boosters,CARES,carseat???

[anphsmom]

Hi! We are leaving 2/3 for WDW and flying SW. We've never flown with children before. We had planned on using Disney transportation, but now my parents are coming. They aren't staying "on property" so will be renting a car. Now we're trying to figure out "seats". ds1 is 6. We have a compass booster that we use on rare occasions so we thought we might gate check or carry on that(if it would fit) and just use lap belt of plane. ds2 just turned 4. He weighs 38-39lbs. I hate the thought of lugging his carseat. We won't be using the rental much, maybe just from WL to Bonnet Creek or to dinner at AK and my parents will be leaving after 1st half of the trip so won't need anything after that. So basically we'll only be using the rental 4 or 5 times. Would you get CARES for ds2 and take another compass ( they fold so nicely)? thanks!

 

[Lstar311]

After today's emergency landing on the Hudson (ok even before today) I would take whatever device will keep my child the absolute safest. Sorry I only have experience on flying with an infant. Have a great trip.

 

[snoopy5386]

What seats are they in at home? With a 4 and 6 year old I would skip the CARES harness on the plane, he is right on the verge of outgrowing it, it only goes to 44 lbs. Do you plan on flying again soon? You can rent a CARES harness off of ebay instead of purchasing it if that seems like a better option for you. If you are only driving on property I would get a backless booster for your 6 yo and use the compass for your 4 yo. What model booster is it? What is the minimum weight?

 

[anphsmom]

Thanks for the replies. At home they are both in graco Nautilus. Our compass booster lowest weight is 30lbs. So ds2 COULD ride in it. I know it isn't the safest option, and if we were going to in the rental more I wouldn't consider it. I just hate to lug his car seat if we won't be using it much there. But then, after yesterday's crash I cring at the thought of him on the plane with nothing in case of who knows. AAAAHHH!!!

 

[lil mermaid]

If it were me, I would bring both Gracos for the car. You say you only are going to use the rental car a few times, but I believe in keeping my child safe in the car EVERY time. What if the one time that you are driving somewhere on vacation is the one time somebody crashes into you? I just wouldn't put a four year old in a belt positioning booster, especially if I had another seat already.

As far as the plane goes, I would let the six year old sit in the airplane seat with the seatbelt. If your four year old is small, I would have him sit in the Nautilus (in harness mode of course) on the plane, or get a CARES harness.

 

[liznboys]

Yeah, you know the incident yesterday is a good reminder of what can happen on planes. We always use carseats for ours on planes and it really is worth the hassle, IMO. At one point we had 2 of ours in carseats on the plane, and then the other two in boosters which we checked-we did 4 trips that year (8 flights!). If we can do it, you can do it. lol

 

[tanyaandallie]

Your 6 year old is fine on the plane with no seat and will be fine in the Compass booster. It is perfectly age appropriate for a 6 year old to use the lap only on a plane and to sit in a booster seat.

As for your 4 year old, he really is on the edge of 40 lbs so it's a tough call. I'd prefer to see him hit 40 lbs before using the booster but do understand not wanting to drag the seat with you. What I would do is try him/her out in the Compass booster at home. See how it goes. If your little can sit properly every single time, I'd consider it. If not, I'd take the Nautilus.

Another option for you is the Safeguard Go or the Ride Safer Travel Vest. The RSTV is pretty darn small and convenient!!!

 

[anphsmom]

Thanks for all the replies. I had finally decided to take the compass for ds6 and the graco for ds4. ( just couldn't get comfy with that booster) But now noone is renting a car! We will only be on disney transportation. So now I think I'll just get CARES???

 

[tanyaandallie]

I am perfectly fine with a 4 year old in the lap belt on the plane but if you don't think he will sit well on the plane, get the Cares harness.

 

[all4fun]

Thanks for all the replies. I had finally decided to take the compass for ds6 and the graco for ds4. ( just couldn't get comfy with that booster) But now noone is renting a car! We will only be on disney transportation. So now I think I'll just get CARES???

I agree with Tanya. My ds who will be six this April, is still riding in a 5pt harness at home, but I stopped bringing a car seat on board a plane when he was four (all trips we were traveling to WDW and using DME so didn't need it on the ground). He is a bit of a "wild child" but he has handled all trips sitting in just the lap belt very well.

Keep in mind that the recommended height and weight limits for the CARES harness (per their faq here) is 40" and 44lbs. Don't know how tall your ds is but at 38-39lbs he is pretty close to outgrowing it anyway. I personally wouldn't bother at this point, but that is just me. JMHO