Carseat on Plane

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

To take the car seat or not take the car seat and use the CARES system for the airplane...That is the question...

DS will be 2 when we go...has a great temperament and is easily redirected. This is the first time I've traveled with a toddler and am trying to decide whether or not to bring the car seat. He does really well in the car seat for long car rides...Cycle through toys and we're good (bringing new ones for the trip)

My concern is the bulkiness of the carseat and how to travel through the airport with it. So, here are my questions;

1. Did you bring your carseat?
2. How did you get it through the airport?
3. What was it like getting through security?
4. Did you use the CARES system? If so, what was your experience with that?

TIA for your help!

 

[Gracie09]

How big is your child? The cares system is great but its three point not five point and kids can slide out the bottom. We did put some of the rubberized material used for lining cabinets and drawers. It helped keep them from sliding down.

 

[letsgoreds]

1. Did you bring your carseat?

Yes, every time. We always rent a car to visit family when in FL.

2. How did you get it through the airport?

DS7 just needs a backless booster, so I carry that and put it in the overhead compartment. When he was younger, we typically brought the Graco Nautilus, and we either bungee corded it to the top of a rolling carry on suitcase, or sat it in the jogging stroller we were also bringing with us. When he was younger, with our Britax, we brought a rolling carseat bag from One Step Ahead.

3. What was it like getting through security?

Not too bad, we have always been directed to a separate line for families (because of the stroller). Since the line is shorter, you end up getting through faster. They prefer to scan the bag, and some aiports have larger scanners to accomodate this. If not, one adult will go with the carseat and a security person to physically check it out. I usually stay with the kids, and DH handles the carseat check.

4. Did you use the CARES system? If so, what was your experience with that?

No experience. We always need the carseat on the other end, and I would never check a carseat that I planned on using...they are so rough on luggage, and I would liken it to having been in a car accident. If I had to travel alone with a squirmy young one, I might come down off my high horse on this one, but would purchase a carseat just for travel

 

[sam_gordon]

We've used a car seat for two trips on an airplane (total of 8 planes). Primarily because we needed/wanted it for a rental car in Orlando.

To get it through the airport, we got a car seat carrier (amazon, babies R us, some selling one ). The carrier had wheels on it as well as straps to carry it as a backpack if you desired.

As far as getting it through security, I just put it on the belt. I don't remember if it went through the XRay machine if they hand checked it.

I've never used CARES so I can't comment on that.

 

[henry72]

We have flown when DS was 19 months and then again when DD was 21 months and neither time did we take the car seat because we would be using DME and resort transportation there. Neither child had any problem staying in their seat while on the plane. If I was renting a car, I would be taking the car seat but I would be checking it. To me it is too much of a hassle on the plane at that age.

 

[NurseKim]

1. Did you bring your carseat? I have done both
2. How did you get it through the airport? I have a couple of car seat carriers, one was a backpack that the seat strapped into. The other is a bag that I could wear as a backpack or roll it.
3. What was it like getting through security? I had to take the seat out of the bag to get it through the xray
4. Did you use the CARES system? If so, what was your experience with that? I remember it working well except on the very last row in the airplane. It wouldn't slide over the back of the seat so we just moved one row ahead

I've traveled through airports with 2 kids and 2 car seats by myself. Not easy but do-able!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Thanks for all the responses!
We are using ME...and won't leave the parks when we get there.
DH and I talked about it a bit today and it seems that if we got the CARES system early we could help DS prepare for using it. We both think he will do well...but I still sit on the fence