OT travelling and terror alerts

[Anne Rogers]

we're currently in Seattle, due to return to London on British Airways
tomorrow, which means we have to travel with no carry on baggage, just
essential items in a clear plastic bag, jolly glad I'm breastfeeding as if
you take baby formula you have to taste it yourself at security

any kind of toys for Ada are not deemed essential items, nor is an empty
sippy cup, or any alternative food.

I would usually take at least a litre of water in a bottle with me and in a
flight that length it would be drunk and refilled, I find it difficult to
stay hydrated at the best of times, so I'm worried about that.

Plus having nothing to entertain myself with, eek, I have quite a small head
and the head phones they provide in flight never fit, and I don't really
like looking at the tiny screen anyway, so I never spend much time doing
that, I guess I'm going to be counting sheep!

I've checked and checked the websites, and it's definitely the case that
British Airways flights out of the US are operating on different rules to
every other flight, same rules as flights out of the UK, where people are
being recommended not to travel, if I was at home, I don't think I would
travel, but we've got to go home, we've left Nathanael with grandparents.

Things are additionally complicated by my SPD, I use a scooter for any
distance walking and apparently we will have to check it in and use an
aiport provided wheelchair, they just don't seem to understand that a
folding wheelchair and someone to push it just isn't the solution for every
person with additional needs, last time I used a wheelchair, I couldn't walk
for a week because every bump it goes over the wheels go separately and so
does either side of my pelvis, ow! I guess we'll use it as there are long
bits with no bumps, I'll just jump out for the bumpy bits!

I know they have to be safe, but heck they could allow books and magazines!
I'm also worried about checking in my laptop, it's in a bag that is designed
for such things, but it's not obviously a laptop bag either, I'll make a
fragile tag for it, but such things are often ignored. My hand bag will also
have to be checked in, but I'll somehow have to squeeze it into another bag
as it doesn't zip closed, oh my, there is so much to think about!

To cap it all Ada is refusing to go to sleep and it's gone 11pm!

Anne

[xkatx]

"Anne Rogers" > wrote in message
...
> we're currently in Seattle, due to return to London on British Airways
> tomorrow, which means we have to travel with no carry on baggage, just
> essential items in a clear plastic bag, jolly glad I'm breastfeeding as if
> you take baby formula you have to taste it yourself at security

Ahh! Seattle! Such a pretty city, IMO... I make a point to take the jaunt
down there each and every time we go down to Vancouver :D
Good thing you are breastfeeding... There was a case a while back (might
have been here or close to here, or might have been a ways away - I can't
remember) that a mom had pumped and bottled breast milk for her infant to
make it easier on her while flying when the baby needed to eat. At the
airport they FORCED this woman to drink the milk... I dunno... Just reminds
me of the 'Friends' episode with breast milk - I've tasted my own breast
milk, and for me, gross... It was an accidental thing for me that I *gulped*
a mouthful of EBM that I had manually expressed into a cup at my mom's house
when DS was a newborn... Went to have breakfast, sat down at the table, put
the EBM in the cup beside me on the table and grabbed THAT cup rather than
the cup of milk I had for myself for breakfast... Needless to say, I do not
care to drink breast milk of any type, nevermind my own... This poor woman
had no choice but to drink her milk from the baby's bottle, which she did
not want to do.
Also, tasting formula - YUCK. I've done that in the past after testing the
temp in a bottle on my wrist and yea, it's kinda gross ;)

> any kind of toys for Ada are not deemed essential items, nor is an empty
> sippy cup, or any alternative food.

Hm... Food is not essential for a baby? And an empty sippy cup?? That
seems a little obnoxious... Are they going to offer a baby a tiny bag of
honey roasted peanuts to snack on during the flight??

> I would usually take at least a litre of water in a bottle with me and in
> a flight that length it would be drunk and refilled, I find it difficult
> to stay hydrated at the best of times, so I'm worried about that.

Last time I was on a plane, they had water and gave it out whenever you
wanted it. Not sure if that's with every airline or if that's been changed.
Mind you, TBH, I haven't even really been paying attention to all this stuff
going on with flights and all that, so I don't really know!

> Plus having nothing to entertain myself with, eek, I have quite a small
> head and the head phones they provide in flight never fit, and I don't
> really like looking at the tiny screen anyway, so I never spend much time
> doing that, I guess I'm going to be counting sheep!

I really don't think it matters if you have a big head, small head or
average sized head - those head phones provided NEVER fit a person very well
and they seem to be so big and bulky, from what I remember, anyways!
Nevermind wasting your time counting sheep... Here's where I will point out
the obvious ;) and say there are no sheep on airplanes. The terrorists
could be disguised as sheep. Count clouds. Fluffy, white clouds in the
sky... Nevermind... I coud spend hours and hours making fun games for the
amusement of myself only - count how many people are clearly wearing a wig,
toupee or hairpiece of some sort... Count how many people fall asleep and
rest their head on the stranger beside them... Take note of the older lady
with cakeup makeup that looks like she's on route to her new job with Cirque
de Soleil... No, wait... I think this just applies to me :( That's what I
did after chatting up the young guy about my age on our way back home from
Vegas for my 21st birthday a couple years ago - yes, I was insanely drunk
from being hit hard with the heat and lack of oxygen pumped into me like I
was used to ALL week in the casinos!

> I've checked and checked the websites, and it's definitely the case that
> British Airways flights out of the US are operating on different rules to
> every other flight, same rules as flights out of the UK, where people are
> being recommended not to travel, if I was at home, I don't think I would
> travel, but we've got to go home, we've left Nathanael with grandparents.

Sometimes you have to do things even when it's not recommended... I honestly
still have very little clue about the airplane stuff going on, but I did
scan past an article on Yahoo and didn't read it... Might be worth a read to
give myself some clue as to what's going on...

> Things are additionally complicated by my SPD, I use a scooter for any
> distance walking and apparently we will have to check it in and use an
> aiport provided wheelchair, they just don't seem to understand that a
> folding wheelchair and someone to push it just isn't the solution for
> every person with additional needs, last time I used a wheelchair, I
> couldn't walk for a week because every bump it goes over the wheels go
> separately and so does either side of my pelvis, ow! I guess we'll use it
> as there are long bits with no bumps, I'll just jump out for the bumpy
> bits!

Ugh... ((hugs)) Riding in a wheelchair is one of the most uncomfortable ways
to ride :( I feel for you, and that really would suck :(

> I know they have to be safe, but heck they could allow books and
> magazines! I'm also worried about checking in my laptop, it's in a bag
> that is designed for such things, but it's not obviously a laptop bag
> either, I'll make a fragile tag for it, but such things are often ignored.
> My hand bag will also have to be checked in, but I'll somehow have to
> squeeze it into another bag as it doesn't zip closed, oh my, there is so
> much to think about!

Yes, 'fragile' stickers are often ignored... My dad had his guitar PLASTERED
with bright orange 'fragile' stickers years and years ago when we went to
visit relatives in BC... His guitar case was fairly beat up by the time we
made it off the plane to grab our luggage, and this was probably a decade
earlier, maybe even more. Just go with the flow, I guess? I really don't
know what to say... Traveling is stressful enough as it is, and with added
stresses (small children, important/expensive/breakable luggage and
items/health issues - basically everything you've mentioned) doesn't make it
any easier :( ((more hugs))

> To cap it all Ada is refusing to go to sleep and it's gone 11pm!
>
> Anne

Oh great. I'm an hour ahead of you, and it's past 1am, and I am fighting
sleep... Still want to go and take my nice hot bath to soak, but I might
just pass out in a nice hot bath... Something I haven't been able to do for
quite some time, as I'm lucky enough to have a shower with 5-7 minutes of
peace around here!
Good luck, and hope it all goes well with all things considered!

[lucy-lu]

Anne Rogers wrote:
> we're currently in Seattle, due to return to London on British Airways
> tomorrow, which means we have to travel with no carry on baggage, just
> essential items in a clear plastic bag, jolly glad I'm breastfeeding as if
> you take baby formula you have to taste it yourself at security
>
> any kind of toys for Ada are not deemed essential items, nor is an empty
> sippy cup, or any alternative food.
>
> I would usually take at least a litre of water in a bottle with me and in a
> flight that length it would be drunk and refilled, I find it difficult to
> stay hydrated at the best of times, so I'm worried about that.
>
> Plus having nothing to entertain myself with, eek, I have quite a small head
> and the head phones they provide in flight never fit, and I don't really
> like looking at the tiny screen anyway, so I never spend much time doing
> that, I guess I'm going to be counting sheep!
>
> I've checked and checked the websites, and it's definitely the case that
> British Airways flights out of the US are operating on different rules to
> every other flight, same rules as flights out of the UK, where people are
> being recommended not to travel, if I was at home, I don't think I would
> travel, but we've got to go home, we've left Nathanael with grandparents.
>
> Things are additionally complicated by my SPD, I use a scooter for any
> distance walking and apparently we will have to check it in and use an
> aiport provided wheelchair, they just don't seem to understand that a
> folding wheelchair and someone to push it just isn't the solution for every
> person with additional needs, last time I used a wheelchair, I couldn't walk
> for a week because every bump it goes over the wheels go separately and so
> does either side of my pelvis, ow! I guess we'll use it as there are long
> bits with no bumps, I'll just jump out for the bumpy bits!
>
> I know they have to be safe, but heck they could allow books and magazines!
> I'm also worried about checking in my laptop, it's in a bag that is designed
> for such things, but it's not obviously a laptop bag either, I'll make a
> fragile tag for it, but such things are often ignored. My hand bag will also
> have to be checked in, but I'll somehow have to squeeze it into another bag
> as it doesn't zip closed, oh my, there is so much to think about!
>
> To cap it all Ada is refusing to go to sleep and it's gone 11pm!
>
> Anne
>
>
Hi Anne

Sorry you've got to travel doing such a major security time...

I don't know if it will help, but according to Sky News Text, you can
take baby food etc in a clear bag, but of course, you or dh may need to
"test" it at check in, the same with water in a bottle. Otherwise, you
may need to ask the flight steward/ess for some water, explaining it's
for your baby. The good news is they are still allowing "sanitary items
that are essential for the flight", so you can take nappies, wipes and
nappy bags. Not having ever been on a plane myself, I don't know if
they'll sell magazines etc on the plane.

As for your hips, well, that is a PITA (no pun intended!). My only
suggestion is that you get some pillows or something to sit on to take
the edge off it, though of course, you might have to leave them at the
airport :/

Sorry you're facing problems...

Take care, have a safe journey

Lu x

[Pologirl]

I certainly am glad to have just missed the air travel insanity. My
father was supposed to travel to us this weekend, then with me and
Monkey Boy to the Boston area next week. But due to my oligohydramnios
scare last week, Monkey Boy and I traveled this week instead.

Anne, won't your son be well with his grandparents? Consider delaying
a few days, to give the airlines time to cut out the worst of the
silliness they are imposing on passengers? Consider shipping your
stuff via a package delivery service. DHL or the like.

[cjra]

xkatx wrote:
> "Anne Rogers" > wrote in message

> > I would usually take at least a litre of water in a bottle with me and in
> > a flight that length it would be drunk and refilled, I find it difficult
> > to stay hydrated at the best of times, so I'm worried about that.


I feel for you. I am the same way. I get so dehydrated and always carry
a minimum of a litre of water on board and refill.

>
> Last time I was on a plane, they had water and gave it out whenever you
> wanted it. Not sure if that's with every airline or if that's been changed.
> Mind you, TBH, I haven't even really been paying attention to all this stuff
> going on with flights and all that, so I don't really know!

But they can't serve it to you during take off and landing (the time I
need it most) nor about 10-30 mins into the flight until the seat belt
signs go off. For me, this become desperate. I *need* water then. Also,
they usually serve it in little plastic cups, that means you pretty
much have to drink it all then - else you have to keep your tray table
down or hold it. A pain in normal circumstances, even worse when
travelling with a baby.

i'm just hoping that in the next 5 weeks when I fly to Europe, things
will have mellowed out a bit. I'm considering asking my doc to write a
note saying it's medically necessary for me to carry water.

Good luck Anne.

[Jamie Clark]

cjra wrote:
> xkatx wrote:
>> "Anne Rogers" > wrote in message
>
>>> I would usually take at least a litre of water in a bottle with me
>>> and in a flight that length it would be drunk and refilled, I find
>>> it difficult to stay hydrated at the best of times, so I'm worried
>>> about that.
>
>
> I feel for you. I am the same way. I get so dehydrated and always
> carry a minimum of a litre of water on board and refill.
>
>>
>> Last time I was on a plane, they had water and gave it out whenever
>> you wanted it. Not sure if that's with every airline or if that's
>> been changed. Mind you, TBH, I haven't even really been paying
>> attention to all this stuff going on with flights and all that, so I
>> don't really know!
>
> But they can't serve it to you during take off and landing (the time I
> need it most) nor about 10-30 mins into the flight until the seat belt
> signs go off. For me, this become desperate. I *need* water then.
> Also, they usually serve it in little plastic cups, that means you
> pretty much have to drink it all then - else you have to keep your
> tray table down or hold it. A pain in normal circumstances, even
> worse when travelling with a baby.
>
> i'm just hoping that in the next 5 weeks when I fly to Europe, things
> will have mellowed out a bit. I'm considering asking my doc to write a
> note saying it's medically necessary for me to carry water.
>
> Good luck Anne.

In all the flying I've done recently, they have small bottles of water --
4-6 ounces maybe? As you get on the plane, you could ask for a couple of
bottles for "your family", and let them know that you are breastfeeding and
need to stay hydrated. Then during the flight, always ask for bottles for
everyone in your family, even if they don't want it. Then again towards the
end, ask for more to tide you over during the landing time.

--

Jamie
Earth Angels:
Taylor Marlys, 1/3/03
Addison Grace, 9/30/04

Check out the family! -- www.MyFamily.com, User ID: Clarkguest1,
Password: Guest Become a member for free - go to Add Member to set up
your own User ID and Password

[cjra]

Jamie Clark wrote:
> cjra wrote:
> > xkatx wrote:
> >> "Anne Rogers" > wrote in message
> >
> >>> I would usually take at least a litre of water in a bottle with me
> >>> and in a flight that length it would be drunk and refilled, I find
> >>> it difficult to stay hydrated at the best of times, so I'm worried
> >>> about that.
> >
> >
> > I feel for you. I am the same way. I get so dehydrated and always
> > carry a minimum of a litre of water on board and refill.
> >
> >>
> >> Last time I was on a plane, they had water and gave it out whenever
> >> you wanted it. Not sure if that's with every airline or if that's
> >> been changed. Mind you, TBH, I haven't even really been paying
> >> attention to all this stuff going on with flights and all that, so I
> >> don't really know!
> >
> > But they can't serve it to you during take off and landing (the time I
> > need it most) nor about 10-30 mins into the flight until the seat belt
> > signs go off. For me, this become desperate. I *need* water then.
> > Also, they usually serve it in little plastic cups, that means you
> > pretty much have to drink it all then - else you have to keep your
> > tray table down or hold it. A pain in normal circumstances, even
> > worse when travelling with a baby.
> >
> > i'm just hoping that in the next 5 weeks when I fly to Europe, things
> > will have mellowed out a bit. I'm considering asking my doc to write a
> > note saying it's medically necessary for me to carry water.
> >
> > Good luck Anne.
>
> In all the flying I've done recently, they have small bottles of water --
> 4-6 ounces maybe? As you get on the plane, you could ask for a couple of
> bottles for "your family", and let them know that you are breastfeeding and
> need to stay hydrated. Then during the flight, always ask for bottles for
> everyone in your family, even if they don't want it. Then again towards the
> end, ask for more to tide you over during the landing time.
>

it's been hit or miss on the flights i've had recently. some do
bottles, some not. but i will call the airline in advance. i can live
with juice too, so maybe i can bring that and say it's for DD?

[Anne Rogers]

>> Last time I was on a plane, they had water and gave it out whenever you
>> wanted it. Not sure if that's with every airline or if that's been
>> changed.
>> Mind you, TBH, I haven't even really been paying attention to all this
>> stuff
>> going on with flights and all that, so I don't really know!
>
> But they can't serve it to you during take off and landing (the time I
> need it most) nor about 10-30 mins into the flight until the seat belt
> signs go off. For me, this become desperate. I *need* water then. Also,
> they usually serve it in little plastic cups, that means you pretty
> much have to drink it all then - else you have to keep your tray table
> down or hold it. A pain in normal circumstances, even worse when
> travelling with a baby.

exactly, particularly if I end up breastfeeding at this time, plus, if they
do bring you some water it's in the tiniest cup, so I'd want one every half
hour! On the way out they brought water in 250ish ml bottles with the meal,
so at least I can refill that, the plane on the way out had at least one
water dispenser easily accessible. It looks like the flight will be several
hours late, turning it into a night flight rather than early evening, which
will then make me feel even if I am awake that I shouldn't be getting up and
down unnecessarily!

>
> i'm just hoping that in the next 5 weeks when I fly to Europe, things
> will have mellowed out a bit. I'm considering asking my doc to write a
> note saying it's medically necessary for me to carry water.

They are saying that they will only keep restrictions in place as long as
necessary. I may swing the medically necessary card, I've got regular meds,
with the timing of the flight, I may need to take them at a time they
couldn't bring me water.

Anne

[Anne Rogers]

> I certainly am glad to have just missed the air travel insanity. My
> father was supposed to travel to us this weekend, then with me and
> Monkey Boy to the Boston area next week. But due to my oligohydramnios
> scare last week, Monkey Boy and I traveled this week instead.

have you posted that anywhere, I'm following your story with interest and a
few prayers too
>
> Anne, won't your son be well with his grandparents? Consider delaying
> a few days, to give the airlines time to cut out the worst of the
> silliness they are imposing on passengers? Consider shipping your
> stuff via a package delivery service. DHL or the like.

we talked to our relocation person this morning, they don't really want us
to delay, our son would be fine, if it were necessary, but there is so much
to get back for, DH has work on Monday and doesn't have much annual leave
left, he stops work on 8th September, so he's got a lot to do. DH's parents
are visiting from Monday as well, possibly their last chance to see us
before we move (they live far away, Scotland rather then England so don't
even have the same holiday days as us). All in all it seems better to just
grit our teeth and get on with it, though I might be regretting that later.
I'm keeping an eye on the airport websites, the plane that will be taking us
back has not even left Heathrow yet, so at least 4hrs late already, but we
dare not turn up at the airport any less then 2hrs in advance, they are
recommending 3hrs of the scheduled time. I suppose really we should be glad
they caught them, as it does seem they got fairly close, aside from the
tradgedy that would have been, we could have been stuck here for a while and
nice though staying in a hotel with just our youngest is, I miss our older
one and want to get home!

Anne

[PattyMomVA]

"cjra" wrote and I snipped:
>> Last time I was on a plane, they had water and gave it out whenever you
>> wanted it. Not sure if that's with every airline or if that's been
>> changed.
>> Mind you, TBH, I haven't even really been paying attention to all this
>> stuff
>> going on with flights and all that, so I don't really know!
>
> But they can't serve it to you during take off and landing (the time I
> need it most) nor about 10-30 mins into the flight until the seat belt
> signs go off. For me, this become desperate. I *need* water then.

I think Anne should tell the flight attendant, as she gets on the plane,
that she will *need* some water right away. Either the FA can duck into the
pantry and hand you a bottle then, or you can get one as you're backing away
from the gate. In those circumstances, I would not wait until you're in
flight and the seatbelt sign is turned off.

Good luck,
-Patty, mom of 1+2

[Anne Rogers]

it gets worse, we think, but are not 100% sure that all flights out of
Heathrow are cancelled, we don't know why, as yet we haven't seen anything
on the internet, but this is what we have been told verbally, which means
that the plane we should be going home on is sat on the tarmac at Heathrow,
so it seems unlikely that our flight will not be cancelled, though the
person DH spoke to had not got that information incoming flights are still
allowed, but BA doesn't exactly have a spare jumbo sat waiting to take us
back!

Officially we should have been out of our hotel room 10mins ago, but we're
just trying to put plans in place in case things go belly up, we're
fortunate that in addition to travelling on a company and having their back
up, we also have friends locally.

Anne

[Dave {Reply Address In.sig}]

Anne Rogers wrote:
>
> I know they have to be safe, but heck they could allow books and magazines!
> I'm also worried about checking in my laptop, it's in a bag that is designed
> for such things, but it's not obviously a laptop bag either,

If you've got any valuable data on the laptop (photos?), make sure you
have backup copies on CD or DVD or another hard drive somewhere. That
way if your laptop gets trashed or lost you won't have lost your data.

--
Dave
mail da (without the space)
http://www.llondel.org
So many gadgets, so little time

[Jamie Clark]

Anne Rogers wrote:
>>> Last time I was on a plane, they had water and gave it out whenever
>>> you wanted it. Not sure if that's with every airline or if that's
>>> been changed.
>>> Mind you, TBH, I haven't even really been paying attention to all
>>> this stuff
>>> going on with flights and all that, so I don't really know!
>>
>> But they can't serve it to you during take off and landing (the time
>> I need it most) nor about 10-30 mins into the flight until the seat
>> belt signs go off. For me, this become desperate. I *need* water
>> then. Also, they usually serve it in little plastic cups, that means
>> you pretty much have to drink it all then - else you have to keep
>> your tray table down or hold it. A pain in normal circumstances,
>> even worse when travelling with a baby.
>
> exactly, particularly if I end up breastfeeding at this time, plus,
> if they do bring you some water it's in the tiniest cup, so I'd want
> one every half hour! On the way out they brought water in 250ish ml
> bottles with the meal, so at least I can refill that, the plane on
> the way out had at least one water dispenser easily accessible. It
> looks like the flight will be several hours late, turning it into a
> night flight rather than early evening, which will then make me feel
> even if I am awake that I shouldn't be getting up and down
> unnecessarily!

I've never ever seen (or noticed) a place to refill a water bottle on an
airplane. Where would the water dispenser be? Maybe that is a UK or
international flight issue. Hhhhh.


--

Jamie
Earth Angels:
Taylor Marlys, 1/3/03
Addison Grace, 9/30/04

Check out the family! -- www.MyFamily.com, User ID: Clarkguest1,
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your own User ID and Password

[Jamie Clark]

Anne Rogers wrote:
> it gets worse, we think, but are not 100% sure that all flights out of
> Heathrow are cancelled, we don't know why, as yet we haven't seen
> anything on the internet, but this is what we have been told
> verbally, which means that the plane we should be going home on is
> sat on the tarmac at Heathrow, so it seems unlikely that our flight
> will not be cancelled, though the person DH spoke to had not got that
> information incoming flights are still allowed, but BA doesn't
> exactly have a spare jumbo sat waiting to take us back!
>
> Officially we should have been out of our hotel room 10mins ago, but
> we're just trying to put plans in place in case things go belly up,
> we're fortunate that in addition to travelling on a company and
> having their back up, we also have friends locally.
>
> Anne

Well then it sounds like a few days travelling delay may be in the works,
even if it's not something that you would volunteer for. Keeping you in my
thoughts and prayers.

My neice is flying cross country this Saturday (tomorrow!) by herself for
the first time ever. She's 12. Her mother is having fits and is worried
sick. Talk about bad timing! But, she's still coming out, and we're all
looking forward to seeing her (if not dealing with the inevitable delays in
getting to and from the airport to pick her up and drop her off!)
--

Jamie
Earth Angels:
Taylor Marlys, 1/3/03
Addison Grace, 9/30/04

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your own User ID and Password

[Jamie Clark]

Dave {Reply Address In.sig}" <"noone$$ wrote:
> Anne Rogers wrote:
>>
>> I know they have to be safe, but heck they could allow books and
>> magazines! I'm also worried about checking in my laptop, it's in a
>> bag that is designed for such things, but it's not obviously a
>> laptop bag either,
>
> If you've got any valuable data on the laptop (photos?), make sure you
> have backup copies on CD or DVD or another hard drive somewhere. That
> way if your laptop gets trashed or lost you won't have lost your data.

I was also thinking that maybe you could ship the laptop home, but it's
probably too late for that.

....here is a brilliant idea, that I'm shocked that no one else has thought
up already...why don't they put a UPS store in airports! It seems like you
could ship all sorts of stuff before, during or after a trip!
--

Jamie
Earth Angels:
Taylor Marlys, 1/3/03
Addison Grace, 9/30/04

Check out the family! -- www.MyFamily.com, User ID: Clarkguest1,
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your own User ID and Password

[npardue@indiana.edu]

Anne Rogers wrote:
> we're currently in Seattle, due to return to London on British Airways
> tomorrow, which means we have to travel with no carry on baggage, just
> essential items in a clear plastic bag, jolly glad I'm breastfeeding as if
> you take baby formula you have to taste it yourself at security
>
> any kind of toys for Ada are not deemed essential items, nor is an empty
> sippy cup, or any alternative food.

How exactly are you supposed to blow up an airplane with a sippy cup?
Or a baby toy? Or, for that matter, as mentioned below, a book? (I'm
glad I'm not flying on BA. The idea of spending that much time on a
plane with nothing whatsoever to do would drive me batty! I understand
security, but this sounds a tad absurd.
>
Naomi

[cjra]

Jamie Clark wrote:
> Anne Rogers wrote:
> >>> Last time I was on a plane, they had water and gave it out whenever
> >>> you wanted it. Not sure if that's with every airline or if that's
> >>> been changed.
> >>> Mind you, TBH, I haven't even really been paying attention to all
> >>> this stuff
> >>> going on with flights and all that, so I don't really know!
> >>
> >> But they can't serve it to you during take off and landing (the time
> >> I need it most) nor about 10-30 mins into the flight until the seat
> >> belt signs go off. For me, this become desperate. I *need* water
> >> then. Also, they usually serve it in little plastic cups, that means
> >> you pretty much have to drink it all then - else you have to keep
> >> your tray table down or hold it. A pain in normal circumstances,
> >> even worse when travelling with a baby.
> >
> > exactly, particularly if I end up breastfeeding at this time, plus,
> > if they do bring you some water it's in the tiniest cup, so I'd want
> > one every half hour! On the way out they brought water in 250ish ml
> > bottles with the meal, so at least I can refill that, the plane on
> > the way out had at least one water dispenser easily accessible. It
> > looks like the flight will be several hours late, turning it into a
> > night flight rather than early evening, which will then make me feel
> > even if I am awake that I shouldn't be getting up and down
> > unnecessarily!
>
> I've never ever seen (or noticed) a place to refill a water bottle on an
> airplane. Where would the water dispenser be? Maybe that is a UK or
> international flight issue. Hhhhh.

I've seen them, but not on all planes. I've flown too many different
airlines to remember which ones... they're in the area where the food
is kept. near the toilets.

[Caledonia]

Jamie Clark wrote:
> Dave {Reply Address In.sig}" <"noone$$ wrote:
> > Anne Rogers wrote:
> >>
> >> I know they have to be safe, but heck they could allow books and
> >> magazines! I'm also worried about checking in my laptop, it's in a
> >> bag that is designed for such things, but it's not obviously a
> >> laptop bag either,
> >
> > If you've got any valuable data on the laptop (photos?), make sure you
> > have backup copies on CD or DVD or another hard drive somewhere. That
> > way if your laptop gets trashed or lost you won't have lost your data.
>
> I was also thinking that maybe you could ship the laptop home, but it's
> probably too late for that.
>
> ...here is a brilliant idea, that I'm shocked that no one else has thought
> up already...why don't they put a UPS store in airports! It seems like you
> could ship all sorts of stuff before, during or after a trip!
> --
>
Manchester NH has shipping kiosks right outside of security for sending
'banned' items (e.g., nailclippers). Great idea!

Caledonia

[Pologirl]

Caledonia wrote:
> Manchester NH has shipping kiosks right outside of security for sending
> 'banned' items (e.g., nailclippers). Great idea!

So do a lot of other airports. Ship stuff home from the airport, if
that is convenient, or from any other shipping agent's office.

When flying, I rarely check luggage anymore. It is far too much hassle
if either I or any of my luggage misses a connection. And having no
checked luggage is a big timesaver too. I ship the luggage and carry
the bare minimum onto the plane. This trip with Monkey Boy our
"luggage" consisted of his car seat and one small knapsack. We even
managed to catch an earlier flight than what we had ticketed.

[Me Myself and I]

"Jamie Clark" > wrote in message >
> I've never ever seen (or noticed) a place to refill a water bottle on an
> airplane. Where would the water dispenser be? Maybe that is a UK or
> international flight issue. Hhhhh.
>
>
> --
>
> Jamie
> Earth Angels:
> Taylor Marlys, 1/3/03
> Addison Grace, 9/30/04
>
> Check out the family! -- www.MyFamily.com, User ID: Clarkguest1,
> Password: Guest Become a member for free - go to Add Member to set up
> your own User ID and Password
>

I have only ever flown internationally and the water fountain type thing
(it's a very small half round basin like the basin in the toilet) on the
wall right beside the door to the toilet. It's only about big enough to fit
a cup under kind of thing.


--
Pip

My girls :
DD1 Jasmine - 5 weeks early - 21 March 02 -
Still as small as a peanut but as smart as a whip!

DD2 Abby - 8 weeks early - 3 Feb 05 -
"Uhhhhh ohhhhhh" is my new favourite phrase, now what other trouble can I
find!

"Yes you can drive me insane just by talking to me!"


--

[Me Myself and I]

> wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> Anne Rogers wrote:
>> we're currently in Seattle, due to return to London on British Airways
>> tomorrow, which means we have to travel with no carry on baggage, just
>> essential items in a clear plastic bag, jolly glad I'm breastfeeding as
>> if
>> you take baby formula you have to taste it yourself at security
>>
>> any kind of toys for Ada are not deemed essential items, nor is an empty
>> sippy cup, or any alternative food.
>
> How exactly are you supposed to blow up an airplane with a sippy cup?
> Or a baby toy? Or, for that matter, as mentioned below, a book? (I'm
> glad I'm not flying on BA. The idea of spending that much time on a
> plane with nothing whatsoever to do would drive me batty! I understand
> security, but this sounds a tad absurd.
>>
> Naomi
>

If you have to make exceptions for children's toys then the precedent is set
for people to try and get other things through. They wanted to make a short
concise list that people could follow and with very little ambiguity. (So
said Sky news Australia anyway ;))

--
Pip

My girls :
DD1 Jasmine - 5 weeks early - 21 March 02 -
Still as small as a peanut but as smart as a whip!

DD2 Abby - 8 weeks early - 3 Feb 05 -
"Uhhhhh ohhhhhh" is my new favourite phrase, now what other trouble can I
find!

"Yes you can drive me insane just by talking to me!"


--

[npardue@indiana.edu]

Me Myself and I wrote:
> > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> >
> > Anne Rogers wrote:
> >> we're currently in Seattle, due to return to London on British Airways
> >> tomorrow, which means we have to travel with no carry on baggage, just
> >> essential items in a clear plastic bag, jolly glad I'm breastfeeding as
> >> if
> >> you take baby formula you have to taste it yourself at security
> >>
> >> any kind of toys for Ada are not deemed essential items, nor is an empty
> >> sippy cup, or any alternative food.
> >
> > How exactly are you supposed to blow up an airplane with a sippy cup?
> > Or a baby toy? Or, for that matter, as mentioned below, a book? (I'm
> > glad I'm not flying on BA. The idea of spending that much time on a
> > plane with nothing whatsoever to do would drive me batty! I understand
> > security, but this sounds a tad absurd.
> >>
> > Naomi
> >
>
> If you have to make exceptions for children's toys then the precedent is set
> for people to try and get other things through. They wanted to make a short
> concise list that people could follow and with very little ambiguity. (So
> said Sky news Australia anyway ;))
>
So the short list could be "ticket, passport, wallet, (or were wallets
not allowed?) and a maximum of two other non-electronic, non-liquid
items per passenger" ... so we don't have passengers going psycho from
boredom on the flight and creating new dangers!)

Naomi
> --
> Pip
>
> My girls :
> DD1 Jasmine - 5 weeks early - 21 March 02 -
> Still as small as a peanut but as smart as a whip!
>
> DD2 Abby - 8 weeks early - 3 Feb 05 -
> "Uhhhhh ohhhhhh" is my new favourite phrase, now what other trouble can I
> find!
>
> "Yes you can drive me insane just by talking to me!"
>
>
> --

[npardue@indiana.edu]

Me Myself and I wrote:
> > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> >
> > Anne Rogers wrote:
> >> we're currently in Seattle, due to return to London on British Airways
> >> tomorrow, which means we have to travel with no carry on baggage, just
> >> essential items in a clear plastic bag, jolly glad I'm breastfeeding as
> >> if
> >> you take baby formula you have to taste it yourself at security
> >>
> >> any kind of toys for Ada are not deemed essential items, nor is an empty
> >> sippy cup, or any alternative food.
> >
> > How exactly are you supposed to blow up an airplane with a sippy cup?
> > Or a baby toy? Or, for that matter, as mentioned below, a book? (I'm
> > glad I'm not flying on BA. The idea of spending that much time on a
> > plane with nothing whatsoever to do would drive me batty! I understand
> > security, but this sounds a tad absurd.
> >>
> > Naomi
> >
>
> If you have to make exceptions for children's toys then the precedent is set
> for people to try and get other things through. They wanted to make a short
> concise list that people could follow and with very little ambiguity. (So
> said Sky news Australia anyway ;))
>
So the short list could be "ticket, passport, wallet, (or were wallets
not allowed?) and a maximum of two other non-electronic, non-liquid
items per passenger" ... so we don't have passengers going psycho from
boredom on the flight and creating new dangers!)

Naomi
> --
> Pip
>
> My girls :
> DD1 Jasmine - 5 weeks early - 21 March 02 -
> Still as small as a peanut but as smart as a whip!
>
> DD2 Abby - 8 weeks early - 3 Feb 05 -
> "Uhhhhh ohhhhhh" is my new favourite phrase, now what other trouble can I
> find!
>
> "Yes you can drive me insane just by talking to me!"
>
>
> --

[Anne Rogers]

> I've never ever seen (or noticed) a place to refill a water bottle on an
> airplane. Where would the water dispenser be? Maybe that is a UK or
> international flight issue. Hhhhh.

both times has been a 747, there has been one at the very back on both
sides, I don't know if there were any further forwards, I haven't flown much
recently, so I can't recall wether I've seen them before or not.

Anne

[Anne Rogers]

> I have only ever flown internationally and the water fountain type thing
> (it's a very small half round basin like the basin in the toilet) on the
> wall right beside the door to the toilet. It's only about big enough to
> fit a cup under kind of thing.

this is true, the water in the toilets is usually labelled as drinking water
and has a cup dispenser, but these were separate, on either side of the
bulkhead behind the back row of seats

Anne

[Anne Rogers]

> If you've got any valuable data on the laptop (photos?), make sure you
> have backup copies on CD or DVD or another hard drive somewhere. That
> way if your laptop gets trashed or lost you won't have lost your data.

too late! would have been a good idea though, as would backing up before we
left! Thankfully the laptop is safe and sound, I found a piece of bubble
wrap and wrapped it in that.

Anne

[Anne Rogers]

>
> When flying, I rarely check luggage anymore. It is far too much hassle
> if either I or any of my luggage misses a connection. And having no
> checked luggage is a big timesaver too. I ship the luggage and carry
> the bare minimum onto the plane. This trip with Monkey Boy our
> "luggage" consisted of his car seat and one small knapsack. We even
> managed to catch an earlier flight than what we had ticketed.

I've never managed it when travelling with children, but even if we had
planned it that way today, as we were on BA it was essential items only in a
clear plastic bag, so everyone had to check something, particularly annoying
as when we got to Heathrow there was a shortage of baggage handlers and when
they did get to our plane, they couldn't open the doors! We left the airport
over 3hrs after we landed!

Anne

[Anne Rogers]

> How exactly are you supposed to blow up an airplane with a sippy cup?
> Or a baby toy? Or, for that matter, as mentioned below, a book? (I'm
> glad I'm not flying on BA. The idea of spending that much time on a
> plane with nothing whatsoever to do would drive me batty! I understand
> security, but this sounds a tad absurd.

They were checking every single item as we got on the plane, so it was a
case of keeping item numbers to a minimum, we did ask at check-in however
about a sippy cup and favourite toy and they said that would be fine, but no
one was getting books through. Even with our limited stuff it took 5+ mins
to check us, they had to go through each of my boxes of tablets and check
that none were gel, they also had to smell the tylenol to check it really
was that etc.

Anne

[Anne Rogers]

> So the short list could be "ticket, passport, wallet, (or were wallets
> not allowed?) and a maximum of two other non-electronic, non-liquid
> items per passenger" ... so we don't have passengers going psycho from
> boredom on the flight and creating new dangers!)

it would make sense, actually on our flight somone wrote a threatening note
on the mirror in the toilets, the captain said if he had been able to
accurately identify who they were he would have had them arrested. They also
seemed to be trying to get people drunk, handing out 2 bottles of wine with
dinner rather than 1, I guess they were hoping it would sedate everyone!

Anne

[Anne Rogers]

we made it!

it seemed that as well as the delays with security everything else that
could go wrong did, by which stage we were past caring. First off it was
that the head count didn't match the passenger list and after pulling away
from the gate we sat at the end of the runway whilst they counted and
recounted, ended up leaving 5hrs 20mins late.

Flight was fine, though a little turbulent, I slept the best I ever have on
a flight and Ada slept well too, and when she was awake, she was cheerful,
not a tear shed.

After landing, we had to wait for a stand, then when we got to the stand
there was a delay because they had not switched some lights on!

Our own trip through passport control was fine as we were taken down a lane
for disabled people, the queue for non EU passport holders looked
horrendous, but even when they got down to baggage collection there was no
sign of any luggage. We had quite an amusing time with people sending notes
round the conveyor belt, assuming the delay was just due to shortage of
handlers which them kept announcing, but then when the handlers got to our
plane they couldn't open the door! We wondered if the landing, which was
clearly not on automatic pilot had jolted it. It seemed to be a complex
problem as once they told us that it was still at least an hour before our
baggage arrived. The area was heaving with people as there had been several
flights checked in and then cancelled, so their baggage return was there as
well. We eventually left the airport about 8pm, a full 8hrs after originally
scheduled, thankfully the taxi that we had paid in advance for was waiting
for us and the journey from that point was uneventful.

I sincerly hope they lift these restrictions soon, we are due to fly out
again in early October and that time it will be all 4 of us doing the big
move. I've told DH that once we're out there, I'm only returning to the UK
as often as we can afford to fly club class and if that means once every 5
years then so be it!

Anne

[cjra]

Anne Rogers wrote:
> > So the short list could be "ticket, passport, wallet, (or were wallets
> > not allowed?) and a maximum of two other non-electronic, non-liquid
> > items per passenger" ... so we don't have passengers going psycho from
> > boredom on the flight and creating new dangers!)
>
> it would make sense, actually on our flight somone wrote a threatening note
> on the mirror in the toilets, the captain said if he had been able to
> accurately identify who they were he would have had them arrested. They also
> seemed to be trying to get people drunk, handing out 2 bottles of wine with
> dinner rather than 1, I guess they were hoping it would sedate everyone!

hah, good idea, although the American carriers all charge for drinks on
international flights now! No more free wine with dinner.

[lucy-lu]

Anne Rogers wrote:
> we made it!
>
Hi Anne

Glad you got home safe and sound!

Lucy x

[Cindi - HappyMamatoThree]

"Anne Rogers" > wrote in message
...
> >
>> When flying, I rarely check luggage anymore. It is far too much hassle
>> if either I or any of my luggage misses a connection. And having no
>> checked luggage is a big timesaver too. I ship the luggage and carry
>> the bare minimum onto the plane. This trip with Monkey Boy our
>> "luggage" consisted of his car seat and one small knapsack. We even
>> managed to catch an earlier flight than what we had ticketed.
>
> I've never managed it when travelling with children, but even if we had
> planned it that way today, as we were on BA it was essential items only in
> a clear plastic bag, so everyone had to check something, particularly
> annoying as when we got to Heathrow there was a shortage of baggage
> handlers and when they did get to our plane, they couldn't open the doors!
> We left the airport over 3hrs after we landed!
>
> Anne

Glad to see you home safe and sound Anne. I have been watching to see if you
made it.

If you get a chance update us all on what the trip turned out to be like.

Cindi
>
>

[Dave {Reply Address In.sig}]

Anne Rogers wrote:
>> So the short list could be "ticket, passport, wallet, (or were wallets
>> not allowed?) and a maximum of two other non-electronic, non-liquid
>> items per passenger" ... so we don't have passengers going psycho from
>> boredom on the flight and creating new dangers!)
>
> it would make sense, actually on our flight somone wrote a threatening note
> on the mirror in the toilets, the captain said if he had been able to
> accurately identify who they were he would have had them arrested. They also
> seemed to be trying to get people drunk, handing out 2 bottles of wine with
> dinner rather than 1, I guess they were hoping it would sedate everyone!
>
Given the inability to take my own water on the flight, consuming
alcohol would just make things even worse.

I do remember being on an Air Canada flight where I asked for water
because I had a headache (early dehydration sign) and they were very
good at keeping me topped up with water because it seems one of the
flight attendants was worried it might be a stroke. Lots of water = no
headache for me and no headache for them :-)

--
Dave
mail da (without the space)
http://www.llondel.org
So many gadgets, so little time

[Anne Rogers]

> Given the inability to take my own water on the flight, consuming
> alcohol would just make things even worse.

was exactly what I thought, I barely drink anyway and if I do, it causes me
not to sleep, perhaps I was a bit controlling as I made DH hand one of his
bottles back.


Anne