What are the chances they will check a child age at an airline?

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Eclipsepearl

On domestic flights, you need to show them a noterized birth certificate at check-in. If you're in any doubt, look up your airline's website. Put the name of the airline, followed by "children" to get to the right page quickly.

I used to be a Flight Attendant and we were taught that the child can only go in a lap until the day before their 2nd birthday. After that, they have to have a ticket. If you show up at the airport with a 3 year old and no ticket, you'll be forced to purchase one on the spot and those can be very expensive.

We had a woman onboard with a toddler who had turned 2 while they were visiting the U.S. They were returning home and the mother did not speak much English. Luckily, the ground staff were nice and managed to get her son an empty seat but this was very unusual. These were foreigners who probably weren't aware of U.S. air rules, were trying to get home and the mother, flying alone, had language issues. Don't expect sympathy if you don't have a story like that!

Children under 2 are allowed on laps for commercial reasons, not because it's safe. The only way to fly safely with a child is to bring a FAA approved car seat and use it onboard.

http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

Having the car seat onboard guarentees that it will arrive undamaged. Checking car seats is risky. On my last flight, only one of our four bags made it but I had my daughter's car seat so she was safe the 2 hour drive home. Peace of mind!

Here's a good article on the importance of using a car seat onboard. Three year olds don't fit very well in the adults' seatbelt;

http://www.jetwithkidsclub.com/lapchild.pdf

To get the seat through the airport, all sorts of gizmos are sold like this;
http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_k...

Some parents manage to bungee cord their seat to their stroller or make it fit inside. They also have backpacks for car seats, which would mean having your hands free.

I simply use a small metal luggage cart with an extra bungee cord and it works great. I skip on the stroller and she can even ride in it (and she's 3 1/2). She usually prefers to walk and then I can put the carry-on bag(s) on it. It didn't cost me a thing since I already had the luggage cart and the bungee cord!

I'm taking a car seat while flying long-haul alone with three kids so it can be done! Do what works for you and practice at home before heading to the airport.

So call your travel agent and buy a ticket as soon as you can.

Good luck and have a good trip!

thisrunningmom

Any child age 2 or above must have a ticket. This is for safety reasons. If the airline has a doubt about the age they will request to see the birth certificate. If you can not provide the birth certificate you can either pay the full walk up fare, no advance purchase price of the ticket (usually at least (2-3 x higher than the price you have paid) or you will not be able to board with the child. So call another adult to come pick up the child from the airport or miss your flight to bring her home.

I worked as a travel agent for 5 years and many people think they can outsmart the airlines. However when faced with the consequences, why try to.

FYI even if your child is only one when you leave and turns two before the return trip you would need a ticket.

tbugs

I do not know how far you are flying but it is very hard to hold a 3 year old child in your lap for the flight.

At airport check-in, you need to have the child's birth certificate for them to make sure of the age.

It is only the honest thing to do and also the child and you will be more comfortable with a separate seat.

LMT in training!

I know how you feel!! I am traveling for the first time in 10 years via airplane this summer with my 1 and 4 year old!

They do check. They told me when I purchased the tickets that I will need copies of both the kids' birth certificates.

grant_saxby@yahoo.co.uk

The childs date of birth will be checked at check in on the passport and if the child is 2 or over a ticket will need to be bought! it's against CAA & FAA Regs for a child two and over to be on the parents lap for the flight due to safety reasons.

Marsha

Buy her a ticket. It is much safer and the actual age is *under* 2 years of age. If you have to buy a ticket at the gate it will be very expensive.

gromit801

You have to have your child's birth certificate with you. This ensures you're not a non-custodial parent kidnapping the child. They do check.

MCLS

I THINK YOUR CHILD WILL STILL NEED ID TO GET ON BOARD. BUT IF YOU CALL THE AIRLINE THERE IS NO HARM DONE. RUN THE RISK OF OT GETTING ON THE PLANE OR HAVE TO BUY A TICKET WITH A FULL PLANE. I WOULDN'T RISK IT IF THE TRIP IS VERY IMPORTANT

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