Fly Direct

By Allison Berman
April 28,2009

Once upon a time, before I had children, I was a frequent business flyer and I had traveling down to a science. Now I travel infrequently, it's with children and more often then not it more closely resembles a science experiment gone haywire.

I vaguely remember packing a carry-on last minute, hailing a city taxi, and being dropped at departures. I requested window seats so I wouldn't have to get up for "seatmates" to use the facilities. Either I worked or scrunched up my sweater, put my head against the window, and went to sleep. The friendly skys were an opportunity for peace and quiet without my boss or staff calling to ask questions.

Now I travel to see family, which means taking time off from work. I work double time so furniture orders still get out in a timely fashion. I get one column to my editor early before I go, and have another written and ready to submit for when I get back.

Gone are the days of last minute packing and avoiding baggage claim. I pack for me and my two daughters. I used to pack for my husband too but I forgot his pajamas one time too many so now I just put what he lays out into the suitcase.

My children need car seats so no more taxi. We drive and park in long-term parking so I always try to fly from Stewart Airport where long-term parking is a 5 minute shuttle. I can't stress enough how wonderful it is to fly in and out of this gem in Orange County. The problem is they have limited direct flights and it's hard enough to get kids on and off a plane once, I can't do multiple takeoffs and landings.

I learned this the hard way two years ago when we flew to Tahoe from Stewart to see my brother and sister-in-law. We somehow thought it was a better idea to take 2 flights there and 3 home to avoid flying from JFK or Newark. Getting there actually wasn't that bad. Getting home was a nightmare.

Our second flight was significantly delayed and we already had a tight connection. When we landed my husband piled the car seat, his laptop, and dvd player on an abandoned luggage cart. He threw my daughter on top and we ran from one terminal to the next. He pushed the luggage cart - holding onto our then 3 year old. I held my carry-on (filled with diapers, toys, and snacks), and 5 month pregnant stomach.

I ran through the airport watching the business travelers, some strolling leisurely, others rushing, envious they only had to worry about themselves. I quietly cursed the day I decided to travel with my kids but what's the alternative?

My brother and sister-in-law have 2 kids and we now have 2 kids so what do we do, never see each other? No. We take off time from work and bite the bullet and fly direct.

Allison Berman, an artist and mother of two, handpaints custom home accessories for interior designers and private customers. She works out of her home studio in Warwick, NY. See her collection at www.withlovealib.com. She can be reached at ali@withlovealib.com. Her column appears Tuesdays.