Non-stop DC to San Fran with 4 yr old?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally would go with the nonstop. I just flew nonstop to San Francisco from the east coast and back and there were several kids who looked as if they were your DD's age. They mostly played on their iPads the entire time or dozed. They all did extremely well on the plane with regards to behavior. I would also suggest bringing familiar snacks, as it is a long flight and there is no free food served any more (at least on United).

I thought I wasn't allowed to bring food from home? Are you talking about stuff bought from the terminal, like Auntie's pretzels or something? What food are they serving nowadays on flights from DC or Dulles to CA? Do they charge you like $5-$10 per snack on the plane?

You can bring on board food from the terminal, as well as food from home. However, with regards to the food from home, it cannot be gel-like or in liquid form over 3.4 fluid ounces due to TSA rules. I've brought cheese, granola bars, candy, and protein bars through security multiple times with no problems. Filled water bottles cannot be brought through security.

The snack boxes on United typically include cookies, chips, popcorn, cheese and crackers, and nuts. The price is usually around ~$8 per snack box and only credit cards can be used for payment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally would go with the nonstop. I just flew nonstop to San Francisco from the east coast and back and there were several kids who looked as if they were your DD's age. They mostly played on their iPads the entire time or dozed. They all did extremely well on the plane with regards to behavior. I would also suggest bringing familiar snacks, as it is a long flight and there is no free food served any more (at least on United).

I thought I wasn't allowed to bring food from home? Are you talking about stuff bought from the terminal, like Auntie's pretzels or something? What food are they serving nowadays on flights from DC or Dulles to CA? Do they charge you like $5-$10 per snack on the plane?

You can bring on board food from the terminal, as well as food from home. However, with regards to the food from home, it cannot be gel-like or in liquid form over 3.4 fluid ounces due to TSA rules. I've brought cheese, granola bars, candy, and protein bars through security multiple times with no problems. Filled water bottles cannot be brought through security.

The snack boxes on United typically include cookies, chips, popcorn, cheese and crackers, and nuts. The price is usually around ~$8 per snack box and only credit cards can be used for payment.

Incorrect. If it's for baby/kid, it's permitted. We bring squeezy pouches and even water bottles and those tetrapak milk containers with no problems.

[Anonymous]

You definitely can bring food. I allow lots of treats on long plane rides that I don't otherwise allow at home -- lots of screen time, candy, and I bring along little gifts to share mid-flight. Sticker books are great for that age.

[Anonymous]

You can bring snacks from home. But don't bring yogurt. Silly me thought that would make it past. It was Greek yogurt too, and it was totally for my DD, and the TSA actually mocked me, saying, 'yeah, surreee this is for a kid.' Instead of just dumping it, they actually opened it so they could test it, and I took the opportunity to feed it to my kid so they could see she actually did eat Greek yogurt.

[Anonymous]

We *always* bring food. You should also bring an empty water bottle (and fill it once you get past security) so that you aren't at the flight attendant's mercy for getting water. We also bring pouches -- either yogurt pouches or applesauce -- to have for take off and landing to help with ear equilibrium.

[Anonymous]

Your kid is 4. Surely you don't need food pouches?

[Anonymous]

We actually JUST made this trip yesterday, and have since 4-year-old DS was under a year old. Non-stop is definitely the way to go. When we have a layover, I'm always stressed about what's going to happen if the first flight is late and we miss our connection. Which happened earlier this year.

We bring a big bag of snacks, like crackers, banana chips, and Craisins, along with an empty water bottle. DS gets a backpack (which he's mostly in charge of) of things to keep himself occupied. He gets to pick a few books and small toys, and I throw other things in there for surprises. EEBOO makes great portable games like Go Fish and Dominoes, which fit perfectly. I also always have a pad of paper and an Altoid tin full of crayons.

And he usually gets to watch one show on the iPad if he's been a great cooperator.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your kid is 4. Surely you don't need food pouches?

My *8* year old like food pouches for the plane. It encourages sucking/swallowing, which is pretty important for take off and landing. Another option is gum, but since I think gum is pretty disgusting, I opt to go for the pouches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally would go with the nonstop. I just flew nonstop to San Francisco from the east coast and back and there were several kids who looked as if they were your DD's age. They mostly played on their iPads the entire time or dozed. They all did extremely well on the plane with regards to behavior. I would also suggest bringing familiar snacks, as it is a long flight and there is no free food served any more (at least on United).

I thought I wasn't allowed to bring food from home? Are you talking about stuff bought from the terminal, like Auntie's pretzels or something? What food are they serving nowadays on flights from DC or Dulles to CA? Do they charge you like $5-$10 per snack on the plane?

You can bring on board food from the terminal, as well as food from home. However, with regards to the food from home, it cannot be gel-like or in liquid form over 3.4 fluid ounces due to TSA rules. I've brought cheese, granola bars, candy, and protein bars through security multiple times with no problems. Filled water bottles cannot be brought through security.

The snack boxes on United typically include cookies, chips, popcorn, cheese and crackers, and nuts. The price is usually around ~$8 per snack box and only credit cards can be used for payment.

Incorrect. If it's for baby/kid, it's permitted. We bring squeezy pouches and even water bottles and those tetrapak milk containers with no problems.

She is traveling with a 4 yr old not a baby

[Anonymous]

OP - definitely a direct flight and a 4 yr old should not have any problems. If you are that worried it makes me think you have other behavior problems you need to address as she should be able to sit and play quietly/watch an iPad at that age.

[Anonymous]

Direct flight on an airline with seat do video. Jet Blue is great for little kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Direct flight on an airline with seat do video. Jet Blue is great for little kids.

Argh, should be seat BACK video.