Before our flight began we made our way through security. I was blessed with many nice people along the way helping me get all of our stuff (stroller, backpack, purse, and shoes) all ready. Even after the flight ended someone got the stroller for me and made sure I was taken care of - so nice!
Now for flight 1 - on our way up United decided it would be a good idea to switch our seat without telling us until we got on the plane (totally NOT COOL in my book - Brad has a fear of crashing, I have a fear of someone being in my seat). With this move we were able to sit by an interesting woman. This was an elderly overweight, handicapped, entitled diabetic woman who forgot snacks for herself, but brought her dog. She couldn't find the seat belt, then it wouldn't buckle, then she expected the stewardess to provide her a snack because "she was diabetic and might get light headed". Hmm, let me think about this one...I was responsible for a child and I knew we would need water for the flight. So, I checked with the gate attendant to ensure that drinks would be served on the flight. If they hadn't, we would have stopped by the gift shop to make sure we had water. Not this lady - she had the stewardess give up her apple and the lady sitting in front of us gave her a granola bar. Side note - I normally can handle all of the above qualities when they are dosed out individually and maybe I could handle them all together had United not switched my seat, but for some reason just this hit me wrong.
We survived the flight without any problems. Paige sat amazingly in my lap (I was concerned about her wanting to get up and move) the entire time and even took a nap the last half of the flight.
Happy to be off of the airplane!
Totally different story on the way back!
Did anyone lift a finger as I went through security with a baby on my hip, a purse that weighed as much as the baby, an overstuff backpack, and a stroller that needed to be collasped so it could go through the x-ray? NO! Am I really surprised? No, it is DC, they are not from the South and don't really understand helping others out. But, I did get a compliment from a lady behind me. She was impressed that I could do it all with one hand. We do have a really good stroller that does allow for it to be collasped with one hand, but boy would it have been nice to have an extra set to help with all of it.
Seat 10D did not show up for the flight. I still can't decide if this is a good thing or not. Paige had a fantastic time moving all around during the flight. I normally am a rule follower and when the pilot has the "fasten seatbelt" sign on, I have it on. Not this time! I totally ignored what the pilot had to say and only help Paige when the stewardess said it was needed. Otherwise, Paige spent her time climbing up and down in the seat next to me. She also made all sorts of new friends visiting with everyone around us. The girl doesn't meet a stranger and one friend would just not do. Needless to say I was worn out silly by the end of this flight and was so grateful to see Brad on the other side of the gate.
Paige perched herself on this little ledge and made it her seat.
So, my thoughts on traveling with an infant...
1) Don't do it alone unless you have someone on the other side of the gate to greet you.
2) Consider purchasing a ticket for the infant. Having the extra seat was wonderful on the way home. We survived the flight up there but were saved with a nap.
3) I don't know if it is better to bring lots to do with you or not. Paige was more interested in the Sky Magazine than the toys that brought. Also, I couldn't really reach the backpack where all the toys were when there was someone sitting next to me. Maybe if you are traveling with the person next to you, bring lots of stuff.
4) I am still not sure about taking a DVD player. I think P is a little young right now to actually watch it and I don't know how I would have gotten it out for her to actually watch. I also don't know where we would have watched it. All of this goes back to the traveling with 1 adult thing...it may work with 2 adults.
5) There is a huge difference when traveling with a crawler vs. a walker. The older they get, the more they want to move around. I am not quite sure what age it is where the child actually sits still through a flight.
************************************************
More to come on the rest of the trip!
No comments:
Post a Comment