Cares harness

[tinkerlisa]

Looking into using a CARES Harness for my next trip and have a few questions:

Has anybody used this?

Does Southwest Airlines let you use them?

I am interested in renting one but where is a good place to rent one and are they safe to rent or should I just spend the 75$ for it?


THANKS!!!!

 

[natnelliesmom]

There are some rentals available through Ebay, or just do a Google search for Cares Harness Rental. You'll get a ton of hits!

We have never used one. Our girls know to sit still and behave and they say that at 4 ys/o the the airline seat belt works properly.

If I had a 2/3 y/o I would definitely look into renting a harness!

-Sarah

 

[JohnneyB]

We have one and we LOVE IT. We have used it on Southwest and American. I think airlines have to let you use it because it meets all necessary federal regulations for aircraft restraints. DS had a very comfortable and safe trip, and it gave us much more room and was very easy to use.

 

[MickeyMouse'sBFF]

Uhh.. I hate to worry you but...
I tried to use mine on Delta a few years ago, and they said NO~ I had my child all ready in it and the stewardess said the child has to be on my lap and can not have that being used durring flight. I am thinkin, huh? But thats what she said were the rules. My best advise, call them and ask.
Good luck to you!

 

[Binnie]

I used mine with my nearly 3 year old in November with no problems on Airtran. I would've used it on SW in March, but I forgot it! I missed it badly! DD decided to be a wiggle worm the whole flight to Orlando!

 

[tinkerlisa]

Thanks everyone! We bought him a seat since he is 2 and can't be on our lap, and since you can't use a carseat on any of Disney Transportation I really don't want to lug around a carseat if I dont have to! not only that but I dont think SW would let us use our carseat since their is no FAA approved sticker on it.

Does anybody know if just the lap belt is fine? I wouldn't have my son use just the lap belt(i dont feel safe) i was just curious about that. I know that over age 4 they don't.

 

[JohnneyB]

You can check the documentation with the CARES and online. Particularly after they were introduced, flight crews sometimes didn't know what to do with them. They are certified by the FAA, which means they are legal to use on any U.S. carrier. If a member of the flight crew questions you, you can show them the documentation along with the specific regulation (FAA Advisory Circular 120-87A). On the CARES website you can download and print everything you need. Again, I have flown SW and AA and the flight crews were all completely aware of the system, how it worked, and its legality.

I would say use it, and have a great flight!

 

[katied]

I have one for DS. We've used it on most airlines - Delta, NW, American, Southwest. I have not had any trouble at all with it. Some of the Flight Attendants have asked me how I like it because they have been interested for their own kids. DS is now 25 months, and it works great. A car seat was better when he was smaller (but CARES is not for kids under 20 lbs and under 1 yr), but now with CARES he knows he has to stay put, etc.

Another great benefit - with a car seat he can kick the seat in front of him. With CARES, he's still to small. I'm sure the people in front appreciate this.

 

[jpeka65844]

Have a CARES harness and found it to be a waste of $$. At the time we were flying Midwest Airlines quite frequently and it was not compatible with their recessed tray tables.

That might something to look in to. And I agree with PP about having documentation that it IS an FAA-approved device.

 

[figment41]

If you look on the airlines website it will say if it is approved on that particular airline. You have to look for it though. Try traveling with a child with an infant with a lap child. If it says it is OK on the website I suggest you print it out.

It is the law that the flight attendant have a safety manual with them at all times and they should be able to look it up in their hand book.

There is a lap belt that attaches to you seat seat belt or a vest that the child wears when sitting on your seat and they are absolutely not approved by many airlines. For some flight attendants this could be a new product so haivng the printed info with you could save you a lot of hassle. Especially from their airline. Just because it is FAA approved does not mean that each airline has to allow you to use it.

 

[stacy6552]

Remember that even though its FAA approved (and remember this is the agency that requires coffee pots to be secured but not babies), nobody associated with the industry actually recommends them. Yes it will keep your child from hitting the ceiling or flying out of your arms. However it doesnt prevent the child from hitting his head on the trey table on the seat in front of you and getting a child released from it for evacuation can be problematic, since you are less practiced in undoing it and have less leverage.

 

[LWatson]

Its ironic this is up here because i just bought mine yesterday and was looking for something on it on the transportation board.

Southwest does allow it.

Harness-type devices approved by the FAA:
At this time, the FAA has approved only the AmSafe Aviation CARES, which is appropriate for children weighing between 22 and 44 pounds.
The AmSafe Aviation CARES must have a label indicating "FAA Approved in Accordance with 14CFR 21.305(d), Approved for Aircraft Use Only."

That is from their own website.

I have been waiting on a sale on these and finally got one yesterday for $25. The normal price was $75 so yeah I was thrilled.

 

[tinkerlisa]

Its ironic this is up here because i just bought mine yesterday and was looking for something on it on the transportation board.

Southwest does allow it.

That is from their own website.

I have been waiting on a sale on these and finally got one yesterday for $25. The normal price was $75 so yeah I was thrilled.

Where did you find it that cheap???!!!! I would buy one but they are so expensive! Thats why I was looking to rent one! I would definitly pay $25 for it. Heck i would even pay 50 for it. They should have them more available to buy from places like babies r us.

 

[LWatson]

Where did you find it that cheap???!!!! I would buy one but they are so expensive! Thats why I was looking to rent one! I would definitly pay $25 for it. Heck i would even pay 50 for it. They should have them more available to buy from places like babies r us.

The PX here at Ft. Bliss had them 50% off then another 25% because of a sale they were having. It rang up $75 and I told the lady they were marked $35.50 +25% off sticker and made her have someone go back to the back to look because I wasnt paying $75 for it. She got pissed off at me, but they had it marked down and it wasnt ringing up that price. So the manager came back from there and was like "yes, its $35.50 plus an additional 25% off." The cashier rolled her eyes at me. Oh well.

 

[tinkerlisa]

The PX here at Ft. Bliss had them 50% off then another 25% because of a sale they were having. It rang up $75 and I told the lady they were marked $35.50 +25% off sticker and made her have someone go back to the back to look because I wasnt paying $75 for it. She got pissed off at me, but they had it marked down and it wasnt ringing up that price. So the manager came back from there and was like "yes, its $35.50 plus an additional 25% off." The cashier rolled her eyes at me. Oh well.

I can only find them online and they want $75 for it?! I read somewhere that airlines should have them readily available. They could even make a killing renting them out to passengers for 20 bucks!!!

 

[LWatson]

I can only find them online and they want $75 for it?! I read somewhere that airlines should have them readily available. They could even make a killing renting them out to passengers for 20 bucks!!!

Yeah I know. I only got one because I wasnt thinking about needing a 2nd in December (I was only thinking...hey I can use this in 1.5wks to make it easier to travel with my kids alone). I am tempted to go back today and see if they are still priced low and get another one.

 

[DT83097]

We used the CARES harness when our daughter was ~20 mo. old (we flew NWA). It worked great - threw it in my purse and had it set up super quick once we boarded. We were in the last row so I didn't have to worry about the tray tables, but if there is a row behind you, you may need to lower the tray table and slip it over the seat and then put the tray back up and lock into position (you may want to explain to passenger behind you in case they question it). Our DD slept for most of the flight so I know it was comfortable for her. They are a great alternative to the lugging a car seat through the airport and I tell everyone I know about them! The price is a little high, but if you can use for more than one trip I think the convenience is totally worth it. They are FAA approved - and as OP noted, I printed out all the material from the website in case I was questioned but had no issues. We just used the lap belt for our DS who was 4 1/2 at the time, but felt better that my DD at 20 mo. had a 5 point harness.

 

[DT83097]

I can only find them online and they want $75 for it?! I read somewhere that airlines should have them readily available. They could even make a killing renting them out to passengers for 20 bucks!!!

I agree - I remember thinking when we used ours (2007) that it would be great if you could rent them from the airline. I figured by now that would be the case but I think alot of people / airlines still aren't aware of them.

 

[sshaw10060]

Best invention ever we have used ours a dozen times including on Delta 4 or 5 times. I am so happy not to have to haul a car seat through the airport.