car seat question??

[tia_michelle]

we finally booked flights Jan 17-28th for disneyland. we booked a car for the entire time as we like to drive to san diego and stay there a few days.
My question is this, we were able to book a car seat for my 3 year old (39inches and 37 lbs) but they don't book boosters ??? (done thru airmiles) for my 8 year old (52inches and 84lbs). the gal told my DH it was because in california law only requires 5 and under to be in booseters. Not sure I'm ok with him going without a booster.

Anyone else run into this?? what did you do??

TIA
T

 

[Momto4boys]

Honestly I wouldn't even book a car seat through a rental place. Who knows what they've done with them. I've seen news specials on them having expired and very dirty seats. I have FAA approved seats so will bring them on the plane with me. Otherwise I guess I would maybe buy a cheap seat when I got there if possible (Cosco Scenera at Target or Wal Mart is REALLY cheap in the states) Same with the booster.

You would be able to bring a low back booster on the plane to put in the overhead I'm sure.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Another vote for just bringing your car seats. Well worth the peace of mind.

We've brought and used harnessed seats on the plane for all of our trips up until the kids were 4yo or so and as they have gotten older, if we needed seats (not when we go to WDW and used DME/on property transportation), we bring low back boosters on the plane (fit dimensions of carry ons) to use once we arrive.

 

[CdnCarrie]

We always bring ours with us. It's easy to do. Canada only requires a child to be age 60 lbs (around age 8) to stay in a booster.I just checked Transport Canada limits for booster seats yesterday wondering when my 7 year old will be out. He's 50 lbs and will be 8 next August so figure he will have gained close to 10 lbs by then.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safedrivers-childsafety-car-cartime-stage4-233.htm

 

[tia_michelle]

my 3yr old is still in a 5 point harness and the seat is heavy and bulky. so I was hoping to avoid taking it with us. I was told that we had to "check" the booster like a suitcase, but that it was free. (My sons is a high back).

(IN bc (where I am) boosters are mandatory till age 9 or 4 foot 9 inches tall )

Anyone know anywhere close to buy seats ?? . Might just buy a low back booster for the trip and take it with us.

and now I am rethinking the rental toddler seat aaahhhhhh.......

thanks for the help so far

 

[Fellowship9798]

We've taken our full high back boosters with us a few times to Florida and California. Once or twice in the plane with us (kids in the seats) and a couple of times as checked luggage (wrapped in some clear platic garbage bags). It was actually much easier just to check them since lugging two full size car seats through the airport from gate to gate during a tight connection with another flight was a stressful and sweaty experience.

I say bring your seat with you and check them on the plane. Your son may be more confortable in his own seat in the rental car as well.

 

[stefanospops]

For our kids still in baby seats we bring them and use them on the plane. I have always bought a plane ticket for my kids even if they are under 2 because I find it that much easier to put them in their seat and strap them in. My 14 month old (at the time) got strapped in and fell asleep just before the plane took off and woke up just before it landed on our last trip. That wouldn't have happened if we were holding her. On our next trip both the older kids will be in boosters and will bring low back boosters with us in luggage. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[canadian_mouse]

I'm another vote for bring your own carseats. I checked two full sized toddlers seats and it wasn't as big a hassle as it sounds. My husbands bought a big heavy duty garbage bag and he was able to put both seats in it and tape it up. Getting through the airport was a challenge but we did it. The 4 year old had to push the 3 year old's stroller. I was so stressed about the whole car seat thing, and in the end it really wasn't that big a deal.

 

[tone.def]

Yes, bring your own seats! When my daughter was 7 months old, we used rented seats from MCO in our car rental...
NEVER AGAIN - plastic pieces of crap looked and felt more dangerous than going without.
Flew with our infant/booster convertible seat on Westjet in August, no problem. Yes, you check it as baggage, but it's free.

 

[DeniseinNS]

We always bring ours with us. It's easy to do. Canada only requires a child to be age 60 lbs (around age 8) to stay in a booster.I just checked Transport Canada limits for booster seats yesterday wondering when my 7 year old will be out. He's 50 lbs and will be 8 next August so figure he will have gained close to 10 lbs by then.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safedrivers-childsafety-car-cartime-stage4-233.htm

My daughter is 65 lbs and 4'6 tall but has to legally stay in her booster until she turns 9 because she is under 4'9. The laws depend on where you live
http://www.ehow.com/list_6602751_car-booster-seat-laws-canada_.html

-Ontario- age 8/80lbs or 4'9 http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/carseat/choose.shtml
-B.C- age nine or over 4'9
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/07/01/bc-child-seat-laws.html
-N.S age 9 or 4'9
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2006/12/21/booster-seat.html
-N.B age 9/79 lbs or 4'9
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2007/12/28/nb-booster.html

 

[Minniemouse07]

Actually is has less to do w/ state/county/provincial laws you can get fined for and more to do w/ the laws of physics.

If your child doesn't fit in the adult seat belt (needs to pass 5 Step Test) then they should be using some kind of booster.

Here in PA the state law says they need to be in booster until 9yo, but dd has been 9yo since July and still doesn't fit in the seat belt so she's still using her booster seat!

 

[tia_michelle]

thank-you so much for the link for booster seats. My son wants out of his booster seat so bad, but he has a long way to go.

 

[cari12]

When we went last year we brought DS4 and DD6's booster seats (low back) with us but because they were not approved for airline travel, the airline gave us a bag and we checked them with our checked luggage. Worked out great.

 

[Minniemouse07]

When we went last year we brought DS4 and DD6's booster seats (low back) with us but because they were not approved for airline travel, the airline gave us a bag and we checked them with our checked luggage. Worked out great.

I'm not all that comfortable checking car seats due to the chance of them not arriving with us when we reach our destination.

It was super easy to bring the low back boosters on the plane w/ us as carry ons. Unless you are carrying a ton of stuff I would recommend it over checking them.

 

[shortfieldno1]

We have always taken the seats on the plane for our children. We have carried 2 full size seats and double stroller on the place. You can put the car seats on your back like a backpack or they sell bags that you can roll them with the child in them. A little pricey but may be worth it if you are traveling a lot.
As a former pilot, a child should ALWAYS be in an approved FAA seat. Even a little turbulence or drop in altitude could send a child flying through the cabin. It's stressful, but less stressful than worrying about the safety of your child. Plus, they do tend to fall asleep in them. Just try to get a sit over the wing.

 

[Minniemouse07]

We have always taken the seats on the plane for our children. We have carried 2 full size seats and double stroller on the place. You can put the car seats on your back like a backpack or they sell bags that you can roll them with the child in them. A little pricey but may be worth it if you are traveling a lot.
As a former pilot, a child should ALWAYS be in an approved FAA seat. Even a little turbulence or drop in altitude could send a child flying through the cabin. It's stressful, but less stressful than worrying about the safety of your child. Plus, they do tend to fall asleep in them. Just try to get a sit over the wing.

Totally agree w/ you....we always took our car seats (kids are now 9 and almost 5) but for those that are using DME (or DCL bus) from and to the airport... the CARES harness is a great alternative to a car seat that provides similar protection for older little ones (ie, not infants).