Boarding with three car seats

[princessap]

We are planning to take our own car seats with us so we will be taking three, one infant and two convertible ones....which ones can I gatecheck

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You should be able to gate check all 3. I can't imagine lugging 3 car seats to the gate and managing an infant and 2 children. Hope you're traveling with help.

 

[TandEsMommy]

Is there a reason you want to gate check them? All airlines will check carseats for free at the ticketing counter, so there's no need to drag them through the airport with you.

 

[princessap]

I am really nervous about car seats and don't want them to be tossed around and damaged if I check them

 

[cel_disney]

I don't think I would gate check any if the kids had seats. I would put the baby bucket in a stroller, pull out the straps on both the convertibles and wear them like backpacks, and hang carry on bags on the stroller or shoulders...

When it comes time to boa the plane, have one adult take the 2 convertibles, the stroller, and a carrying bag. Leave the stroller at gate check (so other parent doesn't hAve to collapse or cover with 3 kids in toe) and the board the plane with the 2 convertibles and the carryon.

Then as boarding gets further along (well, maybe the very last call even!), parent heads down the jetway with 3 kids and infant seat and another carryon to board the plane. When you arrive at your seats everyone can get buckled in without having to watch a parent try carseat install etc and have a shorter wait time on the Plane!

Have a safe trip and enjoy that all 3 of your kids will be unable to escape during the flight!!!!!!

 

[papaof3]

Been in your shoes before. What I did and worked perfect was got large duffle bags with good strength to them, and put the car seats in one or two of those. Then just checked them. Never once had them break inside of a bag like that. I would be afraid of checking them without a protective cover though. Doesn't cost a cent to check them and doesn't count against your free bag if you get them from the airline.

 

[princessap]

I don't think I would gate check any if the kids had seats. I would put the baby bucket in a stroller, pull out the straps on both the convertibles and wear them like backpacks, and hang carry on bags on the stroller or shoulders...

When it comes time to boa the plane, have one adult take the 2 convertibles, the stroller, and a carrying bag. Leave the stroller at gate check (so other parent doesn't hAve to collapse or cover with 3 kids in toe) and the board the plane with the 2 convertibles and the carryon.

Then as boarding gets further along (well, maybe the very last call even!), parent heads down the jetway with 3 kids and infant seat and another carryon to board the plane. When you arrive at your seats everyone can get buckled in without having to watch a parent try carseat install etc and have a shorter wait time on the Plane!

Have a safe trip and enjoy that all 3 of your kids will be unable to escape during the flight!!!!!!

are u saying to take as carry on?

 

[seashoreCM]

AFAIK there is no greater chance of damage when you check a car seat in the normal manner compared with gate checking.

Actually I think the best way to handle the situation is to bring only FAA approved seats and carry them all on board. No special treatment is needed.

Do not deliberately wait past your boarding zone or boarding time before boarding. It will actually help the airline crew if you ask to board early (if they disagree, quietly just board when you are supposed to and normally).

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

are u saying to take as carry on?

No, they aren't carry on.

If you have seats for all three kids and they are FAA approved you can use them on the plane for the kids in the seats.

If you don't have seats for a child, the car seat will have to be checked either at the counter or at the gate, they won't fit in an overhead bin.

 

[princessap]

AFAIK there is no greater chance of damage when you check a car seat in the normal manner compared with gate checking.

Actually I think the best way to handle the situation is to bring only FAA approved seats and carry them all on board. No special treatment is needed.

Do not deliberately wait past your boarding zone or boarding time before boarding. It will actually help the airline crew if you ask to board early (if they disagree, quietly just board when you are supposed to and normally).

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

We will have one infant and then two boosters for my 4 and 5 year olds. So I don't think they need them for the flight and we don't have a seat for my infant so cannot take hers.

is there really less damage when checking vs gate? I though gate would be better.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We will have one infant and then two boosters for my 4 and 5 year olds. So I don't think they need them for the flight and we don't have a seat for my infant so cannot take hers.

is there really less damage when checking vs gate? I though gate would be better.

You cannot use backless booster seats on the plane. Since your baby doesn't have a paid seat, she cannot use her seat either. Personally, I'd put all of these in a bag and would check them. Gate checked items can be handled roughly too; don't think I've ever seen any real studies regarding damage done to car seats during gate check vs regular luggage check.

 

[NotUrsula]

The issue with sending them through the bag room is the drops. (That scene in Toy Story 2 wasn't all that far off reality.)

It's not so much that the seat itself will drop hard, but that a heavy suitcase might drop on top of it. If you are not comfortable with continuing to use a seat after it has gone through a minor fender-bender accident, the kind of impacts that sometimes happen in the bag room are not much different, and may even be more severe.

The other argument for gate-checking is that you are assured that the carseats will absolutely be on the same flight that you are on; there is no chance that they will be delayed or mis-routed onto another flight.

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

We will have one infant and then two boosters for my 4 and 5 year olds. So I don't think they need them for the flight and we don't have a seat for my infant so cannot take hers.

is there really less damage when checking vs gate? I though gate would be better.

Booster seats cannot be used on the plane. I would just check those. The infant seat I would gate check. We have always bought seats for our infants so we used their seats.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

The other argument for gate-checking is that you are assured that the carseats will absolutely be on the same flight that you are on; there is no chance that they will be delayed or mis-routed onto another flight.

Don't count on this! Sometimes gate checked items don't make it on your flight. It happened to me once.

 

[danceintherain]

The only car seats that can be used on planes have backs and harnesses. If any of your car seats don't fit that requirement, then your only option will be to check them.

Ultimately, the risk of checking them is based entirely on the people who are handling them. Technically, a car seat is considered "crashed" if it's dropped from waist height or higher. This damage will not necessarily be noticeable by looking at the car seat.
For that reason, the only risk free way to take a car seat on a plane is to use it, and that's only because if you drop it, you will know and can make replacement arrangements. If someone else drops it, there's nothing stopping them from tossing it on and your child riding in a compromised car seat. It's also safer for your child to ride in the car seat on the plane.

That said, I've checked car seats both ways. I prefer gate checking, because it will have a shorter distance to travel and will be out of my hands for a shorter amount of time. It's a frustrating conundrum though, because I've also heard awful things about rental car seats. We have a second car seat that we use predominantly for travel that's lighter and easier to install than our every day car seat, which makes traveling with it moderately easier.

If you have small backless booster seats, you may be able to carry them on and put it in the overhead compartment, or under the seat in front of you.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you have small backless booster seats, you may be able to carry them on and put it in the overhead compartment, or under the seat in front of you.

Being as they can't be used on the aircraft, would those then count as 2 of their carry on bag allotment?

 

[tjmw2727]

Being as they can't be used on the aircraft, would those then count as 2 of their carry on bag allotment?

Not in my experience - most airlines allow carseats to be checked through, gate checked or carried on for no charge. Even if they did count - the OP has 4 ticketed passengers so is entitled to 4 carryons plus 4 "personal items". A low back booster will fit fine under the seat - esp the seat of a child young enough to use it

Honestly though, with a low backed booster I would take the chance on checking it through as it really only acts as a belt positioner for older children who don't fit the lap/shoulder belt. Not sure that any real damage can be done to them that would change their effectivness. I would not chance the infant seat and would definately carry on or gate check with carry on my first choice.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

?... I would not chance the infant seat and would definately carry on or gate check with carry on my first choice.

Car seats don't count against baggage allowance.

If the baby does not have a ticket, the car seat needs to be checked.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

there is a chance of any checked bag or car seat not making your plane. these things do happen. have had it happpen to us. would have some kind of plan in case. have seen gate checked items handled roughly. seen some fall off belt to place in plane.

 

[kathysr98]

Neither checking nor gate checking is a safe option for any car seat. The boosters should be carried on as a personal item to go under the seat in front of the child or packed in the center of a large piece of luggage with clothes on all sides for padding. Or better yet, get two Bubble Bum boosters and pack them most anywhere.

The best case scenario for the infant seat is an unoccupied seat on the plane and being allowed to use it free of charge. Barring that possibility, it should be packed in a substantial cardboard box with ample padding. The advantages of cardboard are that it can collapse a bit to provide some padding and it will show damage if the seat has been treated roughly, so you know to replace the seat. A little extra time spent will go a long way toward keeping your children safe.