Car/Booster seats for the plane - cab rides?

[mickeywho?]

I'm wondering if we need to bring our carseats for our boys (8 & 4) Will they count as carry-on's for the plane ride? We may need to take a couple of cab rides while we are there and think it may be law - and safer - if they are in them. What do you think?
(I've posted this on the transportation thread to see if anyone can help me from that link)

 

[LMC]

I have done this before when we flew: I used the car seat on the plane since DD had to have her own seat anyway. Then I strapped the car seat to a luggage cart and pulled her thru the airport. I got some stares but it was efficient. For the 8yo you can get one of those "Saf-t-fit" sleeves that go over a standard seat belt and "adjust" the seatbelt to sit properly on your child. I think I got mine at Walmart.

 

[stacy6552]

Your kids shouldnt be in carseats on the plane, unless maybe the 4 yr old is teeny tiny.

As for cab rides, I wouldn't bother. You will be sitting with the 4 year old, so you can monitor that he is sitting up properly in his seat. Plus, do you really want to install it in each cab and then have it with you wherever you go?

 

[all4fun]

They're both technically old enough to be in belt-positioning booster seats. If you wanted something that is light and easy to carry you could buy a backless booster (at least for your 4-yr old). Children really should be in some type of car seat until they're 4'9" tall. At least that is what I have read. Another plus is you can just throw those on the seat - they don't have to be "installed" the way a harnessed car seat does.

They won't need crs's on the airplane though. BPB's aren't allowed and the FAA only recommends car seats for kids under 40lbs anyway.

 

[mickeywho?]

Your kids shouldnt be in carseats on the plane, unless maybe the 4 yr old is teeny tiny.

As for cab rides, I wouldn't bother. You will be sitting with the 4 year old, so you can monitor that he is sitting up properly in his seat. Plus, do you really want to install it in each cab and then have it with you wherever you go?

Read my above post and you will understand why I couldn't even consider this the possible answer. It's not about what is most convenient for me - it's about what is the safest for my children.

 

[1of6]

Boosters are not allowed on planes. They don't have shoulder belts. If your 4yo. seat still has the straps then that would work. Make sure you check the seat, there should be a lable on the seat (ours is on the side) that says something like FAA aproved for air travel. I have had many flight attendants check the seats.

If both children are in boosters, you can always check them as luggage for the plane. We have done this many times.

You need to do what you feel comfortable with. My 4k are all in some type of seat. 2yo is in a regular car seat, 4,7 & 9yo (yes I said 9yo) in boosters. My 4yo went to the booster this week. He has hit the 40 lb. mark. My DS9 is 54 inches... he still has a few to go until that magical 4'9". Yes he is the only one of his friends still in a seat, but he also likes it this way. He can see the tv better. LOL

We are only bringing the 2yo seat on the plane. We are using ME to get to and from the airport and staying on property the whole time. If we were driving around we would have at least 1 if not 3 more seats with us.

 

[tjmw2727]

I'm wondering if we need to bring our carseats for our boys (8 & 4) Will they count as carry-on's for the plane ride? We may need to take a couple of cab rides while we are there and think it may be law - and safer - if they are in them. What do you think?
(I've posted this on the transportation thread to see if anyone can help me from that link)

You don't "need" to bring them, in fact the airline will not allow a booster to be used onboard. They will not count as carry on's but if you feel you need to bring them why not just check them through as luggage? I am pretty sure they will not count against your checked baggage limit either but best bet is to contact your airline to be sure.

Florida law only requires a CRS until age three so your children are not required to use them. Yes they are safer but you need to make the decision, consider the pros and cons of bringing the boosters for a cab ride or two. Then there is the quesiton of what to do with them at your destination. Are you going to carry them around while shopping dining etc?

What do I think, even though my 9yo is still in a backless booster at home I personally would not bring it for a cab ride or two - YMMV.

Have a great trip.
TJ

 

[pooh4evr]

We did not bring carseats for either of our DDs (4and2- 4 yr old is in a booster- ) They both did fine on the plane with the lap belts on - the are both fairly tall for their age and would not have fit in their carseats on the plane (no leg space) without being very cramped and disturbing the person in front of them. They also would not have been able to but their trays down to snack, color or play. We took the shuttles everywhere except Sea World and the cab the hotel had waiting for us had a carseat in it. I would not bring them either like the last poster said - if you take them in a cab what are you going to do with the seats once you get to your destination?

 

[minnie29uk]

I always order my taxi in adance;especially now I need two child seats when we go anywhere.
I wasnt pleased that our local shuttle - Maingate do not have child seats ,

Lynn

 

[WDWfor5]

I have a similar question - we are going with DD 6 1/2, DS 4 and DS 2 1/2. We are flying, taking ME and then renting a car for the last few days of our trip. My 6 and 4 yr old are in boosters, so they not need carseats on the plane. The question is should I bring my DS2's carseat for the plane? My DH is longing for a car seat free boarding after 2 carseats for our trip to Hawaii last year but I'm thinking the 2 year old would be better off in a seat on the plane.

Then, once we arrive, does anyone know if I can put my DS2 in his carseat on ME?

Thanks

 

[safetymom]

You can't use a carseat on DME. There are no seat belts on the bus.

 

[sb4k]

We went last year and borrowed a friends luggage bag that was specifically made to hold a car seat. In it we put a backless booster seat and a Safety First Tote 'n' Go DX portable car seat. We didn't need either on the plane. Our kids were 3 and 2. Check your airlines information on if they need car seats on the plane. When we got to FL we found out that the van we rented had integrated car seats and we didn't need either. The portable car seat is totally legal as a car seat and is good for kids 25 - 40 lbs. It is only about 3 inches thick x 15 inches tall and about 9 inches wide. I think you could goggle on the name and find a few places that sell it.

 

[cv499]

I am going in May and will not take a car seat or booster. My Ds8 is almost 5 ft tall already. My dd is almost 3 so she will be fine on the plane. We will be using ME and staying onsite. If we need to get a cab, There are alot with integrated car seats now. Also there is a very good chance that any booster or car seat will count as checked baggage.
Chris