Car seats on airplanes

[sgmom]

I have looked on United Airlines website (the airline we will be taking on our upcoming Disney trip), but did not see specific info. on carseats on the airplane - as far as age requirements. My DD is 2.5 and I've been told that she doesn't need a carseat on the airplane. Does anyone know if this is true? Their website states "you may chose to bring a carseat"... I don't want to get there and be turned away because of no carseat. Now that I've read that you can't use one on the DME, I feel it's just something extra to tote along.

My DD has mastered getting out of the harness belts, so we've turned her convertible carseat into a booster seat which won't work on the airplane since we would need the shoulder strap to hold her in. Any ideas?

 

[kaytieeldr]

If the carseat will keep her in place, and it's FAA-approved, bring it - but no, she does not HAVE to be in a carseat to fly; you will not be turned away.

 

[tjmw2727]

You are not required to use a CRS on the aircraft so its up to you. Most airlines, the FAA and the AAP do recommend that children under 4 and 40 use a carseat in the air as well as on the ground so that's something to consider.

Each family needs to weigh the pro's and con's, safety, convenience, familiarity of the carset, lenght of flight etc.

You are correct however that a booster seat (using only the cars lap/shoulder belt) won't be allowed so you will have to use the harness on the aircraft.

OT - and not a flame, but Please reconsider using a booster seat without a harness for a 2yo. In fact in many states it is required by law that children be in a carseat until 4 and 40 and then the booster until 8 and 80. If you can't find information and are interested I will gladly post some links for you.

Sometimes adjusting the chest clip or making the harness a bit tighter can stop the little houdini's from escaping.

TJ

 

[all4fun]

Here's the link to the FAA site http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

As the pp said, you would have to use the harness with the car seat if using it on the plane. Also, make sure it has a sticker on it that says it's approved for use in an airplane - they might ask to see it.

I also encourage you to use a harnessed seat with a child that young. Most kids aren't mature enough to stay properly seated 100% of the time in a BPB until well after age 4.

Here's a suggestion from Car-Seat.org FAQ :

Q31: My child won't use a carseat/booster. My child escapes his carseat. What can I do?

Some children can twist out of harnesses at an early age. Others can easily undo the buckle mechanism. Children may also be able to put too much slack in a seatbelt, and some children don't want to use a child restraint or seatbelt at all. Driving is a dangerous activity, and like any other, it requires proper supervision at all times.

Parents can try many things. You can try calling the Manufacturer of your carseat to see if they have a buckle that requires more force to release, or a 2-piece chest clip instead of a "paperclip style" chest clip. Using a seatbelt yourself sets a good example. Refusing to put the car in motion unless the child stays in their restraint is another. Also, try to keep your child entertained or distracted if possible, and NEVER make an exception and allow them not to use their child restraint. For severe cases, you can try a safety vest by E-Z-On (800-323-6598) that may be more difficult to remove.

Hth.

 

[sgmom]

Ok, thanks for making me rethink this! After thinking about it, I know my DD does not complain to be in her carseat and will realize being in it would require her to state seated. Afterall, she will be able to see out the window better maybe even take a nap if I'm lucky!! I do think she will try to get out of the lap belt on the airplane and have a heyday if not secured by her carseat harness! No matter how tight we have made the harness straps, she has been able to squirm out of the arm straps to reach the window button and door handle. She has not been as successful with the car's shoulder strap!


all4fun:

The second picture on the link you sent, is that something provided by the airlines, or is that an actual car seat with the little boy in it? That would be a great feature if airlines started providing some type of built in child restraint system...

Here's the link to the FAA site http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

Thanks all!

 

[tjmw2727]

You know - I was thinking about her getting out of the carseat and wondering if you were going to have any hope of keeping her in the lap belt on the aircraft!!

As far as her "escaping" my neice did it and my sil did eventually end up buying another type of carseat. But first - try making sure the chest clip is the kind that locks together rather than slides up and down. If it isn't many of the carseat companies will send or sell you the kind that latches. Then make sure the harness is as tight as the instrictions recommend, IIRC no more than a finger loose?? Also make sure that the chest clip is high enough so she can't slide her shoulders through, this was the key for my neice. She would slide the chest clip down and roll her shoulders out.

You can also try rewarding her for staying in the harness she may be old enough to begin to understand how important it is.

Good luck!

TJ

 

[sgmom]

As far as her "escaping" my neice did it and my sil did eventually end up buying another type of carseat. But first - try making sure the chest clip is the kind that locks together rather than slides up and down. If it isn't many of the carseat companies will send or sell you the kind that latches. Then make sure the harness is as tight as the instrictions recommend, IIRC no more than a finger loose?? Also make sure that the chest clip is high enough so she can't slide her shoulders through, this was the key for my neice. She would slide the chest clip down and roll her shoulders out.

You can also try rewarding her for staying in the harness she may be old enough to begin to understand how important it is.

Good luck!

TJ

Thanks for the tip. She started escaping when using MIL's seat that she could slide the clip off by herself. So, we stopped using that carseat... her's has the kind that latches in the middle, but still slides on the straps - to adjust it to chest level. But, seems no matter how tight it is, she can slide this clip down to free her arms from the straps. Are there any other kinds?

We have tried stopping the car as a "fear" tactic, but later that evening she did it again. I hadn't thought of the reward thing. That has worked with everything else, especially potty training. Boy, my DS was never like this

But I'll make sure on the plane that she is strapped tight.

 

[SuperSteelerFan]

Just another little tip to keep her in a car seat - if you live in a cold climate, mittens that she can't get off (clipped to her coat sleeves) work wonders in keeping those little carseat buckles fastened! I know that you can't use the carseat on the DME bus, but they should store it underneath in the luggage compartments for you. I would definately use the carseat on the plane - after all, won't you be sitting right next to her? It should be much easier to keep her in her seat on the plane when you are sitting right beside her rather than when you are in the front seat of a car or driving. Good luck! She really should still be in the harness. DD 7 is little for her age and is still in the harness because she still fits in it and I feel that she's safer.

Editted to add this tip: I don't know if you can do this with your car seat, but perhaps you can double loop the harness strap through the clip or find some sort of device to attach to it that she cannot remove to prevent her from sliding the clip around. Contact your carseat manufacturer and see what they suggest. You could also try your local or state police departments - in PA, there is a program where they will help you make your carseat as safe as possible.

 

[tjmw2727]

Oh boo, it sounds like the chest clip I was going to suggest is the one you have. Maybe if you try replacing it with a new one it won't slide? I know ours didn't slide at all, it was very tight on the harness.

Here is what I meant just in case:
http://www.gracobaby.com/catalog/product.aspx?modelNumber=4040&CategoryID=1

If you can get something similar (compatable with your seat of course) and it is tight enough that may work. It would be great if you could somehow keep her from sliding that chest clip down and getting out. Even if just for a long enough time to break the habit. Although at 2 1/2 it would be worth it to try and explain simply that she must stay buckled and every trip she does she gets a sticker?

TJ

 

[all4fun]

all4fun:

The second picture on the link you sent, is that something provided by the airlines, or is that an actual car seat with the little boy in it? That would be a great feature if airlines started providing some type of built in child restraint system...


Thanks all!

That's the CARES harness. You can read all about it here http://www.kidsflysafe.com/

It costs $75 and you have to buy it....It's brand new on the market and I think it would be great if airlines started offering them but currently they don't.

 

[missesdisney]

Definintely a child by child decision. I've flown alone with my son who is now 5 about three times - first time at 2 and a half and had no trouble keeping him in the lap belt. For me, taking a car seat through the airport would have been torture. Good luck!

 

[NotUrsula]

[The CARES harness] costs $75 and you have to buy it....It's brand new on the market and I think it would be great if airlines started offering them but currently they don't.

Don't hold your breath, because they never will offer it. The harness was actually approved by the FAA well over a year ago, with the stipulation that the airlines would be the ones providing it to passengers. Every single one of them (including JetBlue, which helped to finance the design and testing) declined to do so. The owner of the patent went back to the FAA to get the approval stipulations changed so that it could be sold directly to individuals, and that is the approval that just came through a couple of months ago.

 

[tanya_rlp]

I ordered this a few months ago and used it on my United flight this holiday season. It fits into a purse. No more lugging a heavy bulky carseat. It installs by just fitting the seatbelt type loop over the airline seat and tightening it. Took about 1 minute. It closes in front with a connector like a standard carseat (like my Britax.) It uses the airline lapbelt too around the waist. If your child will release the easy airline seatbelt, it may or may not be as helpful. But, overall, it was extremely convenient and lightweight. I don't think is as comfortable as the carseat for him since he had to mold himself to an adult airline seat (no comfy place to lean head.) But, for a 3-4 hour flight, definitely worth it not to have to lug a carseat through ticketing, security, etc.

 

[all4fun]

Don't hold your breath, because they never will offer it. The harness was actually approved by the FAA well over a year ago, with the stipulation that the airlines would be the ones providing it to passengers. Every single one of them (including JetBlue, which helped to finance the design and testing) declined to do so. The owner of the patent went back to the FAA to get the approval stipulations changed so that it could be sold directly to individuals, and that is the approval that just came through a couple of months ago.

Don't worry, I'm not holding my breath for anything, it was just a thought. At least the patent owner made it possible for individuals to buy it.