The winner:

Seven Tips for Kid Travel Heaven
May 24, 2012
Just when I thought I had nonrevving down pat, a wonderful new complication entered the equation. Our family grew from two to three with the birth of our son. Alex (now 4) has mastered the nonrev game like a pro. Like many airline brats he could fly before he could crawl. Yet even my precocious and normally even-tempered 4 year-old can grow weary of crowded terminals and packed flights. So how do we enjoy our jet-set lifestyle without being absentee parents (and still maintain good relations with grandparents who aren't always eager to be kiddie storage units)? Through trial and error we’ve discovered these seven tips that make the best of our pass travel privileges without losing our sanity.
Go early or go home. That’s the saying in our house. It’s better to sacrifice an hour of sleep than two or more hours waiting on the next flight. Earlier flights usually have more availability. Plus, there’s a better chance a revenue passenger will miss their alarm clock freeing up a seat. If possible, we shoot for middle-of-the-week flights vs. the weekend. Tuesdays beat Sundays almost always for lower load factors, and getting cleared together wins in our book any day over flying on “optimal” travel days. Take an extra PPT day – it’s worth it.
Steve Jobs is our new best friend. An iPad or other tablet is an investment well-made. Taking the money we would have spent on airfare, we invested in a gadget that entertains our son with movies, games, and stories. It also comes in handy for checking flight availability and checking in. Plus, you can access TravelNet at 30,000 feet on domestic flights for free!
Trains, planes, and Matchbox cars. Our son loves trains. I’m not sure where I erred in his upbringing, but he’s crazy about tracks and locomotives. He also loves cars. Packing a few small toys comes in handy for takeoff and landings (when the iPad must be turned off). It’s also a great distraction for airport layovers. Presenting a new toy for trips has become a welcomed surprise for our little traveler. Holding it until the right moment is golden.
Peanuts, pretzels and Biscoffs ain't gonna cut it. Unless you've got older kids or have made a burnt offering to the nonrev gods, first class meals are most likely only something you'll see from the back side of the blue curtain. Bringing along a few of our son’s favorite snacks have saved the day and made for a nicer experience both in the gate area and onboard for all those around.
“Not the yucky one!” While competition is great for business, sometimes our comrades in those other terminals can really be our friends. We thought it was cute when our then 2-year-old referred to a certain brown plane as “the yucky airline,” until we had to hitch a ride home with them. Fortunately their sense of humor really helped to ease our chagrin. A ZED fare can be a cheap alternative to waiting for the next day. Look up rules on TravelNet and take advantage of OAL travel privileges. Now with eZED ticketing and listing this can be easily accomplished on-the-go using a tablet or laptop.
Have a back-up plan or two. No matter how good the availability or weather forecast, sometimes bumps in the road happen. Have a secondary option ready and be prepared to get creative. We don’t let the unexpected get the best of us. We always plan in advance who will stay and who will go and are ready if the gate agent says, “Can you split up?” Know alternative airports beforehand, and don’t be afraid to rent a car and drive. We’ve done this on occasion to get to another Delta city and then flew the rest of the way. Delta employees get discounts at most of the major car rental companies. Most importantly, know when to say “it’s not gonna happen.” Don’t let “got to get home-itis” get the best of you. No matter how much you feel you need to go, know your kids and don’t push too hard. It’s not worth it in the end…no matter how much you loath returning to the in-laws’ house. Or get a hotel. It’s a small price to pay for a happy travel experience and an even happier family. We get discounts at major hotel chains, too, and they are now easy to find on the Delta Perks page of DeltaNet.
With a little planning and a little flexibility, you can take full advantage of this great privilege – giving your kids the world! Of course, we’ll be waiting until Alex turns 6 in 2014 for any transoceanic flying.

Jerry Fletcher