Booster seat help

[Snurk71]

This will be our first trip that DD doesn't have to ride in her 5-point harness car seat - she has graduated to a booster (with a back). We're thrilled because no more lugging the car seat on the plane (boosters aren't allowed on planes due to the plane seats just having a lap belt, correct?), but we want her to be safe and secure in the rental car. So...my question is this - her booster has a removable back but she is still in the height/weight range that requires the back for the best protection/fit. Do we just buy a cover/carrier for the booster seat and back and then check it with the luggage? I know it would be easier to just not take the back, but I want her to be safe.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[mudnuri]

(boosters aren't allowed on planes due to the plane seats just having a lap belt, correct?),

Correct- only seats with 5 point harnesses can be used on planes.

Do we just buy a cover/carrier for the booster seat and back and then check it with the luggage?

Everytime we've flown with boosters, we've just had the airline "plastic bag" it at check-in. They use clear bags. my hope is that the guy throwing my car seat on the plane, has a kid, and knows to be careful with it! LOL

I know it would be easier to just not take the back, but I want her to be safe.

for your daughters safety- PLEASE TAKE THE ENTIRE THING!!!!

Brandy

 

[alloyd1170]

Right about boosters on the plane. I got a nice heavy duty car seat bag from BRU (think its an Eddie Bauer brand ~$20) that has a handle and a shoulder strap. I put the seat in there and threw in some jackets, diaper supplies, stuffed animal. etc. It shouldnt count against your luggage allowance. The bag and stuff came through 4 flights without any marks or damage. The only thing, at some airports odd size luggage comes out in a different place. I didnt know this and panicked when it didnt appear on the belt. So if it doesnt come through, check the odd size area or ask an attendant. Do you have one of the Graco seats where you can take the back off? Thats what I have. The back comes off fairly easy if nothing is supporting it, but didnt have any trouble with it in the bag (used the extra stuff to support it). Dont use it without the back unless you have to. I read a review from someone that was in a crash with that version and her daughter had some injuries. She said without the back, their was lack of support.

alison

 

[Snurk71]

Thanks for the replies - and yes, we're definitely using the back, too, for the safety. Trust me, she's always had her own ticket for a seat on the plane since her flying started at 15 months.

So have you both checked it through, or gate-check it like you would a stroller? We have the Graco booster with removable back, so I'll look at BRU for a bag. Are the bags similar to stroller bags, only smaller? (I was hoping it might all fit in the stroller bag, but it's already a tight fit with just the stroller in it.)

 

[alloyd1170]

I just noticed youre from Bloomington. I grew up in Naperville, (if you know where that is) and now live in SC. I checked the seat with all the rest of the luggage and gate checked the stroller. That way we could put our son in the stroller for a long or quick walk, or we put bags in it and let our son burn off some steam. The bag I got at BRU is huge since the booster is much smaller than some seats. Like I said before, I just piled extra gear in it with no problems. I dont think a stroller would fit in it though. Maybe an umbrella type, but I doubt it.

alison

 

[jlcd]

We also got the booster seat bags at BRU and I would really recommend them. We checked them with our luggage. We saw quite a few seats coming through baggage claim in the plastic bags given by the airline that were all ripped. Our seats and bags were fine and they were great for packing extra stuff in on the way home! Definately worth the $20.

 

[Snurk71]

I found the Eddie Bauer car seat bag on babiesrus.com, but it doesn't show dimensions. Could one of you that has this bag please post the size? I also found a bag on target's site and thought I'd compare the two. I'll probably get the Eddie Bauer, though, since you both seem pleased with it and it got great reviews. Thanks for your replies!

 

[alloyd1170]

I checked the package but nothing was listed. Its all folded up in the bag (not an easy task!). I can say that it is huge and easily fit the Graco booster seat (with the removeable back) plus several jackets, diapers, wipes, big stuffed Bob the Builder and there was still room in there. I believe it is really made for the infant / convertible car seats (the big ones).

alison

 

[Snurk71]

Ok, thanks! I think I'll give it a try.

 

[jlcd]

I don't have the dimensions either but it is definately big enough for a large toddler size carseat. We had tons of extra room when using it for the booster I had enought space for all of our shoes/sneakers in one on the way home!

 

[Snurk71]

So did you all feel comfortable that the bag wouldn't bust open and all the "extras" you had packed with the seats would fall out? From the pictures, it looks like I'll have a ton of additional space, but now I'm wondering what to put in with it...

 

[Snurk71]

Target.com has two bags also - Compass Adjustable Booster Seat Carrying Bag - B501 catalog #543731 and Car Seat Travel Bag catalog #557633.

If possible, could those of you with the Eddie Bauer bag please check out www.target.com bags online (put catalog # in the search box) and see how you think they might compare? I'm wondering on the ease of carrying, too.

Thanks, again!

 

[jlcd]

I didn't stuff it to the point I was worried. I had no problems. What I did was just put the booster seat in it on the way down and then put in the "extras" that didn't fit on the way home. When we go back in April I will do the same thing. That way I don't have to worry abut where I will fit all the stuff we buy when we are there!!

 

[jlcd]

The car seat travel bag at target looks similar to the Eddie Bauer at BRU. The booster seat bag looks much smaller and also looks like it will only fit a backless booster. HTH!

 

[Snurk71]

Thanks for checking! Since the target ones don't have reviews, I think I'll go with the Eddie Bauer since it sounds like everyone who has used it is very pleased with it.

 

[sskem96]

Snurk71,
I didn't notice you were from Bloomington until someone else mentioned it. I'm in Bloomingon too! (Actually in Normal right now, at work, and goofing off on the Dis boards!) When's your trip?

 

[TammyC]

Originally posted by jlcd
We also got the booster seat bags at BRU and I would really recommend them. We checked them with our luggage. We saw quite a few seats coming through baggage claim in the plastic bags given by the airline that were all ripped. Our seats and bags were fine and they were great for packing extra stuff in on the way home! Definately worth the $20.

I have also been wondering how to check our booster seat. Since the back comes off I could stuff both pieces into a large duffle bag. But I worry that other luggage will get thrown on top of it, and possibly damage or crack the shell/frame in some way. I was thinking of trying to gate check it instead.

 

[Snurk71]

sskem96 -

Small world!!!

We're holiday WDW people, so we'll be heading down in Dec. Can't wait!