We have flown Airtran in the past and we always take our FAA approved carseat for our 3 yr old DGD. On previous flights, the flight attendants diligently pulled us aside to read the label to insure that it was approved. They saw the label and we had a great flight.
The label reads:
"When used with the 5-point harness system: this restraint is certified for use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft. When used without the 5-point harness and as a Belt Positioning Booster; This restraint is Not Certified for aircraft use." (The seat can converted to a Booster Seat but that is not how we use it.)
On our last trip on 4/1, the flight attendants sternly pulled me aside, read the label and stated that it was not approved and that I had to check it as baggage. They pointed to the last phrase of "not approved for aircraft use". I told them that we do not use it as a Booster Seat but always with the 5 point harness, therefore the first statement applies and it is approved.
Two of them raised their voice to me and told me it was not approved and they would not allow it. Another flight attendent told me it was a $10,000 fine to use an unapproved and they would not do it. I told them that it was checked and approved on 2 previous Airtran flights and they said that the other attendants were in error and they would not risk a fine. With every statement, they raised their tone of voice.
With their insistance and firm tone, I decided to let them check it and not risk an arguement that might get me kicked off the plane. As I turned to go to my seat, I saw them roll their eyes and make faces.
When we deplaned, I had to wait for the seat and stroller. The seat came first and I re-read the label. Yes, I knew I was right. One of the flight crew was standing there and I politely asked him to read the label and tell me what I was missing. He rudely held up his hand in a manner to show that he would not talk to me and walked off. I am assuming that they all spread the word about the lady with the carseat.
I'm not a nasty person nor am I rude. I was just shocked when I could not use it and tried to figure out why they thought it was not approved.
We shipped the car seat home instead of risking another incident. (We did not have a rental car and used the Disney system for transportation, so we did not need it at WDW.)
Our DGD flies very, very well in her car seat. Just like the car, once she is strapped in, she has learned to stay in the harness. She is comfortable and usually goes to sleep. Without the carseat, she plays with the seatbelt, flips all around, and generally enjoys the freedom & space way to much! Both trips were very difficult, especially the trip home. After 9 days of Disney buses & monorails without seatbelts, she really didn't see the need for a belt and I can understand why she felt that way. She also pinched her finger in the seatbelt release twice.
I have contacted AirTran Customer Relations to get a definitive answer to my carseat approval. They agreed with me that the carseat should have been allowed and apologized for the rudeness. While I did not appreciate the rudeness, I am primarily concerned with the ability to use the carseat on the plane. She asked if I could FAX her a copy of the label plus the carseat make & model, and I asked if she could then get me an official statement on its use. She is supposed to call me back in a few days. We will see what happens now.
Has anyone else had carseat problems? Am I the only one?
The label reads:
"When used with the 5-point harness system: this restraint is certified for use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft. When used without the 5-point harness and as a Belt Positioning Booster; This restraint is Not Certified for aircraft use." (The seat can converted to a Booster Seat but that is not how we use it.)
On our last trip on 4/1, the flight attendants sternly pulled me aside, read the label and stated that it was not approved and that I had to check it as baggage. They pointed to the last phrase of "not approved for aircraft use". I told them that we do not use it as a Booster Seat but always with the 5 point harness, therefore the first statement applies and it is approved.
Two of them raised their voice to me and told me it was not approved and they would not allow it. Another flight attendent told me it was a $10,000 fine to use an unapproved and they would not do it. I told them that it was checked and approved on 2 previous Airtran flights and they said that the other attendants were in error and they would not risk a fine. With every statement, they raised their tone of voice.
With their insistance and firm tone, I decided to let them check it and not risk an arguement that might get me kicked off the plane. As I turned to go to my seat, I saw them roll their eyes and make faces.
When we deplaned, I had to wait for the seat and stroller. The seat came first and I re-read the label. Yes, I knew I was right. One of the flight crew was standing there and I politely asked him to read the label and tell me what I was missing. He rudely held up his hand in a manner to show that he would not talk to me and walked off. I am assuming that they all spread the word about the lady with the carseat.
I'm not a nasty person nor am I rude. I was just shocked when I could not use it and tried to figure out why they thought it was not approved.
We shipped the car seat home instead of risking another incident. (We did not have a rental car and used the Disney system for transportation, so we did not need it at WDW.)
Our DGD flies very, very well in her car seat. Just like the car, once she is strapped in, she has learned to stay in the harness. She is comfortable and usually goes to sleep. Without the carseat, she plays with the seatbelt, flips all around, and generally enjoys the freedom & space way to much! Both trips were very difficult, especially the trip home. After 9 days of Disney buses & monorails without seatbelts, she really didn't see the need for a belt and I can understand why she felt that way. She also pinched her finger in the seatbelt release twice.
I have contacted AirTran Customer Relations to get a definitive answer to my carseat approval. They agreed with me that the carseat should have been allowed and apologized for the rudeness. While I did not appreciate the rudeness, I am primarily concerned with the ability to use the carseat on the plane. She asked if I could FAX her a copy of the label plus the carseat make & model, and I asked if she could then get me an official statement on its use. She is supposed to call me back in a few days. We will see what happens now.
Has anyone else had carseat problems? Am I the only one?
