My friend Cille has been a Delta Airlines flight attendant for 27 years. She has clocked in, probably, millions of miles and has traveled extensively for free on standby with her husband and two children as well. When it comes to air travel advice, she is a wealth of knowledge.To know how To Check Your Vistara PNR Status, click here
She knows a lot about flying long and short distances in an airplane. Having two children of her own and serving thousands upon thousands of passengers... from Los Angeles to Tampa, Memphis to Chicago, New York to Atlanta... the destinations are different but the nature of her work is the same.
I asked her to share some advice and lessons she'd learned in her 27 years of experience, and I'm glad she did.
Parents, your emotions are transmitted to and displayed by your children:
One of the most intriguing things she said was that if a parent is afraid of flying, that fear will be passed on to their children. Parents who are anxious, unprepared, and tense during flights and travels are more likely to have difficult and 'troublesome' children.
No matter what age your children are, calm parents will have happy little travelers.
Snacks are important because:
Free drinks, snacks, and food are a thing of the past. Because airlines are cutting back on freebies, Cille emphasizes the importance of bringing your own snack for domestic or international travel. You may not have enough time to grab a snack at the airport and usually the prices at the airport and in the airplane are way higher than what you could get at your local grocery store.
Plan ahead of time and stock up on snacks for your children.
Don't forget the baby food and formula:
There have been instances where parents with infants did not bring enough baby food and formula. This could be disastrous if the child requires a specific type of baby formula. Normally, airlines have "emergency supplies of baby formula"... but what if the child is allergic to the type they have?
Bring extra diapers, baby formula, and baby food. Allow yourself plenty of time to prepare.
Always have something to drink:
"Mom, I'm thirsty," children sob in the background. Due to airline liquid restrictions, parents and guardians with children must bring enough water for the flights.
Cille advised parents to always pack enough snacks and water in case of an unexpected delay or a lack of suitable snacks carried by airlines or in the airport terminal.
Your carry-ons and overhead compartments are having difficulty:
These days with baggage fees, most passengers carry the maximum size carry-ons. Those that board last may find the overhead compartment bins taken. Usually passengers are frustrated with the crowded planes and lack of space for carry-ons.
Most airlines, including Delta Airlines, offer free service to passengers who lack carry-on space. Carry-ons are free of charge on airlines. Of course, you must be aware of the maximum size and weight of your carry-on items.
If the overhead compartment bins are full, get duffel bags or soft bags to place underneath your seat. Soft duffel bags take up less space and are more versatile in terms of storage.
Remember to make seat assignments for the entire family ahead of time:
With airline cutbacks, Cille has noticed that most flights are at capacity. Families who do not have seat assignments in advance may be disappointed at check-in due to seat separations between parents, children, or both.
To avoid disappointment and inconvenience, it is critical to have your seat assignments in advance.
Something to keep them occupied:
Children of all ages, as well as adults, must always have'something' handy in their carry-ons or small bags. Bring books, small toys, handheld games, a laptop, iPod, iPad, or anything else that will keep them and you entertained.
Extra clothing and undergarments for a day:
Tuck in a Ziploc bag essentials (toothbrush, tooth paste) and extra clothing and undergarment for a day. You have something to change into if your luggage is mishandled. Or if a child spilled a drink, he or she will have a set of dry and clean clothes to wear throughout the flight.
Tips on unaccompanied minor:
Flying and traveling on an airplane is a great experience for children and adults. Delta Airlines and most other airlines have complimentary unaccompanied minor programs for children 5 years and above. A child between the ages of 5-8 can travel unaccompanied on a direct flight. Children over the age of eight can travel unaccompanied on connecting flights.