Another Carseat on planes question

[Trina7020]

I have flown once before with my kiddos. They were 2 and 1. That time I was flying alone with them and did not have a seat for my one year old. I brought both car seats in case there was an empty seat. (And I needed them when I got there) Both ways they told me there were no empty seats so I gate checked the baby's car seat. (and both times there were available seats RIGHT next to me but it was too late to get my car seat back!)

Anyway... it was heaven having my 2 year old in the carseat. He slept the entire way both flights and couldn't move even while I was messing with the baby. BUT... the airport was a disaster. I was in tears both ways. They of course won't let any one through security to help me and I had to juggle 2 car seats, 2 toddlers, and carry on luggage by myself. The airlines were so unhelpful! (Which cannot be light with 2 young kiddos)

So my question is... (finally.. sorry for the novel!) What do I do this trip? The kids are now 2 1/2 and weeks shy of 4. Do I dare try to bring both car seats? (No need for them when we get there) We will also have the double stroller this time, so even more to lug around. Of course i will not be alone this time... DH will be with me. I had such a bad experience flying with car seats... I am a little scared.

 

[laughinplace199]

Will you need the car seats when you get to Orlando? If you will, then I'd just bring them both on the plane. You can gate check the older child's car seat if he's not going to use it on the plane.

If you're using ME and won't need car seats in Orlando, then I'd just bring one for the 2 yr old. Your 4 yr old should be fine just using the seatbelt on the plane.

Once my kids turned 4 I didn't use their carseats on the plane.

Have a fun trip!

 

[bas71873]

Are you staying on property and using Magical Express and Disney Transpo? If so, I wouldn't even bother with the carseats. You won't be able to use them on the ME or buses anyway (probably could on the ME if you wanted to). My DD is 4 1/2 and we just returned from a trip in Feb. We stayed on property so didn't need her seat (thank goodness)....and I have never dragged one on a plane. That's a hassle I just don't need.

If you are staying off and renting a car, see if you can rent a car seat too. That would be well worth the $$ I would think.

 

[taitai]

If you need help getting to the gate with all that stuff, the airlines will issue a special boarding pass like document for a friend/relative to go to the gate with you. It is similar to what they give to parents of unaccompanied minors when they walk their kids to the gate or go to the gate to pick up the kid.

Good luck
Taitai

 

[Trena]

I bought a C.A.R.E.S. to use on the plane. (I wish it was safe for rental cars) If we rent a car, we also rent a car seat.

There was one for rent on ebay, but I decided to buy my own

to see CARES go to: www.kidsflysafe.com/

CARES (“child aviation restraint system”) is the first and only FAA approved harness type child safety device....keeps them as safe as a car seat!


(OP---Just noticed your name was Trina!!!)

 

[casper_jj11]

I'm travelling to NF in May with three kiddos (5, 2 and 6mo) on my own. I found CARES and plan to use it for my 2 yr old. I've heard wonderful things about them. We own a baby equipment rental business in Ottawa and I'm awaiting a shipment of them for rental and sale right now. As for needing the car seat once you get there, rather than take them on the plane especially if you're travelling on your own, I would use the CARES and rent a car seat from a baby equipment rental place such as ABBF. They should be able to have it waiting at the airport for you.

Joanne

 

[wlwilliams9]

I'll probably be flamed for this but, do toddlers really need a car seat on an airplane. I have flown MANY times (on NWA) with MANY toddlers on board and have never once seen a kid in a car seat. I mean, if the plane goes down, is a car seat really gonna help...doubtful! I have always taken baby in lap, but this year we got her a seat (she'll be 22 months) and I don't plan on bringing a car seat for her to sit in. I have to bring enough extra crap because I have a toddler. Why lug a car seat for a 2 hour flight?

 

[wlwilliams9]

OK, before I get too flamed for my PP! I just checked out CARES and that is something I can get into!

 

[karensi]

I'll probably be flamed for this but, do toddlers really need a car seat on an airplane. I have flown MANY times (on NWA) with MANY toddlers on board and have never once seen a kid in a car seat. I mean, if the plane goes down, is a car seat really gonna help...doubtful! I have always taken baby in lap, but this year we got her a seat (she'll be 22 months) and I don't plan on bringing a car seat for her to sit in. I have to bring enough extra crap because I have a toddler. Why lug a car seat for a 2 hour flight?

The reason we like to use a car seat is because it seems to help my little grandson sit still and in one place on the plane. He is used to sitting in his car seat in the car and therefore seems to stay put during the plane trip.

 

[stacy6552]

I wouldn't bother bringing one for the 4 year old.

However, with one or two, life is ever so much better with the seats in carseat dufflebags. It's life changing. Get one for each seat you bring, they will be worth every penny.

 

[fakereadhed]

I didn't bring one for DS3 on our alone trip because it would have been too much junk for me to carry by myself. I am a HUGE safety nut(deemed the Safety Queen by my family)but as long as your child is able to stay in the seat strapped in, I think that's OK. Really if there is more than turbulence you are SOL anyway. The only down side was that he was really, really tired on the way home and couldn't get comfortable in his seat. We had a miserable 2.5 hour flight on the way home because he couldn't get comfortable. He is off the growth charts, so maybe if your child is smaller they would be able to get comfy. If you have a longer flight I'd bring the seat- especially if you have DH there.

 

[jessica52877]

I would absolutely bring one. My child's life is worth tears or whatever it takes!

 

[labdogs42]

The reason we like to use a car seat is because it seems to help my little grandson sit still and in one place on the plane. He is used to sitting in his car seat in the car and therefore seems to stay put during the plane trip.

This is the main reason we bring one for our DS. Having him in a familiar seat where he knows he has to sit still and can fall asleep easily is important to us! I'll probably stop taking it on the plane when he is 4, but we'll see!!