NEW YORK — Are we there yet?" "I'm bored!" "I have to go to the bathroom."

Most parents have heard these age-old declarations from the back seat. Threatening to "turn this car around" might work on the way to the movies, but it's a lousy way to start a vacation.

Of course, if you're on a plane, forget it.

Navigating airport security, dealing with bathroom and food breaks, as well as unpredictable flight delays, become even more stressful when traveling with kids. With careful planning and packing, however, and a little luck, you could have a pleasant flight.

Peter Silver, father of a 6-year-old and an infant, made a recent trip to Jamaica easier by borrowing a stroller that doubled as a car seat.

"It could be used on some airplanes and in rental cars," said Silver, a real estate broker from Old Westbury, N.Y. "We were able to push our children around the airport and then quickly convert it to a car seat on the airplane."

Michelle Silver, Peter's wife, likes to spring a few surprise gifts just before the kids give in to restlessness. "When they have something new, it tends to keep them occupied longer," she said.

Most airlines welcome young travelers and sometimes allow kids to meet the pilot and see the cockpit before takeoff. But be sure to ask a flight attendant if this is possible before approaching the cockpit unannounced.

Here are other tips that could go a long way toward making a trip a happy one:

• Ask for milk for your children as soon as you board. Airlines may run out midflight.

• Consider letting your child chew gum to keep their ears from popping. If not, a product called Earplanes, available at pharmacies and airport shops, can help eliminate discomfort due to changing cabin pressure. They're reusable and cost about $6.50 a pair.