As our Family Prepares to Fly, We Will Adjust to Changes in the Sky

By Maureen Hall

In the wake of the September 11, 2001 Tragedy all airports across Canada and the United States, in fact world wide, have increased security and screening of luggage, carry-ons and passengers.  As we prepare for our next trip, we are preparing our family for the changes ahead.  

The Seattle-Tacoma Airport issued a press release on September 25, 2001 about their new "Do Your Part:  Pack Smart" initiative.  Click below to view the release in its entirety and I suggest that anyone intending to fly read the article.   See Port of Seattle issues Press Release - Do Your Part- Pack Smart - remove "innocent but inappropriate items from Carry-on Luggage.

If you are flying with your children, I also recommend that you double check their carry-on bag or knapsack to ensure that there are no toys in the bag that can be seen as a weapon by airport security.

I have flown on many occasions with my children and innocently packed a butter knife that I used to cut up apples, or other fruit as in-flight snacks.  My kids like their fruit in pieces and apples are one of our families most common travelling snacks.  I will now have to change our inflight snacks to fruit that doesn't require this preparation.   I will gladly adjust to this change.

Air travel as we have known it in the past has irrevocably been changed by the horrendous acts that occurred on September 11, 2001, and though some of the changes may be inconvenient and time consuming, I will try adjust to the changes with an open mind, knowing they are for the greater safety of all airline passengers, including my family.

My children have always been fascinated by visiting the cockpit and talking the pilots, which we have done every time we have flown.  Unfortunately, this will now be a thing of the past and the kids will be disappointed.

As I prepare for our next flight as a family, we discussed the changes the kids will experience as well as their fears and concerns about flying.  Our kids adjust to change very well and are old enough to understand that our life involves air travel.   They may not understand all that occurred on that fateful day and maybe for that I am grateful - because I still want them to be kids, look forward to the new adventures they will experience on each vacation and to never be denied the opportunity to learn.  Being afraid to fly would take many experiences away from them and our family as a whole.

So we will pack accordingly, head to the airport a little earlier, be respectful of the changes at the airport and on the airplane, be courteous to all the airline staff, offer as many smiles as possible and have a great time.

See Air Travel Tips for more tips on flying with Children.