always shocked at how venomous the comments about kids on airplanes (and in restaurants) are in this country. It's entirely different in many of the countries we travel to, where the people around us are more likely to think "wow parents with a young kid, wonder how I can help out" than "why are those people here"
My two young kids, like yours, are well behaved on planes ... playing quietly or napping... and I don't particularly appreciate the glares and hostility whenever I get on a plane. The one advantage? On a recent southwest flight (where everyone chooses their own seat) My 2 year old and I got an entire row to ourselves as the other travelers rushed to fill every middle seat on the plan rather than sit next to a toddler.
NOT pre-boarding people with young ones saves time {Gadling}
Sep 7th 2008 11:12PM Whether preboarding is allowed seems to depend on the airline and on how much time they have to turn the plan around.
Our favorite pre-boarding trick is to send my husband ahead with the carseats while I wait with the kids. That gives him time to stow our bags & install the seats while the kids get a little exercise. I board with the kids just before takeoff.
I have more tips for boarding (and flying with kids in general) at
http://www.deliciousbaby.com/travel/family-travel-tips/making-travel-days-with-kids-work/air-travel-with-babies-toddlers-kids/
...and I agree... taking the train is wonderful when it works out. Often if you calculate the door-to-door time instead of just the travel time, it's actually faster to take the train. What we really love, though, is the fact that you don't have to go through a lot of stressful security and you are never separated from your bags.
Indian woman gives birth on Australia-bound flight {Gadling}
Aug 28th 2008 7:06PM Most airlines do set limits on when pregnant women can travel, and require a doctor's not past a cutoff point. In fact I have had my own doctor's letter scrutinized at a checkin desk in Paris.
Here is a link to Cathay Pacific's policy on pregnant travelers
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_INTL/helpingyoutravel/pregnantwomen
and a excerpt from the policy:
We will accept passengers with single pregnancies up to 36 weeks and multiple pregnancies up to 32 weeks. A medical certificate is required at check-in and may also be required at immigration checkpoints. All pregnant passengers are advised to consult their treating doctor or midwives before flying and carry a medical certificate after 28 weeks, which states:
6 pounds is on the small side, so perhaps the baby was premature.
Put those breasts away: Woman asked to cover up while breastfeeding during flight {Gadling}
Aug 11th 2008 2:48PM @barb urination and deification are unsanitary. There's nothing unsanitary about feeding a baby
Put those breasts away: Woman asked to cover up while breastfeeding during flight {Gadling}
Aug 11th 2008 3:00AM Some babies just don't like to be covered up.
I used a "hooter hider" cover when I nursed my daughter on planes, but she was constantly fiddling with it and uncovering herself. Usually I was trying to nurse her to sleep, so it didn't seem like a great idea to force the issue, and that meant that she was sometimes (discreetly) uncovered.
I think it comes down to basic consideration. You're in really close proximity to your row-mates on a plane (which can make it uncomfortable for everyone) When I had to sit next to a stranger, I always let them know during boarding that I would be nursing, that way one of us could move if they were uncomfortable.
Once that's done, though, I don't see why this needs to be a big deal.
I've written up other tips related to breastfeeding (and pumping) on airplanes at
http://www.deliciousbaby.com/travel/family-travel-tips/special-considerations/breastfeeding/
SkyMall: shopping for about anything is a fingertip away {Gadling}
Jun 12th 2008 10:35PM I used to have a less expensive version of the wrist band called a "Sea Band" It cost about $10 and worked great during my pregnancy to help keep nausea at bay.
They make a kid sized version too.
Debbie
