Hi, I'm taking my 4 1/2 yr old ASD child on his first major trip including flying in a plane for the first time. He doesn't do well with the unknown and sitting still, so I'm trying to really prepare for this trip. I'm trying to find an umbrella stroller that will fold up small yet hold him (42 lbs) or a small one-seat wagon that I can use to push him around in the airport and hopefully store in the overhead space on the plane. Does anyone have any suggestions?
I'd probably go with something like this piggyback carrier:
http://www.amazon.com/Piggy-Rider-Standing-Child-Carrier/...
Does he still use a carseat? If so, I'd recommend getting a set of the wheels you can use to make carseat into child-toting-rollerbag.
http://www.amazon.com/GoGo-Babyz-Kidz-Travelmate/dp/B004M...
I used it with my son at 3 and 4 years old and he did great (he has since be diagnosed with ADHD and possible AS). The airline will happily gate check it when you get on the plane (forward facing seats are really uncomfortable on the airplane because the buckle ends up right in their BACK), and it'll be there again when you come off.
Even when he got too big to use this reasonably, it was a great help just for dragging the seat around without breaking my back.
Don't worry about making sure it's small enough to put in the overhead bin. You can gate check it and they will bring it up to you when the plane lands.
I've seen some people with a Radio Flyer wagon in the airport, but it seemed bulky, so I'm not sure how it would travel in a car. My son fit in an umbrella stroller up til about 4, so you might just go to a few stores and try them out to see if he would be too big. Good luck!
Based on age and wright you need a sturdy stroller. Try the Maclaren strollers. They are built well and can take the weight. Theyfold up small and they wil check it at the gate. Ours worked great at the aiport. They are in the mid 100 price range so you might want to check craigslist or a consignment store.
for me, the issue with a wagon is the kids trying to climb out. I much prefer a stroller with a seatbelt. :)
with Sue on this. Stroller seems safer + easier to handle + room to store stuff + free transportation on flights (wagon might fall in toy category and they might charge you for it as a regular check-in). But a lot depends on you and your child. :)
We bought a wonderful folding wagon at Costco last year. It is made out of waterproof tent-fabric and has a folding metal inner skeleton to keep it firm when opened up. It is great for kids and folds into the size of a small suitcase, so it should work great to take on an airplane. I just saw them for sale again this year for around $60. We have the gray one that is very sturdy and well-made. Here is a link for some reviews on similar ones that are red: http://reviews.costco.com/2070/11306719/on-the-edge-foldi....
Good luck to you!
I second the GoGo Babyz. I use it with my 4 year old son's car seat whenever we fly. Works like a dream and gate checks for convenience (I never recommend bringing a car seat on the plane - the airline seat will be just fine). If you are planning to take a car seat anyway, this would be a nice option, especially since his seat is familiar to him.
Saw this on Sharktank
http://www.rideoncarryon.com/
A wagon is unrealistic and impractical. I have traveled all over the world with an under 5 year old. As another mama mentioned, a Maclaren stroller, the Volo type, is excellent and super light weight. I even got a bag for mine so it wouldn't get dirty in the cargo hold.
I also had a "sit n' stroll" stroller that was a car seat that had wheels that popped out to become a stroller. This is a pricey option, but very nice.
I am not sure what an "ASD" child is, but I also had a kid backpack my daughter would wear when walking through an airport with me. It had a tether that connected to the backpack so that she could never walk away from me or with a stranger. Happy travels!
