Spin on Car Seat and Airplane Concern...

[Katienphil]

I know we will be buying a seat for our DD for our trip on the plane. BUT we were NOT going to bring the carseat - just let her sit like a big girl (she'll be 20 months and is currently 26lbs...so probably 28lbs or so at that time...she's about 32" now).

I have read all the threads about car seats on planes for turbulence, etc. I guess I need guidance and other opinions here...is letting her sit in a chair like a 2 year old would a bad idea? If there is turbulence, she'll be strapped into her seat like us - I won't be holding her.

I didn't really want to bring a carseat just for the airline...we won't need it in Disney....isn't that correct? You can't use them on Magical Express, Monorail or the Disney Buses?? So for all of you that are concerned abotu the airplane ride without the carseat - what do you do on regular transportation (assuming you are on property and don't rent a car)??

I've never traveled with a child before, so I don't know what to do...the buses scare me more then the plane does.

[guangs]

I travel with my children all the time and I say.....let her sit like a big girl. Just strap her in the seat belt. I can't remember the last time I saw any child in a car seat. I would however consider using a car seat if you don't think she will sit still with just a strap on. You definately don't want her standing in the seat on the plane. You are right, you cannot use a car seat on disney transportation. I hope you have a great trip! Little girls are the best at disney! :Pinkbounc :cheer2:

[KRWong]

KatienPhil,

Hi! I've never seen anyone use a carseat on Disney Transportation. I've only used the buses twice but have never had a problem...no problems with the monorail either, unless you count DS (2) not wanting to sit! He stood every time we got on the monorail. Guess he thought it was fun!

As far as the flight, I think she'll be fine. It's a relatively short flight and if it gets really bumpy, just do the old mom thing by putting your arm across her! She'll be fine, so will you! Have fun!!!!!!!!!

[Katienphil]

KRWONG- thanks!! LOL....I was thinking about that, during take off and landing, DH and I can put our arm across her to keep her in the seat. She HATES her car seat at home, so I actually think she would do ok, sitting like a big girl.

GUANGS - I don't travel a ton, but a couple times a year, and I haven't seen many car seats either...but I guess I wasn't looking since it sounds like a lot of people use them.

This is such a tough call...and like I said, is it worth the hassle on the plane when she'll be riding in buses all week on my lap anyway? (which seems much more dangerous to me...considering I was on a Disney bus (standing) and fell once because the driver was going so fast).

[lil mermaid]

I may be incorrect, but I thought that a child under 2 occupying their own seat had to be in an FAA approved child safety seat?

We are flying with DD who will be just short of 2 in a couple of weeks and plan on bringing her seat anyway (we will be renting a car at MCO so we need it.)

[lil mermaid]

Okay, just because I was curious, I looked and found the following:

Found this on America West's website: " A ticket must be purchased for an infant to travel in their own seat. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved child seat must be used."

An this from Alaska Air: "Infants traveling on an Infant Seat Fare (50% off of full fare) are required to have a child restraint seat onboard."

I am not sure if this is FAA regulation or if it is airline-specific, but it is worth checking with your airline to avoid surprises!

[goofygal531]

Hi I'm a travel agent. Jet Blue just told me this for a client: a carseat is the passengers option for a child under 40 lbs. I was blown away! I thought it was mandatory. I would call your airline to get their requirements. I'd personally feel safer traveling with my toddler in his carseat even though we don't use the seat in WDW.

[Hannathy]

I have traveled extensively with my children since they were infants and have only taken the car seat once. I have had no problems. I was going to check the seat the one time but the FA said bring it on it's an empty flight and found it to be a bigger problem. My kids always sit in the seat and look out the window and without the seat they have more room to play and the table comes down. They have also laid down across the two seats if the flight is empty enough. In turbulance they are no different than you and if the seat belt will keep you in it will them. It is so much easier not to slep the seat thru the airport especially if not needed at Disney.

If you do bring the carseat PLEASE do not let them kick the seat in front of them! The seat puts their feet very close to the seat back and I spent a very miserable flight getting kicked. When I asked the mom to please stop she took the kids shoes off and went back to sleep allowing him to continue kicking the whole flight.

[HalfDozen]

and if you are seated in front of a child in a safety seat (not YOU, but if a person is) please do not recline the seat into the baby's legs.

[NotUrsula]

In turbulance they are no different than you and if the seat belt will keep you in it will them.

That is not necessarily true of a child weighing under 40 lbs. The NTSB's research has shown that a child needs to weigh at least 40 lbs. to get the same protection that an adult has using only the aircraft seat's lap belt.

Unless your airline requires a carseat in a separate seat (and some do, if you have purchased a seat for a child under age 2), you need to use your own judgment about whether or not to take the seat with you. It comes down the level of risk you are comfortable with.

Here is the FAA brochure on aircraft seating safety for small children. Please read it for yourself: http://www.airsafe.com/kidsafe/faa_brochure.pdf

(That *is* the FAA brochure, but I've linked it from airsafe.com rather than directly from the FAA website because the FAA website is down at the moment.)

[Phalene]

I have a similar situation, I'll be traveling with a 2.5 year old and a 5 year old. I am bringing their carseats (for both of them) and they will be buckled in during the flights.

I don't want to worry about them not staying in their seats, and they are so used to being in the carseat daily that I don't expect them to have a problem with it.

I'll be traveling with another adult, so the plan is for me to preboard with the car seats and get them installed while they are in the terminal. Then, once regular boarding opens they can come and get right into their carseats.

[hannahsmomma]

I just returned from wdw with my 16 month old. I took him on the plane as a lap child, but on the way there we had an empty seat next to us and the flight attendent said to buckle him in the seat that it was safter than holding him. She was pretty adamant about me putting him in the seat. On the way home he nursed abd slept in my arms the whole time. Of course we only had a 1hour45minute fligh so it was pretty easy.

[justwinnie]

I would suggest bringing a carseat. It's annoying, but not only is it safer, it may be easier for your DD to sit and possibly nap-- especially if the plane has leather seats like Jet Blue or Song. The leather seats are slippery!

I've flown with my DD 6 times and didn't bring a carseat twice and regretted it both times.

The first time, she was 20 months and it was just the two of us so I figured it'd be easier to just hold her instead of getting an extra seat and bringing a carseat. WRONG! It was the worst flying experience of my life!

The second time I didn't bring a seat, my DD was 26 months at the time and she weighed about 26lbs. She couldn't stay upright in the seat-- she'd slip under the seat belt no matter how tight I made it and get stuck under it. She was just too small for the seat. She couldn't nap at all. I ended up holding her because the final straw was when she slipped again and was caught in the neck area-- the seatbelt was nearly strangling her!

The last time I flew alone with her (DD at 28months), I still brought the seat although it was a huge hassle for me. It was difficult for me to carry her, her carseat, and a carryon, but I did it anyway and had a much more peaceful flight with a happy, comfortable DD.

DD is now 32 months old, weighing 27 lbs, and we're going back to Disney at the end of the month-- we'll be bringing a carseat for her again. We use ME and don't rent a car, so the carseat really just sits in the hotel room the whole time. But we still bring it for the plane ride.

Another poster also brought up the fact that the airline may require a carseat for a child under two sitting in their own seat. This was true for Continental.

Have a good trip!!!

-Winnie

[sara74]

We just flew last week with DD 4 and DS almost 2. He is big for his age and over 30 pounds already. We got him his own seat but didn't bring the carseat for the same reasons that the OP is considering. We used ME and only the resort buses, boat and monorail. He sat just fine in the big boy seat with the seatbelt and had no probs. He fell asleep on the evening flight home and was buckled the whole time with no probs. I was not concerned that he wouldn't stay in a seat belt - to him a belt is a belt and he was no more inclined to try and get out of it than he would be with his car seat. In fact my greater concern was that he would want the big boy belt instead of a carseat when we got home! He did and we battled the first few times in the car, but he's over that now!

[Katienphil]

Thank you everyone for your input and suggestions.

Just a couple things...our flight is 2 hours, we'd be flying Southwest...and my DD HATES her car seat...she will drive in the car in the middle of her nap time for 2 hours and not fall asleep...she just HATES it. So on a plane, I can't imagine her liking it any better....but sitting like a big girl she likes very much (i.e. her stroller).

I haven't decided what to do, but I really appreciate everyone taking the time to respond...I DO know that I WILL call the airline to make sure that I can buy her a seat but not use a carseat.

[CleveRocks]

I have a similar situation, I'll be traveling with a 2.5 year old and a 5 year old. I am bringing their carseats (for both of them) and they will be buckled in during the flights. I just want to make sure you're not making a problem for yourself. Is your 5 year old in a regular car safety seat or in a booster seat? I ask this because booster seats are not permitted on airliners. This shouldn't be a concern, because booster seats won't add to a child's safety in an airliner.

In a car, the ONLY function of a booster seat is to make sure that the SHOULDER BELT fits and protects the child properly. An "unboosted" child is too low to properly wear the SHOULDER BELT. It would come across their face or neck (or be above their head), which could actually cause more injury than no shoulder belt at all. A booster boosts them up so their artificially high enough to benefit from the SHOULDER BELT.

On an airliner, of course there's no shoulder belt, there's only the lap belt, so there's no safety advantage to having their bodies higher up in the seat.

I took my kids last May when they were 2.5 and 5. Just for the record, my petite 2.5 year old rode in the airplane like a big girl and loved it. We enjoyed our entire WDW trip, as I'm sure you will!

[pooh4evr]

We flew SW last year with DDs 4 nad 23 months at the time- no cqarseats both girls are very tall for their age DD#2 did great sitting in the seatbelt had no problems slipping out of her seat or anything- each girl brought their bookbags with juices, snacks, coloring books, stickers and toys with them it worked out great for us. We we never asked about her age or anything about having a carseat, also took shuttles to hotel and parks which you can't use carseats on and we did fine!

[sharongl]

We have flown twice with my boys, once when they were 22 months, and the second time when they were just about 3. The first time we flew with my parents, so 4 adults for the 2 kids--they rode as lap children. My parents had one, and DH and I had the other--of course, they got the one that slept and I had to entertain mine the whole way!

The second time, it was just DH and the boys and I. They had their own seats and didn't have a problem. We had toys to keep them entertained and lollipops to help with the air pressure.

[momto2girls]

Good luck with your decision! I think you have to do what is comfortable for you.

I have always taken car seats for my kids until they turned 4 or 5. I just feel much safer with them being properly restrained. We've never found it to be much of a hassle at all.

[justhat]

I flew alone with my daughter to WDW in March (she turned 2yo 2 weeks before the trip) and I didn't take her carseat with me for the 1st time. We've always gotten her a seat and always taken her carseat, but I'm pregnant and since I was alone with her (my husband was on different flights) I didn't think I could carry the carseat, diaper bag, her, and the stroller (which we keep in a bag, so I have to drag it behind me, not use it to push her). We used ME to get to WDW and took a towncar back (they provided a carseat), so I figured I would be fine without the carseat.

And I was, but it was certainly not an ideal flight. She kept unbuckling the seatbelt and did not want to stay in the seat. When I held my hand over the buckle she'd slide her body underneath the belt to squeeze her way out (she was about 24 pounds at the time). She simply didn't seem comfortable in the seat and had little interest in the toys I brought as getting out of the seat was a much more fun game. The way home wasn't as bad, except that she was very tired and could not fall asleep in the seat cause she couldn't get comfortable. I finally got her into a position she liked and she fell asleep as the plane landed-so then she was grouchy and bitter that I had to wake her up to get off of the plane.

A month after that trip we flew to the Dominican Republic and we took her carseat on board. Again, we didn't need it at all for the trip since we took a bus to the resort and then travelled by golf car or bus once we were there, but it was priceless for the plane. She slept the entire flight for the 1st flight there and home and on the 2nd flights she was awake but did not budge out of her seat or try to get out once. The only time she left her seat was to use the potty but as soon as she was finished she went right back in the seat without a problem-which was not the case at all in the WDW flights.

We're going to DL on Saturday and my husband wants to leave the carseat home cause our towncar will provide one. I agreed to this provided that he sit next to her and keep her in the seat cause he's the one who wants to leave the carseat behind. After he sees how much easier the carseat is I am sure we'll be taking it on our next trip!

[pinktink83]

IME, 20 months is much too young to not have a carseat on the plane. Both of my kids were in carseats until at least 3 years old. And even then...it was borderline. Plus, how will you be getting from the airport to your hotel? You'll need a carseat for the car/taxi/etc. Its really not that big of a deal to bring it. I've had to deal with two of them before! Just stack on top a rolling cart when you get to the airport. :)

[Katienphil]

IME, 20 months is much too young to not have a carseat on the plane. Both of my kids were in carseats until at least 3 years old. And even then...it was borderline. Plus, how will you be getting from the airport to your hotel? You'll need a carseat for the car/taxi/etc. Its really not that big of a deal to bring it. I've had to deal with two of them before! Just stack on top a rolling cart when you get to the airport. :)

Disney's Magical Express will be our transportation...so no carseat can be used on that.

[jessica52877]

I am probably the odd man out, but I wouldn't put my child in the car without a carseat therefore I wouldn't put them in a plane without a car seat. I just CANNOT justify it! My personal opinion only but I will stick to it. My son is 3 1/2 and about 36 lbs, we still take the car seat and will until he hits 40, or if I get a new car seat, 55 then, depending on seat specifications. Yes, it is something else to have and carry but my son's life is worth the extra "hassle". I honestly feel it is easier.

There are also no issues with the seat in front reclining, my son has still had plenty of room for his legs.

[Cindy's Mom]

You really need to check with Southwest, I know from experience that United and American require FAA approved seats for children under 2 in their own seat.

My suggestion is to bring the carseat and talk to your doctor about Benedryl. My doc said it is fine to use it for the kids for plane. Remember that children react differently to it, some sleep and some get all wound up.

[surfgirl]

I've used Benadryl and had good luck - it doesn't make them sleep, but just takes the edge off. Also helps with the ears - less 'stuffiness'. (I'll probably be flamed for 'unnecessarily' giving my children medicine, but it made the flight easier for them... and hence, easier for me).

Test it first! There ARE some kids that get hyperactive from it, so flying is not a good first time.

IF you finally decide to take the carseat, make sure it has a 'FAA Approved' sticker on the side - I had a flight attendant ask for that.

Do what you are comfortable with. There will be naysayers whatever that decision is. I realize that its safer to fly with a car seat, but I've had to travel with 3 children under 5 years + toys + diapers + extra set of clothes for everyone (I was thrown up on once flying... thank goodness for the extra sweatshirt in my bag!). There is no possible physical way that I could carry 3 carseats. And we've been fine.

There is my priceless advice: carry a second set of clothes while flying... I had a kid sick once and we both got covered. I was lucky to have a change. I now fly with a change for all.... even it its pj's (easy if need to change top or bottom and you make sure not to leave them behind!)

good luck!

[NotUrsula]

My son is 3 1/2 and about 36 lbs, we still take the car seat and will until he hits 40, or if I get a new car seat, 55 then, depending on seat specifications.
Just so you know, most of the carseats that have upper-body harnesses rated for over 40 lbs are not approved for aircraft use, because they are too large for aircraft seats. (The Britax Husky being the most popular example.)
Of course, no seat that lacks an integral upper-body harness will be approved for aircraft use at all.

Commercial aircraft move differently than cars, and 40 lbs really is the point where a child will safely and properly fit in an aircraft seat using the lap belt.

[MomPlanner22]

Hey CleveRocks,

Thanks for the info on Booster Seats. I didn't know they weren't allowed but it makes sense. We have to bring the car seat because we are going to visit family after leaving WDW. We will bring our Britax Roundabout for DD (2.5) on the plane and likely gatecheck booster for DS (4.5). I did check with ME and since the motorcoaches don't have any seat belts at all and car seats can't be affixed to the seats, they will put your car seat in the understorage.

My kids don't object to their car seats and I think would do better with the familiarity they provide. However, if your child is likely to stay seated, large enough for the seat belt to actually provide them some restraint and you don't need a car seat while at WDW, I'd leave it home. It is hard enough going through the airport with just the kids and stuff you need for the plane!

[juliehry]

I always travel with my car seats. The chances of needing them are slim, but why risk it? If there is some sort of emergency your child could easily be ejected from their seat and be a human missle. I think carrying the seat is a small price to pay when you think of the alternatives. Would you allow your child to "sit like a big girl " in a car? How will you live with yourself if something happens because she was not in her car seat in the plane? I also have always rented a car because I feel the busses present the same problem. If I could not afford to rent a car I would not go.

[jodifla]

I always travel with my car seats. The chances of needing them are slim, but why risk it? If there is some sort of emergency your child could easily be ejected from their seat and be a human missle. I think carrying the seat is a small price to pay when you think of the alternatives. Would you allow your child to "sit like a big girl " in a car? How will you live with yourself if something happens because she was not in her car seat in the plane? I also have always rented a car because I feel the busses present the same problem. If I could not afford to rent a car I would not go.


Wow! Talk about an extremist! So, guess you NEVER go to the Magic Kingdom, since the only way to get there is without a car seat.

[CleveRocks]

Wow! Talk about an extremist! So, guess you NEVER go to the Magic Kingdom, since the only way to get there is without a car seat. Well, I also don't personally want to run my life the way juliehry does, but I personally wouldn't call her an "extremist." I disagree with her views, but I respect her desire to, in her mind, put her kids' safety over her own selfish enjoyment.

My wife is a pediatrician, and I am a therapist who works with children and adults AFTER they've been in horrible, life-altering accidents. She and I have seen it all. We know that bad things don't just happen to "other people," because we've both (separately) treated those unlucky "other people." Even with all this knowledge, we're still fine with taking our kids on Disney Transport buses, and NYC subways, etc. It's all about personal decisions, about what you think is reasonable, and what you can live with and what you can't.

Some may call juliehry an "extremist," but on the other hand, she'll probably never know me. That's a good thing. If I come to your home to provide treatment, it's because a horrible, horrible thing happened to a loved one, and that loved one will never be the same again. Of all the people I've treated who were injured as a result of a motor vehicle accident or bicycle accident, I've NEVER treated a patient who: was wearing a seat belt; who was in a child safety seat; or who was wearing a bike helmet. Never ONE.

[jodifla]

Well, I also don't personally want to run my life the way juliehry does, but I personally wouldn't call her an "extremist." I disagree with her views, but I respect her desire to, in her mind, put her kids' safety over her own selfish enjoyment.

My wife is a pediatrician, and I am a therapist who works with children and adults AFTER they've been in horrible, life-altering accidents. She and I have seen it all. We know that bad things don't just happen to "other people," because we've both (separately) treated those unlucky "other people." Even with all this knowledge, we're still fine with taking our kids on Disney Transport buses, and NYC subways, etc. It's all about personal decisions, about what you think is reasonable, and what you can live with and what you can't.

Some may call juliehry an "extremist," but on the other hand, she'll probably never know me. That's a good thing. If I come to your home to provide treatment, it's because a horrible, horrible thing happened to a loved one, and that loved one will never be the same again. Of all the people I've treated who were injured as a result of a motor vehicle accident or bicycle accident, I've NEVER treated a patient who: was wearing a seat belt; who was in a child safety seat; or who was wearing a bike helmet. Never ONE.


I'm still waiting to hear how she gets to the MK, since you can't drive your car there.

And how does riding a city bus or a Disney bus or a school bus equate with "selfish enjoyment?" It's part of living life, and in living life, there's some danger.

I find it interesting that none of your clients were wearing seat belts. Because certainly, people are killed in cars wearing seat belts on while in car all the time. It certainly increases your odds, but it's not a failsafe.

[jessica52877]

Just so you know, most of the carseats that have upper-body harnesses rated for over 40 lbs are not approved for aircraft use, because they are too large for aircraft seats. (The Britax Husky being the most popular example.)
Of course, no seat that lacks an integral upper-body harness will be approved for aircraft use at all.

Commercial aircraft move differently than cars, and 40 lbs really is the point where a child will safely and properly fit in an aircraft seat using the lap belt.

Thanks for the advice. If we get a new carseat it will be Britax. I'll probably wait and see how old he is when he hits 40 lbs.

[grlpwrd]

Thanks for the advice. If we get a new carseat it will be Britax. I'll probably wait and see how old he is when he hits 40 lbs.

I've mentioned this in one of the many other carseat threads here... Britax has signed a deal with Fisher Price which now makes 2 carseats which are comparable to the Britax Marathon and Roundabout models: Fisher Price's Safe Voyage and Safe Voyage Deluxe. Cheaper and less designer choices, but great price.

I won't get into the carseat debate again as it has been overdebated here. I don't argue about safety and I don't think we can convince those here who are adamant against using a carseat anyway. :confused3 I just think it's irresponsible and negligent in convincing those not to use one, but that's just me.

GL, OP, with your decision and be safe! :wizard:

[CleveRocks]

I'm still waiting to hear how she gets to the MK, since you can't drive your car there.

And how does riding a city bus or a Disney bus or a school bus equate with "selfish enjoyment?" It's part of living life, and in living life, there's some danger.

I find it interesting that none of your clients were wearing seat belts. Because certainly, people are killed in cars wearing seat belts on while in car all the time. It certainly increases your odds, but it's not a failsafe.
Well. like I said, I don't live my life the way that previous poster does. I agree that there's danger in many things that we do. But that's my choice whether or not I want to risk that danger. If I thought there was a great risk of injury to my kids from going to MK, then guess what, I wouldn't be taking them to MK.

As to the seat belt question, well, I'm not a cop, not an EMT, and not a ER doc or neurosurgeon, but I certainly see all the written reports from these folks as part of the medical records package I get before I start treating someone. Been doing this type of work for over 16 years, and I've never seen the phrase "restrained driver" or "restrained passenger" in a medical record or police report. If a motor vehicle accident is so severe that physical trauma occurred to the head while the head was at or near the headrest, then the injury was likely so traumatic and devastating that nothing could have saved them. For example, if you're driving 60 MPH and a tractor trailer going in the opposite direction at the same speed crosses the center line and hits you head on, you're dead because your entire vehicle "accordioned" into the tractor and your entire body was crushed.

The people in MVAs whom I've worked with tended to be injured by being ejected from the car (impact through the windshield or window and then again upon impact with the ground, and/or hitting the head on the rim of the roof either through the windshield or the window and being "scalped") or by being rammed around inside the cabin of the car like a missile or a pinball, hitting the head on any of the hard surfaces on the inside of the car.

Restrained drivers and passengers with their headrests in the proper place don't usually impact their heads upon any hard surfaces, and thus I never get to know them. I'm sure there are some out there, but I've just never seen them myself.

I live my life and guide my kids through life taking what I think are appropriate precautions to MINIMIZE risk. I totally agree that we can't eliminate risk or danger and we can't totally prevent horrible things from happening. I agree with you. But what I think is reasonable risk may be extreme to some and lazy to others. For example, just this afternoon my neighbor's 3 year old daughter was laying down on a skateboard IN THE STREET and was moving herself (with her arms) down the street and through and past an intersection. I knocked on my neighbor's door and told her this and shared my deep concern, figuring the girl got out of the house somehow. My neighbor told me she knew what her 3 year old was doing, that drivers would look out for her, and that I should mind my own business. [B] I'm sure my neighbor thought I was being an extremist.

[dopeyfanatic]

Why is it that this board has to turn so many posts into arguments? Seriously, that's why I have so few posts here! My friend was killed WHILE WEARING HER SEATBELT. Yes it happens. For carseats on airplanes, some require. Those that don't it's up to the parent if they feel it is necessary or not. No need to argue about who is being extreme or overconcerned. Seriously people, isn't there better things to do than argue?

[susykt4]

Our first family trip DS was almost 2 1/2. I took his carseat because we needed it for the rental car anyway. That flight was so horrible that I ended up checking it with baggage on the way home. The seats were so small that he had no leg room and continually kicked the seat in front of us. I spent the ENTIRE flight fighting with him to stop kicking and apologizing to the ticked person in front of him. I certainly understand the safety issues, but will NEVER take a carseat on a plane again!!!

[CleveRocks]

Why is it that this board has to turn so many posts into arguments? Seriously, that's why I have so few posts here! My friend was killed WHILE WEARING HER SEATBELT. Yes it happens. For carseats on airplanes, some require. Those that don't it's up to the parent if they feel it is necessary or not. No need to argue about who is being extreme or overconcerned. Sorry to hear about your friend.
Seriously people, isn't there better things to do than argue? I actually like to think of it as debate. I'm not angry. I'm arguing a point, but I'm not "arguing" if you know what I mean. Isn't there anything better to do, you ask? Well, if all of this debate is the straw that breaks the camel's back to convince someone to be safer on transportation, then what could be more important? Knowing how to wait 5 minutes less in line for Dumbo???

[dopeyfanatic]

Yes, but you're talking about an airplane, not a car. VERY different types of transportation and safety issues. And frankly, as someone else has said, do you really think you're going to change someone's mind? If they don't want to take one, they won't. And "debating" it isn't going to change their mind. For every person who says yes, someone will say no, and they'll be back to deciding for themselves....

[CleveRocks]

Yes, but you're talking about an airplane, not a car. VERY different types of transportation and safety issues. And frankly, as someone else has said, do you really think you're going to change someone's mind? If they don't want to take one, they won't. And "debating" it isn't going to change their mind. For every person who says yes, someone will say no, and they'll be back to deciding for themselves....So there's no sense in sharing opinions about anything, right? Yes, I DO think it's possible to change someone's mind. Not an entrenched, dyed-in-the-wool, stubborn individual who already has their mind made up, but what about OTHERS reading the thread who may tend to agree with an opinion opposite mine (or yours, or anyone's) but don't feel strongly about it? THOSE people might get their minds changed. If information can't change people's minds, then Oprah and the entire advertising industry are in for a big surprise.
Why is it that this board has to turn so many posts into arguments? Psst ... don't look now, but you seem to be arguing. :rolleyes:

[dopeyfanatic]

People like you are why I don't frequent these boards. I'm NOT arguing. I'm simply pointing out that practically EVERY thread on this board turns into a debate. I know MANY MANY people who will agree with me. I'm wondering why, in reply to her post, people couldn't have just posted that certain airlines REQUIRE the seats, and for those that don't, should hers be one of the, it's up to her what she feels comfortable with. Instead people who think she should use them are appalled that some people wouldn't. The fact is, it's safer to fly than drive. The chance a carseat would help isn't much. It's not like crashing in a car, if you crash in a plane a carseat isn't going to do as much help, not that it won't do ANY, just not the same. I'm not saying I'm for or against them, honestly I have no stand. I don't really care. Those that want to take them, cool. Those that don't that's ok too. I'm not going to look down on them and say they're not thinking of their child's safety. You can't compare apples and oranges.

[CleveRocks]

People like you are why I don't frequent these boards. I'm NOT arguing.
I'm not arguing, either. I'm simply pointing something out, same as you. But thanks for insulting me. "People like me ...." Thanks. I wasn't bring nasty to anyone. Please don't insult or hurt others on these boards. I was sharing information that I thought might be helpful.. I wasn't putting anyone down. Thanks, dopeyfanatic. That wasn't nice.

[dopeyfanatic]

By "people like you" I'm referring to everything being turned into a "debate" which you agreed you were doing on the subject. It wasn't aimed at putting you down, but pointing out that everything does not need to be debated. Just give the info and go on....

[Phalene]

I just want to make sure you're not making a problem for yourself. Is your 5 year old in a regular car safety seat or in a booster seat? I ask this because booster seats are not permitted on airliners. This shouldn't be a concern, because booster seats won't add to a child's safety in an airliner.

Thanks for checking, yes my 5 year old is in a regular car safety seat. He is not yet 40 pounds, and I have him in a Britax where he can be in a 5 point harness until he's 65 pounds.

[CleveRocks]

By "people like you" I'm referring to everything being turned into a "debate" which you agreed you were doing on the subject. It wasn't aimed at putting you down, but pointing out that everything does not need to be debated. Just give the info and go on....PEACE. :goodvibes