anyone use CARES on the airplane

[emmababy]

I saw on another thread, this product called CARES. I think it looks like a great, but expensive product. Has anyone used that can offer me some reviews? Thanks!

 

[Mom-2-2Princesses]

We have used it and LOVE it! It is a great alternative to lugging a carseat thru the airport. We used it to take our dd to Florida this past summer, and will use it for our February trip to WDW. The flight attendants seemed to be familiar with it, but I would suggest printing out and bringing with you all the documentation about it being FAA approved, just in case.

 

[emmababy]

Thanks! I saw on another thread that op ds didn't like it. To be honest, I never heard of it before. I think it sounds great. My dd flies 3-4 times/year, and we will have another that could use it. So, I am sure we would get our $74 out of it. We use Magical Express, so don't have a need for a carseat once we get there. Twice a year I fly to Iowa with dd alone, so not having to lug a carseat is a great thing!!!

 

[FatElvis]

I have it and have used it twice - I'm happy with it. I bought it when I flew down to Orlando in March with my 3 kids alone, I knew I couldn't deal with a carseat and I worried my then-2 year old would bolt down the aisle - LOL. It's not super snug, but it does provide extra security. She did fall asleep and didn't look real comfortable, but it didn't seem to bother her a bit.

The first trip the flight attendants knew exactly what it was. A few months later, one was really unsure and asked a couple of times if we were sure it was approved. I was trying to dig out the paperwork when another flight attendant told her they were fine.

They are a bit pricey, especially considering what they actually are (just straps, like the seat belts) but I think it's worth it. If you'll be flying a few times, I think it would be a good thing to have. Honestly, I think it wouldn't hurt airlines to have several of them onboard.

 

[karenTX]

Ok, one of the straps have to go over the back of seat, right? What if you have that CERTAIN person sitting behind your child that takes offense that you're "invading" their space? Am I wrong in how it's installed and has anyone had any problems using it in regards to other passengers?

 

[FatElvis]

Yeah, there's one big strap that goes around the entire seat - you have to lower the tray table behind you to get it on, then you can put it back up. Luckily, of the 4 flights I've used it on, I pre-boarded 3 times, so I didn't have to ask anyone. If they noticed or minded, they didn't say. The other time, my husband just told the guy he needed to put his table down for just a minute. It shouldn't bother them, but I suppose there's always the chance someone would be weird about it. I guess maybe a flight attendant could intervene? It doesn't interfere with the use of their table at all.

 

[twinmom2]

Love it!! I have twins and they both did very well with it. Sooooo...much easier than carrying car seats.

 

[BerryBeaches]

I haven't used it myself, but if you wouldn't use it often, you can rent one on eBay for $15 plus s&h.

I don't think I can post links, but just search for "cares harness" on eBay and it should come right up.

 

[emmababy]

That's a good idea, the renting on ebay! I know people want to make a buck, but $74 for a seat belt is just crazy to me!!

 

[Texasmomof3]

I am a flight att. and we are seeing them more and more. The only problem that we have encountered is that they will not fit around our first class seats for those lucky little ones traveling F/C. I have talked to many parents on board and they seem to love them and I am thinking about getting one for my 2 year old for our trip to Disney in Nov. We travel all the time but usually need the car seat when we get to wherever we are going so we are forced to lug it around. Someone really needs to invent a lighter, durable carseat our Britax wieghs a ton. Also as a personal aside please remember parents that the booster seats without the shoulder harness cannot be used on the airplane same goes for a car with only a lap belt. I have been yelled at and cursed even though most booster seats will have a picture on the side that shows they are not to be used with just a lap belt whether in a plane or car.

 

[javaj]

DS (14 mo old when he tried it last month) was so fidgety in it. He cried and kept trying to get out of it. A poster replied to my other thread that it may be better for big babies. I agree, he seemed to slouch down in the seat with the CARES on.

 

[all4fun]

Also as a personal aside please remember parents that the booster seats without the shoulder harness cannot be used on the airplane same goes for a car with only a lap belt. I have been yelled at and cursed even though most booster seats will have a picture on the side that shows they are not to be used with just a lap belt whether in a plane or car.

How Rude! Makes you wonder how they're using it in the car too.

I do think that a regular car seat is probably more comfortable on the plane than the CARES, for smaller kids. The Cosco Touriva is one that was mentioned here on the Dis when ds was younger and that is what we bought for travel and used it as a backup seat in MIL's car too, until he outgrew it by height (it's a pretty small seat). It was great for travel though - fairly light and easy to carry. Cosco has since redesigned it and it is now called the Scenera. It can be found at Walmart/Target/Kmart for $40. They even have a pretty pink one for girls now.

 

[lori123]

How Rude! Makes you wonder how they're using it in the car too.

I do think that a regular car seat is probably more comfortable on the plane than the CARES, for smaller kids. The Cosco Touriva is one that was mentioned here on the Dis when ds was younger and that is what we bought for travel and used it as a backup seat in MIL's car too, until he outgrew it by height (it's a pretty small seat). It was great for travel though - fairly light and easy to carry. Cosco has since redesigned it and it is now called the Scenera. It can be found at Walmart/Target/Kmart for $40. They even have a pretty pink one for girls now.

I would have to agree. My children were more comfortable - sleep wise - in the car seats. It was so worth lugging the car seats to the gate (paid a skycap to help! ) for a peaceful flight! Since it felt just like the car - the motion put them right out - and they knew getting up wasn't an option as in the car.

 

[SueM in MN]

I haven't used it myself, but if you wouldn't use it often, you can rent one on eBay for $15 plus s&h.

I don't think I can post links, but just search for "cares harness" on eBay and it should come right up.

I was curious what it was, so here is a link to the CARES website. Passporter also has some reviews of it on their site.