Airplane question

[jaame]

We will be flying on airtran in October with a three year old. Do we need his carseat for the flight or should we check it with our luggage? I know we will need it for transportation to and from the airport after we arrive in Orlando but wasn't sure if was needed for the plane ride.

We found this and are seriously considering purchasing it but it says it is not FAA improved. What exactly does that mean? ***eta*** The catalog said "Not FAA improved" The website says "Not FAA approved" That would lead me to believe we couldn't use this product on the plane, correct?

http://www.leapsandboundscatalog.co...itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=313766&change=118

 

[adisneymama]

Are you going to rent a car? If you are using DME and then using the disney transportation to and from the parks, you won't be able to use the car seat at all. There aren't any seatbelts on the busses. If this is the case, I would leave the car seat at home unless you want your child in the seat on the plane. It is not required on the plane. If you choose to use the seat on the plane it has to state that it is FAA approved on the seat. If you are renting a car, then you could either check the car seat or use it on the plane. My recomendation would be to gate check it. HTH

 

[JillU-DVC]

you will likely get more responses on the Transportation board.

FYI!

 

[MiniSocks]

I would check the car seat. From past experience, once you are in the air, the 3 yr. old will end up in your lap anyway. Rental car places charge per day for car seats. Plus, then you won't have to haul it on and off of the airplane.

 

[Amyg]

When my son was 3 we checked the car in and used it only in our rental car.

 

[CleveRocks]

We just flew with my 2.5 year old without her car seat and had ZERO problems. As for transportation in Orlando -- if you're not renting a car or using a towncar, leave the car seat at home! You can't use a child safety seat on buses. If you take Disney's Magical Express (DME, a free bus ride to and from the airport) there will be nothing for you to do with your car seat, and likewise you can't use the car seat on Disney Transport, the buses that take you from your resort to the parks.

And by the way, my wife is a pediatrician and I work with people injured in motor vehicle accidents, so BELIEVE ME when I say we are very safety conscious and had no qualms about these arrangements.

-- Eric

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

My daughter went twice when she was three and we did not bring a car seat at all. When we rented a car, we got one for it, but not for the airplane. She did fine and stayed in her seat the entire time except when she had to use the potty.

We kept her plenty busy though with crayons and books and snacks and a DVD player so she could watch Dora. It went really smooth.

We also gave her a little backpack of her own that she was responsible for. It had a change of clothes, some snacks, books, etc... She loved it and put it through security like a pro. It was sooo cute

 

[safetymom]

If the seat says not approved for airline use then you will not be able to use it. If you don't need a car seat for use in a rental car then I wouldn't bother using it on the plane for a 3 year old.

 

[homedad]

this is my standard anwer to this question. If the seat is FAA approved and IF your child likes thier car seat, take it on the plane. My son knew that when in his seat he had to sit and never got up, daughter isn't as fond of seat but it keeps her in one place. Personal opinion: car seats always worked for us.

 

[tlbwriter]

We will be flying on airtran in October with a three year old. Do we need his carseat for the flight or should we check it with our luggage? I know we will need it for transportation to and from the airport after we arrive in Orlando but wasn't sure if was needed for the plane ride.

We found this and are seriously considering purchasing it but it says it is not FAA improved. What exactly does that mean? ***eta*** The catalog said "Not FAA improved" The website says "Not FAA approved" That would lead me to believe we couldn't use this product on the plane, correct?

http://www.leapsandboundscatalog.co...itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=313766&change=118

You're right; you will not be able to use it on the plane.

What transportation are you using to and from the airport? If it's ME or a different bus, you will not be able to use a carseat, as they do not have seatbelts. If you're taking a towncar or van, you can (and should) use the carseat. If you do bring the carseat, do not check it with your luggage. That's a good way to get it damaged. Either use it on the plane (best choice) or have it gate-checked (and even that is a bit risky in terms of damage). If your son is used to staying strapped into his carseat in the car, you may find it's much easier to keep him settled on the plane if he's also strapped into his familiar carseat.