Anyone who has traveled by air since 9-11, knows about the increased security measures before entering the boarding area for flight travel.

Going through the security lanes can be difficult, even for the seasoned traveler, traveling alone. From needing to place all toiletries and cosmetics in sizes no greater than 3 ounces. in carry-ons in quart-sized zip-lock bags (the 3-1-1 rule), to having to remove your shoes, to needing to “declare” any snacks and beverages (including expressed breast milk) for babies and children, and needing to remove electronics such as laptops and camcorders from the bags is a hassle. Add to that needing the stroller and carseat when traveling with children, and there’s a whole new dimension to a potentially unpleasant travel experience. Families become a nuisance to business travelers, and those same families, often feel the sting of stares as you inevitably hold up the line with collapsing the stroller and dealing with all of the gear.

Finally getting it right!

In an effort to streamline the process of flight travel, the TSA announced that it is creating different lanes for the different travel skill-levels and needs of passengers. In March, the TSA started the Diamond Self-Select program, where passengers who are familiar with security check-in protocol (such as removing outer garments like coats, removing shoes and belts, placing toiletries and electronics in the bins, and removing change and metal items from pockets), to have a veritable fast lane. Designed after expertise trails at ski slopes, the Diamond Self Select (sometimes called Back-Diamond Select) programs premiered at Salt Lake City International and Denver International Airports. The Self-Select program includes:

“Expert, for the business traveler who flies several times a month; Casual, for passengers that travel less frequently, but are familiar with the security process; and Family/Special Assistance, for passengers traveling with small children or strollers, elderly passengers and passengers who may need special assistance.”

According to MSN’s the Middle Seat, in an article originally published in the Wall Street Journal:

“Putting families and people with special needs like wheelchairs into separate lanes allows them to relax a bit without road warriors pushing them to move faster. As a result, they set off fewer ‘nuisance alarms’ because they prepare better and get metal, shoes and liquids properly into X-ray bins. The family lanes move slower than lanes moved before the change, on average, but many families seem to like the pace.”

Since March, when the program was initiated at Salt Lake City International and Denver International Airports, other airports around the country have added the program including Chicago’s Midway, Boston’s Logan Airport, Orlando, Florida and Spokane, Washington. Most recent additions include Pittsburgh International Airport, Dallas Love Field, and there are rumors of the program starting later in June at Detroit Metro Airport. Maybe your city will be next. Security changes such as the Diamond Self-Select program, may get some family travelers to return to the skies this summer.

I am writing this partly because it’s 5 a.m. and we are both wide awake (Correction. Toddler: wideawake. Brit: caffeinated awake) and it’s a shameless plea for sympathy.

My two-year-old has racked up more Air Miles than your average Midwesterner.
Doesn’t appreciate them of course, he was seriously disapointed that you can’t buy tree frogs with Air Miles. Toddler’s current obsession is the accumulation of plastic tree frogs. It’s cute when they get to that age when they fall in love with random things, but less cute when plastic and fairly realistic tree frogs have to travel everywhere with you, and get thrown at fellow passengers. I apologise to the other passengers on United 56 the other day, especially if you have a frog phobia.

A further complication of travelling with tree frogs, is when you fly into the USA, you have to fill out a customs declaration, and there’s tight restrictions on bringing in animals. Our form says we have nothing to declare. The immigration official checks with me. “You aren’t bringing anything into the USA?” ” Tree Frogs!” yells toddler. It takes a little while, but we find the tree frogs and manage to convince the official that they are indeed plastic.

Now I’m tired and rambling, but I wanted to share what I’ve learned about traveling to different time zones with your baby, and how to cope and adjust. Clealy, not traveling with tree frogs is a given.

• Less than 3 hours: Most USA trips involve less than 3 hours difference. it’s fairly easy for baby to adjust. It’s also easier to run on whatever time it is back home, since if baby is getting up a little earlier or later then it’s usually still possible to get her breakfast, and go to the beach, or whatever you want to do.

• 6 hours: It takes a couple of days to adjust, and in the meantime you are going to be woken up by a bouncy, confused baby who wants you to put the lights on and get up. Whatever the time difference, attempt to enforce the local time. Don’t let baby nap for much longer than she does at home, or she’ll think it’s nighttime, sleep for hours and hours, then be awake all night. And you have a nap too – it will help you adjust as well. Set and alarm clock or have someone wake you up if you sleep too long.

• 9 hours: this takes longer to adjust. One trip we took had an 8 hour time difference and Toddler was jetlagged all week, then jetlagged for another week when we got back. Before travelling, try to push your baby’s body clock a bit closer to the time zone you are travelling to. Even an hour or two in the right direction will help. It’s a little easier to have to get up at 5am than 3 or 4am. Just.

• 12 hours: Resign yourself to being nocturnal, at least for a few days. If you are planning to travel to the other side of the world, and you’ll be stopping on the way, consider spending a night at the stop to help baby adjust in two steps, rather than all at once.

Do you have any more tips for coping with jetlag? Share them in the comments section below.

Happy, safe travels to all, this summer vaction season!