Flying with kids - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Bullet · 09-03-2007, 09:00 AM

My wife and I are planning a trip to Malaysia in March to visit my parents and to see the Formula 1 race. We have not purchased the tickets yet but plan to in the next couple of months.

We were wondering if you guys/gals have any tips on flying with small children, my son will be 3 1/2 years old and my daughter will be 10 months old when we go.

Thanks

Juventus3 · 09-03-2007, 09:01 AM

duct tape.

CaptainCrunch · 09-03-2007, 10:24 AM

Pet carrier, cargo bay.

Seriously I've flown enough to gain a real queezy feeling when I see people rumbling in with thier really young kids, who proceed for the next three hours to scream, cry, kick the back of my seat and coat the entire cabin of the plain in an inch thick layer of snot and vomit.

Before the filight take them to a park and run them until they're near collapse, feed them warm milk or ten shots of bourbon.

Superflyer · 09-03-2007, 10:25 AM

I just finished a trip to Orlando with a 3 and a 6 year old. We brought a bunch of little toys and colouring books. Also a portable DVD player with a bunch of their favorite movies. That worked fine I found.

Flaming Choy · 09-03-2007, 10:32 AM

my mom gave us gum to chew when we were a kid to help with the change in pressure in your ears when u assend and desend. That might stop some crying.

Bullet · 09-03-2007, 10:53 AM

The one thing that we are trying to do is get tickets that leave at night so the kids will sleep for most of the flight across the ocean.

And to make sure they are very tired and then give them a couple of shots of Tylenol to help them sleep.

Also, if anyone has any good travel agents that they could recommend it would be appreciated.

Ford Prefect · 09-03-2007, 12:20 PM

Lots of Gravol works nicely as a sedative and controls stomach problems as an added bonus.

TheyCallMeBruce · 09-03-2007, 12:52 PM

Just going a bit OT, but I see you're going back to Malaysia. Where you from there originally?

I can't wait to go back next year. Nasi Lemak rocks!

btw, I'm not sure what you can keep your kids preoccupied for a trip this long. In case anyone here doesn't know...flying to Malaysia is more than a 24hr trip...can be as long as 30 hours.

STeeLy · 09-03-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

Email sample00, a poster here, he has his own travel agency. yellowheadtravel.com I think.

I thought going international u'd look for scrambler and going domestic (or within North America and the Carribbeans) u look for Sample00

Anyway travelling with Kids... ear plugs are a must, because they might not get used to pressurization like the adults do... it really hurts sometimes. Coloring books, Portable DVD player will work fine as well... sleeping pills will do the trick (if they have such a thing for kids)... Also for the kids, you might want to make an intermediate stop to rest for a day or 2 before continuing on to Malaysia... because 20+ hours of flying can take a toll on ur body

coaster · 09-03-2007, 02:14 PM

Chewing gum helps keep the ears from hurting during pressure changes. Might help your oldest.

metallicat · 09-03-2007, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juventus3

duct tape.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Pet carrier, cargo bay.

Locke · 09-03-2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Pet carrier, cargo bay.

Seriously I've flown enough to gain a real queezy feeling when I see people rumbling in with thier really young kids, who proceed for the next three hours to scream, cry, kick the back of my seat and coat the entire cabin of the plain in an inch thick layer of snot and vomit.

Before the filight take them to a park and run them until they're near collapse, feed them warm milk or ten shots of bourbon.

That'll put down a horse.

GreenTeaFrapp · 09-03-2007, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coaster

Chewing gum helps keep the ears from hurting during pressure changes. Might help your oldest.

I was told by my doctor that a hard candy is better for dealing with pressure changes because chewing gum could cause gas.

redforever · 09-03-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

Lots of Gravol works nicely as a sedative and controls stomach problems as an added bonus.

I dont like the idea of a young 10 month old child being given a lot of medication to dope them up.

photon · 09-03-2007, 06:10 PM

I've read that bringing the car seats and putting them in them helps since they already have an expectation of sitting for long periods in a car seat.

Though for that long that might not work well.

The portable DVD player idea is good as well.

Sample00 · 09-03-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STeeLy

I thought going international u'd look for scrambler and going domestic (or within North America and the Carribbeans) u look for Sample00

I dont believe Scrambler is in the business anymore.
and just to clear up any confusion, We do international travel as well as domestic.
We have put packages together for people that have to travel anywhere.

HOZ · 09-03-2007, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullet

My wife and I are planning a trip to Malaysia in March to visit my parents and to see the Formula 1 race. We have not purchased the tickets yet but plan to in the next couple of months.

We were wondering if you guys/gals have any tips on flying with small children, my son will be 3 1/2 years old and my daughter will be 10 months old when we go.

Thanks

You cannot travel unless you have these.....trust me
1) Extra clothes. No, not just for the kids! When they puke they do it.....on you. For the life of me I have no idea how anyone can get that barf bag open in time.

2) stroller for the OLDER one! Carrying bags and a limp child through airports will feel like a death march.

10 months is a breeze. When they move it becomes a problem. My boy has travelled extensively at 10 mnth, 1, 2, and 4 years old. It gets difficult when they get older because they just can't sit for hours upon hours at a time. Go for walks and explain things is always a great thing.

If you are willing to spend a bit of cash a portable DVD player is good.

You will learn patience! Prepare for some fussing.

Bullet · 09-03-2007, 08:08 PM

Not actually from Malaysia. My parents moved there about a year ago for work and are only there for about another year so we want to make the trip before they come back.

The shortest trip I have been hearing is about 24hrs or so.

We are hoping to do the long leg across the Ocean at night hoping that they will sleep.

Ironhorse · 09-03-2007, 08:35 PM

Make sure you spring for an actual seat for the baby. Trust me on that one. We did a trans Atlantic with 16 m/o old, and we were glad.

As for toys, get some special, brand new ones that they haven't seen before, and only bring them out after the "usual" entertainment starts to wane.

See if you can get seats at the front near one of those kitchen walls - then the baby can crawl around a little bit.

Oh, and go to Costco and buy a giant box of earplugs and hand them out as your fellow passengers get to their seats.

Stillman16 · 09-04-2007, 12:54 AM

Your kids are likely too young for gum, so suckers could be a life saver.

If your 10 mth old uses a soother, she'll be fine with that.

For your older one, a travel size magna doodle (or equivlant) would help pass time.

A double stroller would be usefull, and shouldn't count in your allotted baggage.