Booster Seat for almost 4 yr old (airplane and Mears Transportation)

[tommygirl79]

We are leaving Thursday for WDW!!! Finally!!!

My DD is almost four and is riding in a head encompassing booster seat in our van we use for most things and a small booster for our second car. We have a 17 month old that we will be needing to bring the big carseat for on our trip. We were told that the booster for our older DD would not be needed or even allowed on the plane (we're not really worried about that) but we were wondering what Mears Transportation does with this situation. Does she need a carseat, booster or nothing at all. What are the laws in FL about this and has anyone had an experience with this. I think this is the last issue we need to find out before we leave. Any advice or help with anything pertaining to this situation would be awesome! Thanks in advance!!!

We're leaving in less than two days!!!

 

[Brina]

booster seats cannot be used on airplanes because they can only be used with 3 pt seatbelts, and airplanes only have lap belts. I have never used Mears, so I don't know how their busses are set up. i would contact them directly and ask.

 

[Beth76]

I've never used Mears, or really any shuttle in the state of FL. But, all the other shuttles I've been on don't have seatbelts. So, I don't see what good a car seat would do. Would a carseat be required for the 17 month old on the airplane. I've only flown once with my son when he was 2-1/2 and he just sat in the seat. I'm thinking that if we take my younger son with us on our next trip (he will be 18mos) that we would just have him in the airplane seat and not in a carseat. Unless there's a rule/law that I'm not aware of.

 

[tommygirl79]

From everything that I've read, a carseat is not required on an airline (there are other threads on the transportation area here that touch on that but I wouldn't take our 17 month old on the plane with just the seatbelt for safety partly but mostly because there is no way she would stay in the seatbelt as she's not used to it. Toddlers that age do better with things they are used to and since she's used to her 5 point harness we are taking the carseat no matter what to make things easier.

I think I am leaning to not bringing the booster at all. Am going to call Mears now to see what they say.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Do you already have Mears tickets? I would seriously consider using a town car instead. They greet you at luggage and no waiting for a shuttle or making multiple stops. They will also do a grocery stop. AND provide a booster seat.

Its probably too late for this idea too but I purchased a Pac Back . Its a great way to carry a car seat and I was able to put a small bottom only booster in the seat of the other car seat while using this carrier. You could also purchase a car seat bag for your baby's car seat and bring along the small booster in that if you can use it on Mears. I thought their vans did have seatbelts but I haven't used them in over 10 years.

 

[tommygirl79]

My parents are going along so we have 6 people....I have used Mears 3 times before and have never had a problem. Was just wondering about the carseats.

Thanks for the other advice though...i will think about what we want to do.

 

[Colinsmom]

I'm thinking that if we take my younger son with us on our next trip (he will be 18mos) that we would just have him in the airplane seat and not in a carseat. Unless there's a rule/law that I'm not aware of.

A car seat is not required, but your child must be sitting in the seat with his seat belt on when the fasten seat belt light is on. That can be quite a long time if you sit in line for take-off or if you experience turbulence. I don't know too many 18 month olds who could handle that - mine certainly couldn't!

Of course, at that age, he could still travel as a lap baby but that carries many of its own risks. If you are going to buy him a seat on the plane, it's probably best to use a car seat at that age.

 

[tommygirl79]

I just called Mears and their CSR said that in the State of FL no carseat of any kind is required by law in a commercial shuttle service of any kind. Their shuttles do have seatbelts so the carseat will be fine but since the drive is short I will probably forego taking anything for the 3 1/2 year old. If I take anything it will probably be the small booster seat that can fit in our luggage and use that for the shuttle. I will forego everything for her on the airplane i think...

 

[calena]

Are booster seats the law in Florida? We are renting a vehicle. Have a five-year-old who is pretty borderline (height wise) in needing a booster seat.

 

[beattyfamily]

Are booster seats the law in Florida? We are renting a vehicle. Have a five-year-old who is pretty borderline (height wise) in needing a booster seat.

Florida law:

ALL CHILDREN 5 YEARS OLD OR YOUNGER MUST USE A RESTRAINT DEVICE WHEN RIDING IN A MOTOR VEHICLE.
The law requires every driver to secure children five years of age or younger in child restraint devices riding in a passenger car, van, or pick-up truck, regardless of whether the vehicle is registered in this state. Infant carriers or children's car seats must be used for children three years old and younger. Children's car seats or safety belts may be used for four- and five-year-olds.

 

[djmeredith]

I am a flight attendant for a major airline and I have two nephews under 2.
PLEASE, always use a car seat when you travel with your children!!! No, the FAA/airlines do not require them on the planes, but that doesn't mean it is safe!

You would never dream of driving at home without a car seat, why would you place your child in a vehicle that goes over 100 mph down the runway without a car seat? If the plane has to abort take off or any other problem occurs, your child is in danger unless in an FAA approved car seat.

Someone above said that booster seats are not allowed on airlines...that is only partially true. Booster seats without the tall backs are not FAA approved. However, there are several types of high back booster seats that are approved for flight. Just check the label on your booster or car seat to make sure that it is FAA approved.

Again, I implore you to always purchase a seat for your precious cargo and put them in their comfy car seats...not only for safety, but like someone else above said, it is easier to keep them occupied if they are in their familiar seats.

 

[tommygirl79]

i'm the one who said that.....

i would NEVER question putting my 17 month old in her carseat...can't imagine doing anything else. My question was for my 4 yr old and i think we have decided to take her bigger booster/carseat...

 

[Kelly5538]

I took my daughter last year (4 1/2 years old at the time) and did not bring a booster seat. She didn't need it on the plane and we took Mears buses to and from the airport to the hotel - so no, you don't need them.

 

[cymomtx]

We always travelled on the airplanes with kids in car seat and/or booster seats. I never had a problem with them on the airplanes. I liked them being in the car/booster seat so that they were contained not so much the safety factor.

 

[Beth76]

I took my daughter last year (4 1/2 years old at the time) and did not bring a booster seat. She didn't need it on the plane and we took Mears buses to and from the airport to the hotel - so no, you don't need them.

Thank you. We'll be taking my 4-1/2yo to Disney. I know I wouldn't have him in a carseat on the airplane. Wasn't sure what to do about other transportation though. We'll probably take a shuttle too, and I wouldn't expect to need a carseat on that.