Airplane seat for toddler

[klochs]

Not sure I should post here or on transportation ...curious to your experiences on purchasing or not purchasing a seat for child under 2...dh says no...all of the news shows say children are only safe if in their own carseat on an airplane...what do you say? thanks

 

[Deb & Bill]

For your sanity and safety, purchase a seat for the child. If the plane is not full, you might be able to have a seat next to you that is open. But if the plane is full, you'll have your child on your lap for the entire trip. With two other persons in your row, that can get a bit crowded.

A child in his or her own carseat is so much safer on a plane if there is an emergency.

 

[melanie18]

Buy the seat! It makes it much easier. Our DD fell asleep as the plane was taking off and woke up as we made our descent into Orlando. She understands that being in a plane is just like being in a car, she needs to be in her carseat.

On the other hand, my sister-in-law & her husband held their 14-month old son on the last trip and had a really difficult time. You can only hand him back and forth so many times (and in confined quarters no less). After that trip, she swore she would never carry him again!

 

[momsully]

I say yes buy your toddler a seat. When you call ask for an infant fare. This is usually half of the fare you are paying for your ticket. It is good for children under 2.

I fly frequently and in turbulance I am always glad my children are protected in their car seats. In an emergency situation if the child does not have a seat they make you sit the child on the floor between your legs. Trust me you won't be able to hold on.

I also find it much more relaxing to fly with my children in their own seats. They often fall asleep in the car seat so I can read or just relax.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Here we go again!!

 

[Beca]

I was a flight attendant for eight years. I quit after the birth of my DD. As part of our training, we had to go through two days of FAA re-certification once a year. In this process, we saw MANY videos of plane crashes where we saw the images and interviews of those who had survived the crashes. They often spoke of those who did not survive....the babies in arms.

Remember, the FAA has a dual mandate:
1) To ensure the safety of the traveling public

and,

2) To promote airline travel

Very contradictory, in my opinion.

The FAA is well aware of the dangers posed to "lap children". A few years ago, they "polled" families and asked if they were required to purchase seats for their children, if they would travel as often. The response was an OVERWHELMING "No". So...they decided to go with the "promote airline travel" over "ensure safety", and continue to allow this practice. They really were considering taking this option away because of the safety factor...but, they did not. After 9/11, talks surfaced of taking the "dual mandate" away from the FAA...but, that died as well.

I know this is "heavy", but protecting your children is serious business. Let me just say this...with inertia, a 15 lb child is IMPOSSIBLE to hold in an impact. There is no human being capable of holding their child in such a situation (I know such is rare, but I cannot imagine surviving an impact, but losing my child). And, I have "hit the ceiling" of an airplane twice because of turbulence (once resulting in a big gash on my head). I do not know a single flight attendant who allows their children to be "lap kids" (I'm sure there are some out there...but, none that I have ever spoken to).

Do what you have to do as a parent...but, infant fares are cheap!! And, really...do you WANT to ride with your baby on your lap?

Beca

 

[maryisme]

We just faced this with our upcoming trip to disneyworld this august. We decided to buy our DD a seat, she will be 10 months old when we travel. It simply wasn't worth the risk of her getting hurt should we hit really bad turbulance.In all likelihood everything will be fine and she would have probably done ok on my lap but what if...??

Mary

 

[BethR]

Originally posted by roliepolieoliefan
Here we go again!!

I am not sure that everyone reads every board to know that this was a very "hot topic" on another board recently. It really got nasty.

Everyone here has been very friendly and I feel certain everyone will continue to be so.

Thank you!

 

[bigbabyblues]

We will be purchasing a seat for my almost 2-yo when we fly to Disney, and he'll be riding in his carseat. I've never flown, DH has, but I don't think I want to have to hold (or have DH hold) our squirmy little one the whole trip! I know he's safer in his own seat too...

Steph

 

[n2mm]

Don't hope for that empty seat next to you to be available. We got back 2 weeks ago and flew on a full United flight. What I noticed was how many car seats had to be CHECKED at the gate. I'm assuming that these families were hoping to use the empty seat for the car seat. Needless to say, they were asking for volunteers to give up their seats because of overbooking. There must've been at least 4 car seats to be checked and lots of little ones on laps of parents. With air travel increasing the only way to insure that your child is their own seat is to purchase it. I was on a United flight--which is the last non-stop carrier out of Wash. Dulles to Orlando now. So this flight is very busy now.

 

[frannn]

Last year, we took DD1 to WDW via my employer's Delta Skymiles (very nice of him!) because we were planning to first visit the FL office. I asked boss's permission, and was luckily able to redeem miles for all our tickets (including DD's). I was originally not going to get her a seat, but started to get a bit nervous about her first flight. She slept in her carseat most of the way (for us its a 2.5 hour flight each way). I only took her out to change her. Many passengers remarked about how well behaved she was! The only bad thing was carrying the carseat, carryons, and baby off the plane, till the stroller got to the gate. It was added bonus to have an extra luggage allowance due to her having a purchased seat. DD will be just shy of 2 on our next trip, so she could've flown free. I left the decision up to DH, since I could change my mind so much I get whiplash! He felt we should buy her a seat, which we did. We are flying Jetblue, which does not have an infant or child's fare. We are also taking DD11. We paid about 175 including taxes & fees for each flight, which seems reasonable to me. My DD is already about 30-35 lbs, so she seems heavy to me, and I think it would be uncomfortable for both of us to have her squirming on my lap. I'll try to take as little luggage as possible, but I am comforted to know that I can have extra bags for my DDs, especially since we'll probably be bringing 1/2 of WDW back home with us (the other 1/2 we'll ship)! Don't get me wrong, if DH had not wanted to buy her a seat, I would've been happy to save the 175, but would've also been a bundle of nerves hoping there was a free seat for her carseat both ways. Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[robinb]

Welcome to the DIS!!

I did not purchase a seat for my under 2 year old, but I did purchase a Baby B'Air harness for her. It attached to my seat belt and protected her from being thrown from my arms in turbulence. I got it after using a similar device on British Airways when my DD was only 4 months old. I bought mine on eBay, but you can also buy them other places.

Here's their web site: http://www.babybair.com/

 

[Beca]

Originally posted by robinb
Welcome to the DIS!!

I did not purchase a seat for my under 2 year old, but I did purchase a Baby B'Air harness for her. It attached to my seat belt and protected her from being thrown from my arms in turbulence. I got it after using a similar device on British Airways when my DD was only 4 months old. I bought mine on eBay, but you can also buy them other places.

Here's their web site: http://www.babybair.com/

I agree, the harnesses are a good idea during flight, but I just wanted to clear up any misconceptions. The harnesses are NOT approved for take-off and landings. This is NOT because they are in any way unsafe, but rather because there has been no funding to do a study to check their safety...no study, no use during take offs and landings (which is when 95% of all airline accidents occur).




Beca

 

[lovesdumbo]

Be sure to call the airline and ask for an infant ticket which is nearly 50% off. You can't get these via the internet you must call. My DD also slept most of the flight. Can't imagine the flight without her car seat-well worth the $100.

 

[bubbasmom99]

I have no problem purchasing the seat... It's actually getting her to sit in it without screaming that is the problem.... Oh well, now that she's 2, buying the seat is no longer a question, although getting her to be quiet is still the challenge. Ahhhh thank goodness for portable DVD players!

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by Beca
I agree, the harnesses are a good idea during flight, but I just wanted to clear up any misconceptions. The harnesses are NOT approved for take-off and landings. This is NOT because they are in any way unsafe, but rather because there has been no funding to do a study to check their safety...no study, no use during take offs and landings (which is when 95% of all airline accidents occur).

Interestingly enough, BA gave me the strap for my DD to use during take offs and landings in the US and England. She flew in the very cool "Sky Cot" inbetween times. FWIW, the FA's on US airlines usually asked me to remove the strap from my seatbelt on take offs and landings.

As an FA, did you really find the 95% figure true? I might agree on fatal accidents, but not general injuries. I thought the vast majority of injuries came from turbulence and not being buckled in. I have been on flights where the turbulence was bad enough that the FA's were seated I was very glad that my family was buckled in!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Originally posted by bubbasmom99
.. Ahhhh thank goodness for portable DVD players!

Rmember, though, you won't be able to use that DVD player during takeoffs and landings.

 

[Beca]

Originally posted by robinb
Interestingly enough, BA gave me the strap for my DD to use during take offs and landings in the US and England. She flew in the very cool "Sky Cot" inbetween times. FWIW, the FA's on US airlines usually asked me to remove the strap from my seatbelt on take offs and landings.

As an FA, did you really find the 95% figure true? I might agree on fatal accidents, but not general injuries. I thought the vast majority of injuries came from turbulence and not being buckled in. I have been on flights where the turbulence was bad enough that the FA's were seated I was very glad that my family was buckled in!

Yes, you are absolutely right. I was referring to "mechanical failure" or "pilot error". In those cases, 95% of all accidents occur during takeoff or landing. Really, the ONLY case I remember (except for terrorist attacks) where there was a mechanical failure during flight was the Aloha airlines incident in the 80's where the plane became a "convertible" during flight. That was ruled to have as a result of one tiny crack around a screw that had been caused by dry salty air (the planes had done a lot of "island hops"). Even in most cases of hydraulic failure (one of the other issues that frightened me), a plane can be landed safely. It REALLY is takeoffs and landings that are so dangerous. And yes, turbulence CAN be dangerous, and certainly most accidents occur as a result of turbulence....but, unless we're talking about an overhead bin opening during flight and an item hitting someone on the head (which actually occurs most often during deplaning...the number one reason car seats cannot be placed in aisle seats), turbulence accidents are preventable!!! I never once had nightmares about turbulence (even after cracking my head open...we hit clear air turbulence, and there was NO warning. I actually felt very lucky. A flight attendant whose plane had taken the same approach minutes earlier had suffered a broken neck!!), but I often had nightmares about mechanical failure.


And, yes...you are right again!! The "harnesses" are often allowed on British Airways, or Virgin, or many international carriers...they are not governed by the FAA. Any "American" owned carrier cannot allow them during takeoff and landing.

I, agree that everyone has to make their own decisions about how they raise their family. I certainly do MANY things that would make others furious!! I am just posting this info because I have had experiences that many others have not (in this area). I am grateful to hear emergency room workers speak of the dangers of not having your seatbelt on...they see the results everyday!! I have seen similar "results" regarding airplanes. The most interesting stories (and scary) come from survivors. Sometimes, it is just "dumb luck" on who survives and who does not, but I sure want to try to increase my odds (and the odds of my children) any way that I can.





Beca

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by Beca
I, agree that everyone has to make their own decisions about how they raise their family. I certainly do MANY things that would make others furious!! I am just posting this info because I have had experiences that many others have not (in this area).

Beca:

I'm glad that you have added your experience to this thread! I am also glad that this thread has not (yet) degraded into name calling or insinuations about parents who do (did, in my case) not choose to buy an extra seat for their under 2 year old.

I have a tip for parents who bring a car seat to the gate for their children. Bungie the darn thing on a standard cheap-o collapeable luggage cart. Luggage carts cost about $20 and it's so worth it to drag your car seat behind you instead of carrying it! You can even buy one at the airport if you change your mind . I cannot tell you how glad I am that my DD is in a booster seat now that travels in the luggage compartment. The car seat bag holds a multitude of sins (pool noodles, jackets, etc)!

 

[DMRick]

Rmember, though, you won't be able to use that DVD player during takeoffs and landings.

Aer Lingus wouldn't let the grands use a dvd player on our flight to Ireland at all..said it had a laser pointer or some such thing. They first said no to the game boys, but I showed them where it said it was approved for use while flying, and while the one FA still said no, the other came back and told the boys to go ahead.