car seats and air travel

[smidgy]

our son will be bringing his 6 year old to WDW in august. IN Illinois they still (by law) need a car seat (resembles a booster seat);

I have no idea (not does he) how this works.

does he bring it in the taxi/limo to the ariport, then use it on the plane?

or check it on the plane? does this cost?

what about on magical express?

thanks. we have been to WDW many times, but never with a child needing a carseat.

 

[Missy29]

Booster seats are not allowed on airplanes, but I believe you can check it and they dont charge. Sorry not sure about ME because we rent a car but I think they don't allow car seats on the bus.

 

[CarrieR]

On the plane, he can only use a seat with an internal harness (not a belt-positioning booster.)

If they are flying, riding on Magical Express, and using 100% Disney bussing, they can leave the seat at home!

If they are riding in a towncar, taxi, or rental car, he will need a seat of some sort. At six, I would probably purchase an inexpensive backless booster (they're usually under $20 at Wal-Mart or similar,) carry it onto the plane and stow it under the seat or overhead. Then they'll have it for use down there.

I also would NOT check a car seat. Yes, it can be done free of charge... but checked luggage is tossed around, onto the ground, other things thrown on top of it, etc. Seats can get broken, visibly or (worse yet) invisibly. When we do seat checks, if we find that a parent has checked a seat on a plane, I recommend replacement. It falls into the same category, essentially, as a crashed seat. So if they want to take a seat that has a harness in it, their best bet is to just carry it onto the plane and use it.

 

[Alesia]

He will not be allowed to use the booster seat on the plane. If it's an actual car seat approved for airline use, it could technically be used, but a 6 year old is not going to be able to sit comfortably - there's just not enough leg room.

Car seats and boosters of any kind cannot be used on ME.

If they plan on riding in any kind of car (taxi, limo, etc.,) car seats are not required for children over 3. Whether your son is comfortable with that is up to him.

If they're not going to need the seat in Florida, I would either have a friend drop them off at the airport and leave the seat with them, or take a taxi and ask if they will provide a booster seat. If they won't, I would just buy a cheap $15 booster at walmart and either leave it in the cab or ditch it at the airport. They could also bring it with them and gate check it if they'll need it in Florida.

If I were him, the one thing I wouldn't do is take his regular (high-backed) booster with me.

 

[smidgy]

thanks for all your replies!

I am nottalking about a booster seat. In Illinois, kids up to age 8 (I think?) are required to use a car seat. for the older (bigger) kids, it RESEMBLES a booster seat (to me).

I guess it puts the seat belt up higher on the child's body, otherwise they are top heavy.

now I don't know if, In Illinois, he needs to be in this in a taxi or limo on the way to the airport (a friend driving them is not possible). otherwise, it doesn't matter, I guess, on the plane or on ME. (sheesh, they stand on WDW buses, after all!) hence, the quandry..

if he needs to be in the "older childs'" carseat (bylaw) on the way to the airport.. what to do with said carseat then?


also, we are meeting them down there. If we drive down, what are florida laws regarding car seats and 6 year olds? anyone know? anyone know?

(I do find it amusing, these rules in private cars, and yet they don't even have seat belts on their schoolbus)

thanks, all!

 

[tjmw2727]

Florida law only requires children under 4 to use a carseat, once they turn 4 they can use either a seatbelt or a carseat/booster seat.

However you can request a taxi with a carseat or booster if you need one while on property.

If you aren't going to use a rental car then you don't need to bring the carseat as you can't use it on the aircraft, DME or Disney buses.

Florida law doesn't exempt a taxi or towncar from the carseat laws so a child under 4 would need a carseat.

As far as IL and carseat laws in a taxi or towncar you will have to check that. I am sure when your son makes the arrangements the car company will know the requirements.

If you drive down and plan to use your car while in FL I personally would bring the seat the 6yo is used to riding in. Again FL law doesn't require a 6yo to use anything but a seatbelt but it is also a place where many people arn't famliar with the roads or the cars they are driving so better safe than sorry.

 

[Alesia]

thanks for all your replies!

I am not talking about a booster seat. In Illinois, kids up to age 8 (I think?) are required to use a car seat. for the older (bigger) kids, it RESEMBLES a booster seat (to me).

In Ill, they are only required to be in an actual car seat until they are 40 pounds. After that, they have to be in a booster seat until they're 8 years old.

He definitely should not check the seat with his regular luggage. Luggage handlers are rough on luggage. He could gate check the seat, but they aren't always as careful as they could be with things like that, either.

 

[smidgy]

I see I have been using confusing terms. their car seat for the 6 year old IS the booster type.

I just googled, and it appears (unless I misuderstood) that in Illinois, even tho it is law, it does not apply for public transportation , so they would not need it at all on the taxi or limo ride to the airport..

and in florida, they don't need it over age 4 at all.. did ai get that right?

 

[Mrs D]

I just checked the Sec of State website. Commercial vehicles are exempt from carseat laws (I never knew this - thought I was breaking the law each time we've taken a taxi to O'Hare).

Because we use ME and then Disney transportation exclusively we do not bring car seats (you can not use them on any forms of Disney transport).
For the (short) trip to the airport, I always tell the taxi driver to drive very slowly and safely as my children aren't in their car seats. I realize this isn't the ideal situation but, it is what is most particle for the situation.

 

[Mrs D]

What car seats are acceptable for air travel?
I will be traveling from NM to TN with a transfer in Denver in June with my 2yr old. I have already gotten the tickets through Frontier Airlines.

Anything that has a sticker on the side which stated "Approved by the FAA for Use on an Aircraft". Most 'convertible" car seats (like the one your 2 yr old is likely in) are approved.

 

[NotUrsula]

The term "booster seat" confuses people, because car safety advocates and the FAA use a different definition of what a booster seat is.

It does not matter what the mfr. of the seat called it when it was sold. For purposes of use aboard a commercial aircraft, it is considered a "booster seat" only when it lacks any integral upper body restraint system.

If you have a a so-called "high-back booster seat" that has a removable 5-pt harness, most of these will be aircraft-approved IF the internal harness is properly in place and in use. Removing the integral 5-pt harness will invalidate the aircraft approval in the case of such a seat that has an approval sticker.

BTW, the sticker does NOT mention the FAA. The wording is mandated by law in the US. For seats sold in the US, Federal law says that the lettering on the sticker must be in RED ink, and it must be worded as follows: "This restraint certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft." (That particular FAA regulation has been in place since 1981.)

 

[NotUrsula]

.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If you are going to be riding in taxis or renting a car, just buy a regular booster seat before your trip and carry it on to the plane, storing it in the overhead. They are not very expensive.

 

[smidgy]

we just booked a fight for april, and were asked to pay an extra $39 to "guarantee" bringing on a carry - on, ie. not having to check it.

I am thinking, sicne they dsarted charging for every baggage, there won't be a lot of room above the seats.


anyway, my question was regarding the LEGALITIES of car seats for 6 years olds.

since florida does not require car seats for his age. and disney (obviousy) lets the kids stand , sit, sit on parent slap, and what ever mayhem may occur!!! (um, that's how it was when I grew up, but, I digress), then I guess the main problem would be in driving TO th e airport in our home town..

(um, that would be Illinois, the only state with "governor's row in the prisoner's system, and one of the worst financial states.. oops.. did I say that???

ok. so .. when are we moving to florida?????