If you’re like the thousands of Canadians who will take to the air for a vacation this spring break, the Canadian Air Transport Security (CATSA) has advice that will help you go through security in no time. As a mom of almost 5 year old twins I read and re-read these tips prior to flying. When you are single parenting with young kids in the airport you need all the help you can get!
Travel Tips for Families
Good news! When you’re travelling with children under the age of two, you can bring liquids such as milk, breast milk and juice that exceed the 100ml restrictions in carry-on baggage. Just have the containers ready to present to screening officers for a quick inspection. For older kids, solid foods such as apples, granola bars and sandwiches can go in your carry-on without restrictions.
Before you leave for the airport, make sure everyone is wearing easy-to-remove outerwear and avoid clothes with metal clasps or snaps that may trigger the metal detector.
At the airport, get boarding passes ready and check for a Family/Special Needs lane. They offer extra space to accommodate larger items like strollers and car seats.
Pack your sunscreen properly
Whether you’re heading for the Caribbean or staying in Canada, sunscreen is a popular must-bring item. Just don’t get burned at security with an over-sized bottle in your carry-on bag Small bottles under 100ml are fine, but bigger bottles need to be packed in your checked baggage.
Check your large sports gear
Planning to race down a mountain, brave the waves or challenge the pins? You can bring large sports equipment like surfboards, snowboards, skis and golf clubs with you on your trip. Just make sure you check these items in with your airline. If you have questions about checked baggage restrictions or extra charges, contact your airline before you travel.
Know the rules for duty-free
Parting with duty-free purchases is no fun. All duty-free liquids, aerosols and gels (e.g., alcohol, perfume) in your carry-on bags are subject to screening and must be properly sealed in an official security bag, accompanied by a receipt. These bags should be provided by duty-free retailers. If you have a connecting flight in Canada on your return trip, make sure your bag is the real deal. Even better – place your duty-free items in your checked baggage.
I’m a pretty seasoned traveler (including travelling with a little one) and it never fails – I will always get picked for random screenings.
Remember if you are taking a laptop onboard to have it out of the bag when you go through screening. That doesn’t apply to iPads or other tablets, just laptops.
Mommy Outside recently posted..Cold? Flu? What Can You Do? This Mother’s Must Haves.
This is SO good to know! I don’t really do a lot of travelling anywhere far, so I can use all the tips I can get for when I do someday! It’s good to be prepared :)
Brandi recently posted..Vacationing In Texas For The Whole Family #TexasTraveller
Great tips! We don’t fly all that often and I never thought of sunscreen being under 100ml to travel safely with.
{Erica}EverythingMomandBaby recently posted..February is Heart Health Month. Open wide! #ONaturals
Those are great tips. I always wondered about baby milk if we were allowed to have it in a carry on
ourfamilyworld recently posted..When Should You Start Using Conditioner on Your Child’s Hair?
These are great tips, it seems like most parents are pretty savvy about travel from what I have seen through TSA. It makes life so much easier for them and other travellers.
Randa @ TBK recently posted..10 Date Night Beauty Must Haves
Wow, such top tips. Really useful for a family like ours. We need this sort of checklist as we’re so forgetful.
Gran Canaria Local recently posted..Diving in Sardina del Norte
Thank you! Yes it is so great to have a frame of reference before heading to the airport!
Great advice!
This travel tips are great. I will make a journey with my 1-year child at next month. It is great news for me that I will carry liquids such as milk, breast milk, juice that exceed the 100ml restrictions in carry on baggage.