Help me with the logistics here...

An Aurora

Senior Community Member
I know there was a post like this recently, but I need some encouragement here. I'm feeling very overwhelmed. I am flying on Thursday with:

2 kids (25 mo and 6 mo)
2 carseats (Marathon and Radian)
Diaper bag
One checked bag

We do not have a traveling stroller. I did some serious stroller thinning after DH got tired of not being able to park his car in the garage, and now all I have is my double jogger.

My plan is:

wrap the baby, carry the diaper bag
clip the MA to our luggage cart, strap DD1 in and pull it
fold the Radian and carry it with the strap

Is there a better alternative I'm not seeing here? I'm starting to get really nervous about this trip!!
 
ADS

safeinthecar

Moderator - CPS Technician
Maybe you could practice different ways to move everybody and everything around, in the open space in the thinned out garage while your DH isn't home, to find out what is easiest for you?

Kimberly
 

Victorious4

Senior Community Member
I'd much rather push/pull 2 carts -- the Radian is surprisingly heavy, especially with other things....
 

An Aurora

Senior Community Member
The Radian does seem awfully heavy to cart around. Does the airport allow you to take those "smarte carte" things through the airport (SeaTac to Phoenix Sky Harbor)?
 

tl01

New member
I assume your DH is not flying with you. Can he at least help you get all the gear to the plane though? He should be able to get an escort pass which will allow him to walk you to the gate. Is someone meeting you at the other end of the trip? If so, hopefully just having to walk to luggage claim on your own won't seem so horrible! Good luck!
 

An Aurora

Senior Community Member
That's a good idea! I didn't even think of that! DH did say he could drop me off at the airport, so I don't see why he couldn't help me get to the gate. I'm not worried about the flight, just getting to and from the plane! We're flying Southwest, so I will be able to pre-board and get the car seats on. My FIL is meeting me at the gate in Phoenix (he is an airline employee so he can get through security) so that should work out great!!
 

Victorious4

Senior Community Member
Only passengers with tickets are [usually] allowed past the main entrance area -- it's quite a hike from there to gate in many airports.... I'm not sure about SmartCart thingies (sorry) but the cheapies found at WalMart/Kmart/etc. should be just fine :) Or, you can always ask for an employee to help: when it was just me with Leila then 3 years old, they let us ride in their motorized carts, which Leila just loved :p (with retractable lap belts)
 
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An Aurora

Senior Community Member
Darn, I was hoping DH could help me to the gate. We do have one of the cheap luggage carts from Walmart, that we've used in the past. I wonder if there is some way to hang the Radian on that...I will have to test it out! Otherwise I'll get another one and put the other seat on it, and then load it with the diaper bag.
 

crunchierthanthou

New member
I'd call the airport. Some do allow gate passes to assist you. Many do not, but it's worth a shot. Also, I don't think you can take smartcartes past security.

If you're alone I would sling dd2, use a backpack for your diaper bag, put the radian on a luggage cart and strap the MA to your wheeled carryon with dd1 harnessed in it.

I traveled alone with ds and a week's worth of luggage for 3 people (dh was a few days ahead of us attending a conference). It wasn't the best time I've ever had, but not impossible. Here's me getting dropped off at the airport. I'm sorry for the quality, but camera phones weren't all that great two years ago.

travelingalone.jpg


It wasn't too hard leaving because I could check the big suitcases right away and roll the RA. The hard part was arriving and getting to the rental car. ps, don't ever rent a luggage cart at Regan National, you can use it all of 20 ft to get you out the doors and to the curb :thumbsdown:.
 

Victorious4

Senior Community Member
I would have loved for someone to have taken a pic of me with Leila: dragging large rolling duffle bag with carseat + 2 carry-ons strapped to the outside of it with bunjees & carying my sleeping 3 year old in arms.... Frail little me at 5'4" 100# with chronic illness :whistle: (yes folks, it is possible to do :happy-wavehello:)
 

niccig

New member
I'd still check on the passes. A friend's DH always takes her to the gate at LAX. He is a police officer, so maybe that made a difference.
 

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