Car Seats; rent, buy or bring our own?

[KMomof5]

Hey There,

We're leaving in less than 40 hours

We have 5 children DS14, DS12, DS6, DD2 1/2 and DD8 months.
We are bringing the infant seat but didn't want to carry the toddler seat through the Houston Airport for our layover. The rental car co. quoted us $5.99 per day for a toddler seat. (Dollar Rent a Car who we got the best deal with; special thanks to sweetp and mousesavers) Since we'll be there for 8 days, we could most likely buy a car seat resale for less than that when we get there.

Any tips would be appreciated

 

[safetymom]

I would not buy a resale seat because you don't know how old it is and if it has ever been in an accident. Just rent a cart at the airport for $3 and bring your own.

 

[jel0511]

Since you don't plan on bringing it on the plane, why don't you check the seat with the rest of your luggage. That way, you won't have to lug it, and you'll have your own seat meet you in Orlando.

 

[beattyfamily]

I would either bring the car seat and check it with your luggage or I would buy a new one in WDW area.

I would not buy a used one and I would not rent from the rental company.

Have fun!

 

[KLAIT]

What worked great for us was to check it with our luggage. Husband picked up a roll of clear plastic "stretch wrap" and wrapped it up and checked it through....easy to get off when we were at the airport and didn't have to worry about renting or buying once we were there,.

As a side, the last time we were there, there was a family at the rental counter that had reserved 2 seats with their reservation, but was in a total Panic because the rental agency did not have any seats available when they picked up their car. It was not a good situation as the husband was talking about leaving his family at the airport and running somewhere to buy 2 seats!

 

[jel0511]

KLAIT brings up a good point. What most people don't understand is that you can "reserve" a car seat with a car rental agency, but you aren't guaranteed that they'll be one when you get there. Also, the condition of car rental seats have been brought into question more than once on these boards and my DSis had a problem as well. The car seat they tried to give her was SO FILTHY, she declined it, left her kids at the airport (with their dad) while she ran to the closest WalMart/Target and BOUGHT a new one to use. She ended spending more than the rental would have cost, but she wasn't going to use the one the car rental was trying to give her.

 

[wuv tigger]

We always bring ours. DD1's goes on the plane in her seat. DD2's gets placed in one of the large plastic bags the baggage attendants have and goes with the luggage.

Never had a problem with the carseat coming through. We also always use curbside checkin. It is worth a $5 or $10 tip for me to drop everything at the curb and have it checked all the way through.

David

 

[castlegazer]

I don't understand this question - you won't be bringing a car seat for the 2 1/2 year old? That is not good! You will need to have them in their own seat and as is the case for the car you will need to have them in their FAA approved car seat. It is the only safe way for your 2 1/2 year old to travel by airplane. Please do not skimp on this, although the airline won't let you anyways.

Please check in with airline to see what they recommend, but this is my plea. And if I am misunderstanding this question, do not purchase used seats.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by castlegazer
I don't understand this question - you won't be bringing a car seat for the 2 1/2 year old? That is not good! You will need to have them in their own seat and as is the case for the car you will need to have them in their FAA approved car seat. It is the only safe way for your 2 1/2 year old to travel by airplane. Please do not skimp on this, although the airline won't let you anyways.

Please check in with airline to see what they recommend, but this is my plea. And if I am misunderstanding this question, do not purchase used seats.

I know many people who do not use a carseat on the plane for a child that is 2 years old and up, and many who do use one. It's completely up to the parent and it's no one's business what they decide to do.

It's certainly not against the law like it is in a car either.

I have always brought a carseat EXCEPT when we went to Paris last year and my DD was 2 1/2. I felt it would be too difficult to carry around Paris with no car to put it in. That was my decision and I'm glad I did it.

This year will be our first Disney trip with no carseat, age 4.

I know there are benefits to a carseat for younger children (turbulence, keeping the child still, taking a nap, etc...) and I wouldn't hesitate to list them for someone trying to decide whether to bring a carseat or not but sounds to me like she's made her decision. So it's now not my business.

 

[castlegazer]

I am sorry. After I reviewed of the FAA regulations I now better understand (I misread "may" with "will" in section b(2)) and you are absolutely correct and I will butt out now. But I do think it is safer and a better fit for the child to ensure proper restraint.

Code of Federal Regulations

The following regulations concern flying with children on aircraft. Note that non-US child seats are permitted on US-based aircraft if they have a label showing approval of a foreign government.

§ 121.311 Seats, safety belts, and shoulder harnesses.

(a) No person may operate an airplane unless there are available during the takeoff, en route flight, and landing-
(1) An approved seat or berth for each person on board the airplane who has reached his second birthday; and (2) An approved safety belt for separate use by each person on board the airplane who has reached his second birthday, except that two persons occupying a berth may share one approved safety belt and two persons occupying a multiple lounge or divan seat may share one approved safety belt during en route flight only.
(b) Except as provided in this paragraph, each person on board an air-plane operated under this part shall occupy an approved seat or berth with a separate safety belt properly secured about him or her during movement on the surface, takeoff, and landing. A safety belt provided for the occupant of a seat may not be used by more than one person who has reached his or her second birthday. Notwithstanding the preceding requirements, a child may:
(1) Be held by an adult who is occupying an approved seat or berth, provided the child has not reached his or her second birthday and the child does not occupy or use any restraining device; or
(2) Notwithstanding any other requirement of this chapter, occupy an approved child restraint system furnished by the certificate holder or one of the persons described in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, provided:
(i) The child is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or attendant designated by the child's parent or guardian to attend to the safety of the child during the flight;