Boarding with three car seats

[amylevan]

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.

I know this post is a month old, but I was searching for something related and i just wanted to add that according to the Manufacturers Alliance for Child Passenger Safety:

"Car seats are designed to withstand most motor vehicle crash forces. In general, the MACPS does not consider a gate-checked car seat or a car seat that is checked as luggage to be one that has experienced forces equivalent to a motor vehicle crash. Once the destination is reached, it is recommended to inspect the car seat to make sure no visual damage has occurred and all aspects of the car seat function properly." (August 2012)

In other words, the experts on the matter say check away.

 

[Kellykins1218]

You are renting a car, right? I know that seems like a dumb question but a lot of parents who ask about car seats are actually taking Disney's Magical Express. They don't realize that car seats aren't needed.