Carseat question

[tiggerjenn]

I'm trying to decide, do we bring DD's booster seat with us from Ohio or do we rent one from the car company? How would we bring it on the plane with us? Anyone have experience with this?

 

[robndani]

We always rent from the car rental place (when we don't use Magical Express). It's just easier!!

 

[Ladcassidy]

We bring ours with us. We have a carrying case, but you can throw it in a trash bag or leave it bare. The airline will check it for free with the rest of your luggage.

 

[wdwrich]

We bring ours with us. We have a carrying case, but you can throw it in a trash bag or leave it bare. The airline will check it for free with the rest of your luggage.

This! We're not confident the car seat from the rental company will be clean/sanitary enough for our liking.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm trying to decide, do we bring DD's booster seat with us from Ohio or do we rent one from the car company? How would we bring it on the plane with us? Anyone have experience with this?

If it's just a booster, I would just get one from the car rental company. If I wanted to save that money, I'd bring it on the airplane (I don't think it counts against the baggage allowance).

If it's an actual car seat, I'd use it on the plane (assuming it's certified for air use). The child is used to sitting in the seat on car rides, so it may make the plane ride a little more "normal".

 

[laughinplace199]

Although DS7 uses a high back booster in our car, we have a backless booster for travel. We bring it on the plane and store it in the overhead or under the seat.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Although DS7 uses a high back booster in our car, we have a backless booster for travel. We bring it on the plane and store it in the overhead or under the seat.

This! Bring it on the plane with you

 

[Momma2PrinceNPrinces]

We have a HBB and a backless, so I've been trying to figure this out as well. I was thinking of just packing them into a small duffle and either checking it, or carrying on. I don't want to pay the $ to rent nor know if the rental co cleans them!

 

[bumbershoot]

We bought DS a bubble bum booster for travel. Weighs a pound, is inflatable and goes in it's own cinch sac. Easy for him to carry. At home he was still in a high back but for travel when our car rides would be short and he could be trusted to sit up properly in the no back booster, the bubblebum was great.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

We used the bumble bum during or last trip and we're so glad we did. The car seats at the rental car company are usually old and dirty. If your child is of age, I high recommend the bumble bum. Easy to pack, just remember not put in luggage in case your luggage is lost/delayed. It's light and small enough to put in carry on.

 

[emij]

We bought DS a bubble bum booster for travel. Weighs a pound, is inflatable and goes in it's own cinch sac. Easy for him to carry. At home he was still in a high back but for travel when our car rides would be short and he could be trusted to sit up properly in the no back booster, the bubblebum was great.

We just ordered a bubble bum for this same reason. Consumer Reports rated it pretty well (though they of course still recommend a high back) so I'm looking forward to getting it and trying it out!

 

[bumbershoot]

We really liked our time using it! My guy outgrew his highback in terms of shoulder width (he kept outgrowing seats in weird ways...was out of his snugride by length by the time he was 3 months old, for instance), so highbacks can't necessarily be used forever!

Like I mentioned, we used the bubblebum for the shorter trips when we knew he wouldn't fall asleep or slouch, that he would be alert and awake so the seatbelt hit him correctly.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

We have always just brought our own car seat or booster. Any airline will check it for free...same goes for strollers btw. At the $10/day the rental companies charge for a booster/car seat, I can't see why anyone would rent through them. You can buy a new one for less!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

have watched carseats and boosters fall off the ramp being loaded on plane and seen the ground crew just pick up and toss into plane just might be a reason to rent from rental company

 

[wdwrich]

have watched carseats and boosters fall off the ramp being loaded on plane and seen the ground crew just pick up and toss into plane just might be a reason to rent from rental company

Suitcases and duffles fall off the ramp and are handled likewise. That's why we wrap checked car seats in a heavy plastic bag or container designed for such purpose. I don't think the rentals get treated any better.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I would still be worried and the seats I have seen fall only 2 were bagged and other 3 were not protected at all. read about carseats and being dropped you might change your mind

 

[wdwrich]

I would still be worried and the seats I have seen fall only 2 were bagged and other 3 were not protected at all. read about carseats and being dropped you might change your mind

First, I'm not trying to change anyone's mind or advocate one way or another. I will say that I have real concerns about the rental car seats being clean/sanitary after being used by who knows how many children who may have colds, flu, or whatever, and who may have had potty accidents or may have vomited in them. For these reasons, DW and I prefer to bring our own car seat when needed.

 

[set1208]

We bought DS a bubble bum booster for travel. Weighs a pound, is inflatable and goes in it's own cinch sac. Easy for him to carry. At home he was still in a high back but for travel when our car rides would be short and he could be trusted to sit up properly in the no back booster, the bubblebum was great.

I have a couple too and they are great for travel. Last time we flew with our four kids we had to lug two boosters and a car seat. Not fun. Walmart sells the bubble bum for $25