Tostburglar

Alrighty, this is a long one, please bear with me!

I'll be flying to PEI, Canada at the end of June alone with my 18mth old and about to turn 4 year old.

We will be flying AUS to ORD to YUL to YYG! (Yes, I know this is insane.) The first flight is at 6am. The connections are both about 90 mins.

The flights are Air Canada (some are code share with United, I think). AC has a very restrictive stroller policy. The stroller must collapse like an umbrella stroller (not just fold over) and have a collapsed diameter of 10 inches or less and a length not exceeding 36'' in order to be gate checked. So no piling my crap on a huge double and wheeling it through the airport.

I will be staying at my mothers house when we get there (no hotel). My husband will be with us on the return flights so I'm don't need help with those

Here is my super duper plan to survive this:
- I'm going to buy this stroller http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009H5...A1D793VGWZIR4D
It meets everything except the length requirement, and I haven't found any stories of AC actually measuring the strollers, so I think I will be okay (if you've heard otherwise please tell me) I really need a double
- I'm packing everything we need for the flight in a back back. Everything else will go in a small duffel bag (like 18" long max) that I can hang on the stroller or sling over my shoulder.
- I'm not checking any bags. My mother can purchase toiletries and such on her end before I get there. In theory I could mail some things but I don't think I'll need to. Hopefully this will save time in customs in YUL as well as make life easier if we miss a connection and have to change flights.
- I'm renting a Cares harness for my youngest because there's no way I can carry a car seat through the airports
(Yes, she has her own seat booked)

Tostburglar

I just want to add that I don't want to check the duffel because I think it's likely we could miss a connection and I think a backpack and the small duffel are the minimum I would need to stay in a hotel overnight with the kids (diapers, formula, bottles, extra clothes, plus toys and food for the plane).

DebitNM

What are you seeking input on?? The stroller?

ComeSailWithME

I am from the US, so not sure what the car seat restrictions are in Canada.. but does your mother have a car seat and is picking you all up from the airport? Here in the US, you cannot get into a cab, even, without a car seat. Just wondering how you are planning on getting to the airport from your home and to your mother's from the airport.

If you have never traveled with your children before.. I highly recommend buying new toys for them to use.. things like coloring books/activity pads for your 4 year old and a doodle pad or even stickers for your 18 month old. Just dollar items are fine, as long as they are something they have not seen before and can hold their interest.

If you baby wear, I would recommend bringing your carrier for your youngest in case she refuses to sit in the stroller or wants to be held while in tr

gail

I believe your kids needs passport - hope you have considered that into the mix. and when flying internationally with kids you may be asked to present a notarized letter from absent parent granting permission to take them out of the country. Assuming you are US citizen, both parents need to present themselves when applying for passport of young kids - at least that was the case a short time ago and you should check Dept of State website.

I might reconsider checking a piece of luggage thru - can't imagine how you would fit all that the 3 of you would need, even for a short visit, into that duffle.

Tostburglar

Sorry for not having any clear questions. I'm just sort of feeling out the general feasibility if my ideas. Thanks for bring up different concerns! This kind of brainstorming could help me think of something I've overlooked

Yes, my mother is picking us up and has carseats.

My kids both have passports already and I know I need the notarized letter from my husband.

I don't baby wear (Both my kids got too big too fast!) but I'm thinking about getting a leash for the younger one. That will give her an alternative to the stroller.

My older one will be no prob, She'll just want to sit in the stroller or on the plane and play games on my iPhone.
I'll definitely bring new toys for the little one. I have a few things picked out on amazon already.

I know it seems like not a lot of stuff to take for a 3 week trip, but I can mail some things and have my mother pick up lots of things before we get there (diapers, formula, etc). She has already bought tons of toys and clothes for the kids (in true grandma style).

If I were to check a bag - say, a big rolling suitcase - I would have people to help me at both ends of the trip, but no one to help me in Montreal when I have to collect my bags to go through customs. It would suck to try and pull a big suitcase while pushing the double umbrella stroller. Plus it might help me get through customs faster if I don't have to wait for my bags to appear (it's only a 82 min connection)

sf7307

Although I never used one, and honestly often cringe when I see them, you might consider a "leash" (I just wish there were a better word for it ) for your older one too, just so you can keep ahold of her while you're moving through the airport. The worst would be having to chase one while keeping ahold of the other one.

sf7307

Oh, and carry snacks in addition to activities. If you have an ipad, download some movies for them to watch.

socaltraveler

Bring more diapers than you think you will need.

Tostburglar

Thanks for the advise everyone! I don't have an iPad but I can put movies and games on the iPhone.
I'm not worried about the 3 year old running away, she's super laid back/lazy/weird lol. That's why I need the double stroller. I'm more worried about her laying on the floor and refusing to get up than running away.

Yes, snacks, diapers, I've got them on the list. I'm going to bring enough diapers for at least 24 hours in case we miss a connection.

By the way, I bought this backpack off amazon. Should be here tomorrow!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002TK...f=ya_aw_oh_pit

amer_can

A leash is a very good idea.. Always travelled with one and was never sorry..they are not uncomfortable, unsightly or unloving!!!Just a safety precaution and should the occasion arise that one child takes off you'll be glad to have one on that child.Even 2 would be a wise move!!!

amer_can

Another thought.. Ask and see if you can get a ride on the carts that carry people around the airport..Air Canada is not known for it's helping hands but I have always found them ok..If you don't ask you don't get!!!

ellenbw

When my son was little, I always wrapped up little gifts that could be opened while delayed in the airport waiting to board, right after take off, midway through a long flight, extra in case of unforeseen delays .... 1 or 2 for the way back. When real tiny, he loved the plastic disney chararcters or a plastic dinosaur, books, little cars, etc. as he got older, a gameboy game was guaranteed to make the whole flight so easy.

Also, remember that little ones ears can get pressured so easily and it is excruciatingly painful. If there is even a hint of a sniffle prior to the plane trip, talk to your doctor about antihistimane to take prior to the plane ride. Sometimes that will make them sleepy which isn't a bad thing either. Not that I am advocating the antihistimanes for anything but avoiding ear pain.

I also packed tons of little snacks. Be careful of the sugary ones - once they are hyped up on sugar, but confined to the seatbelt, it's not a pretty combo. I would pack goldfish, little crackers, graham cracker bears, chewy fruit things, etc. They become little presents, too.

As far as the leash goes, we briefly lost sight of our 2 yr old in a packed airport while he was on a toy horse and we both looked down to try to fit some little crackers into his plastic treat cup prior to take off. We looked up and he was gone. We was directly in front of us, 2 ft. away at most. One thing he loved to do was run down the ramp to the plane-- this was pre-911 so fairly easy to slip onto any boarding ramp and running on board...or on the escalator which he loved, but was too little to ride alone....Total panic... scariest moment of my life (until he started driving, that's another story) so a leash, if it makes you more comfortable, sure.

suze

I'm somewhat concerned about having 2 carry-on items (and not checking anything) in addition to 2 kids, a stroller, and yourself. That's a LOT of carry-on!

quennell

When my two boys were much younger, I tried to carry on the least that I could because of the kids and I didn't want my carry on to be too heavy in case one was asleep and I had to carry him, and the other one got too tired to walk.

In your back pack which I think is fabulous, take what you need in case of a misconnect, but have a little pulley bag that your 4yr old can take. Put an extra set of clothing in her bag (ie/ underwear, singlet, long sleeve T/shirt and long pants) just make sure they're light cotton so its not to heavy for her, and put in a couple of toys and an empty drink bottle - that way you can always either fill it up with water on the plane or at the drink fountains at the gate). Then you'll only have to worry about clothes for the baby.

Ring the airline direct - even if you used a travel agent or booked on line - that you are travelling out of Australia on and order Baby Meals, Diapers, Childs Meal (these are free) and anything else that you can order that is for free for all of the flights - even your return flights. That way, you don't really need to use what's in your back pack. Maybe just the wipes & formula. Make sure you get the name of the person you spoke to in case on your arrival at the airport your requests have not been actioned, and ask them to email you your itinerary and ensure it lists on it what you have requested.
Ask if they can insert a SSR (Special Services Requirement) into your booking for assistance with your transfers between ORD and YUL as your are travelling alone with young children, hopefully the last leg wouldn't be too much trouble for you.
My last bit of advice, if the kids are running around the gates, screaming and making lots of noise... let them... regardless of the looks and comments your get from other passengers... it is better they do all that yahooing in the gate than on the plane where they're in a confined space for over 12hrs. Honestly, by the time the kids get on board, they'll be tired... ooops... yeah, and the other thing that I do is if there is a McDonalds after I've cleared immigration, is buy a 10pk nuggets box and some fries.. and a juice... to give them part way through the flight when they got fidgety...not the healthiest choice.. but it kept them happy and quiet (the juice was for them to suck on to unblock their ears).... All the best..

amer_can

Quennell..Sounds like you are the role model that must be followed..All your suggestions make alot of sense and all the others ones are also.. I'd still get a leash..Get help to make connections..Special requests via phone call....especially for ORD!!! It may not be easy but give it a serious try..ask pre- flight or at least at the gate on arrival.. Plead your case with air crew..Cry "long, long flight and longer still to come" Maybe you will be lucky..Why wasn't your ticket AUS to VANC to PEI..?? Makes one wonder who these agents are??

Geordie

I believe AUS = Austin Texas airport code

amer_can

From the onseT of this posting I thought the AUS stated was Australia..Who am I to know the call letters of airports??? If Ausrin then to ORD and onward seems appropriate..If Australia the I wonder about the routing!!

Tostburglar

UPDATE

Just wanted to stop in and say the trip went amazingly well and thanks for all the input!

On the flights the kids were great. The little one slept or watched Toy Story on her DVD player (a last minute purchase when I found out there would be no in flight entertainment on any of the flights) and the older one played games on my iPhone and slept some too.

The first connection at OHare was great. We had half an hour to play in the playground and then our flight was ready to board (at the gate right next door!)

The connection in Montreal was tight. Lots of walking, customs, and then back through security, and then a ton more walking, and our flight was ready to board moments after we got to the gate. If I had checked bags I would have had to wait for the bags and then recheck them at the Air Canada desk (which I saw had about 30 people on line). So it definitely save me time to not check bags.

The Cares harness was an excellent alternative to a car seat but the leash was a total flop (my kid hated it, lol). Pushing a double stroller with two kids and a duffel on it, plus a big backback was tiring but not exhausting. Although next time I'll know not to pack so many toys as they never got used!

Tostburglar

Oh, and I fit everything into the duffel bag by not bring any toiletries (bought them when I arrived), packing a small capsule wardrobe for myself, and only a couple outfits each for the kids because I knew grandma had already bought them tons of clothes!