Last weekend, I took Emma with me and a friend to the Bahamas. It was a short cruise from Miami and I decided that it was easier to fly there. Emma still hates the car seat and our only flight experience last summer was great. I got my plane ticket on American Airlines, packed our bags, checked in the car seat and headed for security feeling like super mom. I managed that part like a pro. I folded the stroller, took my shoes off, made Emma stand next to me while I passed her diaper bag, the stroller, the bin with my shoes, and my camera bag (I know, I shouldn't have). I carried her, walked through the metal detector and collected everything again. I got her bottles tested by a TSA agent (no big deal) and continued to our gate. We ate a quick lunch and she walked the whole terminal. When it was time to board, I was already exhausted. I assumed that we were going to board after first class or worst case after group one. I had a group 3 boarding pass but I didn't really worry about it until it was time to board and nobody called for families. When I approached a gate agent, he informed me that American no longer allowed families to pre-board. He wasn't even nice. I had to wait until half the airplane boarded before we could go in. I had to fold and turn the stroller at the gate which requires both hands, watch that Emma wouldn't run, carry the bags hoping for available overhead space. I'm lucky that Emma now walks and she walked (slowly) towards our seat. The people behind us were not too patient, but a 28 pound toddler is a lot to carry for me these days. It would have been a more complicated situation with an infant. The flight was perfect. Emma loves to fly, she doesn't even cry. The trick is to give her a pacifier or something to drink for her ears.
I started to check online to see if my good experience with Southwest was only to be expected from Southwest. I contacted AA on Twitter and they responded; at the beginning not very helpful and I finally made my point that they need to improve their service. I hope that they do change this policy. I understand that children that are older don't need help, but those with infants or traveling with a stroller need more time. I read that Southwest, Delta, jetBlue, Alaska and Virgin still allow families with small children to pre-board. However, American and United do not. I'm planning to use all of our miles on a few flights and stop accumulating them with American. I find it the worst airline of all. Their airplanes are old and their service is not great. I stay loyal only because the milage program is the best. I am a loyal AA member and I am very sad that now that I am a parent I do not get a few more minutes to make the travel experience more comfortable. I didn't know how much work it was to travel with a child. I do not want to stop traveling and from now on, I will have to travel with those airlines who treat families well. Needless to say, I was not looking forward to our return flight. I upgraded to first class on our way back. It was the best $45 that I ever spent. We had leg room and we boarded first. I'm happy to say that Emma and I made it though a long weekend trip alone. She is my travel buddy now and I am SO proud of her. I will upload pictures from the cruise soon.
