RE: Travel questions
The luggage carts generally DO NOT have a place for children to ride. It won't help you too much even if they do, because you can't take them past security, so you would still need to get from security to your gate by yourself.
Here's what I do. Put the RA on the stroller. Put your carry-on on the stroller (either underneath the RA or hang from the handles). TRY TRY TRY REALLY REALLY hard to limit yourself to one medium sized carry-on (for me this is usually a medium sized diaper bag). Put your baby in a sling or carrier.
When you get to security, go to the farthest, most out of the way security line (they will probably direct you that way anyway). Put the RA and your carry-on on the ground. Fold the stroller (make sure to have one with a one hand fold). Put RA, carry-on and stroller on the Xray belt. Give the security guard your most pitiful, stressed, over-worked mommy look and hope they don't ask you to put the carrier/sling through Xray as well (I have had the best luck with a fabric sling). Walk through Xray and get all you stuff at the other end. Unfold the stroller first and then pile all the stuff back on. No troubles! I find that the MOST trouble I have is PREVENTING people from "helping" me and ruining my system. You also never know when a "helpful" person is really a thief. Make sure you don't send your stuff through the Xray machine until you are ready to walk through yourself.
Make sure your ID and any other info you need to show a ticket agent/gate agent/security personnel is in a very handy place so that you don't have to unload all your bags to find it. And remember that they will want to see you boarding pass and possibly your ID again at the security check point. You will also need your ID AGAIN when you actually board the plane.
After you gate check the stroller, you will have to manage best you can with the RA and your carry-on to get to your seat. (This is where having ONE carry-on REALLY pays off). You may be able to ask a flight attendant to help you, but they may be too busy.
Using this method, I can even handle my luggage by myself as long as I limit myself to ONE piece of baggage with the wheels and the handle that pulls out. It can be a pretty large piece of luggage as long as it wheels, just pull it behine you while you push the stroller with one-hand. :)
How long is the flight? If the flight is long enough to get a meal, make sure to ask the airline for an infant meal for Abigail. An infant meal is usually some jars of baby food and formula. Maybe not what you would prefer to feed her, but it won't hurt her once. Generally flights have to be 3 hours or longer to get a meal these days, so don't necessarily count on a meal being served.
HTH,
Beth, mom to older DD (8/01) and younger DD (10/06) and always missing Leah (4/22 - 5/1/05)