Traveling with Children – Hassle Free.

If you have younger kids in the “carseat phase”, you’ve experienced the fun of dragging bulky, heavy car seats through busy airports. It keeps your kids safe on the plane, but is not a fun experience. There are lots of carts, bags, and wheels available – but the net is that a car seat is not something you will enjoy bringing on a plane. We found a product that solves the problem a few years back and it truly changed our traveling lives. The “CARES” restraint is basically a five point harness for flying that straps to the airplane seat. It loops around the back of the seat behind the other passenger’s tray table and is very easy to install / take off — it’s like a seat belt from older cars. The FAA has totally approved this product, and the FAA approval is even emblazened on the label. It can be a little pricey at $82 with shipping, but the convenience of avoiding the carseat dragging is well worth it from our experience.

The straps are approved for kids 22 pounds to 45 pounds (typically 1 to 5 years old), and weights a grand total of one pound in a very convenient small bag (smaller than most purses). You can check through your car seat (free of any baggage charges on all airlines) – to have it for the car at your destination.

Led Zepplin San Francisco

A new company is offering amazing and unique zepplin rides over San Francisco. Yup, you heard right – the 1930’s type zepplins are now modernized and sailing over the San Francisco skyline for around $500 per ride (varies based on time / events). You can even fly the zepplin yourself with some basic training. What an amazing / unique idea and something we never would have expected. You can learn more about the San Francisco Zepplin airship here.

United Airlines – Is it as bad as folks say?

We recently rode United Airlines on a cross-country trip after a long time away from this airline. They’re rated low for service and have amazing fee’s for just about anything. It is totally true that there is zero food; $125 charge for a bag over 51 pounds, and you can pay extra for 5 inches more legroom in “economy plus”. Since there is a charge for every bag – the overhead compartments are overflowing with bags – everyone brings a nice big carry-on rolling bag to avoid the baggage fee’s. The service is pretty indifferent, but we saw something that gave us new hope in mankind for the airline industry.

The woman sitting behind me was flying with two young children around 2 years and 6 years. Just as the plane taxied away from the airport — one of the children announced they “had to go”. The passenger asked the stewardess to use the bathroom, but she verified they were closed until we reached cruising altitude — 30 minutes or more. I saw disaster on its way, but one of the United stewardesses was so kind to actually STOP THE PLANE so this little boy could use the bathroom. I was amazed they were so considerate and the two minute “quickie” bathroom break made the flight a lot easier for the little boy and nearby passengers (smell-wise) such as myself.

United Airlines flight attendant on this San Francisco airport- Chicago flight: I applaud your consideration.