OMG! i think i'm crazy! (flight advice please!)

[aussiegal]

Carang,
one last thing. I would definitely agree with the other mums who've suggested night flights. They are a lot easier.

And you are right, it's all about keeping your toddler occupied. They will make or break your flight! My little one loves eating little snacks so bring whatever is their favourite thing that will keep them busy every now and then.

As for trying to get 3 seats on the flight so your toddler can lie down - the best way to do this (without paying) is to have your agent actually reserve you two seats with a spot free in between you two. We've done this a lot and it has always worked. Effectively every single seat on the flight would have to be taken for them to seat someone in between you too. Again, because they don't want regular passengers in with us travellers with kids. If you do luck out you can always get the other passenger to swap when on the plane.

And final suggestion to put out there. I've never personally done it myself but I know A LOT of people give their kids something to calm them down so sleeping is easy. Maybe other mums can tell you more but people look at us like we're crazy when we say we haven't done it before!

 

[Canucker]

Carang,

CX flies directly from HK to Vancouver twice a day (and they have the baby basinets if you request one). Once you get to Vancouver, you can hop either a West Jet flight or Air Canada - but I am pretty sure neither is direct (via Calgary) so you would still be able to visit your friend in Calgary. There is a chance AC flies one or two direct flights to Regina (early AM/late PM).

Just got photos from my folks in Saskatoon - dress warm - lots of snow. Hope you grandma is doing better.

Good luck,
Canucker

 

[carang]

canucker... you're from saskatoon????
me too!!!

age? high school, please???

can't afford cx nor ac....boo hoo... i'd fly cx in a minute...i'd probably know the pilot too...

 

[joannek]

booking the 2 seats (aisle & window) on the 3-seats on one side will most probably guarantee 3 seats if the flight's not full. but you'd have to forgo the bassinet if you want your child to lie down. but having a bassinet means you can put down the infant while you entertain your 2 yo. then i'd book the aisle & window of the 1st row, so to secure your bassinet & your little boy has that corner to play in. try this website http://www.seatguru.com/ on seat arrangements.

if you have to fly so many legs, do imagine lugging your infant & toddler in tow (check whether you're allowed to bring your stroller in-flight, mostly you won't, so you'd have to carry infant & toddler-strap your 1yo with all those connections), waiting in waiting rooms to board, having meals, plus watching hand carry (i imagine diapes, extra clothes, snacks & toys?), i imagine backpacking is or not a posibility?

i would rather leave the 2yo at home with helper & hubby, but bring the infant. seriously.

 

[joannek]

oh, and remember your bad back. well, tell me you HAVE to go with the 2 of them, and see what else we can work out, old friend.

 

[barbwong_130]

The things I?ve found help when travelling with little ones are:

Don?t get on the plane early. Often mothers with babies and children are allowed on first. But this means longer for the children to sit still. I try to get on last so the kids can run about for longer. I?m short so always need help putting my bags up and if you get on late there is always someone who will help you.

Try to find toys that are lots of games in one. My mother bought me a box with blocks in it. The blocks made a jigsaw puzzle out of squares. There were also little shapes that fitted into the blocks. My 23 month old played with it for hours when I took him to the USA. I looked in Wise Kids today (sorry couldn?t face Toys R Us) and the only thing like it was a Ravensburger block puzzle with six blocks and six puzzles (one on each face) for only $55.

Another favourite toy that was good on the plane was a miniature Thomas the Tank Engine set. Unfortunately I can?t find anything like it on sale now. But it was small trains and other engines that could be pushed around a track which was only about 12 inches long. The bits were actually not recommended for the under 3 year olds but he liked it and as I was next to him when he played I didn?t think this mattered too much.

Kinder eggs were also a favourite with my kids. They liked the chocolate and saw it as a treat. And then they liked the insides too.

I found that my children are usually well behaved on the plane but wanted to make lots of noise once they were off it. I think having so many stops sounds awful but might in the end be fine.

Although these trips can be hard work. I think it is always worth the effort because if you don?t go you can easily end up regretting it. I took my two younger children home to England for a weekend once. Yes, it was tiring and everyone else thought I was mad but I got to see my family and no one can take those special memories away from me.

Good luck,
Barb

 

[carang]

thanks guys, keep the suggestions coming!

i'll try to head to wise kids for the puzzle. i plan on brining my son's favourite blanket and a few new little things to keep him occupied.

i'm goint to try to see if i can get an external battery for my ipod video so i can get "cars" and a few more movies on there for him....

we'll see...

(joannek... i HAVE to take my son. i'm going back so that my gandmother(their great grandmother) will be able to get to know them as she's not doing very well and i'm afraid i won't get the chance again.

 

[HKfornow]

Carang, how about an alternative asian airlines, Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese etc.(I would not recommend Philippine Air). Since you will not be flying directly to Canada and need to have a stop-over, you probably won't pay the premium that you would CX or AC, and you still won't have to deal with US immigration.

 

[joannek]

well then, ipod video is a great idea... or any sort of portable dvd will keep little boy entertained for hours (i.e. if u'll let him watch that much tv. at a time like this, i think it's ok)

then i'd suggest you try to book the front row aisle & window & bassinet on all your routes (so you're only paying for you & little boy). pls ask your agent to make a note in the computer that you're travelling with a 2 yo & an infant, so that they have gerber baby food & diapers ready on the plane for you. unless the planes are full, you should be able to get all 3 seats to yourself. but armrests cannot be puput up, so 2 yo won't be able to lie flat. if you're willing let him sleep on the floor, you can ask for 2 blankets, fold them & let 2yo sleep on the blankets? or you should have 3 pillows, ask for maybe 2 more, put the blanket on top & you've got an instant little bed on the floor. birng some chlorox wipe to wipe the sides near where he'll sleep then he can lie flat & u feel that it's sanatised.

 

[joannek]

you also have to plan ahead how you're gonna be carrying a baby & watch a running around 2 yo. bring enough diapers or u might be able to get travel size diaper packs at the airports? bring enuf change of clothes for them & you (in case the kids spill sth on you) probably enuf for another 2 days (in case your luggages get lost) when you arrive at regina. with transits like that, it's better to be safe. (knock on wood, but i've lost my luggages 5 times in all these years of travelling & i'm not a frequent flyer)