[SarahBethsMommy]

So my family is having a wedding in a state that's a few states away. My bio daughter is going to be the flower girl. We made the reservations back in July when Lil Buddy's case seemed fairly immenient RU. Now, though, the county where Lil Buddy's bio family lives is dragging their feet and RU, though still in the plans, could be MONTHS still away.

So I called the airline (Continental). They said since he is over 2 (though he doesn't walk and still rides in an infant car seat since he's so little), we'd have to purchase a ticket for him.

I asked what would happen if I had an infant at that time. They said they'd have to see a birth certificate, but if they are under 2 they can ride in our lap. I said, "They are foster kids. I can't get a birth certificate." They didn't care. THey said if we didn't have one, they'd make a "judgement call" to see if they "look" 2 and if so, they'd charge us.

So my choice is to put my foster son in respite for a week... though he is special needs and gets VERY upset when away from me for very long. Or to buy him a ticket for $400+ dollars and take him along too.

Have you ever had these issues? I'm just at a loss as to what to do!

[shaslove]

Originally Posted by SarahBethsMommy

So my family is having a wedding in a state that's a few states away. My bio daughter is going to be the flower girl. We made the reservations back in July when Lil Buddy's case seemed fairly immenient RU. Now, though, the county where Lil Buddy's bio family lives is dragging their feet and RU, though still in the plans, could be MONTHS still away.

So I called the airline (Continental). They said since he is over 2 (though he doesn't walk and still rides in an infant car seat since he's so little), we'd have to purchase a ticket for him.

I asked what would happen if I had an infant at that time. They said they'd have to see a birth certificate, but if they are under 2 they can ride in our lap. I said, "They are foster kids. I can't get a birth certificate." They didn't care. THey said if we didn't have one, they'd make a "judgement call" to see if they "look" 2 and if so, they'd charge us.

So my choice is to put my foster son in respite for a week... though he is special needs and gets VERY upset when away from me for very long. Or to buy him a ticket for $400+ dollars and take him along too.

Have you ever had these issues? I'm just at a loss as to what to do!

I would see if his cw would give you a copy of the birth certificate. We have one for C, and I cannot get one even though I am her sister (weird laws in TN).

I would def try.

[dachshunds4you]

We have flown with foster kids and our AD, and never have we had to show a bc. They ask when their birth date is, we tell them, and that's it.
I would ask someone else at the airline. I'm sure this person is incorrect.
You can also get the CW to write up a letter on their letterhead stating his DOB.

[parenting-over-40]

I was told I could take the court order with me. That should have the child's birthday on it.

That being said, I have flown on Southwest (with an 8 month old) and American (with a 20 month old). Neither airline asked for documentation on the child with me.

[laceyc]

I flew with a 2 y/o bd and they never asked for any documentation..but we paid for her seat. Have you shopped around airline tickets? I think Wednesdays are the best days to buy.

[shycar]

I have an aunt that works at the airport. This is what she told me. If they are under two most airlines want proof the child is under two. There has been many times when people try to slip in a child under two, when they are not. If you buy a ticket then they dont need a proof the child is under one, becouse the child is has his own seat. You dont need a birth certificate, just something proving he is under two. I took my ds, at the time fs, his imunization records that have is birth day on it and my paperwork that says im his foster mom that also has his birth date on. If he is 2 and over you are going to have to pay no matter what. He will have to have his own seat. All airlines rules are if they are two and older they need to be in their own seat. Its a safety reason. Its a rule all airlines must obey. Thats why they need proof of age becouse they want to make sure everyone is safe.

[mamachell]

I have flown with my fd twice. I took her placement papers (which they didn't even look at) and her immunization records which did show her date of birth. She was under 2 so she did sit in my lap. I agree with pps that if you buy your fc a seat they don't care as much about a birth certificate because the child's age doesn't matter as much. You will need something like maybe placement papers to show you can legally travel with the child. Plus, I usually want medical card in case there's a medical emergency. I haven't had problems flying in the past with her.

[arbuckle17]

From your post he is in fact over 2 so I suspect you are stuck. Obviously a copy of his bc would just confirm that he is in fact over 2.

You might talk to your sw and tell them the predicament, perhaps they can help you work out a deal.

[SarahBethsMommy]

Yeah, he is over 2. I know I'll have to pay for him, I just wish the airline would give a little consideration for foster parents. I mean come on!

I think we've decided to just bite the bullet and buy the ticket. It stinks that it'll be about $100 more than what we paid for OUR tickets since it is so much later, but I have no choice. I don't think he'll do well with respite at all.

Does anyone know if you can "rent" a crib from somewhere? I won't have anywhere for him to sleep when we get there since our travel crib is too big to ship or check on the plane.

[Newshyde]

As for renting a crib.... I don't know how that would work, but what I've done in the past is if I'm traveling some place for a short time I'll post something on craigslist in the city I'm heading to, explain the situation and see if anyone can help me out. I always offer to pay a reasonable price or "rent" from some where.
Once I was heading to the east coast for 10 days and as a single mom just couldn't juggle a car seat and the baby and a stroller and all our stuff. I found someone who was willing to sell me a car seat for $10 and it was perfect for 10 days. I had someone out there pick it up for me before we flew in. We just kept it in the car rental when we turned it in.
I've found cribs, swings, etc. that way. It works well.

[arbuckle17]

You might see if someone in your families nieghborhood with an infant has a pack and play you can borrow.

Our youngest started in one our CW loaned us (she was pregnant at the time of the placement). They are a real life saver and it seems a lot of people have them.

[SarahBethsMommy]

I have a pack and play, but he is too long for it. He is 35 inches tall... though he weighs only 20lbs. So, if he weren't so dang tall, that'd work perfectly.

I'll check into craigslist. Thanks for the tip!!

[cecegarrett]

Every hotel I have ever stayed in with kids has rental cribs for like 10 bucks a night. We are a travel crazy family... if you need me to, I can dig up a list of the most kiddo friendly hotel chains?


Best of luck to ya!

[SarahBethsMommy]

We are actually staying with family. It's just that none of them have cribs anymore. Thanks for the offer though!!

[GAMOM75]

I have never flown with fosterkids, however, my husband coaches a travel team and we have flown with kids several times over the course of 10 years. We have never had to show a birth certificate or ID of any kind.