Questions About Flying - Kokomo,IN

First of all just bring the carseat w/ you and either check it upon check in(it's not considered luggage so you shouldn't be charged for it) or at the gate. Most airlines will put in in a plastic sack and you can retrieve it when you get to your destination at baggage claim (it comes off w/ the luggage so be sure to watch for it). No she doesn't sit in the carseat onboard the flight...in fact most airlines don't allow that. If you bring a stroller it's almost the same deal...you can put it through the x-ray at security and check it at the gate...it'll be waiting for you as soon as you get off the plane, so look for it. So much easier going through the airport w/ one's child safely strapped into the stroller...and you can hang things (carry-ons) off the handles.
Snacks are a must...include something chewy so that your daughter can chew it on the ascent and descent, helps w/ the ears popping...I usually buy skittles for such a purpose but if you're adverse to giving her candy and chewy food will do (fruit snacks or dried fruit maybe). For the rest of the flight a nutritious snack that she likes...cheese, crackers, grapes...whatever. Try not to pack a drink because yes, sometimes that can be confiscated at security. Buy drinks after you've gone through security or simply wait until you're served them on the flight.
As for making your daughter more comfortable...a light blanket and a squishy pillow. Pack a backpack w/ those, her snack, and some entertainment...coloring books, regular books, electronic games (like a Leapster), animal figures (or whatever she likes to play with at home that's small and portable) pencils, crayons, blank pad of paper, magna-doodle. I have a mini-dvd player that my 8 year old son loves...but if you don't have that that's ok. Just bring enough to entertain her for a few hours. The plane ride alone will be exciting...looking out the window, getting served drinks, watching inflight movies (even w/out the sound), snacking on-board a plane (especially if she gets a treat she doesn't usually get). It'll all be new and exciting.
As for you and your comfort...a squishy pillow and light blanket would probably be good for you too! :) Have fun!

I've been traveling with my daughter since she was 8 weeks old...and travel 1-2 times per month for business. Here are a couple of things I learned the hard way and some tricks from other people.

Car Seat: Most airlines consider this an exemption item and don't charge to check it. Buy a canvas zip bag or double bag it in heavy duty garbage bags (buy barrel liners at Home Depot). The airline may or may not provide you with a bag (and it most likely won't be free). Luggage is out in the weather. You don't want to get to your destination and discover you have a wet car seat. I've used it on the plane and checked it...for a 4 year old, definitely check it. You will have more room to maneuver.

Make sure she pees before you get on the plane (you too at 25 weeks!). It can be close to an hour from the time you board before you can get out of your seat. I've been on airlines that are pretty flexible and some lately that are not...even if you're puking.

And speaking of puking...several small, well-sealed bags are good if anyone gets airsick. I barfed every time a plane landed when I was pregnant. Airsick bags aren't always there when you need them.

I haven't noticed any relaxing of the liquids/paste/gel rules for CARRY-ON. The rule is each individual container maximum capacity can't be more than 3oz. All of your containers must fit in a quart size ziploc bag. Each ticketed passenger can have one bag. Buy freezer bags...they are heavier and you won't have them split open on you.

Traveling with a kid will usually buy you some leeway on juice, milk, etc. It really just depends on the individual agents and the current alert level. Unless you have some real special needs, keep your hand luggage light and just buy some water once you get past security. I travel with an empty, reusable bottle and get it filled at one of the restaurants after I pass--I am always thirsty and never get enough on the plane.

Everyone will have to take off their shoes and put them through the x-ray.

As long as you are traveling within the US, you can transport whatever food you like in checked or carry-on luggage.

For you...stay hydrated. Eat small snacks periodically. Get up and move around a bit. Make sure you have the contact information for your midwife/OB with you. If you are looking REALLY pregnant, consider getting a note from your doctor. I was still traveling a lot when I was 25 weeks...but I was HUGE and was questioned several times about how far along I was (I had a note from my midwife, but never had to produce it). Different airlines have different rules about how late you can fly--most don't allow past 35 weeks max. However, a male (and most female) tickets agents aren't a good judge of how far along you are and it can be left up to you to prove it.

Have fun on your trip.

My SIL flies all the time with a carseat for her daughter. Since it's the law to have a carseat, it's free to check it. So, she bought a carseat bag that she carries it in, and stuffs it full with lots of other things (clothes, diapers, etc.)

I have a four year old and almost two year old and have flown a bunch with them. Here are my suggestions:
Carseat: You can check them for free with most airlines. I purchased a carseat bag at Babies R Us for less than $20, but you could use a trash bag or whatever you have. Your other option is to do a gate check. This is where you carry it through security with you, then when you're getting ready to board the plane, they take it from you and stow it under the plane. You get it back as soon as you step off the plane. The advantage to this is that if your luggage gets lost, you won't lose your carseat. The disadvantage is that you have to lug it through the airport.
Food and Drinks: You can take food that is sealed (fruit snacks, candy, granola bars, etc) but don't try to take anything open, it's too much of a risk that security will make you throw it out. For drinks, just take an empty sippy cup for the plane ride. After you get through security you can buy juice or water at one of the shops in the airport. Or, when the flight attendant comes around on the plane handing out beverages, you can get some apple juice and she'll pour it right into the sippy.
Entertainment: I have come to rely heavily on our portable DVD player with headphones. Put on a movie and that will take up at least an hour and a half of the flight. I take a bunch of movies in a cd holder and let them pick what they want. You need headphones so the sound doesn't bother anyone around you.
Good luck and enjoy the trip!

the car seat would be a check in

Check with your specific airline about the car seat. They should have on their website if it counts as a checked bag or if it is free.

For the food and drinks, you'll want to go to the TSA website. That is the website that has all of the safety regulations and guidelines.

Here are the TSA tips about flying with children:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.sht...

And here is some information about flying with food:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editoria...

If you take juice or something on the plane, it must be in reasonable quantities and still be sealed while going through security. I brought six juice bottles for my son when I went to India and they told me that was too much, until I told them where we were going. Bring her some new quiet toys and you'll probably be ok with her flying. My son has done really well and doesn't get bothered by the pressure in the plane, so I don't really have any tips for that. For you, just bring a book or something to pass the time and you'll be done before you know it. Good luck!

I flew last year and we were not allowed to bring any food or beverages what-so-ever past the security gate. Once your past the security gate, you can purchase items and then take them on the plane with you.

If its a domestic flight, you should have no problem packing the cinamon rolls in your luggage.

Did you use a travel agent? If yes, they should be able to answer all your questions.

We just flew to Fl in Jan. We brought sippy cups of water for both our kids and a couple juice boxes. Plus we brought a bunch of snacks. It was all allowed through at security. The only thing they did was check the water since it wasn't in a sealed container. Nothing was said about the food or juice boxes at all.

A couple weeks before the trip I packed a backpack with toys and drawing stuff and a blanket for each kid. And we went to the dollar store and grabbed a new "toy" for each one. This way all the items that I brought with were "newer" since they hadn't seen them for a couple weeks. It was a 3 1/2 hour flight PLUS we let them play with the stuff at the airport for a couple hours and they were well entertained with that.

If you are checking luggage, be sure to be at the airport EARLY!!! We were able to walk right past but the luggage check lines were CRAZY long. I would guess it took a MINIMUM of 1 to 2 hours to get up to the counter to check the luggage. And then the people still had to go through security..... While we were sitting at our gate, there were 8 people who missed the flight in front of ours...... (Don't know why this missed.)

A lot of the fees depend on the airline you're flying. You can usually gate-check the carseat, but if she's not going to need it at all for the flight, it may be easier to check it with baggage. You may also want to check into renting a car or booster seat from the car rental company.

Check the TSA (transportation safety board) website for what they are currently allowing through security in regards to liquids, gels, etc. I read a few months ago that they had relaxed the 3oz rule, but I'm not sure what all it pertains to. Usually you have to make sure you have no water or drinks and buy them at the airport after you go through security. I would rely on the TSA website for my info about snacks and drinks. They can be crazy about certain things! I had to ditch a jar of peanut butter I wasn't even thinking about on our way home from Oklahoma one time. Evidently it fit the bill of a "gel-like" substance!