| When you were single and traveling, you'd watch | | | | line-you are allowed to bring one quart-sized, clear |
| those families, whose small kids were already | | | | plastic zip-lock bag, with containers inside holding 3 |
| screaming, before your flight boarded, and you'd pray | | | | ounces or less of liquids or toiletries, through the |
| that your seat on the plane was far from theirs. | | | | security checkpoint. Baby formula, breast-milk and |
| Then you promised yourself that you'd get traveling | | | | baby food are allowed, also. Once through the |
| out of your system, before you got married and had | | | | checkpoint, you may purchase beverages in the |
| a family of your own-you'd never fly with little kids. | | | | airport, which you can take onto the plane. |
| Too much hassle. Did you really think you'd get away | | | | You may carry your baby through the metal |
| with such a ridiculous dream, considering your parents | | | | detector (you may not hand your child to someone |
| live a thousand miles away? | | | | behind or in front of you), though the TSA prefers |
| Welcome to the holiday season, the stuff of your | | | | that small children, who are able, walk through on |
| single-life nightmares. With extended families spread | | | | their own. If you and/or your child are asked to |
| out across the country and even the world, more | | | | participate in the random screening, the TSA assures |
| parents will be traveling with young children this | | | | parents that they will never be seperated from their |
| holiday season than ever before. | | | | children. |
| Since 9/11, which necessitated the implementation of | | | | Remember, everything you carry on must travel |
| the most stringent security procedures we've ever | | | | through the x-ray screening machine. If you have |
| known, just the pre-flight time in the airport has | | | | strollers, etc., make sure they're folded by the time |
| become a difficult process, even to the most | | | | you reach the head of the line. Assure you children |
| carefree single travelers, much less parents, whose | | | | that their objects will be returned, once they've been |
| small ones can't begin to understand the need for all | | | | checked. |
| the lines and procedures. | | | | As always, arrive at the airport in plenty of time. |
| Security rules and regulations are fluid and subject to | | | | Parents with small kids are advised to arrive up to |
| changes, periodically, so if you plan to travel with | | | | two hours ahead of their scheduled departure. And |
| your youngsters this holiday season, the best thing | | | | prepare your children for what might be a long wait. |
| you can do is to prepare well in advance for what | | | | Coloring books or picture books can make the time |
| can be a long string of airport lines and waits. | | | | go faster for little kids. |
| The Transportation Security Administration has the | | | | Most airlines allow parents with small children to board |
| latest information on their website, concerning travel | | | | first, so that the family can get situated without |
| regulations, including a page devoted to traveling with | | | | holding up other travelers. |
| children. Currently, if you want to bring beverages to | | | | Any way you look at it, flying with children is no |
| the airport from home-something many parents find | | | | picnic. But you knew that when you were single, |
| can keep their kids occupied and quiet while waiting in | | | | didn't you? |