Bring car seat for flight?
- Thread starter ninahbear
- Start date
happynewyorker
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- May 12, 2005
- Messages
- 11
We are going to Florida in June 2005, my daughter will be 18 months. I purchased a seat for her. Last year we went to Pittsburgh and she was 6 months and I purchased a seat. Here is some information that I found, that should help. When purchasing a seat for your child, call the airline for 1/2 or you will be paying full price.
If you child is still in an infant car seat great, if not try ordering a Pac Back Car Seat Carrier by Cheeky Monkey, it's a back pack to carry your car seat. We will be using our this year.
Here's a great website for traveling and carseat information:
http://www.saferidenews.com/html/Airplane_Eng.htm
Make sure to bring toys, books, etc for your child's entertainment.
When we went to Pittsburgh last year, Katharine had a seat and she was on my lap most of the time. But for take off and landing she was in her car seat for her own safety.
Have a great time!
If you child is still in an infant car seat great, if not try ordering a Pac Back Car Seat Carrier by Cheeky Monkey, it's a back pack to carry your car seat. We will be using our this year.
Here's a great website for traveling and carseat information:
http://www.saferidenews.com/html/Airplane_Eng.htm
Make sure to bring toys, books, etc for your child's entertainment.
When we went to Pittsburgh last year, Katharine had a seat and she was on my lap most of the time. But for take off and landing she was in her car seat for her own safety.
Have a great time!
2dogmom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2004
- Messages
- 773
When we traveled last Oct. my DD was 17mo. I bought a seat for her but accidently left her car seat in the car and didn't remember it until we were about to board the plane. Let's just say that was the longest flight from Chicago to Orlando I have been on. I would definitely bring a carseat, if anything because your child will be comfortable in it and it is much safer.
PatricenPete
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2004
- Messages
- 864
We are flying in October with our 1 year old DS. We bought him a seat, but are still up in the air as to whether or not we are going to bring the carseat. I say no. I like the idea of having the extra room on the plane. I have no problem holding him during take off and landing. We'll see what happens........
You should absolutely book him a seat. Here's what the Association of Flight Attendants says about flying with children...
"The Association of Flight Attendants, AFL-CIO, the largest flight attendant union in the United States representing more than 43,000 flight attendants at 27 airlines, strongly supports requiring child restraint seats for the following reasons:
Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) require flight attendants on commercial flights to protect the safety of passengers. Yet neither flight attendants nor an infant's parents can protect unrestrained infants in the event of an airline accident or severe turbulence. A child on a parent's lap will likely break free from the adult's arms as a plane strikes objects on the ground.
A child that breaks free during a crash faces two serious hazards. First, the child may be injured as she/he strikes the aircraft interior. Second, the parents may not be able to find the infant after the crash. This is what happened in the United/Sioux City, Iowa crash. On impact, no parent was able to hold on to her/his child. One child was killed when he flew from his mothers hold. Another child was rescued from an overhead compartment by a stranger.
In July, 1994 during the fatal crash of a USAir plane in Charlotte, North Carolina, another unrestrained infant was killed when her mother could not hold onto her on impact. The available seat next to the mother survived the crash intact. The National Transportation Safety Board believes that had the baby been secured in that seat, she would have been alive today. In fact, in a FAA study on accident survivability, the agency found that of the last nine infant deaths, five could have survived had they been in child restraint devices. (emphasis mine... many people believe restraints don't matter because "if the plane crashes, we'll all die anyway," but that is NOT true.)
Turbulence is also a serious problem for unrestrained infants. In daily occurrences, children on their parents laps sustain injuries when they are thrown about in turbulence. In one of these, a flight attendant reported that a lap baby, who was walking down the aisle when the turbulence occurred, went flying through the cabin and was caught by another passenger. (emphasis mine... again, there's more to worry about than just a crash, and turbulence happens every day.)
This measure is endorsed by the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security, National Transportation Safety Board and the Aviation Consumer Action Project.
Far too many unrestrained children have been killed during crashes or injured during turbulence. Parents must learn that when children under the age of two sit on their laps, they are more at risk than any other passenger restrained in her/his own seat. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chris Shays (R-CT) have re- introduced legislation (S. 398/H.R. 754) which would mandate the use of child restraint seats for children under two. The Association of Flight Attendants, AFL-CIO, knows there is only one safe way to fly for children under two and strongly supports mandating the use of child restraint seats for our youngest travelers."
Also, young children are generally more comfortable and have an easier flight if they are in the familiar setting of their carseat. Here's what the CPSafety website says about it:
"Convenience: Your child should be used to sitting in their car seat every time they are in the car. An airplane ride should be no different. It may even be easier. A lap child will not understand the need to stay in your lap and may want to get down and run around the passenger cabin. Not only does this pose a risk to your child, but it can be a hazard to other passengers and flight attendants who need to go down the narrow aisle. While it will be difficult to hang on to a child who is squirmy and cranky in your lap, it may be very easy to entertain a child in their comfortable, familiar car seat. Many children also fall asleep in their car seat, making the trip more pleasant for parents and passengers alike.
- Child Safety Seat Issues: The best way to get a child to happily use a car seat is to use it all the time, every time. Make no exceptions. If the child isn't buckled in, the car doesn't go. Using a car seat on an airplane only serves to reinforce the "no exceptions" policy. And since a child who has used a car seat all the time, every time, since day one is used to being in it, they won't notice any difference on an airplane (and may travel better than a baby who's suddenly forced to stay on your lap)"
"The Association of Flight Attendants, AFL-CIO, the largest flight attendant union in the United States representing more than 43,000 flight attendants at 27 airlines, strongly supports requiring child restraint seats for the following reasons:
Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) require flight attendants on commercial flights to protect the safety of passengers. Yet neither flight attendants nor an infant's parents can protect unrestrained infants in the event of an airline accident or severe turbulence. A child on a parent's lap will likely break free from the adult's arms as a plane strikes objects on the ground.
A child that breaks free during a crash faces two serious hazards. First, the child may be injured as she/he strikes the aircraft interior. Second, the parents may not be able to find the infant after the crash. This is what happened in the United/Sioux City, Iowa crash. On impact, no parent was able to hold on to her/his child. One child was killed when he flew from his mothers hold. Another child was rescued from an overhead compartment by a stranger.
In July, 1994 during the fatal crash of a USAir plane in Charlotte, North Carolina, another unrestrained infant was killed when her mother could not hold onto her on impact. The available seat next to the mother survived the crash intact. The National Transportation Safety Board believes that had the baby been secured in that seat, she would have been alive today. In fact, in a FAA study on accident survivability, the agency found that of the last nine infant deaths, five could have survived had they been in child restraint devices. (emphasis mine... many people believe restraints don't matter because "if the plane crashes, we'll all die anyway," but that is NOT true.)
Turbulence is also a serious problem for unrestrained infants. In daily occurrences, children on their parents laps sustain injuries when they are thrown about in turbulence. In one of these, a flight attendant reported that a lap baby, who was walking down the aisle when the turbulence occurred, went flying through the cabin and was caught by another passenger. (emphasis mine... again, there's more to worry about than just a crash, and turbulence happens every day.)
This measure is endorsed by the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security, National Transportation Safety Board and the Aviation Consumer Action Project.
Far too many unrestrained children have been killed during crashes or injured during turbulence. Parents must learn that when children under the age of two sit on their laps, they are more at risk than any other passenger restrained in her/his own seat. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chris Shays (R-CT) have re- introduced legislation (S. 398/H.R. 754) which would mandate the use of child restraint seats for children under two. The Association of Flight Attendants, AFL-CIO, knows there is only one safe way to fly for children under two and strongly supports mandating the use of child restraint seats for our youngest travelers."
Also, young children are generally more comfortable and have an easier flight if they are in the familiar setting of their carseat. Here's what the CPSafety website says about it:
"Convenience: Your child should be used to sitting in their car seat every time they are in the car. An airplane ride should be no different. It may even be easier. A lap child will not understand the need to stay in your lap and may want to get down and run around the passenger cabin. Not only does this pose a risk to your child, but it can be a hazard to other passengers and flight attendants who need to go down the narrow aisle. While it will be difficult to hang on to a child who is squirmy and cranky in your lap, it may be very easy to entertain a child in their comfortable, familiar car seat. Many children also fall asleep in their car seat, making the trip more pleasant for parents and passengers alike.
- Child Safety Seat Issues: The best way to get a child to happily use a car seat is to use it all the time, every time. Make no exceptions. If the child isn't buckled in, the car doesn't go. Using a car seat on an airplane only serves to reinforce the "no exceptions" policy. And since a child who has used a car seat all the time, every time, since day one is used to being in it, they won't notice any difference on an airplane (and may travel better than a baby who's suddenly forced to stay on your lap)"
lclark0621
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2004
- Messages
- 1,792
Some airlines do offer "infant seats" at half price. You need to call your airline to confirm & book.
We fly American & they have the infant seat price.
We fly American & they have the infant seat price.
tjmw2727
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2001
- Messages
- 11,938
We have always booked a seat for our children and used a CRS until they no longer needed one. You will need the CRS for the trip to the aiport as well as "most likely" traveling while at your destination anyway.
The fAA, AAP and most major airlines recommend the use of a CRS for children under 40lbs on the aircraft.
Be sure that your CRS is approved for aircraft travel, most newer ones are and will have a sticker on the back of the seat. Most CRS's will fit on the aircraft except possibly the very largest - britax etc. Generally speaking the aircraft seats are about 17" wide. You can check with your airlines or find your aircraft on seatguru.com - this is a great website for anyone traveling.
I never really found it a hassle to carry a CRS through the airport. You can get a carseat duffle at BRU or Wallmart, some can be worn on the back and some can be rolled.
HTH
TJ
The fAA, AAP and most major airlines recommend the use of a CRS for children under 40lbs on the aircraft.
Be sure that your CRS is approved for aircraft travel, most newer ones are and will have a sticker on the back of the seat. Most CRS's will fit on the aircraft except possibly the very largest - britax etc. Generally speaking the aircraft seats are about 17" wide. You can check with your airlines or find your aircraft on seatguru.com - this is a great website for anyone traveling.
I never really found it a hassle to carry a CRS through the airport. You can get a carseat duffle at BRU or Wallmart, some can be worn on the back and some can be rolled.
HTH
TJ
justhat
<font color=teal>DC DISer<br><font color=red>pick
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2002
- Messages
- 7,449
ninahbear said:
We have flown with our Roundabout and it fits in every plane we've been in without a problem. That includes AirTran, Southwest, Continental, Independence Air, and USAirways. And we used it rearfacing on all those flights, which I think is harder to get it to fit. We also turned it forward facing just to see if it would fit and it did so you should be fine.
Also, PatricenPete, definitely use the carseat!!! Your flight will be sooooo much better. Putting safety aside (since other posters mentioned that already), it is very hard to hold a toddler in your lap for a long period of time. I'm estimating that your son is around 7 months old right now and probably not too mobile. But the time he is 1 he will most likely be crawling/walking and want to get off of your lap and move around the aisle of the plane. We took a train from DC to NJ to visit my mom when my daughter was 10 months old and it was a very, very long 2.5 hours. Madison couldn't walk yet, but she kept trying to squirm off of my lap onto the ground to crawl around. Whenever she 'sat still' on my lap, she'd push against the seat in front of us (too short to kick it, but long enough to push against it with her feet). I was basically holding her with both arms the whole ride, physically restraining her from climbing down, which I'm sure you could imagine did not make for a happy baby (or mommy). She finally fell asleep the last 10 minutes of the ride, but I know if I had her carseat with us she would have slept almost the whole ride. She started walking a few weeks after that and wants to be held on my lap even less now.
We went to Disney with her last month (she turned 14 months on the trip) and it was so easy to strap her in the carseat for all our flights. And she doesn't even like the carseat that much (not one of those infants you could drive around the block to take a nap). When I had to hold her in my lap for shows in Disney that was a fight, so I can't imagine if I had to do it the whole flight. And if I sat her in a seat without the carseat, she'd unbuckle herself and get down (she unbuckled my belt before so I know she can figure it out).
justhat
<font color=teal>DC DISer<br><font color=red>pick
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2002
- Messages
- 7,449
tjmw2727 said:
I just want to say that I agree with this. I have flown alone with my daughter many times and though it's obviously easier to travel without the carseat on my back and daughter in the Bjorn, and holding her diaper bag, it really isn't that bad. Hey, I've elected to do it more than once so it can't be that bad, and that's me and a baby alone. Not a problem at all if Daddy is carrying the seat on his back!!
tjmw2727 said:
Does "CRS" stand for carseat? I can't imagine how carrying a carseat around the airport along with a toddler and a diaper bag isn't a hassle. Is there some special smaller carseat you are talking about for traveling on airplanes?
Harmony
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2004
- Messages
- 759
The Evenflo Triumph is approved for airlines. I'm sure the Roundabout is too as I remember researching that car seat at one time. (still, double check on that)
Carrying around a carseat is a hassle, I'm not going to lie to you.
Yes, there are things that can help like using a "backpack" or getting help from an airline employee, etc.
Yes, it is certainly easier to travel w/o the car seat when you think about carrying the items...*but* it certainly isn't safer and that, for me, far outweighs any inconvience I'll have to put up with by carrying the car seat in the airport.
Carrying around a carseat is a hassle, I'm not going to lie to you.
Yes, there are things that can help like using a "backpack" or getting help from an airline employee, etc.
Yes, it is certainly easier to travel w/o the car seat when you think about carrying the items...*but* it certainly isn't safer and that, for me, far outweighs any inconvience I'll have to put up with by carrying the car seat in the airport.
CRS = "child restraint system." Carseat or booster seat. Yes, it could be a hassle *carrying* one through an airport, but seasoned travellers bungee it onto a luggage carrier and just glide on through!t.craig said:Does "CRS" stand for carseat? I can't imagine how carrying a carseat around the airport along with a toddler and a diaper bag isn't a hassle. Is there some special smaller carseat you are talking about for traveling on airplanes?
-
Massive Number of Attractions Unexpectedly Closed at Disney World
-
Best and Worst From the First Day of EPCOT's Food and Wine Festival at Disney World
-
Returning to Disney? 5 Modern Trends That Will Drive You Mad
-
New The Beak and Barrel-Themed Pirate Loot in Disney World's Magic Kingdom
-
Your Guide to Universal Halloween Horror Nights Tickets 2025
-
Can I Plan a Special Occasion Celebration on a Disney Cruise Line Sailing?
-
Inside TERRIFIER: The Most Gore-Filled House at Halloween Horror Nights
Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE
New Posts
- Poll
