CARSEAT??? Airplane/Rental Cars

[kimatigger]

My boys will be 2 1/2 and 13 months when we go in September. As of right now we are driving. If I decide to fly what is the deal with carseats on the airplane and in rental cars. Do I have to bring my own?

 

[SueM in MN]

We rented a carseat for my niece's 3 year old in April and were pleasantly surprised. It looked new and was clean and covered with a plastic bag when it wass delivered to us. There was a sticker on it that gave the installation instructions (although my niece said it was just like hers at home, so she didn't need to look at them).
I think we rented from Alamo.

 

[Poohs Pal]

You can bring your own. Not sure if the airline has them available. I just checked at Hertz for Dgrandson and they charge an additional $60.00 for the 11 day rental or bring your own. Susan

 

[SueM in MN]

Airlines don't have car seats available, so if you want your children to ride in them on the plane, you'll have to bring them. If you check the website of the airline you are using, they probably have a linnk about car seats. In general, they have to be narrow enough to fit into the seat and have a label that says they are approved for air travel.
There are quite a few posts on this board about travel with car seats. If you don't get replies, you can do a search.

 

[PatricenPete]

Car rental companies don't guarantee carseats, so you could end up getting there and not having a seat for your baby. In November, I am going on a cruise with my DS, my mom, and my grandmother. We are going to rent a car from MCO and drive it to and from the Pier (it was much cheaper than hiring a car service) and even though I am flying with my son as a lap child, I plan on checking in his carseat so that I have it when we get to FL.

 

[SueM in MN]

You might want to check with the car rental company. I know when we rented a van, they would not guarantee a van with built in car seats (those built in kind). I don't think they guarantee they will have any car seats available if you just request one when you show up.
We had arranged for the car seat at the time we rented the van though and I'm pretty sure it was guaranteed (for a fee) as part of our van rental.

 

[stacy6552]

Yes bring your own. Buy those precious children plane tickets and use their carseats (FAA Approved).

 

[kimatigger]

Thanks everyone. I did not even know that you could rent them.

 

[rchristiansen]

Thanks everyone. I did not even know that you could rent them.

You should be OK if you go with Alamo or Hertz or some big name like that. Alamo had a TON of seats available when we went.

These are my only concerns:
If a car seat has been in an accident you can/should not reuse it - I'm not sure these car seats are throughouly checked out by the rental car companies. I'm sure the probability is very low, but still you don't know unless it is your own.

We rented a car in Milwaukee once through Enterprise and all they had was this crappy old dirty plastic car seat sitting in the parking structure next to their station. Thank goodness we brought our own!

I always bring my own from now on after learning that you can't reuse car seats that have been in accidents. It's just as easy to bring you own --- and cheaper. Also for a 2 1/2 year old you will be required to buy a plane ticket. They can not ride on your lap in the plane. So you might as well just bring the car seat along. RE: The 13 month old you most likely will be able to purchase a ticket for him at 1/2 price.

 

[safetymom]

Take your car seats. 80% of people use car seats incorrectly. The start of your vacation is not the time to be learning how to use the car seat properly. You also don't know the history of the car seat.

 

[TiggerStac]

I have to agree with what some are saying. I bring my own. I know that you can rent them for most car rental companies, but as previous posters said..you don't know where/what that car seat has been in. Any carseat I have ever gotten said that you should replace it if you are in an accident. I have, also, seen some of the carseats sitting by the person who "checks you out" kiosk at either tampa or orlando...and can you say nasty!! We usually use alamo, but have used national once, which is now a part of alamo. If you don't want to hike it on the plane, check it. We did check a seat once, as our son still fit in the infant one..but was just a little to long,. We used the infant for the plane only and we checked his regular car seat (he was just shy of 5 months). We purchased a bag to put his other car seat in. I got it at babiesrus and it was about 30.00. It protected it very well!!

 

[tlbwriter]

I've heard horror stories about rented carseats - people have been given seats that were filthy, damaged, recalled, or they didn't get a seat at all. I know that doesn't happen all the time, but why take the chance? Your kids will be safer and more comfortable using their carseats on the plane anyway, so go ahead and take your seats. One good way to get them through the airport is to attach them to a luggage cart with bungee cords. You can pile luggage on top of them.