Flying with a 15 month old - need some help with the logistics

We're planning our first vacation and I'm trying to figure out the logistics.

The hotel said they will bring us a PNP for him to sleep in. We'll bring out own sheets. I really don't want to fly with our PNP so hopefully this is fine.

We still need his stroller and carseat (we are renting a car). I'm going to buy the Cosco Scenera for $40 for the trip. Hoping it's not too heavy.

So do we just keep DS in the stroller and carry the carseat all up to the gate? Plus our carry ons and baby bag? Seems like a lot of crap, er I mean stuff

We're booking the window and aisle seat and I'm just going to PRAY no one buys the middle seat.

We'll take our city mini stroller. I'm so nervous that they'll ruin it though! Someone please reassure me that it won't get damaged. And that they won't just throw the carseat and potentially damage it!

Re: Flying with a 15 month old - need some help with the logistics

I think it is MUCH easier to check everything in and just push the stroller with a diaper bag at the airport.

The first time we flew, I wanted all of DS's necessities in the carry on just in case baggage got lost. I thought it was a pain to push luggage and a stroller. DS was running all over the airport and it was hard enough keeping up with him without having to worry about the bags.

eta: We just used a plastic garbage bag over our city mini. We bought this car seat cover for the plane.

http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?SKU=15133503&RN=7024&

Message edited 2/22/2011 1:59:13 PM.

Re: Flying with a 15 month old - need some help with the logistics

We always get a PNP or crib from the hotel so we don't have to lug it and it's fine.

Does he have a seat on the plane or are you lapsitting? If you're lapsitting, I'd check the seat. BBB has a carseat bag with wheels and straps like a backpack that we really like.

I'd just load stuff up on the stroller to get to the gate and back packs for carry-ons work well.

I'd totally try the aisle and window seat thing. Worse comes to worst and the person in the middle will gladly switch to the aisle.

Re: Flying with a 15 month old - need some help with the logistics

We just flew with DS. We left the carseat with our luggage at check in - one less thing to carry. It was hard enough dealing with the stroller, diaper bag, carryons, and DS.

We gate checked our Maclaren and had no problems with it.

I carried on a diaper bag and a bag filled with snacks and entertainment.

Re: Flying with a 15 month old - need some help with the logistics

We've gate checked car seats and strollers several times and they've never been damaged, we didn't use any covers or anything either. We always carry on a small duffle filled with toys, snacks, extra clothes, etc and the diaper bag.

As for walking through the airport, keep DS in his stroller and strap the diaper bag onto handles, have DH carry the car seat (the scenera is really light) and the duffle/carry on bag if you have one and you push the stroller.

Re: Flying with a 15 month old - need some help with the logistics

We gate checked the stroller and left the carseat curbside with our luggage that we didn't carry on (backpack/diaper bag, and a duffle bag).

Re: Flying with a 15 month old - need some help with the logistics

Ok maybe it won't be as bad as I'm thinking, lol.

I was thinking to gate check the carseat too in case we got really lucky and the middle seat was available to put DS in. We're not buying him a seat.

Maybe we should just check it in when we check in our luggage instead. I guess I could find out if it's a booked flight in which case there's no chance the middle seat will be open. We're traveling there and back on a Saturday so I think there's a good chance the flights will be filled.

Re: Flying with a 15 month old - need some help with the logistics