Booster seat question

[oo138oo]

Will a 3 yr old need booster seat on plane? If so, are they provided by the airline? What about the shuttle service from airport to port? Thanks.

 

[Sue Sullivan]

When my kids hit three, we started strapping them into their seats with the regular seatbelts. We check the boosters seat through and use them in the rental vehicle on the other end.

 

[imsayin]

from www.safekids.org

Q. What is the safest way for me to bring my children on an airplane?

Although it is not currently required on aircraft, children should be secured in child safety seats until they weigh at least 40 pounds (depending on your child safety seat model), and then should be secured by aircraft lap belts. Properly restraining children and adults provides protection during takeoff and landing, in cases of clear air turbulence, and in survivable crashes. Most rear-facing and forward-facing child safety seats are labeled that to meet FAA requirements, though booster seats cannot be used. Bringing your child’s safety seat with you also provides the practical benefit of having it with you when you land.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Here is what I found:

FAA believes that forward facing child restraint devices are superior to vest- and harness-type devices, booster seats, belly belts, and the holding of children on laps. The FAA recommends:

the use of a rear facing child restraint system for children weighing under 20 pounds;

and a forward facing system for children weighing between 20 and 40 pounds;

Children weighing over 40 pounds should use the standard lap belt that is attached to all airline seats.

hope that helps

 

[mickeyboat]

To answer your other questions, boosters are not provided by the airlines and they are not provided by DCL's transfer bus. Some car services and car rental agencies can provide a car seat - generally for an additional fee.

We took our 3 and 4 year olds on DCL with us and did not use a car seat on the plane or DCL transfers. The only place I really wished I had one was when we were in a taxi on St. Thomas. I hear that many taxis on the islands are open air taxis, like the bed of a pick up truck with seats. There are no seat belts available. Ours was a minivan so I felt a little safer, but I would have liked to have a car seat.

Denae

 

[oo138oo]

Thanks everyone. Since we won't be on any type of rental or taxi, we should be okay without a carseat. Tried checking United Air site, only info they have is that a carseat is required for 24mo and younger.

 

[justcruisin]

Most boosters require a shoulder belt to work properly, which rules out planes. Mine says not to use on a plane (britax and graco).

 

[my3kids]

The DCL transfer vehicles don't have seat belts, do they?

 

[JennsBabySky]

No boosters on a plane (seat back needs to break forward making it hazardous to have a booster on plane). It is perfectly safe to have a carseat (even a combination with booster) as long as it has the internal harness.

The only disney transport I have been on (St. Lucia) was a bus without seatbelts.

Good luck,
Jennifer