I’ve been flying alone with The Nut since she was three months old. We make several trips to Tennessee each year and B isn’t usually able to join us. This leaves one mama to move one kid and a plethora of crap through the airport. Solo.
Meet the gate pass. This mysterious, magical thing that eluded me for 3 solid years.
Yesterday I flew back to NYC from Nashville. I have had a lot of complications with this pregnancy, so I am off my feet the majority of the time and I’m trying not to lift anything. That makes a security check with a child, carry-ons, and a stroller hell kind of difficult.
Guess what? Even if you aren’t traveling with another adult, it is possible to bring one with you to the gate. I simply asked when I checked in if my mom could help me get to the gate and the American Airlines agent looked at her license and printed her up a special little pass. That’s it. She assisted us through security and hung out with us until the moment we boarded. Seriously!
I had no idea this could happen.
If you find yourself flying and feeling like you could use some extra hands (and you have a person willing to schlep and hang out at the airport for a while) ask the ticket agent for a gate pass. I don’t know if there are particular requirements, but it’s certainly worth asking.
With Baby #2 heading our way, this is an invaluable discovery to me!
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Awesome! I just traveled across country; luckily my mom came along. I would not have been able to do it without her, or the advice of many friends and blogs (like this one). Keep up all the helpful tips!!
Seriously?? This is great to know! Will be trying this next month.
That is really awesome! Glad you had the exta help. Thank you for sharing the info. Hope you are all doing well.
That’s great! Thanks for the info, Katy! I wish I knew about that a few weeks ago *haha* Glad your momma could help you
Miss you guys!