How to Avoid Dragging Your Child by Their Jacket Through the Airport
Sometimes at the end of a travel day with kids, parents and kids are just done. As in, "I literally can't take one more step" done. If you don't have children, imagine your most exhausting travel day, and then add in managing a couple of heavy, exhausted, squealing, (cute) piglets, and you're about 50% of the way there. I've done some interesting things to get my daughters through those last few steps of going from Point A to Point B when everyone is spent, but I've never done what this parent apparently decided was his last resort to get his children through the airport.
According to the information on the video posted below, on New Year's Day, a man at Washington, DC's Dulles International Airport (IAD) pulled his child by the hood of her jacket through the airport across the floor. It actually sounds worse than it looked on the video. She was said to not be screaming and doesn't appear to be struggling or distressed in the video. There was also reportedly a second child, likely a sister, who was walking behind the child who was sliding across the floor by her hood.
As long as no one is getting hurt (and you aren't drawing on the airplane seats or using a training potty in the middle of the plane), I think parents deserve a whole lot of leeway when hitting the sky with kids. It can get (very) tough at points -- especially if you are the only parent flying solo with the kids.
But, here are a few ideas so you don't have to resort to dragging your child by the jacket through the airport or hotel.
How to Avoid Dragging a Child Through the Airport
Ask for a Ride on the "E-Cart"
The electric golf carts you see in airports can be used by just about anyone who asks. I've had to ask for a ride on one after a solo flight with my then 3- or 4-year-old when she was beyond exhausted and passed out. I couldn't physically carry her and the bags, so it was really the last resort. It took a few minutes to get a cart since we hadn't arranged for one in advance, but it was well worth the wait.
Use a Bag Delivery Service
Keep your hands free so you can carry your passed out or exhausted kids and use a bag delivery service that will deliver your checked bags all the way to your final destination, whether that is home or a hotel. Prices start at $29.95, but go up only marginally for additional bags. Once you check your bags in at the airport, you don't have to mess with them again until they are delivered within four to six hours after you land.
Use a Luggage Cart
After a post-midnight landing, my then 4-year-old daughter was passed out on the way to the hotel. I somehow carried her and the bags from the Uber to the hotel's check-in desk, but then had to place her on the floor as I checked in.
There's no way I could manage carrying all of that to the room, and I couldn't make two trips and leave her anywhere alone. So, I did what I had to do and loaded her onto the luggage cart. The hotel wasn't thrilled, but also didn't have a better suggestion without a bellman on duty at that hour.
Try to Avoid the Over-Tired Demons
I don't know what was going on for the family in the dragging video on that particular day, but I'd wager a Starbucks coffee or two that at least one of them was overtired (if not everyone). Sometimes travel delays can hit and you just have to deal with the cards you are dealt, but try to schedule your travels where no one day is too grueling, especially if you are flying solo with the kids. Also do your best to keep everyone hydrated and well-fed as "hanger" is a real thing.
Bribery
Last, but probably not least, be ready to bribe your kids to get through the airport in a reasonably orderly fashion. You don't have to promise the world, but maybe a packet of M&M's, a trip to Target, some extra iPad time, whatever. Discipline is obviously needed with children, but the airport or plane may not be the best times for a hard lined approach. Survive the journey and then re-center everyone once you get where you are going.
Bottom Line
From strollers to airport golf carts, there are lots of ways to get children through the airport, even when one of them won't take another step, so you really don't have to resort to dragging a lagging child by the hood of their jacket.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.