Flying with a One-Year-Old...

[Erinspring]

I've been okay with flying lately... little if any anxiety... but in March, I will be flying for the first time since having my son and the anxiety is creeping back!:confused:
It's weird... I've read 'round these parts that major life events, particularly having a child, can bring on fear of flying... I guess that's what it is. I worry more about him... like if something were to happen it would be my fault for bringing him. Silly way of thinking, I keep telling myself, but the thoughts are there nonetheless.

Any advice?

Also, any advice for traveling with a one-year-old (short flight, two hours BWI to MCO) would be greatly appreciated. We got him a seat, so he'll have his carseat...

Thanks in advance you guys. I know I haven't posted in forever... but I do lurk! :)

[spleisher]

For what it's worth, I fly BWI to MCO and vice versa all the time... You'll be fine, even with a 1 year old. You did the right thing by purchasing a seat for the infant. If y ou're flying SWA, which you probably are, you can almost not afford not to buy a seat for the baby at the prices you can get on that route.

It is definitely true that "major life events" can shift your perspective on a lot of things, and in my case as well, can bring on a FoF.

Try to think of it from the logical side, and the realistic side. You're really doing the RIGHT thing and the SAFER thing by taking your infant on the flight rather than strapping him into the back seat of the car and driving to Orlando. I've made that drive many times. It's about 14 hours and you have a lot more chance of the baby being in harm's way during that drive than during the BWI / MCO flight. By the way, that 2 hours is gate-to-gate. You're probably looking at about 1:47 "wheels up to wheels down". NOT BAD!!

I'm facing a similar situation, only my little girls are going to have to do it alone. I have a 6 year old and a 9 year old and they will be making that same flight (Non-stop BWI/MCO) by themselves quite a bit from here on out. TALK ABOUT PARENTAL STRESS!!!! When are you traveling? Maybe you'll be on the same flight! HA HA...

Scott

[Erinspring]

Hey Scott,

Thanks for your reply. We have flown this route SO many times... I was feeling like an old pro until this whole flying with the kid thing! LOL! I totally agree with you about the driving thing... no doubt about it, that 95 drive is DANGEROUS.

We are indeed flying SWA -- to MCO on March 6 and back on the 13th.

Usually we get a GREAT fare... as low as $50 one way. But this time around, it cost us about $900 total for the three of us!! They have been almost completely booked since our date turned up the website. Spring break I guess... :\

When are your kids flying? LOL! That would be so funny if we were on the same flight!

[spleisher]

They're coming down on the 19th of March and back up on the 26th. I know what you mean about the spring fares. I just spent $375.00 for one of their tix. I had a free ticket for the other one, so I still ended up doing ok..My dad and I are flying to BWI this friday and we got what has to be an all-time record! 39.00 each way non-stop. With tax, tag, title, and the Osama fee, the round trip tix were still under $100 each!

Hey, let me know when you come down! Maybe we'll cross paths in the airport of the kids will be on the same flight. Stranger things have happened!

Scott

[WillFlyToDisney]

Scott - Osama fee... you kill me! :rolling:


Erin - flying is definitely safer than I-95! I know that I-95 has its charms (South of the Border for one) but you will be so glad that you flew once you are safely there 12 hours before you would have arrived if you had driven. Read up on ways to alleviate the pressure in your little one's ears - bottle, pacifier, etc...

Have a great time!

Kelley