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

carang

carang

Registered User
ok... my grandma's not doing too well, so i've decided to take my kids back to canada to visit her while we have the chance...

it will be just the newborn, the 2 year old and me!!!

our itinerary will be (this is the crazy part)...

hk(depart 8:25AM)-tokyo-portland-vancouver-calgary-regina

YIKES!!!

we are flying northwest and we have three seats paid for (will they still give me a bassinet if i request it?)

does anyone have any tips/advice? the last time i flew it was with a 6 month old and that was tiring, but pretty easy...i'm terrified what it's going to be like this time!

ANY AND ALL ADVICE/TIPS ARE WELCOME!:thanks
 
Don't do it!!!!

Seriously.

You WILL kill yourself. We did an around the world flight two adults looking after a 1 year old while I was in my first trimestre and that was tough. Sydney-Singapore- London-France-London-New York-Washington-New York-LA-Sydney. We took 3 weeks and some legs of the journey were so tough. Our little one had just gotten mobile so was not happy about sitting down for 12 hr flights. Not that I blame him. And you can't reason with a 1 year old or explain to him what is going on.

The newborn will be fine. They are easy peasy so it will really come down to how well behaved your two year old is. You didn't really need to buy three seats if it's just you and your two children. They will avoid at all costs putting people next to you. Not for your sake of course but for the sake of the other passengers!

We've done loads of flying so if you want any more tips let me know.
 
thanks... i haven't actually paid for the tickets yet. i'll do that on monday.

i only bought 3 ticket because the cost wasn't that much different compared to 2 tickets + infant. (only $1200 hkd more)...i thought that having 3 seats on a full flight would be a good idea as it would mean that my 2 year old would be able to stretch out and sleep.

as for his behaviour. i think that he should be ok, but bored. he's generally a very well behaved child (only 1 temper tantrum in his life!) i think that the problem will be that we leave HK at 8:25AM.... that means that i'm going to have to entertain him for 12 hours before i can get some down time.

what i'm hoping is... fly to tokyo... he can have a run around as we need to change planes and it's a 2 hour stop. then when we depart tokyo it will be around his nap time... so hopefully 2 hours sleep there. then about 5 hours of awake time... then bedtime. he should still be sleeping when we get to portland. we have a 2 hour wait in portland, but we'll have to go through immig etc. so that should be fun!

then off to vancouver...very fast flight (only one hour) so that should be easy...

then about 3 hours in vancouver, changing planes etc. but i know the airport very well, so should be able to occupy our time.

then to calgary. my best friend lives there, so hoping that we can meet for dinner, or will it be breakfast (for me)....then last leg to regina...

at least that's what i'm telling myself.

i think i need to make a trip to toys r us to stock up on some new goodies!

my baby should be easy peasy... it's what i can do to occupy the toddler that has me a little worried...
 
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Carang, is there a more direct flight to your destination, maybe CX flies directly to Vancouver or calgary without the Tokyo stopover and going through US immigration. Also I would think night flight should be easier so hopefully they would be too exhausted and would sleep through most of it. I think with two kids, you are going to have your hands quite full and flying NWA is too many stops that you have to board/deplane, deal with ear/height pressures too.
 
If you have not paid for the flights yet, I'd definitely try to get a more direct flight. If you just get 2 seats and a bassinet (the baby is so tiny, she'll easily fit into the bassinet). The theory of having a run about in Tokyo is fine, but it will mean that your son will have no reasonable amount of continuous sleep for the entire journey, and even the best child in the world would be ready to be strung up at the end of those flights without enough rest.

If you use what you are saving of buying the 3rd seat to pay the difference in a more direct routing, you're also likely to fly with CX rather than NW. I admit that my last experience with NW was a long time ago, but they were truly awful. CX staff are generally much more helpful with children and CX has a better entertainment system to keep your son amused with cartoons etc.

The 3rd seat is handy for storing toys etc, giving you a bit of space, but I have found in the past that it backfired on me and meant that I did not get a bassinet seat. No matter which flight you choose, you realy MUST call the airline in advance and BEG for them to guarantee you a bassinet. At least that gives you a chance of having at least one child sleep at a time, and leaving you to get some breathing space.

I don't want to make it sound totally unbearable. Your daughter is at the perfect age, and you are going to have a much easier time with the new travel restrictions given that you are breastfeeding. Your son should be fine once he gets as much sleep as possible and you have enough snacks, toys, cartoons, sticker books or whatever to keep him busy. My 2 year old loves dragging his wheelie bag through the airport, with his own cars etc in it, so that will free up one of your hands. Also, I have found that it hekps to try to replicate bedtime routine as much as possible (PJs, story, tooth brushing etc.) at the appropriate time.

If you can arrange a porter to bring your stuff to check in (assuming that you do not have your husband at departure) and book the airport porter and shuttle service on your return, that should simplify things for you (they are worth every penny). If you can borrow car seats at the other end, that saves a whole trolley worth of luggage.

Will post if I think of anything else. Good luck. It's do-able, just takes some planning.
 
I haven't flown Northwest with children, but even in my pre-children days their service was just awful. Actually, I have found all US airlines the same.

Go Cathay if you can. Sooo worth the extra money to go direct and you will need the extra help they can offer you.

We have always found Cathay good with children, but our recent SYD-HKG flight they excelled themselves. Reminds me that I must write their customer service centre a thank you letter.

Good luck with your trip !
 
I agree,get a more direct flight and you should be fine.Depending on your childs personality I would consider drugging thr 2 year old.My eldest is a dream traveller,always has been but number two will not sleep anywhere but in her own bed,hence the drugs.Works well for me.
 
thanks guys, i appreciate the advice on a direct flight. however, financially it just is not possible. i've spent hours on the phone with the travel agents (about 3 or 4 of them)...

as for the run around in tokyo, it should work as it is in late morning/eraly afternoon. we depart HK at 8:25am.

ideally and initially i thought... direct flight at night. then i seriously considered bringing my helper with me. problem is $$$$... we just don't have it right now as i've not worked since christmas. as it is, i've had to borrow the money to go. i can't spend it all on flights and have nothing left for when i'm there...


i guess i'm just going to have to make the best of it and pray for my boy to be having a good day( he usually is very well behaved, so it would be very out of character for him to have a tantrum on the plane.)


thanks again guys! this forum is always so helpful and supportive!
 
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!
 
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
 
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...
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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)
 
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