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Holiday
Travel With Children Tips
If you are traveling by plane with children
this holiday season I bet you are hoping
they will behave and not throw any tantrums
in the airport and will be the perfect
angels you know they are. Here are some tips
to help make traveling easier, happier and
less stressful. Some of them are from The
Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
•Allow extra time to get through security
when traveling with young children,
especially during the busy holiday season.
•Check with your airline for their
recommendation for check-in times for your
departure airport.
•Talk to your child and tell them what they
can expect during the screening process. Let
them know it is against the law to make
threats such as, "I have a bomb in my bag."
Threats made jokingly (even by a child) can
delay the entire family and could result in
fines.
•Tell your children that their bags
(backpack, dolls, etc.) will be put in the
X-ray machine and will come out at the other
end and be returned to them.
•You may want to consider asking for a
private screening if you are traveling with
more than one child.
•All carry-on baggage, including children's
bags and items, must go through the X-ray
machine. Examples include: diaper bags,
blankets, and toys.
•All child-related equipment that will fit
through the X-ray machine must go through
the X-ray machine. Examples include:
strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby
carriers, car and booster seats, backpacks,
and baby slings.
•When you arrive at the checkpoint, collapse
or fold your child-related equipment. Secure
items that are in the pockets, baskets, or
attached to the equipment and place it on
the X-ray belt for inspection. Plastic bins
are provided to deposit such items.
•If any of your child-related equipment does
not fit through the X-ray machine, security
officers will visually and physically
inspect it.
•Ask a Security Officer for help gathering
your bags and child-related equipment, if
you need it.
•If your child is old enough let them walk
through separately from you. If you carry
your child through and the metal detector’s
alarm sounds, the Security Officer will have
to additionally screen you and your child.
Everyone including babies have to be
screened. However this does not mean leaving
your child in the car seat and sending them
through the x-ray machine.
•Remove babies and children from their
strollers or infant carriers so Security
Officers can screen them individually.
•You may not pass the child to another
person behind you or in front of you during
this process.
•Do not pass your child to the Security
Officer to hold.
•The Security Officer may ask for your help
screening your child.
If your child is old enough to carry their
own back pack, pack it full of activities
they like to do, electronic games, head
phones, activity books they haven’t used
before, coloring books and crayons etc. Also
have a supply of favorite healthy snacks as
well as favorite comfort foods. After
leaving security fill up their water bottle
with water from the drinking fountain or
purchase water and juice. Water is
especially important when flying to keep
bodies hydrated. By planning ahead, talking
with the children about what is expected
when arriving at the airport, taking
familiar activities and food for them to
have while waiting for the flight and in the
plane; they will most likely be happier
children and you also will have a pleasant
traveling experience. Happy Holidays!
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About The Author:
Written By Marilyn Bohn
Marilyn Bohn’s Bio Marilyn is a creative
organizer who has been organizing for over
20 years. She is a member of the National
Association of Professional Organizers and
is working towards becoming a Certified
Professional Organizer. Professionally she
has been organizing homes and offices for
two years. She holds a bachelors degree in
Social Work. She has reared five daughters
and currently lives in Utah. Go to her
website
http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can
find free organizing tips and interesting
blogs and helpful articles on organizing
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