If your flight is delayed by more than one hour, the airline owes you a food voucher. Politely but firmly request it from Customer Service, not the boarding gate attendant.

Gone are the days when two or more persons traveling together are given seats next to each other automatically, for free. The airlines do not care if you are seated next to, or apart from, your child. They will not ask others to switch seats with you to be near your child. If you aren't able to select seats at time of booking, contact the airline directly, request seats during online check-in if given the option, and verify the seats at the ticket counter when checking in, and again at the boarding gate. If the airline requires paying a fee to select seats, consider doing so. The nominal cost is worth it, and you won't need to ask other seated passengers to give up a seat they may have purchased.

Despite the trouble of acquiring adjoining seats, TSA officials can not separate you from your children. Let the kids precede you through the security screening, with the oldest child going through first.

If a pat-down is ordered, do not opt for a private pat-down. Whether you or your kids, the pat-downs should occur in the presence of witnesses.

Bring just one carry-on. It should contain the kids' favorite snacks that travel well; quiet books or digital readers; diapers, change of shirt for you and pants and shirt for junior.

downloaded printable coloring pages off of the internet; crayons; and some brand new small toys as a distraction when the real temper tantrums begin.

Ask the flight attendant which bathroom on the plane is roomier for diaper and clothing changes.

Keep hand sanitizer handy.

On long-haul flights, let the kids travel in their pajamas, preferably footed sleepers or with slippers.

The CARES Airplane Safety Harness, available from www.kidsflysafe.com, is one approved option for keeping little ones buckled in without lugging along a car seat, but it is not as safe as using a car seat. 

Keep gum or chewy snacks handy for takeoffs and landings. The swallowing will help with releasing air pressure buildup in the ears.

Have a couple diapers with plastic bag folded inside them in the seat pouch in front of you, making for quick and easy dashes to the onboard restroom for diaper changes.

If you plan to let your kids carry their own backpack, be sure it is small and light when packed. You will end up carrying it at some point, along with your own.

Baby formula, breast milk, baby food in small containers and medicines are allowed but you must declare and show them to the TSA officials at the security screening point.

Strollers must be collapsed for screening.

Pushing a stroller can be a problem in some destinations (cobblestone pavements, hilly terrain, gravelly paths).

Your stroller may be waiting for you in the baggage claim area, not on the jetway as you exit the plane (yes, I know, the attendant said it would be there, but it's not).

Children, including sleeping infants, most likely will have to be removed from the stroller when passing through security.

It's not easy pushing a stroller and carting luggage at the same time. Trust me.

Probably the absolutely best website I have found for information on flying with children of any age is http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com/ . Written by a former flight attendant and mother, it is a very thorough discussion. Highly recommended.