Will I get help on the plane?
 

This may seem as a really silly question…

I will be travelling to Perth on my own with 2 kids aged 5.5yrs and 3 yrs in August 2008 with Singapore Airlines. My hubby will already be there in Perth. Will I get any help on the plane, i.e boarding/embarking with 2 kids plus 3 pc of hand luggage? As we will be migrating, we will be taking as much as we need with us in baggage allowance (hand and luggage) on plane until our container reaches Perth. Has anyone experienced this situation or know someone that has? Any help and advise appreciated as always!

Re: Will I get help on the plane?
 

Never asked for help myself but I am sure that if you ask for assistance they will help you out. They usually like to board families with children first so you get on before the scrum. When I travelled with my kids I always went as light as possible and we each had a back pack which is obviously going to be more of a challenge to you. However, if you can keep it to a minimum you will be grateful for it.

Re: Will I get help on the plane?
 

Lets put it this way - if singapore won't do it - then no airline will! They are the most child friendly airline we've flown with.
Can only suggest you contact them and ask.

Re: Will I get help on the plane?
 

all young kids up to age 12 anyway get on first with parents, they should annouce this anyway, even quantas done this on the 10 flights we had with them, it was great.

Re: Will I get help on the plane?
 

Try contacting their customer services and explain you have 2 young children and are travelling on your own and would like some help. I wouldn't say too much about the hand luggage as they are there to help with the kids rather than your hand luggage :)

If you look on the website www.singaporeair.com (under 'Plan & Prepare' then 'before you travel') it does say people travelling with very young children come under Special Needs travel, not sure if 3 and 5 count as 'very' young.

As another option why don't you buy one of those little trolley things that you can tie your hand luggage onto - it then collapses for taking onto the plane.

OR way up the stress of handling the hand luggage (that the kids can't carry!) on top of the 2 kids against buying some stuff when you get there! I know what I would opt for!

I travelled from Malaysia to Australia with 4 kids under 6 and I had 1 backpack as hand luggage - any more would have been too much to think about and it left my hands free to hold onto the kids or push a trolley.

Best of luck

Galba

Re: Will I get help on the plane?
 

Get each kid a backpack with their own belongings in it and make them carry it. Get a backpack for yourself if you don't already have one, very handy as it means you can still hold childrens hands or push trolleys. I came with a 7 year old and 3 on my own and they both did this. Obviously the 7 is older than your 5 but nevertheless they are still old enough to carry a bag each. Everything else make sure it goes in checked baggage. I can't say I got any help but we were allowed to board first which helps. If you need help, ask.

Re: Will I get help on the plane?
 

I still would travel as light as possible even though you are migrating.

Hubby and I travelled with 2 year old and 1 year. 2 car seats, 2 ruck sacks and 2 cabin roller boxes. We did ask for him getting to the seat and got it.

In my opinion you probably would be best to take one roller box 1 ruck sack and perhaps 1 small case for the kids but definately no more

Re: Will I get help on the plane?
 

I agree that you should take as little hand baggage as possible. Whether you get help on board will very much depend on the crew you get, but I'd say SA will more than likely help you out. When I was on Emirates some of the cabin crew just looked so uncomfortable dealing with kids, I think because they were barely adults themselves!

In the airport / departure lounge is another matter as there simply aren't that many staff around to assist. On my last flight I remember seeing this poor girl, who I think was a nanny, trying to get 2 young kids + too many bags into the queue for boarding. One of the kids was all over the place, the other one was so knackered (by the last leg of the journey) that she couldn't be woken up. In the end other passengers ended up helping them all board.

Re: Will I get help on the plane?
 

I meant to say we used something called tot a tot (www.toteatot.com). It won't be of any use for you because its for those travelling with car seats but you can use the principal behind it for your 3 year old. Get a strong roller box and the 3 year old can always sit on it as you wheel it along.

Re: Will I get help on the plane?
 

I'm pretty much the same as you: 9, 6 and 2 year old PLUS I will be taking Xanax so I'll be pretty sedated :o. Travel agent has booked me in as an Assisted Passenger. Nothing extra. They do it all the time. My sister's MIL also went as an assisted passenger just as she felt she'd get confused within terminals etc.
Irish Gal

Re: Will I get help on the plane?
 

I travelled on my own with a 6mth old and 2.5yr old last year, I GOT NO Assistance from the airline, if it hadnt been for the lovely passengers on the plane who helped me off with my bags and then helped me haul my luggage off the carousel whilst I had the baby and a very tired toddler I dont know what I would have done!!! So go prepared for NO help and you might be lucky
The hosties were lovely on the plane as far as saying what well behaved children I had, but they didnt ever say 'here let me take your baby for an hour while you have a rest'!!!!!
When I arrived at Manchester airport I asked where my assistance was, and was told 'we arent licensed to carry your bags or children' and that was it!!!
Oh and I am a travel agent myself so I did all I could have to get any help!!

Re: Will I get help on the plane?
 

What airline was that if you don;t mind me asking?
NJ

Re: Will I get help on the plane?
 

that was with Emirates, but it is actually the ground staff at the airport that assist you not Emirates staff