Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
details on navigating Hawaii's air-
ports, see each island chapter.
AGRICULTURAL SCREENING AT
THE AIRPORTS
At Honolulu
International and the neighbor-island
airports, baggage and passengers
bound for the mainland must be
screened by agricultural officials before
boarding. The process is usually quick
and easy. Officials will confiscate fresh
avocados, bananas, mangoes, and
many other kinds of local produce in
the name of fruit-fly control. Pineap-
ples, coconuts, and papayas inspected
and certified for export, boxed flowers,
leis without seeds, and processed foods
(macadamia nuts, coffee, jams, dried
fruit, and the like) will pass. Call fed-
eral or state agricultural officials before
leaving for the airport if you're not sure
about your trophy.
FLYING WITH KIDS
If you plan carefully, you can make it
fun to fly with your kids.
• You'll save yourself a good bit of
aggravation by
reserving a seat in
the bulkhead row.
You'll have
more legroom, your children will
be able to spread out and play on
the floor underfoot, and the air-
line might provide bassinets (ask
in advance). You're also more
likely to find sympathetic com-
pany in the bulkhead area, as fam-
ilies with children tend to be
seated there.
• Be sure to
pack items for your
kids in your carry-on luggage.
See the “Packing for Planes &
Cars” box on p. 31 for specific
advice.
•
Have a long talk with your chil-
dren
before you depart for your
trip. If they've never flown before,
explain to them what to expect. If
they're old enough, you may even
want to describe how flight works
and how air travel is even safer
than riding in a car. Explain to
your kids the importance of good
behavior in the air—how their
own safety can depend upon their
being quiet and staying in their
seats during the trip.
•
Pay extra careful attention to
the safety instructions
before
takeoff. Consult the safety chart
behind the seat in front of you
and show it to your children. Be
sure you know how to operate the
oxygen masks, as you will be
expected to secure yours first and
then help your children with
theirs. Be especially mindful of the
location of emergency exits.
Before takeoff, plot out an evacu-
ation strategy for you and your
children in your mind's eye.
• Ask the flight attendant
if the
plane has any special safety
equipment for children.
Make a
member of the crew aware of any
medical problems your children
Kids with Colds
It's even more difficult for kids to make their ears pop during takeoff and
landing. The eustachian tube is especially narrow in children; the passage
is even tighter when mucous membranes are swollen. This can make
ascent and descent especially painful—even dangerous—for a child with
congested sinuses. If your little one is suffering from a cold or the flu, it's
best to keep him grounded until he recuperates. (If you must travel with
your child as scheduled, give him or her an oral child's decongestant an
hour before ascent and descent; or administer a spray decongestant
before and during takeoff and landing.)
Tips
