car seat or no car seat?

[camdensmom]

My son is 2 years 5 months. He is about 3 feet tall and weighs 30 pounds. So basically he is more "little boy" than "baby," but still a little guy.

We have always bought him a seat on the plane and brought our car seat because we have always rented a car in Orlando. However, next week we are going on a short trip and have skipped the rental car. We will simply be taking the Magical Express to the POLY and using the monorail from there.

Should we bother bringing his car seat for the flight? FWIW, it is the large Britax and not super easy to transport. I'm torn because it will be a pain in the butt the schlep it around the airport and hotel just to use on the plane. However, I am really nervous about the thought of him not being in it.

I know parents fly with infants in their laps so as not to buy a ticket, but we have never done that because I am such a nervous nelly.

What are your thoughts or experiences? Thanks so much!

 

[thepeach80]

The FAA reccomends any child under 40# be in a carseat. AJ flew one leg of our trip w/out his (he's 4, 42# and 41" tall) and he wanted it back b/c he was not comfortable b/c his legs didn't hang over the edge of the seat right. I'd take the seat or find a more lightweight travel seat. For Evan, we always take a Cosco Scenera ($40) instead of his Britax.

 

[Tallent]

My son sounds like yours. 2.5, 30lbs and tall. We're using ME this trip and have opted not to bring the carseat (Britax so it's big) this time. If we can't use it on the bus I thought 'why bring it at all?' But to be honest I hadn't thought about the comfort issue. I just thought my son would be happy to be sitting in a big seat like the rest of us. Our flight is 2 hours and I'm figuring he'll spend part of it on my lap watching a movie. Now I'll think on it a bit more...

Rachel

 

[pkasbohm]

I wouldn't take it because it sounds like it would be a pain. Every time we have flown I have never brought my car seat on the plane and my kids did just fine.

 

[tanyaandallie]

The "right" answer is to take it on the plane. It is safer to have your little one in a carseat on the plane. Plus, likely a lot more comfy for a 2 year old. However, tons of kids fly without their seats and I've done it before. Have you considered the CARES harness? Pricey but I hear you can rent them on ebay. It's a nice alternative if you don't need the carseat on the other side.

 

[AndyMcV]

...I'm torn because it will be a pain in the butt the schlep it around the airport and hotel just to use on the plane. However, I am really nervous about the thought of him not being in it.

Your answer is in your post.

Take your carseat or go and buy one that your more comfortable with travelling. Chances are nothing will happen and the flight will be a non event. However even if you were to hit really rough turbulence your little guy could get hurt sitting in an adult seat with the regular seatbelt.

On our first trip to WDW with our son who was 3 at the time, I lugged his carseat there and back. It was a pain for sure but I'd do it again in a second.

One benefit too is that when they get in the plane and if they are nervous "their" carseat will make them feel a bit more comfortable.

Andy

 

[karajeboo]

I, too, am very nervous with the whole carseat issue (and my daughter is nearly 7!!!), but my thoughts on the plane are: a) if it's a fairly short flight, 2 hrs or less, I'd skip it because b) and I know this sounds bad but I'm a nervous flier too, if you REALLY need a carseat on a plane, is it really gonna matter??? I gate checked many a carseat over the years, and every time I regretted it. Plus, if you have layover, hauling it through an airport is such a pain. If you're not using it in a car, forget it - you'll be more relaxed not worrying about it!

 

[liznboys]

I agree with AndyMcV...

And if I were you, I'd spend $40 on a Cosco Scenera. That is exactly what we did earlier this year. We bought two of them actually for our 1 and 3 yr olds. They were worth every penny because they are so much lighter and less bulky than our Britax seats. And lugging them around, of course we'd rather not, but the peace of mind it gives us when they are safe and comfy in those seats on the plane...COMPLETELY worth it.

Good luck!

 

[Melissa_E]

You can also get this: http://www.kidsflysafe.com/

 

[Camping Griswalds]

We have always flown with ur kids in the carseat in the plane. Mostly because they don't try to get out of the carseat at home, so they won't in the airplane either. It has worked fine, but mind you that is when we flew as a family. this trip, it's just me and my 3 year old. I'm stressing about the carseat too. The thought of lugging my purse, portable dvd, her shoes, my shoes, stroller and carseat through check in is a night mare. Heaven forbid there is a longer layover. My DH (retired cop) thinks we'll be fine without it. Like a previous poster said, "If the WORST case scenario happens, the car seat unfortunatley won't make a difference." What I plan on doing is going to Toys r Us and handling several booster seats and considering how I feel. The safety of my child in the air is important. But the safety of her in an airport (and me not being distracted, or frustrated due to the car seat) is just as important.

Good luck, and let us know.

Oh and by the way, the 8 times we've flown with a kid in a carseat, we were definately the MINORITY!!!

 

[alaska8]

Hello
As a Flight Attendant I would like to mention that not all types of booster seat can be used on an aircraft. There should be a sticker saying "FAA approved for aircraft use". Would hate to see you purchase one and then have to check it.
Also as a Flight Attendant I KNOW the safeest place for a child is in a car seat however as I mom I know that my son has been happiest curled up in the seat without his car seat. (although I didn't start doing this until the seatbelt fitted him snuggly). Heard great things about the CARES restraint but haven't seen one used on any of my flights yet.

 

[all4fun]

Just to clarify, the sticker actually doesn't say anything about the FAA. It should say "this seat certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft". It's usually a white sticker with black and red lettering. You can see a picture of it here on the FAA site: http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/
This site also shows the CARES harness the pp was talking about.

And I disagree about the car seat not helping in a crash scenerio. Yes, if it were a totally catestophic crash where no one walks away alive, but most of the time when I hear about airplanes sliding off runways or having trouble landing, most people on board lived thru it. If I were in that particular situation, I'd want my toddler strapped into a car seat, for sure. Thank goodness those types of situations are very rare though. I think you have to decide what you feel comfortable with, and go with that. Chances are nothing will happen.

OTOH, If you plan on taking more trips in the future you might consider buying a travel seat now. The Scenera is a good choice if he's fairly short torso'd. It has 15" top slots. There is also the Evenflo Chase, which is a fwd facing only seat that has 17" top harness slots, harnesses to 40lb and converts to a so-so booster seat later. I think it retails for about $60. Either would be lighter than the big Britax seats and might also come in handy as a backup seat, for instance in the grandparents or babysitters car. Just a thought.

hth

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Do what you are most comfortable with. For us, we have never traveled with the carseats and don't plan on it. We get everyone their own seat and strap them in. Our kids are all young. Only you can decide what you feel comfortable with.

 

[jessica52877]

I am in the minority too! I take our carseat everywhere. DS is almost 5 (less then a month), 38 lbs and 44 inches tall. We just flew in October and I lugged it, brought an umbrella stroller for just it and then had everything else too, laptop, dvd, shoes, sweatshirts and just the 2 of us. It was a non issue and not hard at all, well worth the lugging. Although of all places it was ripped going through security. I would take a cheaper one if possible, due to son's height the scenera does not fit him.

I just feel better with my son in his carseat and he does too. I also don't think they'll let you have your 2 yr old on your lap during flight, since over 2 has to buy a ticket, even with the seat bought during flights I have been on they make them stay in their own seat unless using the restroom.

 

[AndyMcV]

I'm honestly surpised at the amount of people who are thinking of forgoing safety over having to lug around a carseat. I'm not trying to preach as this is every parents choice....

However... any young child in an airplane seat with an adult seatbelt on is not safe (or as safe as they could be). It just does not fit properly for a child. It's the same as driving in a car/truck/van. If you put a child in an adult seat with an adult seatbelt you can seriously hurt them simply because they don't fit properly. In Canada, at least Ontario, it's the law to have a child properly fitted with a carseat in any vehicle. It's just not safe otherwise. They can get really hurt.

...if you REALLY need a carseat on a plane, is it really gonna matter???...

karajeboo, I'm not picking on you (as this is for everyone) but a child can get really hurt in an airplane even if the worst case scenario doesn't happen. I don't know if you've ever been in a plane that has had really rough turbulence. Trust me you don't want your little one in the seat unproperly fitted. Sure a plane doesn't stop for traffic lights and other stuff but do you really want to take the chance of serious bruising or worse?

...For us, we have never traveled with the carseats and don't plan on it. We get everyone their own seat and strap them in. Our kids are all young....

I wouldn't take it because it sounds like it would be a pain. Every time we have flown I have never brought my car seat on the plane and my kids did just fine.

Wow, I'm really not sure what to say to this. Umm... I'm very thankful that your children have never been hurt. Sorry but that's how I feel.


My advice Gang... curse under your breath as you lug that carseat through the airport, plane or whatever. Knowing that your child is a lot more safe and it's your choice far outweighs any lugging. You're your childs safety advisor.