[Eastbayk]

I flew with Max a few times when he was that age.

I invested in one of those little wrist leash things so that when I was in line I wasn't constantly worrying about holding his hand. He could get a step away from me when we were standing in line. It made me feel better to that it would be harder for someone to just snatch him away from me in a big airport. They would have to pry the velcro off first and that would take some time.

I loaded everything in the stroller- carseat, carry on, toys and pushed it and made him walk. It was much easier than trying to juggle all the bags and push a stroller. I remember bringing sticker books, a DVD player and some toys. But he always seemed to sleep a good portion of the flight, he still does, must be the low vibrations or something. He also liked just walking up and down the aisles. A LOT. I think I counted 37 consectutive loops around the coach section on one trip. If people look at your funny just ask them if they would rather hear your child screaming for the whole flight as you tried to contain him in the seat.

Sometimes the flight attendants are a great help (bring juice as soon as you take off, making puppets out of airsick bags or cups) and sometimes they are too busy or just plain would rather stand in the gally and gossip. They do have a job to do and a lot of passenger's to please, so I try not to bother them too much.I was able to bring on small juice boxes and snacks when I flew in Sept.

Snag a pillow and blanket when you board the plane if you can. The best trick I ever learned was to use the blanket as a catch-all for toys. Tuck one end into the crevice where the seat and back meet (under the carseat if you use one) and the other end into the magazine area. Then, when toys get dropped, you don't have to crawl all the way down to the floor to get it, you can just grab it off the blanket. SOOO much easier.

Good luck with your flight!

kim