The proper way for modern families to fly
2010-04-05
It is nearly summer, which means that many American families are gearing up for their much anticipated vacations. Yet whether traveling in state or across the globe, there are several rules by which families might want to abide in order to have a safe and stress-free flying experience.
Though it may sound trite, one of the most important things for family travelers to remember is to always arrive early. With modern security measures pushing check-in lines practically through the door, travelers should be sure to give their family enough time to make it through the security checkpoint and to make their flight. This could mean arriving at the airport as much as two hours before a domestic trip and three for international.
Secondly, remember that modern security checks can be quite thorough, so expedite your trip by keeping all metallic items in a coat or carry-on bag until through the gate, removing belts and watches while in the line and wearing slip-on shoes to speed up the process.
When traveling on particularly long flights, parents whose children may be traveling with battery-operated portable electronics may want to carry additional batteries or rotary charging devices in their personal bag or carry-on. This will help keep the kids happy and entertained through the duration of the flight.