CARES harness: Is it worth it?

[jpeka65844]

We'll be flying with DS 2 1/2 in June and are looking into one of these. The FAA does not REQUIRE you have a car seat and I really don't feel like lugging it around. And not to sound horrible, but if something happens to the plane, a car seat isn't going to do much to keep your kid from harm.

BUT, I like the idea of this b/c it might let hime know that he can't get down. It MIGHT cut down on his antsiness. Does anyone have experience with one? Did you feel it was worth it or was it no better than the lap belt?

 

[i12go2wdw]

I do not have any personal experience using one of these but on a recent flight to Hawaii the family sitting infront of my dd12 was using one on their child who was about 4 years old. I know it kept her in her seat for the whole 5 hour trip (poor kid). Please be courteous to the person sitting behind you, this family did not undo the harness long enough for my daughter to put her tray down so she was unable to use it for the whole flight. It can be secured under the tray I am sure so the person behind is not without their tray. It sure looked a lot easier to transport and instal than a car seat and it did keep the child "put"
Best of luck,
Christine

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

I do not have kids but I helped my cousin's wife look into this for their kids last year. If your son is 2 1/2, know that it is not a 5 point harness, so kids can wiggle down. I think that the biggest pros we found for car seats is that they are nice to have if your flight is delayed (great place for the kid to sleep and be comfortable) and they are safer for the child in case of bad turbulence. However, I think the CARES system is a great improvement on just a lap belt for a kid that age, and will likely make your son feel more like he is in a car seat and needs to stay put!

 

[labdogs42]

I like to take the carseat for my son, but the CARES harness looks like a good option. I think there are people who rent them on eBay, too, so you don't have to buy one.

 

[jpeka65844]

Cool! Thanks for the feedback! I'm going to go ahead and buy one, I think. We'll be flying 3 times this year so it'll be $$ well spent.

 

[jnsma]

We used them in the past for our twins, just turned 3 when we flew to Disney. I can't imagine carrying 2 car seats and DW wanted something more than a lap belt.

They do go under the tray table in the seat behind you, so you have to bother that person for a minute. But everyone was very nice about it and interested in what it was.

My kids had no issues with them. They are so used to a car seat that being strapped in like this was not an issue.

They are not cheap, but they appear to be well-made. It is really hard to quantify when/if you get your money's worth.... Hopefully, my kids are never in a situation where they need to test them.
A rental (Ebay) or even swap program would be a great thing with these because you don't really need them all that often and they are just sitting in a drawer most of the time.
Jeff.

 

[FatElvis]

I have one & have used it a couple of times. It was worth the money for me - I initially bought it last year before we went to WDW and I had to fly alone with 3 kids (my husband was already there for a conference). I knew I couldn't deal with a baby, 2 bigger girls, carry-ons AND a carseat - plus we wouldn't need it there. I was worried my 2.5 yr old would make a break for it down the aisle.

If you pre-board, you can usually get it installed under the tray behind you before they get there, so that shouldn't be an issue. It comes with a little card that explains that it IS approved for use during take-off. On one flight the flight attendant wasn't convinced but another one told her it was fine. That was a year ago though, so I'm sure they've become more common.

 

[frtchr]

Glad to hear the positive remarks! We're using one in two weeks for our DD. She hates, hates, HATES her car seat, so I don't see the point in taking it. I always feel like such a villian when I read all the threads about the good parents who take their car seats every trip.

 

[gabriellyn]

Glad to hear the positive remarks! We're using one in two weeks for our DD. She hates, hates, HATES her car seat, so I don't see the point in taking it.

My toddler DS is the same way!!! Let us know how she does with it - I am considering getting one for our trip at the end of the year. Hope you have a GREAT trip!

 

[Cheshirepixie]

We have one for our 3 year old and have been using it since she was 2. It's so much easier than using the car seat and safer than just having her sit in the seat.

 

[wlwilliams9]

I feel the same way about the car seat on the airplane as you, so I decided to rent a CARES harness for our upcoming trip in May. (I rented on ebay for $15) My main reason for getting one is that I think DD will feel more secure in her seat like she is in her car seat. My DSis got a new car a few weeks ago and came over for me to check it out. I took DD for a spin around the block in it and she FREAKED not being in her car seat! I'll let you know hoe it works out for us!

 

[stacy6552]

Remember if you are using one, that the correct position for anyone in a seat is with your bottom all the way back. So if your childs legs dont hang over the front of the seat at 90 degrees, have them sit "criss-cross applesauce" in the seat so they dont slouch forward to bend their knees.

 

[clori]

I used it last summer for a 4 hour flight with dd who was 3. It worked fine except for one little part. My dd3 could easily undo the seatbelt on the airplane.