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Original poster

Airport with a baby is amazing!

55 replies

rickandmorts · 26/04/2023 14:50

Not having to queue for security or passport control is SO much quicker and easier. When does this small child privilege run out? So I can stagger having a 2nd child for maximum benefit 😂

OP posts:
ForTheSakeOfThePenguin · 26/04/2023 15:47

To be honest I think you were just lucky! 😁

YellowDots · 26/04/2023 15:52

I absolutely hated getting on the plane for and being on there for absolutely ages before it took off.

We flew on BA last summer and had to get on first because of York anaphylactic child. When we were called people were shouting at us saying it wasn't fair. Confused

Original poster
rickandmorts · 26/04/2023 15:54

ForTheSakeOfThePenguin · 26/04/2023 15:47

To be honest I think you were just lucky! 😁

Very lucky as we were fast tracked through security and passport control at 2 different airports!

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Original poster
rickandmorts · 26/04/2023 15:56

YellowDots · 26/04/2023 15:52

I absolutely hated getting on the plane for and being on there for absolutely ages before it took off.

We flew on BA last summer and had to get on first because of York anaphylactic child. When we were called people were shouting at us saying it wasn't fair. Confused

We got on the plane last both times, I don't think baby would have tolerated sitting down for ages before the flight. But yeah people are weird, I can't imagine shouting at someone for that 😵

OP posts:
YellowDots · 26/04/2023 16:32

Getting on last does sound good.

YourUserNameMustBeAtLeast3Characters · 26/04/2023 16:38

I first flew with a child when DC1 was 12 weeks, and everyone was very helpful. Much appreciated when they’re that little and it’s a bit nerve-wracking.

I found the biggest downside was when they were bigger babies/ toddlers and you have to carry them for miiiiillllles from the easyJet gate to the baggage collection where the pushchair is waiting.

Kindofcrunchy · 26/04/2023 16:54

Yes this is our experience of airports with a toddler, it was great :) what age do you have to start queuing again??

MrBit · 26/04/2023 17:16

When you look less haggered @Kindofcrunchy , when they can see you've managed to coordinate your clothes, brushed you hair and teeth and are wearing matching shoes Grin

PurBal · 26/04/2023 17:23

We flew at the weekend and didn’t have that experience: please name the good airports!

Original poster
rickandmorts · 26/04/2023 17:25

PurBal · 26/04/2023 17:23

We flew at the weekend and didn’t have that experience: please name the good airports!

Oh really!? Sorry to see it's not universal. We were fast tracked through security at Manchester Airport and taken to the front of the queue for passport control at Berlin Airport. And then exactly the same but reverse on the way home! ❤️

OP posts:
shivawn · 26/04/2023 17:26

We've flown a lot since our son was 3 months old and almost always queue like everyone else. I don't mind, I'd feel weird skipping ahead just because we have a baby/toddler.

Sugargliderwombat · 26/04/2023 17:29

We are flying for the first time soon - wish I hadn't read the comments 🤣

Original poster
rickandmorts · 26/04/2023 17:31

shivawn · 26/04/2023 17:26

We've flown a lot since our son was 3 months old and almost always queue like everyone else. I don't mind, I'd feel weird skipping ahead just because we have a baby/toddler.

Yeah it did feel a bit awkward walking past a massive queue of people staring. But not awkward enough for me to want to queue for ages instead 😂.

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Radiatorvalves · 26/04/2023 17:32

I remember years ago queuing at lgw with 3 month old and 2 year old to drop bags. 45 min queue. I asked if I could skip queue and was told no. So I sad fine I’ll get boobs out here. I was fast tracked!

PuttingDownRoots · 26/04/2023 17:33

I think it depends on how many families there are!

I used the family security at Gatwick until younger DD was 5, but I was flying alone with two kids. I think it was pushchairs only with more than one adult.

At Edinburgh the families had to join the general queue for passports (for the electronic barriers) before being sent to the separate manned booths at the front of that queue which I thought was bonkers...

ZZTopGuitarSolo · 26/04/2023 17:35

rickandmorts · 26/04/2023 17:25

Oh really!? Sorry to see it's not universal. We were fast tracked through security at Manchester Airport and taken to the front of the queue for passport control at Berlin Airport. And then exactly the same but reverse on the way home! ❤️

Show quote history

I can tell you Manchester Airport security are appalling once you have slightly older children. They tried to send my 6 year old through a separate line from me. I had to point blank refuse to move until they allowed him to stay with me.

strawberryfluff · 26/04/2023 17:36

rickandmorts · 26/04/2023 15:54

Very lucky as we were fast tracked through security and passport control at 2 different airports!

Show quote history

Was your kid annoying everyone else?

ZZTopGuitarSolo · 26/04/2023 17:36

Also don’t expect any special treatment at US airports… they might let you board first but in terms of security and passport control you’ll be with the masses.

HuggingtheHRT · 26/04/2023 17:40

We use passenger assistance regularly as our son has SEND. Have had some hugely positive experiences, everyone extremely helpful. Also had one shite experience (Aberdeen - which just seems a hellishly disorganised place.)

Original poster
rickandmorts · 26/04/2023 17:40

Interesting to hear about discrepancies from other airports!

No she wasn't crying @strawberryfluff so if she was annoying people it would only have been through merely existing 😂. I was actually really nervous for our first flight but baby fed on takeoff, slept the entire flight and then was all smiley and well rested when we landed so can't ask for much more 🥰

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Original poster
rickandmorts · 26/04/2023 17:45

HuggingtheHRT · 26/04/2023 17:40

We use passenger assistance regularly as our son has SEND. Have had some hugely positive experiences, everyone extremely helpful. Also had one shite experience (Aberdeen - which just seems a hellishly disorganised place.)

Nice to hear you've had some positive experiences but sorry that Aberdeen was so shit!

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ReadersD1gest · 26/04/2023 17:48

Radiatorvalves · 26/04/2023 17:32

I remember years ago queuing at lgw with 3 month old and 2 year old to drop bags. 45 min queue. I asked if I could skip queue and was told no. So I sad fine I’ll get boobs out here. I was fast tracked!

🙄

Bigpinktrain · 26/04/2023 17:49

Go to Narita airport in Tokyo with children, you get the golden treatment!

GreenWheat · 26/04/2023 17:56

Crap coming home though, not being able to use the electronic gates. I had a little party when my youngest was old enough for the gates and no more queuing at home passport control.

Original poster
rickandmorts · 26/04/2023 18:02

GreenWheat · 26/04/2023 17:56

Crap coming home though, not being able to use the electronic gates. I had a little party when my youngest was old enough for the gates and no more queuing at home passport control.

They let us go to the front of the queue for the person to physically check the passport. The queue for the electronic gates was huge!

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