Carseat for 2 1/2 DS on plane?

[princess stich]

This will be DS 2nd time flying. He is 2 1/2. We will not be renting a car, so that is not an issue.

Opinions?

Thanks!

 

[Tumblwd501]

The first time we took DS on a plane, he was around 2.5 and we took the carseat along just so it would be something familar for him on the new experience. But if your DS has already been on a plane that might not be an issue. I certainly know I wouldn't be upset if I didn't have lug that darn thing through the airport! hehe

The only other issue I could forsee is if he's too small for the plane's lapbelt to be snug around his waist, if he's not in a carseat.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

It's really a personal choice. Some people will not travel without them and some never travel with them. We are in the latter group. We never take carseats. My kids would not sit in them as the plane does not feel like it's moving. Now of course before anyone says that I should just be the parent and tell them they have to sit please understand that I most certainly am that way- unfortunately they would more than likely scream and cry for the whole 2.5 hours of the flight. So for us it works to use the lap belts. If we bring things to entertain them they are fine. You know your own child so you have to do what you think is best. HTH.

 

[scanne]

We put our kids in carseats on the plane until they reached 2 years. We had the carseat on our trip last month for our DD. She sat in it on the flight down -and was MISERABLE. She couldn't get comfy and was crying most of the flight. So on our return flight, I suggested to DH that we check the seat and see if she'll sit in the regular seat. This worked out SO much better. She played quietly for the first 45 minutes of the flight then fell asleep until we landed. It was much easier on everyone.

Now I know what the safety issues are, but for us, it just worked out better to not use the carseat. So now we don't have to lug the thing with us - unless we rent a car, but we use DME.

Just my .02.

 

[all4fun]

It's definitely a personal choice. We always do for our ds however I know that he would not stay seated properly if he wasn't seatbelted into his car seat. The airplane lap belt has those flip-open latches and he would just want to play with it the whole way. I'd rather deal with the inconvenience of carrying a car seat through the aiport than 6hours of trying to get him to leave the seat belt alone. Also, there is the safety aspect. He is very skinny...at 3yrs & 3mos now, he's still only 31lbs. The FAA recommendation is to use a car seat up until at least 40lbs. We will probably stop using the car seat on the plane before he hits 40lbs because he might be too tall for a harnessed seat before that point however I do plan on using a car seat on the plane at least until he understands that the seatbelt latch isn't a toy. I don't think that we're quite there yet. And the bonus is that even though we are using DME to and from the airport, we have the option of renting a car for a few days during our stay and we will have the seat with us so I won't have to worry about renting one.


hth.

 

[belle&beast]

I would put my 2.5 year old in a carseat because without one, he would be all over the place! In January our 4.5 year old was even in her carseat. The kids are used to travelling in them and they can fall asleep comfortably and they could see out the windows. We were renting a car, so they were necessary, but it was a lifesaver for us.

 

[Zoemakes5]

Haven't read any of the replies, but I can tell you I would and have taken the carseat on the plane when my kids are around that age. Even when we didn't need it at our destination. And, honestly, thank goodness I did. When we went to WDW in 1996, DS was about 16 months and he got so sick! He was breathing terribly. We were fortunate in that Disney CM came and took us in a hotel stationwagon to the urgent care and then to the pharmacy! Had we not brought his seat, I'd have been a nervous wreck, and CM told us that they wouldn't have allowed him to drive us around without it. Another time we were flying and had to be grounded in another city due to problems with weather at our destination. They took us to a local hotel. Happily, I had the car seat and didn't have to worry.
However, the number one reason that I take the car seat is a recognized and comfortable/familiar way to keep my children safe and seated during a flight. Especially if it's going to be a longer flight and especially if it's going to be during a time when they are sleeping. That five point harness keeps them alot more comfortable and safe.
Oh, and as far as the lugging it through the airport thing, we have car seat carrier that we bought when DS1 was a baby. Fit car seat, blankie/lovie and even sweatshirts, lightweight jackets. It had a handle and a shoulder strap. However, we still just put it on a luggage roller (I think they're called luggage racks, but I don't remember) and take turns pulling it. Not a problem.

 

[mrsltg]

I wouldn't bring it for a 2.5 year old. At that age they can sit still (mostly) and be entertained by you or dh. My baby is 14 mos. Our trip to Fl next week will be the last with her carseat (next trip she'll be 2.5).

We took our older dd on a plan when she was 25 mos and she did great. She sat for a while, then she stood for a while (in front of her seat) then she sat again. She found the experience very liberating....

Enjoy your trip!

 

[MPeter]

We too have been debating whether or not to bring the car seat for our DS (2.5). We've decided on taking it mainly for the safety aspect of it. If god forbid something was to happen on a flight, I wouldn't want the second guessing/worrying.

But, that said... we're traving with my parents so we have 2 extra adults to help carry luggage and keep an eye on DS. That definitely makes it easier for one of us to lug the darn car seat through the airport. If it was just the 2 of us with our DS, I would debated taking it a bit more.

Have a great trip!

 

[crl]

We personally have never done car seats on the plane. And we've been flying regularly with DD since she was 7 months old. For us, no car seat was the best option. She was more likely to stay seated if she got to be a big girl like everyone else. For other kids, a car seat is better.

 

[Minnie824]

We'll be flying in Nov w/our DDs then aged 5 and 2.5 yrs, both of their first flights. Since we're taking ME, we have decided to NOT take the carseat. My only concern is my DD sitting still. However, the plan is for her to sit by the window, me in the middle, older DD on aisle and DH across aisle. We have a portable DVD player, and I'm definitely bringing snacks. Its only 2.5 hrs. I think she'll do fine.

 

[KJMAX1]

We bring ours on the plane. We ship our 7yr olds booster, along with our infants seat, but the two toddlers ride in their carseats. It keeps them still since they are used to being in their seats for car rides. They also like sitting up higher, and having cup holders. The ONLY drawback is they cannot use the tray in front of them properly.

 

[Hannathy]

I never took my kids car seats on the plane and they did fine. In fact it made the idea of flying even more special and being able to sit with a seat belt. Never had a problem getting the seat belt tight enough and I had peanuts!

If you do decide to take the seat PLEASE watch for your child kicking the seat in front of them the seat puts them within striking distance and it makes for a very uncomfortable flight for the person in front.

 

[Disneyolic]

My 2 sons I have never used car seats on the plane and they were fine, for the most part. However, we had not needed to rent cars then so we did not want the extra baggage. Now, we are going down in October and renting a car and are planning on bringing my 2½-year-old daughter's car seat on the plane. It's a direct flight on Jet Blue and I'm hoping the tv will be fine for her.

 

[loveswdw]

Our DS (2.5) doesn't sit in a car seat. He's much more comfortable in the plane seat and can't kick the seat in front of him. I usually lift the arm bar between us and he sits really close to me (usually leaning on me). Then he falls asleep. He does fantastic on the plane. We are very lucky!

Last trip we rented a car seat for him. It wasn't anything fancy, just your regular run of the mill toddler seat. But it was fine. It was clean, came out wrapped in plastic. Looked brand new in fact. We were responsible for installing it though. Wasn't hard at all. I know many people on this board would never rent a car seat but we weren't about to lug his car seat through the airport again. Its a Britax Wizard and its HUGE. A big pain in the behind to fool with.

We loved that we flew without having a car seat and just picked one up as we got the rental car. We will probably continue to rent car seats for any more trips that we rent a car. It was $9 a day but it was so worth it not to have to pack the car seat around plus the luggage, stroller, etc. We rented from Avis in MCO this past trip.