Things you can’t fly with this summer

June 29, 2021 By

Summer travel is returning this year after a hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re gearing up to go somewhere this year, you may have forgotten about those pesky TSA rules.

Some make more sense than others.

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For example, there are certain consumer electronic products like power banks and batteries that carry the risk of catching fire or exploding. Then, there are those TSA rules that might make a little less sense but still have to be followed. 

The following are some things to know as far as what you can’t fly with this summer.

Power Banks

You can carry a power bank in your carry-on bag, but not in your checked bag, according to the TSA. Any portable charger or power bank that has a lithium-ion battery must be in your carry-on.

Lithium batteries can catch fire if they’re damaged. Lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries are found in smartphones, tablets, cameras, laptops, and more. If they are put in checked baggage they’re supposed to be turned completely off, but again, this is against TSA rules.

You can’t bring uninstalled lithium-ion batteries, electronic cigarettes, or vaping devices in your checked bag. They have to be in your carry-on bag.

The thought process behind this is that if there is a smoke or fire incident involving a lithium-ion battery, the passengers and cabin crews may be able to mitigate the situation.

Liquids

Liquids always tend to be tricky. If you’re going to bring a full-sized bottle of anything like sunscreen or shampoo, you have to put it in your checked bag. If you aren’t checking anything, then you have to leave it at home.

There is a limit that in your carry-on luggage, you can’t have liquid or gel items that are larger than 3.4 ounces. Also, if you’re bringing multiple liquids or gels, they have to all fit in a quart-size plastic bag.

There are a few exceptions for some medicines and food for children or infants.

Powder

A relatively new rule enacted by the TSA applies to powder. If you have 12 ounces of powder or less, then you can pack it in your carry-on without any additional screening.

If you’re bringing more than 12 ounces of any powder, you can put it on your carry-on, but you have to claim it and take it out of your carry-on at the TSA checkpoint. Then, you’re going to have to go through additional screening. It’s better, if you can, to put the powder in your checked bag.

Alcohol

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of airlines stopped serving food and beverages on flights or limited their offerings significantly. That led people to want to bring their own alcohol onboard.

You are allowed to bring alcohol on a flight, both in your carry-on and checked baggage. However, you have to be of legal drinking age, and the alcohol has to be in the original, unopened container.

You can’t have any alcohol that’s 140 proof or more.

How much you can bring depends on whether you’re carrying them on or checking them.

Now, the important note is this—it’s against federal laws to open a bottle of alcohol on a flight or drink alcohol not directly served to you by a flight attendant.

Flight attendants are responsible for keeping your drink levels reasonable and safe, and if you’re drinking too much and something happens, the flight attendant could be in trouble.

Things You Can’t Put In Your Carry-On

There are some things that you can put in your checked luggage and not your carry-on. You can put self-defense items in your checked luggage in most cases, such as a firearm and pepper spray. However, these items have to be equipped with a safety mechanism that prevents accidental discharge, and you can’t fly with them internationally.

Sharp items are allowed in checked bags if they’re securely wrapped.

If you have sporting goods, you should check those too.

Certain types of razors are permitted onboard while others aren’t. You can put a disposable razor, replacement blades, or an electric razor in either your checked or carry-on luggage. If you have a straight razor or a safety razor, you have to take the blades out and keep those in your checked bag, but the razor itself can go in your carry-on.

Finally, when it comes to makeup, there aren’t limits on solid or powder makeup. There are limits on liquid, gel, and cream makeup. The rules are the same as for other liquids and gels.

Safe travel: 3 medical conditions that could prevent you from flying

June 29, 2021 By

The idea of getting on a plane again and heading off somewhere exciting is something many of us cannot wait to do. For most people, this is easy – we simply book a ticket, arrive at the airport, check-in, and fly. Yet for some people, it is not quite so easy. Some medical conditions could prevent you from flying, and rather than booking a vacation and finding out flying is not possible, it is best to know what some of these conditions are in advance so you can be prepared. Read on to find out more. 

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

The air within a plane is pressurized, and this means that it is less saturated with oxygen. For most people, this is not something that causes any problems; many will barely notice it, and most will not feel any difference at all from the normal air they breathe on the ground. For those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also known as COPD), it can actually be very dangerous. 

COPD means that the lungs are less able to take in oxygen, and if there is less oxygen in the air as well, this means that breathing can become labored, and in some cases, it might be fatal. This is why most airlines will recommend you do not fly when you have COPD.

Cataracts 

Although cataracts in themselves are not dangerous when on a flight – your eyesight will not become worse because of the pressure, for example – it is still potentially hazardous to fly when you suffer from this condition. 

When you have cataracts, your eyesight will be limited, and sometimes you will not be able to see at all. In an airport, many obstacles could potentially harm you if you cannot see them, not to mention that if there were to be an emergency onboard, it would be hard to evacuate the plane safely without your full vision. Of course, a cataract lens implant would solve this issue, and if you have had cataracts in the past but don’t have them any longer, flying wouldn’t be a problem. 

Stroke 

When flying, it has been ascertained that there is an increased risk of developing a condition known as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. This is essentially a blood clot that forms within the body, often due to poor circulation and the fact that you will be seated for an extended period. These clots can be fatal. 

If you have had a stroke or you suffer from transient ischemic attacks (TIAs or ‘mini-strokes’), then your circulation may not be as healthy as it could be, and you may be at greater risk of developing a DVT. Before you book a flight, you should speak to your doctor about whether or not it is safe to fly. If it is safe, it will depend on how long ago the stroke was, how many you have had, and what medication you are now on, if any. 

Teens flying unaccompanied: what to do when things go wrong

June 25, 2021 By

On Pit Stops for Kids, we’ve written tips for parents whose kids are flying solo. But what about teens? Most airlines allow kids aged 5-14 to fly as unaccompanied minors (with kids 5-7 restricted only to direct flights), which leaves kids 15 and up in a completely different category. When kids 15-17 fly solo, they’re still every bit as unaccompanied…and are still minors. But basically, they’re on their own. Pretty scary for parents, and even more so when things go wrong.

We decided our oldest, Nate, at age 15, was old enough to fly unaccompanied. The route: San Francisco to Dallas/Fort Worth, then DFW to San Jose, Costa Rica. Yep, it was a biggie: a non-direct flight through big airports to an international destination. Was he ready? YES…but unfortunately, we were forced to learn this the hard way as Nate was tested severely on his travel day.

Here’s what happened: I escorted Nate to his departure gate in SFO (it’s easy to get an escort pass!), and his flight departed on time. When he arrived in DFW, he found his connecting gate without a hitch, even though it involved a shuttle ride. He even boarded his second flight without a problem, texting me updates all the time. However, he never left the tarmac. As happens occasionally, his plane experienced mechanical difficulties. First it was some sort of brake fluid issue, then an engine overheating. He sat on the tarmac for two hours before his plane was taxied back to the gate. He deplaned, and moved to a new gate as instructed, but the flight continued to be delayed. Finally, the inevitable occurred: the flight was cancelled. The earliest he would leave the airport was 6:30 am the next morning.

Nate found himself facing the prospect of sleeping overnight, by himself, in Dallas/Fort Worth, with his chaperones far away in Costa Rica and his parents nearly as far away in Southern Oregon. He was a seasoned flier, but suddenly felt very, very alone. He faced several immediate problems:

  1. In the chaos that always accompanies a cancelled flight, he didn’t know to get online and try to book a better flight immediately. Even if he had, he lacked the resources to pay for an upgrade.
  2. The travelers on his flight were being issued hotel room vouchers by the airline (American Airlines), but as a minor, the Marriott they’d partnered with didn’t want to issue him a room.
  3. He was tired and hungry, and the long line of impatient travelers trying to get vouchers and demanding answers intimidated him.

Here’s how we helped:

  1. We stayed on the phone with Nate nearly constantly. Thank goodness for cell phones! If you have a teen flying solo, I strongly recommend sending him or her with a phone, even if he or she normally doesn’t carry one.
  2. I told Nate to give his phone to the gate agent, so I could speak with her directly. I was polite but insistent that he receive instructions, and more importantly, be issued a room. The American Airlines agent I spoke with was helpful and sympathetic. She got it done.
  3. I got online, and looked for any other flight that would save him from an overnight in Dallas. There was none, but in the case this happens to your child, be proactive: the airline would rather give any available seat to a minor than have to figure out what to do with him or her all night! Every airline I spoke with after this incident told me that minors do get priority over other travelers, when at all possible.
  4. I asked for the name and phone number of the hotel the airline had put Nate up in, and I called their front desk. I explained that Nate was a minor (which they already knew) and asked the questions I thought he may have forgotten: when does the morning shuttle back to the airport begin to run? Does he need a reservation? Can I place a wake-up call on his behalf? The Marriott Dallas/FortWorth Airport helped in every way possible, and gave Nate a toothbrush, to boot.
  5. The next morning, I followed the flight’s updates via texts from American Airlines. All I needed was the flight number to ensure any gate or time changes would come directly to my phone.

Nate and I both had restless nights, but in the end, he got through it. Without help, he found his airport shuttle, checked into the Marriott, woke up on time (at 2 am PST!), made it back to the airport, and got on his flight. It’s not the way either of us wanted his travel day to go, but he’s now a seasoned soldier in the battle of air travel.

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Before embarking on your teen flying unaccompanied, I suggest the following tips (learn from us!):

Teen flying alone? Ensure you have stellar support from chaperones at the destination. When Nate’s travel day from hell occurred, he was flying to Costa Rica for an Adventures Cross Country trip. I cannot say enough good things about ARCC’s home office. When I called just before business hours ended, I got an immediate answer from Brooke in the office, and my updates were relayed immediately to Nate’s leaders in Costa Rica. This line of communication was so flawless, it was clearly protocol. When the afternoon turned to evening, and then night, Brooke gave me her cell phone number and continued to help. I was able to reassure Nate that his leaders hadn’t left him (of course not!), and that they knew what had happened to him.

Send your child with a debit card for teens, such as Buxx. Even though Nate’s flight was cancelled due to mechanical issues, and he therefore received vouchers for lodging and food, he spent more than we’d planned in the airport. We were able to look at his balance on his Buxx card and add to it from home. Had he needed to purchase a hotel room himself (perhaps due to a weather delay), we would have called a hotel directly and booked it for him, or put more cash on his card. I am not paid by Buxx in any way; we use this service personally for our teen.

Emphasize to your teen that he or she needs to be a self-advocate. It’s not easy to stand up for yourself, but it’s imperative that your teen is able to approach airport and hotel personnel and ask for help. Nate continually said to people, “I’m a minor flying alone, and I need some help figuring this out.” Even the most nurturing agent can’t assist if your teen has blended into the background and is unnoticeable.

Let your teen practice. In anticipation of Nate’s trip, we let him ‘take the wheel’, so to speak, during an earlier summer cross country air travel day. Even though I was present, I had Nate check us in, hand out boarding passes, direct us through security, and find our gate.

Absolutely wait until you think your teen is ready to fly alone. While we anticipated a long travel day for Nate, and prepped him on procedures from going through customs to finding his gate, we had no idea his day would become two days. But we should have been prepared for the possibility. Thankfully, I trusted Nate could navigate the situation because he’s flown many, many times with his family. Even though he’d never been asked to figure everything out himself, he was already familiar with boarding passes, security, customs, and yes, hotel shuttles.

We hope your teen never experiences a solo flight like Nate’s! 

Using FlyLine for cheap airfare booking

February 20, 2020 By

We like to think we’re pretty good at finding the lowest airfare for any trip. But it’s complicated and usually makes us want to pull our hair out. Plus, it seems there’s a new third-party airfare booking app just about every five days…how to know which ones to search through?

Enter FlyLine, a wholesale flight club with exclusive fares and zero markup. Instead of using a third-party booking site, with FlyLine, you pay for a membership subscription and book directly through their own booking engine…no more getting redirected like you do from third-party apps. Basically, FlyLine hops from airline to airline to obtain the lowest price, allowing you to skip the fees and markup and save up to 60 percent.

How does FlyLine work?

I wanted to find out, so I signed up with a trial membership and gave it a whirl. I have a spring break trip coming up, and wanted to get separate airfare for my college-aged son, out of his college city instead of our hometown. I did an active search on FlyLine just like one would on any of the booking sites: I plugged in the departure and destination airports, the dates, and preferred airlines.

FlyLine claims to specialize in international economy flight savings, and they did indeed deliver during my search, screenshotted below. When I booked a similar flight for myself and my other son, the cost was about $100 more, much farther in advance. This may be because they use virtual interlining (mashing one-way flights from different carriers into one itinerary) to get you the best deal.

What you get with FlyLine:

  • Huge International Economy Flight Savings (with any given flight search they typically come in $150+ less than the best flight available on Kayak)
  • Deal alerts. They scour the internet and are also able to share their exclusive fares on top of the ones the other companies offer
  • Their custom-built booking engine
  • Time-saving tools like automatic check-in
  • Use of their iOS or Android app

Not all savings on flights are in the hundreds or thousands of dollars, and when I search for a domestic flight, plus a flight from my west coast city to Baja, Mexico, I didn’t see a savings. FlyLine agrees that you won’t see a discount every time, but with the basic membership, you can book six trips per year, and if even a few of those offer significant savings, the others are worth it simply for the ease of booking. (Usually, I have to scour third-party sites then migrate to airline sites, which takes more time.)

Note: Remember that you can book as many ADDITIONAL passengers as your membership level allows. For instance, for my membership that allows me to book six trips, I can book two for myself (maybe work trips) and an additional trip for four people (myself and my kids for a getaway, perhaps). As long as you stay at six bookings total, you can configure it any way you need.

An example of another online search, with the FlyLine savings possible:

Depart Dallas 4/16/20 for Dublin and return 4/24/20:

FlyLine’s Best Price: $745

The Internet’s Best Price (Kayak): $764

FlyLine Savings: $18

Return on Basic Membership: .36X

Membership options:

As mentioned above, the Basic plan is $49 per year, for one user (allowed six bookings). The Premium plan is $79 and includes two users and unlimited bookings per year. Both include automatic check-in and deal alerts. Learn more about your options here.

Bottom line:

FlyLine offers virtually interlined flights. By combining multiple routes into a singular fare they create a seamless transaction for members that guarantees their connection and baggage transfers, while offering an unmatched rate. 

They offer the rate straight from the GDS (wholesale rate with zero markup.

You pay for a membership so you can passively monitor their prices with deal alerts and actively hunt for deals with their booking engine. They are not always the cheapest, but they are competitive on domestic flights and often cheapest on international flights (about 70 percent of the time).

Have more questions? Check out FlyLine’s FAQ page and try a membership at no risk for 14 days!

Disclosure: I was invited by FlyLine to explore their website and review their membership as part of a partnership. All opinion remains my own.

Tips for buying airfare from third party airline booking sites

August 15, 2019 By

If you’ll be among the many families deciding to buy airfare this year, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of third party airline booking sites competing for your business. Buying airfare using third party airline booking sites can reward you with the lowest fares possible, but you do need to go into the process with eyes wide open.

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Related post:  find the lowest airfare for your trip, every time!

Buying airfare using third party airline booking sites

You’re already familiar with third-party booking sites, even if you’re not familiar with the term. You’ve heard of online travel agencies such as JustFly, among others like Expedia or Kayak. To understand how you can get a great deal through third-party sites, it’s important to understand how they work.

In the airfare pricing industry, there are 4-5 big aggregators of the price and available data called global distribution systems. According to Hopper.com (which is not a third-party site selling airfare, but rather an airfare prediction app), when you go to a third-party site and search for flights, that site will make a request from those four systems. They’ll send it back, with the trips you could buy, and what they cost. Much like hotel booking sites, third-party booking sites can block out seats in bulk, bringing the price down for you.

Essentially, you’re bringing in a middle-man when using third-party sites, which could–but does not always–complicate your travel day. For these reasons, I do recommend booking travel directly through your airline when possible. However, I understand that sometimes, getting the lowest fare during your flight search is essential to your travel plans. We, personally, have used third-party booking sites for this reason. Here’s what you need to know.

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Tips for using JustFly and other third-party booking sites:

We used JustFly during our recent trip to Europe. Why? We were operating under a strict travel budget, and when searching for airfare, JustFly offered the route we needed for about $100 less per person. Since we’re a family of five, saving $500 on airfare was significant to our budget.

Using JustFly allowed us to take our trip within budget, so in this case, it was absolutely the way to go. However, we knew that by using a third-party booking site, there were a few things we needed to keep in mind.

  • Customer service is key: Like with any service, it’s crucial to book with a company that offers good communication and customer service. Why? If anything goes wrong with your reservation, you’ll need to work through your booking site. I like to get on the phone with a booking site right away, before finalizing my reservation, as a test run of sorts before there’s a real problem. Then I usually call again before my flight to confirm my reservation and make sure everything is in order. When I did this during my JustFly booking for Europe, I was very happy with the level of service. It’s also reassuring to know I’m not alone…JustFly gets solid reviews from consumers. I got through to JustFly right away, and spoke to pleasant, competent representatives.
  • The airline will not make you a priority: Anytime you use a third-party booking site, it will show up on your airline reservation. Depending on the airline and their level of customer service, this can sometimes mean you’re treated like a second-class citizen (of the airline, not of the booking site). At the airport, the airline will prioritize those passengers who are loyal to their brand and book through their channels. How this can manifest itself: you’ll be last priority for rebooking in the case of a cancellation caused by the airline, and unlikely to receive seating upgrades. How to combat this: be sure to list your frequent flier number on your reservation, which you can do when booking on JustFly.
  • Be ready for some back and forth: When you book through a third-party site, you’re bringing another ‘cook into the kitchen’, so to speak. When you have an issue, your third-party site may tell you to call the airline to resolve it, and the airline may tell you to call the booking site. Patience is key. When we booked through JustFly, we had one flight on our itinerary change flight numbers a few days before departure. This was the airline’s doing, but we were alerted to the change via JustFly. I called them to make sure our itinerary was intact, and was told to call the airline. When I gave the airline my booking number, they tried to send me back to JustFly. It took some insistence and patience to get the issue sorted, simply because there were two agencies involved. How to combat this: be prepared for this possibility, and allow yourself time to resolve it by watching your airline reservation carefully in the days before departure.
  • Prepare for possible seating issues: In most cases, booking early ensures families can score seats together on a flight, but when booking through a third-party site, sometimes those seat choices don’t carry over. We only had a problem with this once when we booked JustFly, and it may have been because it was on an international leg of a flight. We picked our seats when we booked our flight with JustFly (months in advance), but when we checked in for the flight, the airline hadn’t carried the seat reservations over. We were guaranteed seats, just not the ones we’d picked. The airline told us we were out of luck (see point #1), and we were forced to ask fellow passengers to switch seats. It all worked out, but wasn’t fun. How to combat this: check on your seat reservations through the airline 72 hours before departure, before you check-in for your flight. After you check in, they cannot make seating changes.

The bottom line:

While more complicated and with potential for more issues than booking directly through an airline, booking via a third-party site like JustFly is a tool to have in your travel planning tool belt. For those times when budget is priority #1, JustFly can be a great way to get the fare you absolutely need. If you go into it knowing what to watch for, you’ll have an experience that meets your expectations and, at the end of the day, gets you a great fare. After all, using JustFly, we ended up here, able to enjoy Christmas in Florence!

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While this post was written in conjunction with JustFly, I was given full freedom to my opinion, in order to give my readers my best, honest advice.

Flying tips with kids and babies

May 23, 2018 By

The travel season is upon us, and if you’ve delayed that family vacay because you’re worried about travel with children and in particular, flying with kids, fear not! You’ve got this! Here are our top flying tips with kids:

No matter how savvy a traveler you are, the rules are different once you’re trying to book a flight (usually to save money) and travel enjoyably with kids in tow. Here’s how to get from Point A to Point B without misery, and maybe even have a little fun!

Booking Tips With Kids

Naturally, when you book airline tickets for family travel, you expect to sit together. Unfortunately, this is no longer guaranteed, or even the norm in some cases. To ensure you sit together, start by booking early and selecting seats at booking. This is the most obvious and certain way to sit together on the plane.

Next, check your reservation before departure to make sure your seat reservation hasn’t changed. I know, right? But they do that to you sometimes. If there’s a problem, call to talk directly to an agent. Explain your situation calmly and politely, and ask the agent not if something can be done, but what can be done. The nicer you are, the more the agent will want to help you. This may not be fair, but it’s human nature.

Always beware of booking seats on third-party sites. Sometimes, there’s a disconnect between third-party booking sites and airline sites. For instance, if you book your reservation on Travelocity and select seats on their website, this information may not make it to the airline agent.

For this reason, booking directly from the airline is best when flying with children. Sometimes the lowest fare wins, we know, but for the reason above, book through the airline when possible. Desk agents can see who you booked through, and can offer more upgrades or help to “loyal” customers. You’ll be better off in the case of delays or cancellations if you book directly, too.

unaccompanied minor

If you can’t book seats together at booking, book all aisle or all window seats. These seats are much better “commodities” than middle seats when you need to trade with other passengers later. Another option: elect to book seats with a middle “buffer.” Book the aisle and the window, leaving the middle. This middle seat will be among the last seats booked, increasing your chances of having an empty middle seat to spread out in. However, if it does fill up, the decent thing to do as a fellow human being is to offer that person the aisle.

To help you out, use a seat alert at a site like SeatGuru or ExpertFlyer. These sites show interior maps of almost all airplanes, allowing you to see the best seating options at a glance. Unless desperate, do not pay at the gate for premium seats. Some airlines use this tactic to increase revenue, but in almost all cases, seating can be arranged once onboard, if you have young children.

Finally, if you still can’t resolve your seating arrangement, you’ll have to ask fellow passengers to switch (see how below).

Seating Tips: In The Trenches

It should be acknowledged that paying passengers should never have to resort to begging strangers to have mercy on them and “allow” them to sit next to their own children. However, it often comes to that. Here’s how to go about it for the best results:

  • Start by going to your assigned seat and waiting there. No one will appreciate your cluttering the aisle, least of all the onboard flight attendants.
  • Politely let the attendants know what you need. Their main objective is to get the flight in the air on time, so they’ll almost always help you in your quest.
  • Start with the passengers in your direct vicinity, politely explaining the situation (pointing out your helpless child rows away). Have something decent to trade if possible. Note that the passenger sitting directly next to your young child is the most likely candidate to trade.
  • If the first person you ask refuses (it’s their right to do so), just keep asking. Someone will cave, if only to end the awkward begging session.
  • If you have older kids or teens, do NOT expect anyone to trade. You can ask – we have – and get lucky, but after a polite ask, drop it. We were once subjected to a huge fit by an adult passenger insisting on sitting next to his girlfriend on a two-hour flight. Don’t be that guy.

Car Seat and Stroller Hacks

If you’re bringing your car seat on board, make sure it’s FAA-approved (there will be a sticker on the seat). Board early if it’s an option. It’s not easy to maneuver a car seat down that narrow aisle! Don’t be surprised if a flight attendant comes by to check your installation.

If you don’t need your car seat, car seats can be checked at the gate or at check-in, both free of charge. If your seat has wheels or attaches to a stroller or frame, by all means, bring it directly to the gate. Gate-checking is the only way to guarantee your seat actually goes on your plane and will be waiting for you at arrival.

Bringing a stroller? Like car seats, strollers can be gate-checked or checked upon arrival at the airport free of charge. If you gate check, it will be waiting for you in the jetway upon arrival (you’ll need to wait for it for a few minutes).

Tip: Don’t want to hassle with baby gear in transit? Rent strollers, car seats, and even high chairs and cribs at the arrival terminal or in your destination city.

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Airplane Etiquette With Kids

Kids, just like everyone else, become citizens of that small metal tube we call an airplane the minute they board. Make sure they learn how to be good citizens. The best way to teach them is by example, of course. Seeing Mom and Dad acting politely and generously toward fellow passengers goes a long way. Here are a few additional tips to make your life easier on board (as well as everyone else’s).

GET MORE FLYING ETIQUETTE TIPS!

Get rid of as much gear as you can before boarding. Parents of young kids have enough on their hands – they don’t need to fight for overhead space, too. If you’re headed to your final destination, consider volunteering to gate-check your carry-on bags, stroller, and car seat (if you’re not using it on the flight).

If you’ve done tip 1, don’t board too early. Ignore the offer to board first with young kids. Who wants to sit on the restrictive plane longer than necessary? Now, if you have carry-on bags to stow in overhead bins, by all means DO board first.

Help kids avoid kicking the seat back in front of them by sitting cross-legged. This seems to be the number one complaint of solo and adult passengers on planes in regard to children, but sometimes, toddlers’ legs are just the right (or wrong) length. Yes, you can and should teach kids not to purposely kick the seat, but for those ages during which it’s unavoidable, this is a solution.

Bring appropriate entertainment. You’ll want to carry on toys with magnetic strips and few pieces. That collection of cars or Legos Junior loves? This is not the best use of them. If your young child is going to watch media, but sure to use child-size headphones and splitters to ensure no one else has to hear cartoons.

GET LONG HAUL FLIGHT TIPS!


Source: Fix.com

Tips for booking airfare

March 26, 2018 By

With airfare at a new low, now is the time to book that last minute trip! Here’s what you need to know, with all our top tips for booking airfare:

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  • Use the 24-hour cancellation rule. After booking, check the fare the next morning. If it’s gone down, take advantage of most airlines’ 24-hour cancellation rule and cancel and rebook the flight.
  • Book on a Tuesday; leave on a Wednesday. This golden rule of flight booking still applies! Make sure you sit down to do your actual booking on a Tuesday, and if possible, be flexible enough to fly on a Wednesday. At very least, go into the booking process with a two-day “window” for your departure and return dates to take advantage of airline website calendars, which show fare changes from day to day.
  • Like your favorite airlines on Facebook. Airlines often post their inside sales on their social media channels first. By becoming a fan, you reap the benefits of being the airline’s prime customer base. Airlines reward these loyal followers with flash sales.
  • Book two 1-way fares on different airlines. Many airlines offer incredibly low fares, going one way. Passengers then find high fares for the return flights. To avoid this issue, consider booking your inbound flight on a different airline than that of your outbound flight.
  • Use an airline that offers companion fare perks like Southwest or Alaska. Here’s how to use Southwest companion tickets.
    Book six weeks in advance. This time frame has been proven best for domestic flights. International flights should be booked four to six months in advance. Now that you’ve booked your flight, it’s time to ensure you get the seats you want. You do not need to leave this important aspect of your travel day up to chance!
  • Book early and select a seat at booking. If you book early enough, you should get your pick of window and aisle seats, without paying anything extra.

Liking these tips? Find even more in our post on booking the cheapest possible airfare, every time!

  • Ask an agent whether new seats have opened up at check in. Often, elite or frequent fliers book the best economy seats early on and then are bumped up to business or first class, leaving their prime economy seats empty at the last minute.
  • Flying solo at the last minute? Don’t pick your seat online. Instead, check in, but wait to select a seat assignment if the only seats remaining include undesirable middle seats. Airline agents are required to seat all checked-in passengers; as such, after all those middle seats are reluctantly claimed by other last-minute passengers, more appealing seats will be opened up toward the front of the plane, free of charge. This tactic is a gamble, but because you’re guaranteed a seat (provided you have checked in), you have nothing to lose.
    Look for a seat in a row with one seat already taken. When selecting your seat online, avoid rows with all seats open. Instead, look for a window or aisle seat in a row with one seat already taken. That middle seat will be among the last chosen by passengers, increasing your odds of having some empty space in which to stretch out.
  • Beware picking your seat via a third-party site. If you book via a third-party website, note that their seat assignments don’t always make their way to the hosting airline’s computer system. We once booked tickets and chose seats on a cross-country flight months in advance only to scramble for a seat assignment at the airport. If possible, book directly through the airline website. If you do book third-party, read our tips here.


Source: Fix.com Blog

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Anxious air traveler tips from experts

March 16, 2018 By

Are you an anxious air traveler? There are many people who feel deeply anxious when it comes to traveling – specifically traveling by plane. According to studies held in the USA, 25 percent of the population feel nervous about flying. It’s a real issue for most people, especially those who suffer from fear of heights or claustrophobia. But, there are ways to fight the flying blues and take control of your anxiety!

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Anxious air traveler tips

We did some in-depth research, to find out the best ways for travelers to feel comfortable on their flight – after all, flights are usually pretty long, and no-one wants to sit on the edge of their seat, the whole way! So, if you need a push in the right direction, when it comes to calming those butterflies, take a look at our useful guide which has been created with the help of professionals – yup, straight from those who spend most of their lives in the sky, and many other helpful sources, too! So, next time you’re flying to your dream destination – like the shores of the exotic island of Maldives, or perhaps the open plains, and gorgeous sunsets of Africa – or anywhere, really, you can do so with confidence!

ADVICE FROM PILOTS

The pilots have given us the facts – and it should certainly help, because it’s pretty much impossible for anything to go wrong during a flight – and even if it does, they’ve got the means and ways (and a lot of training) to ensure you stay in the sky!

Educate yourself on the facts

  • The probability of the plane going down, is one in 5.3 million, according to studies.
  • It has never been safer to fly – each year, as technology progresses, the chances of there being a problem in the sky, that can’t be solved, decreases rapidly. There’s more chance of you dying from the flu or being eaten by a shark!

Educate yourself on the way a plane works

A few ‘strange’ noises are, in fact, normal – however, you wouldn’t know this unless you did some research. But luckily, we’ve done the research for you! Another myth we’re eager to bust is the one about turbulence. Airplanes are built to withstand turbulence – a lot of it. Way more than what you feel. (If it makes you feel better – there was a plane that flew right through hurricane Irma. There was an incredible amount of turbulence, according to sources – yet the flight was safe, and landed perfectly normally – no issues).

Another great thing to know is that even if something does go wrong, and the system malfunctions – this doesn’t mean the plane will crash. So, if one system fails, another system will take over, and if one engine fails, the other engine will do the work.

Choose an airline you feel safe with

Pilots advise that you fly with an airline that you feel safe with. This will put your flight anxiety at ease, as you have already built trust with that company. Some travelers also prefer to fly with well-known airlines, as they think these airlines always comply with the aviation rules, however, every airline company, whether well-known or not, has to comply with the aviation rules. So, you’re safe either way.

ADVICE FROM FLIGHT ATTENDANTS

Flight attendants see the anxiety of some passengers, on a daily basis. They have to know the best ways to calm passengers who suffer from fear of flying. Their tips are rather fantastic, so read on!

Let the attendants know about your anxiety so that they can help

If you feel anxious, it’s a good idea to let them know. They will ensure you feel comfortable and at ease and will answer any questions you have regarding the noises and the turbulence that you may hear or feel. They are more than happy to share their expertise with you and let you know that there really is nothing to be afraid of.

Read the safety features manual

The safety features of the aircraft and the other safety aspects of the flight are illustrated in the manual that is usually placed in the pouch in front of your seat. This will help you to feel better informed and aware of the procedures that are in place to keep you safe.

Sit towards the front of the plane

Air hostesses spend most of their lives on a plane – they know the secrets. One secret being, that the back of the plane, feels the most bumps. It’s like sitting in the back of a bus – for some reason the back is always a little bumpier. Try and opt for a seat closer to the front, to minimize the bumpy feeling.

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ADVICE FROM OTHER ANXIOUS FLYERS

Other anxious flyers, know exactly what you’re feeling – and if their tips help them, then they’re sure to help you too, hopefully?

Plan your travel itinerary during the flight

The key is to keep yourself occupied so that you have no time to overthink – and hear all the strange noises. One way of keeping busy, (and productive), is to plan your travel itinerary during the flight. This will have you thinking about good things, instead of other things (you know what I mean). Perhaps put some earphones in and go about this task in the most fool-proof way, possible.

Watch the reactions of the flight attendants 

Most people say that they keep an eye on the reactions of the air-hostesses, to keep themselves calm. They said that if they see the air-hostesses calm, even when there’s bad turbulence, then there’s nothing to feel worried about because all is normal, to them. I suppose you only need to worry if they look scared and frazzled, right!

Listen to self-help podcasts for nervous flyers

There are many self-help podcasts that talk one through an entire flight. They have meditation techniques, and some even teach you about the workings of a plane, and how safe they really are!

Tips for kids flying solo as unaccompanied minors (STEP BY STEP GUIDE)

August 14, 2017 By

Once upon a time, the whole family was enjoying a Laguna Beach vacation. The only thing missing: my son Calvin, age 11. We booked him a one-way flight on Alaska Airlines (escorted to the plane by his grandfather). And it was easy! If you’ve never booked an unaccompanied minor’s flight, we’ll walk you through the steps for kids flying solo.

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Step 1: book your minor’s flight

On Alaska Airlines, booking your unaccompanied minor’s flight is as easy as clicking ‘0’ in the ‘adults’ field when booking a ticket online. Once you’ve done so, you’ll be automatically directed to Alaska’s unaccompanied minor page, which will list restrictions and fees ($25 each way at the time of our flight) and provide the Guardian Contact Form you’ll need to fill out to ensure your child’s parent or guardian can pick him or her up on the other end.

Note: Children ages 5-17 can fly as unaccompanied minors. Kids 5-7 are restricted to only direct flights (recommended for all unaccompanied minors if possible).

Step 2: Fill out the Guardian Contact Form

Once you have your child’s flight number(s), fill out the Guardian Contact Form, keeping in mind that your child will only be released to a person listed on it (be sure to have at least two listed, just in case). Print the form using your child’s confirmation number, and bring it with you to the airport.

unaccompanied minorNote: What you’ll also need at the airport: your child’s e-ticket or confirmation number, and a debit card for your child to use if you’d like him or her able to purchase food on the plane. (We recommend simply feeding your child a meal or purchasing a meal prior to boarding instead, if possible.)

Step 3: Arrive at the airport 90 minutes prior to departure to accompany your child to the gate

An escort pass to accompany your child through security must be obtained prior to the standard check-in process, and can be obtained at the check-in counter. Be sure to have your ID handy, and make sure any purse or bag you’re carrying is security-ready. What else you’ll need at check-in: your child’s passport if flying internationally (no picture ID was needed for a minor’s domestic flight) and your Guardian Contact form.

Step 4: Arrive at the gate 30 minutes before departure:

Alert the gate attendant that your child is flying unaccompanied, and he or she will board first with an escort. Before he or she boards: make sure he or she has eaten (or has food with him or her) and has a carry-on that is manageable, in which his or her on-board entertainment is readily accessible. If your minor will be connecting with another flight, it can be useful to give him or her a cell phone. The gate attendant will ask you to wait until the flight has departed.

Step 5: Picking up your minor

The parent or guardian at the other end of the journey will need to arrive at the check-in counter of your airline in time to get through security before the plane lands (I recommend 1 hour prior, to be safe). At the counter, the guardian will identify him or herself, show ID, and be given a pass to allow your through security to the gate. (You should also be given gate information, including the time the plane is due to arrive.)

Once your child has deplaned, an escort will check the guardian’s ID against names listed on the Guardian Contact Form, and release your child.

Why Alaska Airlines? Alaska Airlines did not sponsor this post in any way. We used Alaska in this step-by-step guide because we it’s the airline we patronized when flying Calvin solo, and (to no surprise) found the process to be friendly, easy, and enjoyable. Alaska is a top family-friendly airline, and Pit Stops for Kids recommends it wholeheartedly for its efficiency and stellar service.

Tip! Have a teen flying solo? Read our tips for teen international travel…and what to do when things go wrong.

Jet lag: kids get it too! Tips for dealing

March 23, 2016 By

On my kids’ first cross-Atlantic journey, we did everything we could to ease the effects of jet lag. We drank a lot of water, got as good a night’s sleep beforehand as possible, and established a ‘bedtime’ on the plane. And everything went well…until our 11-year-old began vomiting as we weaved our way through customs. Not a pleasant story, I know, but nausea is a more common symptom of jet lag than you’d think. Read on for what to watch for, best prevention, and how to deal with jet lag…kids, adults, everyone! 

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Prevention of jet lag in kids is best:

As noted above, there are steps you can take to help ease the effects of jet lag in kids. Here they are in a nut shell. (And no, we have not found any of the gimmicky natural remedies to work.)

  1. Drink lots of fluids, especially water. We already drink a large amount of water per day at home, so we thought this would be no problem in flight. However, water is only available every so often. Bring your own refillable water containers and stock up in the airport before your flight or flights. Sip often.
  2. Pound the Vitamin C. It helps to stay heathy when dealing with jet lag, and traveling across time zones can really wear out your body. This includes your immune system, and the immune systems of kids. We brought Airborne chewables to take every few hours, plus mandated that kids order at least 1-2 glasses of orange juice during complimentary drink services onboard.
  3. Get sleep the night before. Of course, this is easier said than done if you’re overnighting in an airport hotel or if you have an early morning departure. But do your best. Don’t be tempted to think kids will sleep better on the plane if they skip sleep the night before. An overtired body doesn’t deal with jet lag well.
  4. Bring pillows, eye shades, ear plugs, and a plan for ‘bedtime’. Again…this is easier said than done. We established a time for our kids to stop watching airplane movies at their seat and lean their seats back to try to sleep. It sort of worked. Banning drinks with caffeine in the evening helped.

Dealing with jet lag once you arrive:

  1. Drink more water. Be aware that public drinking fountains may be scarce (we find them much more plentiful in the States than abroad). Be prepared to spend a significant sum on bottled water.
  2. Get Vitamin D, but continue with Vitamin C. Get outside as soon as you can. Take a walk in the neighborhood of your hotel or vacation rental. Avoid going into darker spaces the day you arrive, such as museums or movie theaters.
  3. Put your watches and clocks on local time immediately, and make yourself (and your family) honor it. Yes, it may feel like 3 am to you, but if it’s lunchtime, eat lunch and be as active as possible. Do your best to prevent naps. It’s far better to allow an early bedtime than to allow kids to nap immediately, unless of course, you want to be up all night.
  4. Leave an ‘empty’ morning in your itinerary for the day after you arrive. We’re early risers, but after arriving in Paris at about 3 pm local time and pushing ourselves through to 8 pm before going to bed, we still woke at 8 am. We needed those twelve hours of sleep, so I’m glad I didn’t plan a morning activity.
  5. Consider a sleeping aid for Night 1. We opted to medicate with a mild sleeping pill. This is a personal choice of course, but we found that it helped our older kids fall asleep more easily those first few nights.

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A dose of realism: what to look for and expect:

  1. Difficulty getting to sleep: This seems odd, but even if you or the kids feel very tired, it can be hard to get to sleep if your body thinks it’s mid-day. We found this problem persisted for 4-5 days. To combat it, we did move bedtime back (which allowed for some later evenings out), but still forced ourselves to lie in bed with the lights off before we felt tired. After several days, our bodies made the minor adjustment to be truly on schedule. A natural sleeping aid, reading, or a cup of non-caffeinated tea at bedtime helps, if that’s your thing.
  2. Nausea: Our son started feeling nauseous and dizzy on the last leg of our three-leg set of flights. By this time, he’d been awake almost 24 hours, with only a few cat naps. Luckily, we grabbed an air sickness bag from the plane before we disembarked, because he lost his breakfast by the time we were queuing for customs. Not fun, but we dealt with it with water and some fresh air. He felt fully recovered by the time we arrived at our accommodations.
  3. Constipation: Pack an over-the-counter medication of your choice. Check in with kids about their bathroom habits during the first few days. If you have teens, this will embarrass them horribly, which is a fun silver lining.
  4. Headaches: We also brought Tylenol for headaches, which are common while fighting jet lag. Ultimately, sleep and hydration will fix this problem best.

Realistically, you may not be able to prevent young kids, or even teens, from falling asleep upon arrival. We let ours take a nap between shorter flights (we landed in Rome and took a small jet to Paris) but once we had arrived at our final destination, we immediately went outside, grocery shopped, and explored our neighborhood. Were we tired? Goodness yes. Was it hard to deal with the language barrier while fallowing a grocery list in an unfamiliar store with tired kids? Double yes. But it was worth it when we fell into bed that night!

What are your best tips for combatting jet lag? I’d love to hear them in the comments.