THE FRIENDLY SKIES

Flying with a 9 month old.
By yourself.
With lots of luggage.

No, this is not the beginning of a horror movie but the beginning, and end, of a wonderful trip Joey & I had to Ohio to visit family.

And the airport, security, bags, baby and flight went perfectly fine.

The blog entry: I AM SERIOUS, AND DON'T CALL ME SHIRLEY! told you everything I had learned before take off.
Now I'm going to tell you how it went.

1) I think security was actually easier. When you have a stroller, you go in a separate line. In other words, YOU GET TO SKIP THE BIG LINE! And since I was alone with a baby and a whole lotta s#$%, they helped me carry and move everything. They were done with their additional screening of my bags before I had my shoes back on.

I'd like to take this moment to give a big shot out to the Security people at FLL & CLE airports for not only doing their jobs, but smiling and laughing while doing it and being so helpful.

2) Obviously if you are traveling with a baby you did arrive at the airport at least 1 1/2 hours before you flight to give you plenty of time. Get yourself something to eat, relax.

3) Claim some territory by the windows near your gate and turn it into a baby play yard. Let them burn some of that energy.

4) Be ready to board when they are. They allow people who need assistance to board first, along with 1st class. That is you. You will need time to store all the items you will need during the flight in front and beneath you before you put the big stuff above your head. You also will need some time to fold and hand over your stroller before you board.

5) Make a bottle. A bottle of water and formula (to make next bottle). Have cheerios handy. Small toys. Sleep assistance item (Lovey). Wipees. At least one diaper. This are the items that need to be in front of or beneath you and easily reached.

6) When you go to take off, insert bottle. She will probably finish the bottle before the plane is finished ascending. Give her cheerios next. The idea is to keep her sucking and swallowing until the plane has basically reached it's cruising height. If your child is younger, a pacifier or nursing will do the trick.

7) On the way down, reverse the above. Start with cheerios, and save the bottle for the more dramatic part of the descent.

8) I recommend a dose of Tylenol when your sitting at the gate. Just assume a little ear discomfort. It takes the edge off.

9) Try to get your kid to sleep. You might enjoy those lovely noises she makes and think all is well because she isn't crying. Others may not understand those are "happy" noises.

Be courteous and wait for everyone else to leave before you try to get all your stuff together and pick up the cheerios from the floor. Your luggage won't be ready at the caraousel for a while.