Car Seats

[holshouser]

Something else you might consider if you dont want to lug around a carseat is a CARES harness. It is a 5-point harness, weighs 1lb and will fit in any bag. They run around $80 new but can be rented for $15 on ebay. It is FAA approved and recommended. Check with your airline.

I decided my ds(2) rides better when he is restrained and plus he is safer.

 

[Minniemouse07]

I just want to agree w/ Jessica that flight attendants and the customer service people answering phones for the airlines can be equally clueless regarding the FAA rules for using child restraints.

My best friend had a LENGTHY conversation w/ their FA on one flight about using a seat AT ALL on the plane for their 2yo. The FA actually told them that only infant seats could be used on planes!

The FA ended up allowing them to use the seat, but came back after take off to argue the point FURTHER w/ my friend, bringing their handbook w/ the guidelines w/ her. When she read that the FAA did NOT restrict child restraint use to infant only seats, the FA decided to explain to my friend that she was putting her son at risk because he was "uncomfortable" and she wouldn't be able to get him out of the seat in an emergency.

So... my suggestion is to make sure you know the FAA rules (not your airline's rules), bring the manufacturer's instructions for the seat, and print out the FAA rules so you have them on hand in case you need to educate someone!

Here is a great site w/ info about using car seats on airplanes (CPSafety.com) that may help.

 

[mrs.explorer1977]

We haven't actually installed it yet (DS is just shy of going FFing and it won't fit RFing in DH's Jeep) but we bought it from our local baby store and the owner who were friend's with said that she's used it a number of times on flights with her little ones and likes it a lot. She was the one who said you could still use the tray when it was being used. DH says it's not too heavy and the one we bought (Premier) actually comes with a carry strap and little hooks to attach it. The store owner also said that they've travelled on a charter with them, and they still fit the seats (which are apparently smaller than regular airlines).


FYI -- the CARES system is only 3 point -- there's not a crotch strap. We considered it for our flight, but figured that DS would probably figure out how to wiggle down and out of it.

 

[waltskids]

I thought the Nautilus was not FAA approved??? That is good to know since we have that seat and are flying in August.

 

[all4fun]

I thought the Nautilus was not FAA approved??? That is good to know since we have that seat and are flying in August.

The Nautilus is airline approved as long as you're using it as a 5pt harness seat.

 

[waltskids]

Thank you all4fun.

 

[jessica52877]

Yep, we just flew with the Nautilus, sticker is on the bottom.

 

[hammie59]

I took our Britax Marathon on board for my 1 yr old on our last trip. It was my first time flying with a baby and when I originally booked, I didn't buy her a seat. After really thinking about it, I called back and got her one and for all the reasons already mentioned. First for safety and second ease of travel. (well except for lugging and installing that thing on the plane. THAT was a real pain. Orlando flights, at least with NWA, don't allow for preboarding with young children so we had to struggle with it down the aisle trying not to take anyone out along the way) She was very comfortable and slept the entire flight both ways. Anyhow, I would really dread doing it again, but if so, she'd still get the carseat.

 

[Wendybird55]

It's me again. There's a Babies R U near my office so I went druing lunch. They had the Graco Nautilis on display and I really liked it. I looked up the manual online and read more and it looks like a good comfy seat and I think it should fit fine on an airline seat (I looked for the sticker on the display!)

Mrs.Explorer77: I'm still looking at the Sunshine car seats - they didn't have one at Babies R Us...online I noticed 2 models of the Radian - the 65 & 80. Which do you have and besides $50 price difference - what are the other big differences? They both fold up from what I can see.

Thanks

 

[mrs.explorer1977]

Mrs.Explorer77: I'm still looking at the Sunshine car seats - they didn't have one at Babies R Us...online I noticed 2 models of the Radian - the 65 & 80. Which do you have and besides $50 price difference - what are the other big differences? They both fold up from what I can see.

Thanks

The 80 lb one is the Premier, I think. Because we're in Canada, things are a little different here, but I'm pretty sure that the Premier is the equivalent to the 80. It's got a bit more padding, extra padding inserts, nicer fabric and has a higher weight limit -- 80 lb vs 65 lb.