Tips For Preparing Your Child To Board A Plane During Busy Travel Season
By Michelle Durham
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A New England family was removed from a plane before take-off because their scared two-year-old took an exceptionally long time to sit in her seat and be belted in. A local airline has tips for parents to better prepare their child as the busy Spring travel season approaches.
The incident did not happen on US Airways, but their spokesperson, former flight attendant and commercial pilot Todd Lehmacher, says it's important for kids to be prepared.
"As a parent, you should probably talk it through with them even before you get to the airport and set those expectations. Let them know what to expect, from security all the way through to boarding the aircraft."
Lehmacher sayst the buck stops with the pilot. "When a decision is made -- as far as turn on the seatbelt sign, turn it off -- that's all done by the captain. We really ask passengers to be respectful of those decisions and realize that there is 150-300 people on board that aircraft. And our Captain has a big responsibility and really needs to think about the safety of all of those on board."
Lehmacher says flight attendants can often help, explaining to kids some of the noises they might hear or why it's bumpy. Parents shouldn't hesitate to ask and should also be prepared with plenty of snacks.
