'The one airline boarding directive I think you really should ignore'
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Even if you don't regularly travel with kids, you know the boarding process of any airline usually starts by inviting families with young children to come forward first.
But as a mum of a toddler, I reckon this is the worst possible thing you could do.
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Boarding first causes more problems than it solves. Supplied
The instruction makes sense in theory.
Parents and kids are usually travelling with more stuff – travel prams, bottles, nappy bags, and endless snacks and entertainment options for the kids.
So getting to your seat with ample time to settle in and get everything sorted, without blocking the aisles, is technically a good idea.
But my 18-month-old is the kind of kid who can't sit still for more than 10 seconds at a time. So the idea of getting him to sit patiently in an airplane seat for 20 or more minutes while everyone else boards is my idea of hell.
Instead, I make sure we're the very last people on the plane.
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Sitting in our seats while everyone else boards is not my idea of fun. Getty
Even on a recent trip home from New Zealand, where we got to the airport at 4:30am, he was running around like I'd fed him pure sugar for breakfast.
So when it comes time to board, we hang back, try to get out the last round of zoomies, and then jump into the queue after everyone else has already lined up.
If you're travelling with two parents, things get even easier.
Parent one can get on board with all the stuff, and get everything set up. Parent two stays behind with the little monster, I mean toddler, and boards last.
It's the best of both worlds.
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My partner can get us all set up in our seats, while I let the baby run wild in the gate area. Supplied
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. Older kids might be happy to board first and kick back with their iPads while waiting for everyone else to board.
If you've got a younger baby and have a car seat, it makes sense to get on board first and get them clipped in.
Otherwise, I reckon you're better off ignoring the airline staff's prompt to board early.
It's better to get on last - especially if you end up being delayed on the tarmac and have to stay belted into your seats for even longer.
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