Comments on: 9 Tips for Quick Airpot Security Screening With a Baby

By: kelly

kelly — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:44:47 +0000

Having flown 14 times by the time my baby was 17 months old, I’ve learned a few things:
- Don’t wear a coat – it just becomes one more thing for you to carry. Wear a fleece or sweatshirt you can tie around your waist.
- Leave your baby in the stroller as you load everything onto the conveyor belt. Once everything is loaded, take off your shoes then her shoes, then load the stroller (sans baby).
- Pray for a kindly grandmother to be behind you in line.

By: Lyndsey

Lyndsey — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 04:02:44 +0000

This is exactly how my husband and I manage airport security with our 2 kids. I think it is a very well thought out plan.

By: Macy

Macy — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 03:20:56 +0000

Our little guy is 9 months old and we have flown with him at least once a month – including a couple international flights. I can’t overstate the importance of having the liquids ready in a plastic bag. Now that we are eating solids, I also keep the baby food in a plastic bag and put that through the scanner as well (some agents want it out of the bag). We use a backpack when we travel instead of the diaper bag. It’s accessible, it fits under the seat and when I’m traveling alone, it is much easier to have the backpack on my back and both hands free. I love the Samsonite overnight bag idea as well though.

Also, the slip on shoes are crucial for everyone. It saves so much time. People just don’t think about taking their shoes on and off when they plan their travel outfits. I really have a tough time keeping my irritation in check when I have gone through security by myself and I have someone in front of me holding up the line because they had to wear knee-high boots.

Excellent post. Thank you!

By: Gudrun

Gudrun — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 01:16:14 +0000

great list, thank you for putting it all in one place. My kids are out of the baby stage, but we still prepare ourselves and them for the security line, and it goes much smoother when we plan ahead.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:14:26 +0000

If you have baby in a sling, be sure to ask whether you need to remove him or her before going through security. Some agents don’t require it!

While you’re waiting in line, point out to your kids what everyone else is doing so that they’ll understand what they need to do when it’s their turn.

Taking your child out of the stroller is the last thing you do… that way they’re not running around while you’re trying to take off shoes, remove laptops, etc.

Hope this helps!
Debbie
http://www.deliciousbaby.com

By: TobyO

TobyO — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:03:30 +0000

One more suggestion, I hope you don’t mind additional suggestions. We traveled to Australia with a toddler AND a baby (yes, difficult, to say the very leash — I mean least), and getting a harness for the toddler was the best idea my wife ever had. I could just tie the leash to my belt loop, and pull out the portable DVD player, laptop, spare battery, liquids, gels, and C4 while he struggled at the end of the tether, but didn’t get anywhere fast.

And to all the gasps of horror at the thought of putting a *leash* on your child, I can only say you haven’t tried it.

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:32:24 +0000

Along the lines of consolidating boarding passes/ID:

Consolidate electronics and liquids/foods between you – for example, my husband carries both laptops (and might as well throw in all the cameras, MP3, phones, etc.) in his carryon, whereas I have all liquids in the diaper bag. You can rearrange stuff once you’re onboard but at security, it means one less thing for each of you to worry about….

Oh, and as previous commenter mentioned, don’t forget about the baby’s shoes, once they’re wearing them (this caught me out last time – he didn’t used to wear shoes….)

Another tip for when they’re older (after seeing a toddler melt down and bring the line to a screeching halt): if they have a lovey or other comfort device, think about preparing them ahead of time to be able to let it go through the x-ray machine.

By: MamaGeek

MamaGeek — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:11:26 +0000

Wow, thank you for this. We’re flying for the first time with our 16 month old. And I’m already twitching. A baby line? Who knew. Thanks again.

By: elayne

elayne — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:35:30 +0000

I must be a more seasoned and meticulous traveler than I’d thought. This all sounds like no-brainer stuff to me. (Except for the thing about the watch, but then again, I never wear one, so.)

By: Lunasea

Lunasea — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:21:53 +0000

My husband and I are a well-oiled machine getting through security since we have to do it several times a year. I still think it’s the most stressful thing about air traveling. A couple of things I’d add:

The importance of slip-on shoes is paramount;
Keep all your ziplock baggies at the top of your carry-on so they’re easily pulled out and put back;
Remind your husband to empty his pockets so he doesn’t get pulled aside by security and wanded, leaving you to deal with the kids and everything else by yourself (Arrrrgh);
Put all the shoes in one basket, all the jackets in another, etc;
Put the stroller through first, then it will be on the other side ready to set up and throw the kids in so you can get everything else off the belt.
Use those luggage carts – you can’t get them through the metalometer, but we’ve always been able to get them wheeled through and picked up on the other side – especially if you’re taking car seats on board.