Flying alone with 1 year old questions

scarletpastel · Aug 9, 2010

It's just me and him, he's 26 lbs. His seat is purchased, we're flying Southwest (which I never fly). It's a 1 1/2 hour flight.

1. I've heard ify things on Southwest pre-boarding....is the extra $10 really worth it?

2. I can't decide between the Triumph Advance, or our MyRide 65. I'm not buying another car seat....but they both are pretty wide.

3. Should I install RF or FF?

I also bought this.....we will be flying alot from now on that my parents live far away. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JJK9EY/ref=oss_product"]Amazon.com: Go-Go Kidz Travelmate: Baby[/ame]

thanks!

Kristen

Qarin · Aug 9, 2010

scarletpastel said:
1. I've heard ify things on Southwest pre-boarding....is the extra $10 really worth it?

I can't think of anything which would make it worth it. Check in online right at 24hrs in advance and you should get board group A; there will be plenty of seats to choose from. If you don't get group A, you board between groups A and B, and will still have plenty of seats to choose from. Nobody is going to make you not sit next to your 1yo so even if you sauntered on dead last, there would be shuffling for you (but don't do that). The baby will get a window set and you'll get a middle.

2. I can't decide between the Triumph Advance, or our MyRide 65. I'm not buying another car seat....but they both are pretty wide.

I'd take whichever is lighter or whichever you're the most comfortable installing.

3. Should I install RF or FF?

Ideally? RF, absolutely. He'll be more comfortable and it will be easier for you to keep him occupied and happy. However, I personally would not have a fit if you FF'd him on the airplane- being in a seat at all on the plane is going to add huge amounts to his safety over being a lap baby. Still, don't be afraid to rearface your rear facing baby.

Pixels · Aug 9, 2010

The $10 is per person, per flight segment. So if you're flying with 2 people, round trip, with one layover each way, that's $80.

krasota · Aug 9, 2010

According to the FAQ on their site, families with children under the age of 4y board between groups A&B. If you have an A pass, however, they encourage you to board with the A group.

mrs_teeee67 · Aug 9, 2010

I've ALWAYS been called to preboard with the ' disabled, small children' group,, even when my child wasn't REALLY small. I wouldn't pay the extra for the privilege.

TexasMama · Aug 9, 2010

scarletpastel said:
I also bought this.....we will be flying alot from now on that my parents live far away. Amazon.com: Go-Go Kidz Travelmate: Baby

I travel a ton with my kids. An incredible amount by plane. I agree with pp's comments on pre boarding on SW. Since you have a seat for the baby it is not much of an issue.

As for the travel mate mentioned above, I am sure it will work fine, but if you can exchange it at all, a much better use of your money might be a good, sturdy standard travel cart. Excellent ones availble at Costco and Sam's Clubs in my area. Also good ones at Target.

I have had no problem strapping my kids car seats into them and I use extra (super cheap) bungee cords if necessary.

Then after the car seat days are over, I still have a super useful luggage cart for other needs. And mine was less than half the price of a Gogo kids.

Pixels · Aug 9, 2010

mrs_teeee67 said:
I've ALWAYS been called to preboard with the ' disabled, small children' group,, even when my child wasn't REALLY small. I wouldn't pay the extra for the privilege.

They've changed their policy since you've flown. SouthWest boards medical disabilities first (blue pre-board sleeves), then A group, then families with children under 5 go between A and B. Then B group, then C group, etc.

TexasMama · Aug 9, 2010

Pixels said:
They've changed their policy since you've flown. SouthWest boards medical disabilities first (blue pre-board sleeves), then A group, then families with children under 5 go between A and B. Then B group, then C group, etc.

Yup...this. It has been like over a year now. It is really irritating. They still don't charge for luggage though.

OT question....for other airlines....they have told us that they don't charge to check car seats. So if you have a car seat back (like a turbo) in your checked luggage with other things...do you think they would still give you the free checked bag for it?

mrs_teeee67 · Aug 9, 2010

OOoh, it has been over a year since we've gone 'home. Sorry 'bout that, but I do think I'd still choose the free option.

I used luggage wheelse and a bungee for our car seat a few times as well. I'd rather have something different than what I had though, cause it wasn't 'stable' since it wasn't really designed for the purpose. Sure beat lugging that heavy Radian in my arms though

TexasMama · Aug 9, 2010

I can practically get a rock solid install on my standard luggage cart.

Maybe after so many years of practicing installs?

And it is such a substantial savings you can really free up a lot of money to go into the car seat fund.

scarletpastel · Aug 9, 2010

How difficult will it be lugging a toddler (that just learned to walk a month ago) and the car seat down the plane?

Are all of Southwest seats by 3s?

Carrie_R · Aug 9, 2010

TexasMama said:
OT question....for other airlines....they have told us that they don't charge to check car seats. So if you have a car seat back (like a turbo) in your checked luggage with other things...do you think they would still give you the free checked bag for it?

I would say probably not... you could certainly ask, but I wouldn't be surprised if they required you to pay.

Yes, all of Southwest's seats are by 3s.

One trick that you can try is that as you walk by the computer screen where they're scanning boarding passes, look at the # on the screen (far left column.) It's number of boarding passes issued. All of their planes have the same # of seats on them (135?) so you can do the quick math and see appx how many seats will be left open. If there will be quite a few, you can try going 3/4 of the way back and snagging the window for the baby and the aisle for yourself. If someone asks for the middle seat, you can move over; if not, then the two of you have a bit more room.

I would probably take the MR, simply because I would think you'll do better with the narrow base and arms over cupholders than with the overall width of the EFTA.

Do you babywear? If I was taking "my" (dcb) toddler, I would put him on my back in my carrier (O&A) and then have hands free for my carryon and car seat.

TexasMama · Aug 9, 2010

Carrie_R said:
Do you babywear? If I was taking "my" (dcb) toddler, I would put him on my back in my carrier (O&A) and then have hands free for my carryon and car seat.

This is exactly what I do. I have a hard time imagining going through the airport (and especially ariplane aisles) without the option of a good baby carrier. I use an Ergo a lot.... an SSC similar to Carrie's...cause it lays nice around the hips when not in use. And in airport settings, there is a lot of "up/down" as you go through security etc so I like something that works well whether in use or not.

As for my older kids, there is always someone who grabs a ride in the car seat that I am toting with the standard luggage carrier.

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