flying from TX to NY with 3yr and 14 month old, and me. Help...

[signsing]

Okay so I'm terrified of the layover. How am I going to manage to lug a RA, a BV and my two kids plus the carry on. Any advice? My husband will be with me on the flight down but not the return. I have an hour and twenty minute layover in detroit flying northwestern (for continental).

Betsey

[jeno]

I have no experience doing this with two kids, but have traveled alone with my son many times. I have the RA and I can actually put it into my Peg P3 with baby strapped in. Do you have a stroller that could do the same. Then I know there are a few backpack products on the market for the BLVD (someone else can probably rec.) And 3yr old would have to walk. BUT Detroit is a breeze to manage. Once at your gate, I would befriend a nice middle-aged woman traveling alone and ask her to help you with the kids while you install the seats. Literally have her preboard with you and carry one of those seats. I wouldn't count on the flight attendent being much help. Sometimes they are, but in my case more frequently they're not.

[niccig]

I agree with the RA in the stroller with the baby strapped in it. If you can wedge it in tight, baby and carseat will be fine. 3 yr old to walk and either have the BV in a backpack carry (boy that will be heavy but it may be the best option) or strap the BV to a luggage cart, gogoKids cart, or a rolling carry-on bag. That means you'll have to push the stroller with one hand and pull the cart/bag with the carseat. I can do that with my stroller, but not all strollers are great one-handed. My DS also loves to push the stroller, so if your 3 yr old will do that they can walk between you and the stroller and will sort of be contained.

My other suggestion is to carry the baby in a sling or mei tai carry. A friend borrowed mine and she was able to strap baby to her, then you could have 1 carseat and diaper bag in the stroller, 3 yr old walks and maybe rig up some bungy cords to strap the other carseat to the stroller's handles or have it in the backpack carry.

HTH

[bubbaray]

Could you use the CARES vest on the plane for the 3yo and check the BV (assuming you need it at your destination).

Or, what about a Scenara for the 3yo instead of the BV? Heck, Scenaras for both (if you can't do the CARES vest for the 3yo) -- they are so much lighter!

You'll definitely need a stroller (for the carseats) and probably a sling for the 14mo.

Any possible way you could change the return flight to direct & non-stop?? Honestly, it would be worth the money IMO.

Melissa

DD#1: 04/2004

DD#2: c/s 01/2007

[Piglet]

The few times we travelled anywhere with both kids, those bungee cords were totally indispensible!

I agree - strap the RA into the stroller with or without baby. As for the BV - honestly, I would try to buy a lighter carseat, if at all possible. We have flown with a Snugride, a Scenera, and an Evenflo Chase/Vision quite successfully. I wouldn't dream of flying with our MA for a number of reasons, between the cost of replacement if anything happened to the seat and the weight of the seat, it doesn't seem worth it.

How big are your kids? Is it possible to borrow a dependable lightweight carseat for the trip? Would your 3 year old fit in a Scenera? What about buying a 5-point for the 3 year old? Would the baby fit in a Safeseat? Can any of those seats be purchased and then given to grandparents/caregivers or used as back-up? I know it seems like a lot of effort for one way, but I know that I would seriously do anything in my power to avoid the airport layover with 2 heavy carseats!

[signsing]

I wish I could get a direct but I need to fly from San Antonio to Albany. I do have a Pliko that I am planning to bring. I have been looking at the fp KUV wagon perhaps I could put a car seat in between the two seats and put both kids in harnesses and then carry one carseat. or sling the baby. (if I'm moving he'll tolerate it otherwise he squirms and screams in a sling)
I might opt for the lighter carseat for the 3 yo. I don't need one at my destination so I have thought of leaving it home but I don't like the thought of it.
Also with the new regulations can I bring a bungee cord?
This is a last minute trip I leave in 10 days so the kids can see their grandpa before he heads over to Iraq.
Betsey

[MommytoWyatt]

I loved our CARES harness and posted a review here if that helps!

[stillplayswithbarbies]

Get a GoGo Kidz for the Boulevard. Put the Roundabout in the stroller. Push the stroller and pull the GoGoKidz with your 3 year old strapped into the Boulevard. Pack only a backpack for carry-on.

It's not going to be fun, but it won't be impossible.

[sdjeppa]

I agree with getting one lighter seat...

What about stacking both seats on the stroller, sling the baby, and have the 3 yr old walk next to you (or on the back of the pliko??)

[heather13]

Bungee's are okay for travel as of two weeks ago when we flew.

[signsing]

Okay so here's what I've got. I have a RA and a Touriva. I'm not sure if my 3yo is too tall for the Touriva or the RA I guess I'll have to figure that out. If he's too tall can anyone rec a taller lightweight seat for him? I need one for my mom's car anyway.
I'll definitely bring bungees. Would it be wise to get a cheap side by side for the airport and bungee the seats to the back of it?
I like the idea of the go go kidz but I'm not sure I'll get enough use out of it to justify the expense.
I'll pull out my sling and start getting the 14mo used to it now. I think he's okay in a hip carry we haven't used it in awhile.

Also how does one go about renting these things?

Thanks
Betsey