Flying with kids under age 5 and staying sane

Whew! My family just returned from a 2 week vacation. A few tips when flying with little ones that I learned: a) At most airports kids under 12 years old no longer need to remove their shoes at the security checkpoint; b) If traveling with an "infant in lap" (under age 2) be sure to bring a copy of his/her birth certificate, most times they ask for it to verify the age; c) Don't underestimate the power of snacks and kid-oriented apps on a smart phone or portable DVD player; and d) At the gate, take advantage of pre-boarding privileges for people with small children, you can use the jump-start to fold the stroller and make sure the kids have access to food and entertainment during the flight.