10 day trip, only carryon-- am I nuts

[plutosmyfav]

Ya, I think of car seats as being pretty personal. I know mine would have seemed "yucky" to someone else by the time DS moved out of it, but it was "our" mess!

My Mom's booster is a shoulder belt type like mine, so that was a no go. I will check with xH. I am pretty sure he has a 5 point harness kind. I think the plane ride would go a lot more smoothly if he is in a booster rather than just the seat with the lap belt.

I still have time to work this out! (just barely).

I did check with AA and their website says boosters are allowed as long as they say FAA approved (which should include most 5 point harness types but no shoulder belt types)

 

[TammyC]

I don't want to make things any more difficult for you, but please check the weight limits for using the harness. I think some are 30 and some are 40lbs. If your DS has already been using the belt-positioning booster, I'm guessing he is over 30lbs.

 

[BevS97]

I have travelled alone with a little one before, and personally I would check everything, even the stroller. Just take a small bag with items you need on the plane.
At 3 1/2 your son can walk through the airport, and it's much easier to deal with the airport and getting boarded etc if you aren't loaded down with bags. At the other end, I would collect everything, put it on a trolley, and then either get DS to walk with you, (on reins if necessary), or sit him on top of the trolley (in that basket marked, not for children to sit in!) and wheel it all to the car.

This year there will be just me so I am going to speak up and say "please make sure he doesn't run before I get through".

I would suggest going through first, and then having him walk through to you. If he does bolt the other way, you are 'allowed' to go back into the unsecured area, whereas you are not allowed to go into the secure area until they let you. Personally I think they need to rethink the security system for small children, yes they need to be checked, but there must be a better way.

I would also just check your booster seat, and collect it at the other end. Yes, a carseat would be better, but a 3 1/2 year old is getting pretty big, and since you are on your own, I think you need to be realistic about what you can manage. I still think packing light is a good idea, but let the airline deal with it for you, so you can be more relaxed and enjoy your flight with your son.

Bev

 

[abbyndrewmom]

Just wanted to add that I always gate check our booster seats. We fly alot and I have had many pieces of luggage lost. I don't trust the airlines to get my car seats there if they are not gate checked. I have never ever had a problem with this, though I have had more then one stroller broken even when gate checked.

Allison

 

[CEDmom]

You can use a booster on a plane if you're still using the 5-pt harness. It's when you switch to just the lap and shoulder belt that it's not allowed. Also, the FAA recommends children under 40lbs be in a car/booster seat rather than just the plane seat.

 

[plutosmyfav]

Here it is the weekend before we leave and I am still undecided! I'm leaning towards a checked bag and just a back pack for the plane. But I think I will gate check the stroller because if worse came to worse I can make him sit in it until boarding. Good tip on going through first and then having him go through.

As for the booster, his says the 5 pt can be used upto 40 lbs. He is 42 lbs so I probably shouldn't use it on the plane in the 5-pt method, then I will gate check it. But If I'm gate checking it, I'd much rather bring my own than xH because it is lighter and easier to manage. So many decisions!!!!

You guys have been a wealth of information and advice. Thank you so much! I hope other one-adult-with-child(ren) are benefitting from this thread, too!