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Planning the Perfect Trip: Summer Travel Tips

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Are you gearing up for a family trip? Flying with family is no simple task. Getting everyone packed, organized and ready to go through security with little fuss can present quite a challenge! Thankfully, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) has a few pointers to help make your summer travel experience run smoothly.

Know How to Carry-on: Children get hungry for snacks. You know this and you want to be prepared. Solid foods such as apples, granola bars or sandwiches can be packed in your carry-on for the plane ride, and any liquid food – such as yogurt, pudding or peanut butter – must be in containers of 100ml or less and placed in a clear, closed, resealable one-litre plastic bag.

catsa_family_1However, if you’re traveling with a baby (under the age of two), items such as baby food, breast milk, formula, water and juice are exempt from the 100 ml limit and do not have to be placed in a plastic bag. Still, you must present these items to the screening officer for inspection.

Other personal items to keep the kids entertained, like iPods, tablets and toys, can go in your child’s carry-on baggage. Always be sure to leave toys that look like weapons (e.g. water guns, toy grenades, etc.) at home.

Check Wait Times: Preparing for your departure is easier with CATSA’s online wait time indicator. Wait times for security screening checkpoints major airports provide extra convenience when planning your trip. (I check it obsessively before travel! Super convenient.) 

Breeze Through Security: Did you know there is a Family/Special needs lane? This lane is for passengers who need more time or help with their belongings to get through security. Check when you arrive if this lane is available.

catsa_family_3Make sure your family wears easy-to-remove outerwear, clothing without snaps, metal buttons or studs and be sure to limit jewelry to small items such as earrings. Let your child walk through the metal detector if they are able to do so on their own.

Travelling with the Family Pooch: Contact your airline in advance to find out about their policy for passengers travelling with pets. If your pet is travelling in the cabin with you, remove it from its carrying case, send the carrying case through the x-ray scanner, hold your pet in your arms and proceed through the metal detector.

Follow these tips – and the only thing left to do is relax and enjoy your family vacation! Additional travel advice can be found at catsa.gc.ca, on Twitter and Pinterest.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. loucheryl

    Check wait times!!! YES! Soooo important, especially when you know there is bad weather happening or nearby.

  2. Heidi C.

    I agree about checking wait times, especially if you are travelling with children or pets. It is important to prepare as well for possible unanticipated layovers.

  3. Debbie W

    I always check the wait times before the leaving the house, BUT I have been a victim of long delays with a child. Be prepared is good advice for the unexpected.

  5. Melinda L.

    I always check my carry on…had to throw away perfectly good jam because it was slightly too big according to regulation :(

    good tips!

  7. Flora M

    Not that I am planning a trip on an airline anytime soon, it is great to know these tips ;)

  8. sarah sar

    I had no idea you could check for wait times. Awesome….will keep that in mind for our next trip. Also, yes, pack lots of snacks!!!!

  10. Darlene Schuller

    These are great tips!! We don’t ‘fly’ but we do cross the border a ton. My brother does a lot of flight travel and starting this year, with his kids. I’ll have to be sure to share your advice. Thank you.

  11. Anne Taylor

    Thanks for these tips! I had no idea there was a family/special needs line! That must surely make a difference!

  12. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    Wish I had a tip to bring a fan to my mother in law it’s so freaking hot right now

  13. Florence C

    I always bring lots of food and pick up a drink after I go through security. I seem to get caught on planes for long periods of time because of fog or high winds and the plane having to divert because it can’t land at my destination. I once flew from Edmonton changed in Toronto and flew to St, John’s and could not land. Had to divert to Deer Lake, Halifax, Toronto and stayed overnight in Toronto and flew to St. John’s the next morning.

  14. Victoria Ess

    I also always put everything that needs to be removed from my luggage in a separate bag so that I can quickly and easily remove the items and put them back into my carry-on at the security screening.

  17. Amy Stack

    We always bring extra snacks in case of delays at any point of the trip! We also bring spill-proof drinking cups for our little guys. Even older children could have a problem with spills in-flight in turbulence.

  18. Judy C (Judy Cowan)

    I don’t fly that often but it is always good to stay on top of the current rules, thanks for the tips!

  20. Tara E

    thank goodness for a family lane! we always try to travel with carryons only. make it SO much faster, instead of waiting for luggage and it’ll never get lost!

  23. Bailey Dexter

    Thanks for the tips, I didn’t know about the CATSA’s online wait time indicator.

  24. BobbiJo Pentney

    Always make sure you help your children pack their carry on, those liquid rules can cause tears.