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Airline mask requirement for 2yo question

Posted on 8/20/20 at 12:50 pm
Posted by Larry Gooseman
Houston
Member since Mar 2014
2754 posts
Posted on 8/20/20 at 12:50 pm
My question, how strictly will airlines/airports enforce mask requirement on a toddler? Existing requirement is everyone 2 and over has to wear a mask.

Flying to my sisters wedding soon with my immediate family, including 2yo daughter and 9month old son. Flight will be direct from Houston to Detroit - so approximately 2.5 hours.

My daughter does not have to wear mask for daycare or anywhere else. We’ve tried to introduce a mask ahead of the trip but I don’t think it will stay on longer than 60 seconds now or then.

I’m trying to mentally prepare myself if asked to deboard.

Your responses (and prayers) appreciated.
Posted by Larry Gooseman
Houston
Member since Mar 2014
2754 posts
Posted on 8/20/20 at 12:59 pm to
I guess it will be a game time ruling by the authorities.

That is a depressing story. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by nolaTiger24
Member since Sep 2008
1639 posts
Posted on 8/20/20 at 1:00 pm to
My son turns 2 in a couple weeks and I laugh at the thought of trying to keep a mask on him
Posted by Teddy Ruxpin
Member since Oct 2006
40519 posts
Posted on 8/20/20 at 1:17 pm to
What airline you flying?

JetBlue and SW are strict for example.

Delta will let him fly if he can't maintain the mask.

It's a shitshow Russian roulette for parents attempting to fly kids of that age.

My kid turns two right around Thanksgiving and we're starting the training now, but we're probably fricked making it work. Thankfully I can reschedule the trip if I can't make it work.
This post was edited on 8/20/20 at 1:19 pm
Posted by tejasranch
H-town
Member since Jan 2018
33 posts
Posted on 8/20/20 at 1:18 pm to
Just flew AA last week, 4yr old son had mask down around neck on all 4 flights. No one said a thing to him, but they did hound the adults about mask being down under the nose.
Posted by Larry Gooseman
Houston
Member since Mar 2014
2754 posts
Posted on 8/20/20 at 3:20 pm to
Flying United
Posted by Teddy Ruxpin
Member since Oct 2006
40519 posts
Posted on 8/20/20 at 3:28 pm to
They do not have an exception once a child reaches 2. If they can't wear it, the official policy is they don't fly.

Tough to deal with.
This post was edited on 8/20/20 at 3:29 pm
Posted by PrettyBird
Aspen
Member since Feb 2010
10400 posts
Posted on 8/20/20 at 3:38 pm to
I've flown about 10+ times during COVID and I don't see them enforcing it with kids much, especially as young as 2. My 5 year old wears one walking on and pulls it down once seated (I do try and tell him to keep it on and he 50% listens). Never been told a thing about him.

You can remove your mask during the flight if you are eating or drinking as well. It will all depend on the flight attendants on your particular flight and what they care about... but the odds are they wont tell you anything about your 2-3 year old. They are more worried about the moron adults who can't follow instruction.
This post was edited on 8/20/20 at 3:41 pm
Posted by Teddy Ruxpin
Member since Oct 2006
40519 posts
Posted on 8/20/20 at 4:01 pm to
Yes I get the feeling these stories we're seeing are a minority of cases where FAs are following the letter of the policy all the way to 2.

There's definitely way more kids flying and not able to follow this policy than we're hearing about.

You just don't know what FA you're going to get.
This post was edited on 8/20/20 at 4:02 pm
Posted by PrettyBird
Aspen
Member since Feb 2010
10400 posts
Posted on 8/20/20 at 4:17 pm to
I flew last week and the guy in front of me pulled down his mask... to sneeze four times.

The lap kiddo behind us wasn't in a mask (under 2 though) and my kid wore his mask all flight, he's getting better since we switched to gaiters. I would definitely rec a gaitor for kids. Don't think they make them small enough for a 2 year old though! Another idea is get them made with whatever cartoon characters they like best, and just strive to have them wear it walking on, during take off/landing, and walking off.
Posted by Teddy Ruxpin
Member since Oct 2006
40519 posts
Posted on 8/20/20 at 5:52 pm to
Ya, unfortunately with that neck gaiter study I can see that not being allowed going forward, just like bandanas are no longer allowed on SW.

I flew with him this past week and he's a great flyer, the mask is another thing entirely.
This post was edited on 8/20/20 at 5:53 pm
Posted by Lsut81
Member since Jun 2005
83555 posts
Posted on 8/20/20 at 7:37 pm to
quote:

how strictly will airlines/airports enforce mask requirement on a toddler?


Think like anything else, depends on if you get a dick/bitch of a FA or not... Some are on power trips and want to be in the position of authority. Like those who say you can’t go to the bathroom if the seatbelt light is on even though there’s 0 turbulence.

Anyone with a shred of common sense and decency wouldn’t enforce the mask mandate for kids under 8-10yrs old. It’s stupid and there is 0 science to prove it.
This post was edited on 8/20/20 at 7:38 pm
Posted by makersmark1
earth
Member since Oct 2011
20057 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 12:00 pm to
Just don’t argue with the crew IF they ask you to place mask on the kid.

They know it will likely not stay on for the flight.

Just don’t die on that hill by defying them.

It is what it is.
Posted by Larry Gooseman
Houston
Member since Mar 2014
2754 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 1:36 pm to
I’ll circle back and let you know. Flying Thursday next week.
Posted by Hat Tricks
Member since Oct 2003
28848 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 2:38 pm to
Keep snacks and drinks in front of him so that he's "eating."
Posted by 3oliv3
Member since Aug 2016
750 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 9:45 pm to
I’ve pretty much made the decision that we’re not flying anywhere as a family for a while. My daughter is 2 but is functionally a 1 year old because of developmental delay due to a brain disorder in infancy. She looks like a normal 2 year old (or older she’s quite tall), but does not know how to communicate- doesn’t know any signing or a single word.

Just doesn’t seem to be worth the headache to try to explain this to anyone on the plane. Good thing I like driving.
Posted by indytiger
baton rouge/indy
Member since Oct 2004
10209 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 11:13 pm to
quote:

he's getting better since we switched to gaiters. I would definitely rec a gaitor for kids.


Southwest wouldn't let me or anyone with a neck gaiter on for both flights I was on last week. Luckily they were handing out paper masks or I might have caught covid with only a cloth one.
Posted by Larry Gooseman
Houston
Member since Mar 2014
2754 posts
Posted on 8/30/20 at 2:36 pm to
We just got back to Houston, thankfully no policing on the 2yo wearing a mask.

Separately, you haven’t lived until both your kids shite their diapers on a flight.
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