Car Seat on airplanes!!

[twinscandc]

I will be flying with a newborn for the first time, and I'll be doing it by myself! I have a few questions for those frequent "family" flyers!!

We did not buy a ticket for my son (please no flames!!). I will be bringing my travel system (stroller that allows you to snap your infant car seat inside). I plan on gate checking the stroller (and hoping it doesn't get damaged)!! But, from what I've read, you have to be able to fold up the stroller for them to stow it. So, my question is: Since I didn't buy a ticket for DS what can I do with the car seat?

I guess I am hoping the flight will not be full and I can use the car seat. But, if the flight is full, can I put the car seat in the overhead compartment? I have never really looked to see how big those compartments are, if the car seat would even fit up there.

Any help would be appreciated!!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i dont know but i would think you would both me more comfortable if the baby nad their own seat
i would think you would check the seat i
dont think it can go in the overheads

 

[NotUrsula]

It won't fit in the overhead; you would have to gate-check it. I suggest asking for a plastic bag when you check your luggage, just in case. If you do gate-check it, be sure to remove all hoods, toys, etc. before you go to the airport; any or all of those things may break off when the seat is tossed into the hold. (Same deal for strollers; don't leave anything in the basket or any toys attached.)

The odds of your getting a free seat for the baby are quite slim, but be aware that there are restrictions on carseat placement, so you also need to make sure that your own seat assignment is not in a carseats-forbidden row. You will have to be sitting in a window seat if you were going to take advantage of an open middle; the carseat must be placed in the window position, and it cannot be used in the rows immediately in front of or behind the exit rows, either.

 

[dudspizza]

It won't fit in the overhead; you would have to gate-check it. I suggest asking for a plastic bag when you check your luggage, just in case. If you do gate-check it, be sure to remove all hoods, toys, etc. before you go to the airport; any or all of those things may break off when the seat is tossed into the hold. (Same deal for strollers; don't leave anything in the basket or any toys attached.)

The odds of your getting a free seat for the baby are quite slim, but be aware that there are restrictions on carseat placement, so you also need to make sure that your own seat assignment is not in a carseats-forbidden row. You will have to be sitting in a window seat if you were going to take advantage of an open middle; the carseat must be placed in the window position, and it cannot be used in the rows immediately in front of or behind the exit rows, either.

Perfect advice. The big thing is that car seats have to be in the window seat AND they have to be FAA approved for use on aircraft.

Not flaming here, but I would never get on a plane hoping I can get a seat for free. I also would always buy a seat for my baby as that is the safest way to travel. Again, not flaming, just stating my preference, you are free to do whatever you want.

Maybe ask at the gate if the flight is full and see what they want you to do with the car seat. It won't fit in the over head bin, so they will most likely ask you to check it. Window seats are popular, so the only thing you can hope for is that there is an open seat next to you. The farther back you are, the better chance you have.

Good luck.

duds

 

[dcgrumpy]

You can gate check it. I've always been lucky when flying with a lap child, I'd say I was able to get a seat 90% of the time.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It's highly unlikely you'll get a free seat for your son and you'll have to gate check the car seat if you haven't bought your son a seat.

 

[CarolA]

Well, in the past few years the capacity of the airlines is actually down.

A lot depends on WHEN you are flying and the kindness of the gate agent. Even if the plane is EMPTY they don't have to let you take the carseat on if you did not buy a ticket....

Good luck! I would be prepeared to gate check...

 

[twinscandc]

So, does that mean I can gate check both the stroller and the car seat? This is not a "do or die" question because my DH is driving down with our DD's and he can take the car seat with him. I was really just wondering about storing the car seat in the overhead or gate checking it.

Thanks for all the information everyone!! The Disboards are the greatest!!

 

[twinscandc]

I know it probably depends on the airline agent at the gate, but I did just check Southwest and it appears that it is not a full flight. It is showing that all the ticket options are available (full price, plus internet specials, etc.). It's a late evening flight, not getting into MCO until 11:40pm. We'll just see what happens I guess!!

Thanks again!

 

[CarolA]

They will let you gate check both the car seat and the stroller.

However, there has been at lease one irrate mom over on www.flyertalk.com because SW would NOT let her bring the car seat on the plane where there were seats. She actually called SW and they sent her the policy which basically is "at the discretion of the gate agent)

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I would have DH take the carseat. Gate checking (or checking the regular way) a carseat is just too risky in my opinion. If the carseat gets thrown into the hold, dropped, or another piece of luggage falls onto it in the moving plane it could be broken in a way that isn't visible. If you get in an accident later with your precious baby in the seat, it won't provide adequate protection.

The chances of a plane accident or severe turbulance in which the carseat would make a difference, is so slight compared to the chance that you'd have an accident at some point using that seat that I would rather hold the baby for the flight and ensure that the carseat is safe.

 

[senoragilbert]

"at the discretion of the gate" means: BE NICE. I have NEVER had a problem taking a seat on a flight with empty seats (note that they can put standby folks in those "empty" seats if they're waiting). Southwest is usually great with this. If you preboard, put the baby in the seat, get on that plane, and talk to the first flight attendant you see. He or she will be honest with you about the number of seats available (if he/she knows) and will offer to check your seat at that time. You can always beg to keep the seat until the last minute. Looking like a frazzled mom and begging for mercy goes a very long way! Have a super trip!

 

[Marseeya]

That just sounds so underhanded.

For Pete's sake, just buy that poor baby a seat for his own safety and your peace of mind.

 

[senoragilbert]

I believe she said "no flames," by which I assume she meant "don't judge my decision not to buy a seat for my baby." Maybe you've never travelled with a child under 12 months, but they just can't spend that much time in their seats without screaming their heads off. It may not be the safest option to hold the baby, but neither does it work to park them in their seats for a whole flight. I've ended up nursing during takeoff, to avoid ear pressure, passing the baby around for the whole flight because he won't settle in his seat (ear-splitting screams), and nursing on the descent as well. What a waste of money!

If the question was about a way to get a free seat, then yes, it's vital to book one. But if the question was about utilizing an empty seat, my preceeding post gives information on that.

 

[Tiger926]

No offense, but tons of things in life are a "waste of money"! That's a very weak argument in my opinion. I have to buy my just turned 3 yr. old a child ticket for WDW, and she can hardly do anything - I'm definitely not getting my money's worth, but that's the way it is! If I didn't like it, then I wouldn't go. I would never creatively lie, or manipulate the situation as you are suggesting the OP should do. If she wants to use a seat, then she needs to pay for it, plain and simple. Wouldn't we all like to apply this same prinicple in life, but thank God we don't as it's dishonest, IMHO.

Sorry, I know the OP asked for no flames (then she shouldn't have posted this question), but honestly, this kind of stuff only hurts all the rest of us who pride ourselves on being honest in all facets of our life.

Tiger

P.S. As someone already mentioned, you should never gate check a car seat. If it gets damaged, then it may not be able to properly protect your baby if an accident should occur. You have two choices: 1. purchase a seat and use car seat (this is the safest way for an infant to fly, by the way), or, 2) send the car seat with your hubby since you didn't pay for a seat (and they aren't allowed in overhead bins), and aren't entitled to one, and just gate check the stroller. I guess I'm totally confused as you say this is the first time that you flown by yourself with your baby - why then do you want to take any chances with trying to secure a seat, maybe gate checking, etc. Too many uncertainties! In order to guarantee a smooth experience, you need to buy a seat, use your infant's car seat as he is familiar with this, and gate check your stroller so that it will be waiting for you when you disembark.

 

[Marseeya]

I believe she said "no flames," by which I assume she meant "don't judge my decision not to buy a seat for my baby." Maybe you've never travelled with a child under 12 months, but they just can't spend that much time in their seats without screaming their heads off. It may not be the safest option to hold the baby, but neither does it work to park them in their seats for a whole flight. I've ended up nursing during takeoff, to avoid ear pressure, passing the baby around for the whole flight because he won't settle in his seat (ear-splitting screams), and nursing on the descent as well. What a waste of money!

If the question was about a way to get a free seat, then yes, it's vital to book one. But if the question was about utilizing an empty seat, my preceeding post gives information on that.

I wasn't flaming anybody, but my "underhanded" remark was aimed at your post suggesting that the OP look like a "frazzled mom" and "beg for mercy." If she wants a seat, she should buy a seat. If she doesn't buy a seat, she shouldn't use one. And I beg to differ about babies being able to spend time in their seats.

Personally, if I had babies who couldn't be in a car seat for more than an hour without "screaming their heads off," I wouldn't have travelled with them, period, until they could.

What do you do in car trips?

 

[tjmw2727]

To the OP - you can gate check your stroller and carseat but I would definately use a bag if you have one. They will both be loaded last and taken off first but they will be in the cargo hold and can get a bit jostled. Based on my experience you will not be able to store the carseat in the overhead.

In fact if my recentl flights are any indication the FA's are not allowing carseats on the aircraft if you haven't purchased a seat. The reasoning, as explained to me, is that even if the seat is unoccupied when you board it may not stay that way. With overbooking of flights and standby situations there are always last minute passengers. If you have already settled baby into the carseat they don't want the hassle of upsetting you, taking the baby out of the carseat and then taking the carseat off the aircraft to be stowed underneath. But if someone else has paid for that seat they will do just that.

Now, I realise the OP hasn't said that was her intention, just responding to those who have suggested it especially for future readers!!

So if you decide to fly with a lap baby I would suggest you be prepared to have the baby on your lap. The days of the extra seat may be a thing of the past. If you want a seat for baby and use a carseat, as recommended by the FAA and AAP then you should go ahead and purchase one.

HTH
TJ

 

[CarolA]

I did get on the SW flight where the mom just ASSUMED the seat was hers for the taking. Even when the FAs got on the speakers and stated that ALL lap kids had to go in laps as they were oversold she didn't budge. It took the FAs walking up to each infant parent and asking thier name and checking it against a list to find her and she still acted very put out that she couldn't keep the seat....

 

[NotUrsula]

In fact if my recentl flights are any indication the FA's are not allowing carseats on the aircraft if you haven't purchased a seat. The reasoning, as explained to me, is that even if the seat is unoccupied when you board it may not stay that way. With overbooking of flights and standby situations there are always last minute passengers. If you have already settled baby into the carseat they don't want the hassle of upsetting you, taking the baby out of the carseat and then taking the carseat off the aircraft to be stowed underneath. But if someone else has paid for that seat they will do just that.

I've seen situations on legacy carriers where the flight was fully booked but they were holding for no-shows with status. They had a parent with the carseat standing next to the gate agent, waiting to board when it was time to close the jetway door, so as to know for absolute sure if that middle seat space was free before they let the carseat on board (this being a situation where the parents had booked a window and middle, so the parent remaining out in the jetway planned to hand over the carseat and take a lone middle.) Very tense situation.

Before TWA died they used to routinely offer to *sell* me a spot for DS' carseat when we appeared at the gate. They always got really huffy when I handed over a receipt to show that he already had a purchased seat, for which I had paid decidedly less than 50% of the walk-up fare. There is no rule that says that open seats have to be surrendered at no cost for infants -- if they so choose, they are fully within their rights to demand payment for the space before they will let the seat board.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Personally, if I had babies who couldn't be in a car seat for more than an hour without "screaming their heads off," I wouldn't have travelled with them, period, until they could.

What do you do in car trips?

I had an infant with severe reflux. The angle between his torso and legs, when he was in a carseat, as well as the level of recline made the reflux much worse, and he usually cried inconsolably when he was in a rear facing carseat -- once he was moved to forward facing at his first birthday he got significantly better.

What did we do? As much as possible we took the subway, or walked for shorter trips. We walked to the grocery store, took public transportation to Dr.'s appointments etc . . . For longer car trips he had to stay in the seat, but we scheduled them for when his stomach was as empty as possible, I always sat next to him so that I could comfort him as much as possible and we took breaks all the time. And for the first year we never went farther than an hour away by car.

But to me a plane is different from a car -- for one thing it's much safer, for another the margin of safety provided by the carseat is much much less. For another I can't wait until it's been an hour after my child has eaten to jump on a plane. Since driving any kind of distance wasn't really an option we would have flown and I would have held him except for landing and take off and if the pilot announced severe turbulance.

In the end we didn't fly until he was a year old because my family is all here in town, but otherwise I would have flown to see them. I can't imagine denying my child the opportunity to "meet" his grandparents, simply because of his illness. But I can't imagine judging someone who did.