Car Seat on Plane???

[Buzz's Buddy]

My sister is flying to WDW in 30 days.

Is it mandatory for her to bring her car seat for her 3 year old son or can he simply sit in the airplane seat. She was hoping not to have to carry the car seat through the airport and wanted to rent a car seat when she rents a car.

Thanks!

 

[Hannathy]

No it is not mandatory, I never took mine on the plane. If she is renting the car for more than a day or 2 she may want to check her carseat with baggage 'cause renting a seat for a week can get costly. At three he will be able to sit in the seat without problems on the plane.

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

Thanks.

I know renting the car seat is going to be expensive but I think she's willing to pay the extra amount not to have to carry the car seat through the airport.

 

[tripplanner]

I can't answer the "is it mandatory part - things change so quickly", I would like to speak to the renting a car seat part. We flew when the kids were in car seats and didn't take their seats on the plane. We opted for the "it would be soo much easeir route" because we would have two strollers, two car seats, two babies, a diaper bag, and luggage. I really wish we had for a couple of reasons. First, it really is safer. Next, when we got to the rental agency and pulled out the seats we were renting I was upset. If you can imagine the most bare bones car seat ever invented, then that's what it was. No padding, just a plastic covering over the seat and they were not clean. It was an eye opening moment for us. We traveled with the seats from that point on. Let me tell you, the traveling with the seats was pretty miserable, but I think it's worth it.

 

[N&B'smom]

We just got back on Saturday and we were supposed to be bringing my dd's car seat. I thought she'd be more comfy on the plane, it would elevate her to see out the window too. Well, the limo dropped us at the airport and left WITH her seat in it. I was upset because we had arranged for a rental vehicle without a car seat for her. Well, she was perfectly comfortable on the plane, even slept for about an hour and a half. (2 hour flight) We got to the rental car counter, I told them what happened and they very easily added the seat on for the week. I was then told to go pick which seat I wanted. They were all wrapped in plastic because they had just been cleaned. We picked one and it was perfectly fine, padded, clean, etc. I was actually happier that we left the seat and didn't have to carry it all over!

Shelby
(we rented our vehicle through Alamo)

 

[all4fun]

No it's not required to have a car seat on the plane but it is recommendedby the FAA (see here) for children under 40lbs. My squirmy 3yr old wouldn't stay in one of those airplane lapbelts when needed (we have 6hr flights both ways so he understandably gets antsy, especially towards the end). When he's in the car seat he doesn't fight it so it actually makes traveling easier for us. I'd rather deal with a few minutes of hassle getting it through the airport than 6hrs of trying to keep him in his seat, lol.

Personally I've heard too many nightmare stories of rental car seats to ever trust a car seat rental agency with the safety of my child... but that is me. I am not putting anyone down who has rented car seats and had good experiences with it. I'm happy it worked out for them but I'm just speaking of stories I've heard that have made me really think twice about it is all. And see the first paragragh for why we need it on the plane anyway.

Just some food for thought

 

[mmeads4]

If you would like to take a car seat, I would check it into luggage. Last year, I flew UNITED with my 3 yo and 18 mo old. The airlines told me I HAD to put the 3 yo in a car seat. I had trouble getting through security with that seat, then when I got on the first plane, I had no help whatsoever with either extra time or someone holding my 18 mo old while I put the car seat in the seat. Then at our connection- WHAT A NIGHTMARE! Again, no help and to beat it all UNITED workers were rude and never helped me even when the car seat tipped over on my luggage and I was trying to put it all back together and holding onto 2 children. AND THEN, when I checked in at the 2nd plane, I asked for extra time and was told it would be best if I boarded last- I thought fine....WHAT A MISTAKE!!! The plane was crowded and the aisles small and trying to carry the carseat in front, luggage behind and tell my 3 year old to keep walking and I had my 18 mo old on my back AND THEN the stewardess told me to hurry up, keep my 3 yo old with me and never offered to assist!!!! Well, lets say the UNITED PRESIDENT received a lenghthy letter from me and I swore I would NEVER fly UNITED again. I never received an apology only $100 voucher off my next ticket. Needless to say, I gave it to my sister with a big fat warning- she has never used it yet.
They say Mandatory- but I say *&$%*&$@)

 

[all4fun]

If you would like to take a car seat, I would check it into luggage. Last year, I flew UNITED with my 3 yo and 18 mo old. The airlines told me I HAD to put the 3 yo in a car seat.

Wow, I'm sorry you had such a horrible experience. Just for future reference (and for anyone reading this) if you click on my FAA link in my prev post there is a printable version. The Airlines must follow FAA rules and the FAA only "recommends" using a CRS...the wording "recommends" is not a mandate so I don't see how the airlines can say it's "required". mmeads4, it sounds like whoever told you that was misinformed. By all means, I think being in a CRS is the safest, but if they were mandating it, then someone should have helped you! My goodness... I had a similar experience one (except, only with one child in tow) but we were seated in the last row, and we were also the last to board. You're right, it was horrible and I was struggling with my car seat, bag, and child. About halfway back once very nice male passenger noticed me struggling along and offered to take the car seat off my hands. So I sympathize with your experience a little bit at least. Obviously, the FA that was rude to you must not have children, lol.

ps. one thing I have learned that has helped to make carrying the seat easier while IN the plane... turn the seat upside down so the seat is resting over your arm. The seat will be like an upside down L. It makes getting it down the aisle SO much easier!

Also, in the FAA link above note that there is now a new option besides the Car Seat... it's called "Cares" and it's for kids 22-44lbs. Just thought I'd mention it.

hth!

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We used a car seat when DS was under 3 but after that, we just buckled him into the airline seat. We gate checked the car seat so it would have less time to get banged around by the airport though.

 

[Stimpy]

We got the CARES yesterday for our DD- 2 1/2 and I am really excited about using it. Very simple, very compact and very sturdy! After about 6 years (2 kids), several times a year, of dragging the car seats through the airports and installing them, this seems so much easier. We'll find out for sure in a few weeks!

We are still bringing her car seat for the rental car but checking it. (Having worked several years for one of the major car rental agencies, I would NEVER use one of theirs!!! Even if they look clean, you have no idea how much they get thrown around)

BTW, about the FA on the planes....supposedly they are NOT allowed to assist you in installing the seats for legal reasons. (Definately does not excuse their rudeness you encountered though!) I'm not sure if it's still true for the rental cars but that was also our policy back then.

 

[Twingle]

I'm sorry, but what are CARES? We're leaving on the 25th with our 3 y.o. twin girls, and if I don't have to lug or check two car seats, I will be one happy momma!

Information or links would REALLY be appreciated!

 

[Robmom]

Wow, that is a great idea.

 

[Stimpy]

I'm sorry, but what are CARES? We're leaving on the 25th with our 3 y.o. twin girls, and if I don't have to lug or check two car seats, I will be one happy momma!

Information or links would REALLY be appreciated!

http://www.kidsflysafe.com/index.php

CARES is a FAA approved harness for small children up to 40 lbs. It's $75 and if you travel alot it seems to be worth it.

 

[Twingle]

http://www.kidsflysafe.com/index.php

CARES is a FAA approved harness for small children up to 40 lbs. It's $75 and if you travel alot it seems to be worth it.

Thanks so much for the link - really appreciate it!

 

[NurseW2Kiddies]

OMG!!! My worst airplane experience EVER was with my sons car seat. I was bound and determined to take it on the plane. It was just him and I and I had a horrible time lugging...my son, the car seat, the diaper bag through the airport and down to baggage claim. I swore I would never do it again and from then on I checked it. MUCH easier!!!!!!

 

[wrighter]

I fly often with my two DC and have tried every version of transport with them. This last trip it was just me and my DS3 and DD1. I did not bring a seat for him, as we found a few flights ago that he actually did better without one. I did, however, bring a Sit-n-Stroll seat for my DD. I sypathize with the PP who talked about boarding and deplaning with all that gear - I had my DD in my arms, the car seat, a huge bag on my back, a camera bag, and was trying to steer my DS (with his backpack on his back) up the aisle. Nobody offered to help. Sad. It as a huge price to pay, but for safety you just gotta do it.

Interesting note - my United FAs were also horrible. When I got onto the plane, I asked the first flight attendant I saw if she would carry either the baby or the car seat. She treated my like I had malaria. But at least I got her to carry the seat. Then once we were in our seat, I asked for some water for the children, so "they can clear their ears on the way up." (This was after the new regulations about bringing your own liquid aboard.) Again, they acted like I asked them to eat raw bugs or something. I was as polite as I could possibly be - and I was just trying to ensure a quiet ride for the other passengers. Anyway, our second flight was a Skywest operated United flight (that means the FAs and pilots work for Skywest, not United) and they were so awesome. Not only were they helpful, but sympathetic. I mentioned that our United FAs weren't so gracious, and they just smiled. Apparently those United FAs have a rep as a bit "high and mighty."

I digress - my vote is for the new CARES merchandise. And I wish all fellow parent fliers the best of luck with flights and flight crews.

 

[NotUrsula]

The Airlines must follow FAA rules and the FAA only "recommends" using a CRS...the wording "recommends" is not a mandate so I don't see how the airlines can say it's "required". mmeads4, it sounds like whoever told you that was misinformed.

That part of the rule only affects children who are eligible to be lap babies.

What the FAA recommendation really says is that while they recommend purchasing a separate seat for a child under 2, and using a carseat in that separate seat, they won't require that purchase and thus ban lap-carrying.

The regulation [14 CFR 121.311] does not address whether or not you have to use a carseat if the seat has been purchased; that is actually up to the airline. (The airline is specifically not allowed to STOP you from using an aircraft-certified carseat in your purchased seat if your child weighs less than 40 lbs., but the opposite issue is not addressed.) If the airline chooses to requires passengers to use a carseat for a child under 2 who is in a separate seat, they are within their rights to do so.