Carseats in the plane?

[grammynelliebelle]

Hello to all. I know I read a thread back some time that addressed the pros and cons of booking an seat for a little one who could still ride with a parent but am unable to locate it. What has the experience of some parents been? We are talking about a baby who will be 14 months old at time of the flight and will most probably be walking for several months.

 

[one princess]

Well, I don't know the thread you are talking about but I can tell you that it is just much safer to have them restrained. Also, when a child is in their carseat, they know their boundries. When they are allowed out and when they aren't. They are also able to fall asleep easier. They are more comfortable with their surroundings. Everyone will be happier. I won't go into emergencies and unexpeted turbulence. To me that is just a no brainer.

Jackie

 

[HeelMD]

Buying the extra ticket and using the carseat is the best money we have ever spend when it comes with traveling with children at that age.

 

[alikat99]

Ok, I just flew last weekend with my 14 month old and we had her car seat on the plane. It was fantastic!! She slept some on the first flight and the whole flight home. For the time that she was awake, we had some toys for her to play with. She did get a little restless, so we took her out, let her play on our lap for about 1/2 hour, then put her back in. She fell asleep again.

Buy the extra ticket, trust me!!

 

[afoss]

My opinion is to take the carseat. You may need it for other situations vs just the plane. Example- if you get a rental car or use a car service and don't want to pay the extra cost or trust their seats.

We have flown many times with little ones. Fourteen months is great...it's the 3-4 year olds that would much rather sit in the seat vs the car seat and it becomes a challenge.

 

[angelam]

I agree with the other posters. Your child's life and safety are worth the cost of the extra ticket. When I traveled with my kids when they were young I brought the the car seat, and like the other posters said, they knew they had to sit in it because to them it seemed just like a car ride. Without the car seat, I think they would have been all over the place, and I would have been frazzled trying to contain them!

-Angie

 

[pdarrah]

Another vote for the carseat - However, you do need to check and make sure that your seat is FAA approved. I believe that most of the infant seats are, but it gets a less good as they move up to larger seats - some are and some aren't. The airlines never checked ours (that I know of) and we used one until my son was 3 or 4.

Please keep in mind that if you keep the child on your lap, they are not belted in at all. The only thing from keeping them from flying around the cabin is your arms. Occasionally, in sudden turbulence, the plane can "drop" a short distance without any warning - for those with seat belts this isn't a big deal, but when I used to travel A LOT for business, I saw "flying" babies several times. I once saw one rise up at least 3 feet above her mothers lap and come down on the passenger next to her! All this was before my DS was born - he has NEVER flown without his own seat and he went to WDW at 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 1.5 year, etc. It is well worth the cost of the extra ticket.

pdarrah

 

[pewing]

Oh my...I'm feeling like a terrible mother I just booked a flight to Milwaukee to visit my best friend in August. I did not get a seat for my baby girl...who will be 10 months old. It is a direct flight from Nashville to Milwaukee. I went back and forth about it. I would NEVER sacrifice safety, but it seemed like a lot to pay for a baby to ride. Am I the only one who thinks so?

 

[kimsue68]

I will be traveling with a 2.5 yo, and a 4.5 yo next May, If I were to take car seats, how in the world would I carry them?

 

[southjerseymom]

We are the people you have seen going through the airport with the car seats. In all honesty - it wasn't so bad. When we flew in Nov 2004 DD was not quite 2 and DS was just 4. We gate checked the strollers, and put two seats on the plane. It really wasn't that hard to get them adjusted. We waited until the mad rush was done when we landed - unlatched them and off we went. You can make a sling out of the straps that can go over your shoulder - or Walmart sells one online. We just returned from Disney in May and watched a couple struggle with a toddler without a seat. My kids did better in their own familiar seats than they would have on my lap etc. Add the expense for you. Have a great time!!
Hi Kim - Didn't realize it was you. I am from Lower Township (near the ferry). I guess you will be flying Spirit. Let me know if you need any info about the whole process at ACY.

 

[aprilgail2]

Last time we went to Florida my daughter was 5 and I still brought her car seat and strapped her in on the plane! I tell her its no different than a car, you remain strapped inat all times (unless she has to use the bathroom but that has never happened!)
I personally would never jeopardize my childs safety by not buying them a seat, even at a few months old, and strapping them into their car seats. That is just not worth the chance to me just to save dollars...my childs safety is worth more than a few hundred dollars.

 

[pewing]

Okay...I'm prepared with my 'flameproof' suit

First of all...I don't think anyone on these boards would "jeopardize (their) childs safety ...just to save dollars". I would gladly lay down my life for any of my wee ones. That sounded like 'fighting words'...let's be nice I did resist the temptation to ask if it was worth that much money just to 'strap your kids in' b/c you can't control them Oops...did I say that outloud?

Remember this is just infants <2...not the older tots we have been discussing. The original post wasn't a ? of carseats for older kids...just about buying a seat for an infant.

Here goes nothing: C'mon...it's not just a 'few bucks' we are talking about. Folks on these boards do some real acrobatics to save money. I know that I do. The further we can stretch our vacation $...the more we can do. And this is hundreds of said bucks

Secondly...if it really was that dangerous...we would not be allowed to have children on a flight without a seat. Does anyone live in state where they can put their child in a car without a carseat? The airlines are pretty dedicated to safety...

Let's be honest...besides keeeping you in your seat with turbulence...that seatbelt is not really 'protecting' anyone

Okay...if the integrity of the airplane is compromised...someone could be 'sucked' out of the plane (undestand I am NOT joking about that!), but let's be realistic...that is pretty far fetched!

Many times when I have flown...I have seen babies in their parent's laps with their carseats firmly in the seat next to them. How many of us have pushed around our nice strollers (full of 'stuff') while we carry our tots?

Anyhoo...I'm sure there are PLENTY of folks who will disagree with this. Just feeling bold enough to speak my mind this morning Guess I'm defending those other 'bad parents' that are afraid to speak up I am certain all of you don't shuck out money for an infant to have their own seat.

 

[Brina]

Secondly...if it really was that dangerous...we would not be allowed to have children on a flight without a seat. Does anyone live in state where they can put their child in a car without a carseat? The airlines are pretty dedicated to safety...

Every pilot I know gets his baby a seat and straps them in. The rate of incidents where it makes a difference is low, but if you do experience extreme turbulence the amount of force exerted on a baby in your arms is such that you physically cannot hold on to them. The baby will fly out of your arms and crash into the ceiling.

The FAA has resisted instituting a requirement of seats for everyone regardless of age under extreme pressure from the airline industry, which is under a revenue crunch. The arguement made by the airlines is that if you make it more expensive to fly, then more families will drive to their vacations, and more people get injured on the road than in airline accidents. Nowhere do they argue that it is safe for a baby to be in their parents arms.

 

[Mommyuf3]

I have traveled alone, for years, with 3 children. I too would not do anything to jeapordize safety! But, as was stated earlier, those extra dollars we save on seats for the INFANTS-that have to eat nearly every 20-30 minutes anyway-can sure help off set the travel fund. And really, are you putting the infants in a carseat to protect them. The loud noises, the many people, the tempeture of the cabin, all play a part in an infant needing to be held anyway. I say, skip the seat, and give your little one and extra hug-on your lap!!

 

[angelam]

Oprah did a show on this a few years ago, and after I saw it I knew that my baby wouldn't be flying without a carseat. When you fly there is always a chance that anything can happen from severe turbulance, to an emergency landing. You will most likely get to your destination without any problems, but I will not take a "chance" with my child's life. My child's life is worth the money of an extra plane ticket. I could not live with myself if anything did happen, esp. if I could have prevented it from happening by purchasing a seat for my child. I don't have lots of extra money to waste either, but I just won't take a chance when it comes to the safety of my kids.

Just because the airlines don't require seats for infants, doesn't mean it is "safe". I agree with the other poster said that for the airlines, it is more about making money.

I am not required by law to have my 6 year old daughter riding in a booster seat in the car either, but I do. It isn't because she is small for her age, she happens to be on the tall side, but I do it because it is safer for her.

Kids can also ride in the front seat of a car and that isn't the safest place for them. There aren't any laws stopping it, even though it is a much more dangerous place for them to sit, especially with the airbags.

You can't count on rules/regulations/laws to always keep you safe. Just becasue something is allowed doesn't mean it is always in the best interest of you or your child.

Do what you think is right for you and your child, but make those decisions with an awareness of the possible risks.
-Angie

 

[pewing]

Oh...if you guys knew me you would know that I really am a nice and friendly person! You would also know that I can't avoid arguments I'm so darn hard headed

I do get upset b/c I see so much false information out there. As an example...I have a friend who forsook traditional treatments for an aggressive cancer and opted for 'holistic' and 'natural' treatments. You know how that story ended

I can't resist a few comments

The airlines would make more money if they made infants buy seats...hands down.

Pilots get 'free seats' for their tots

Studies have not shone that boosters seats decrease injuries unless the child is too small for the shoulder straps...in which case they should be in regular carseats...not a booster. Carseats decrease injuries... yes...booster seats...no. The carseat companies are the ones out to make a buck there

Oh...and don't take your child rearing advice from Oprah There are better sources of advice (some that actually have children...or even have some formal training or education in such things )

 

[kcashner]

I'll leave the "should you or shouldn't you" buy the seat for an under 2 year old to the previous posters. In my experience.....if you don't purchase a seat for the baby but there is an extra seat available on the plane, they will allow you to use the car seat and essentially "give" you the open seat. If there is not an open seat, they will place the car seat in the baggage hold for you. It is certainly easier on the mom to have the toddler belted in the car seat than to be holding a squiggler for the whole trip...as well as safer. Also, if you are using a rental car or cab at any point in the trip, many children are more comfortable in their own car seat...so you have it along.

 

[pewing]

I do stand corrected on the booster seat issue. I just did some research. It has been awhile since I dealt with that issue (my boys were both in carseats until they weighed forty pounds...but that was a long time back!)

Some studies have shown that booster seats can lessen injuries, but usually with smaller tikes.

I can admit when I am wrong...very sorry about that comment

 

[angelam]

I don't take my childrearing advice from Oprah or any other show for that matter. It was a show that had guests who researched safety on planes, etc. It also featured a story about a baby who was injured- I can't remember the exact details because the show was about 8yrs ago. I just mentioned the show in my post, because it aired when my son was a baby and it made me aware of possible dangers to infants on planes-something that hadn't occured to me before the show.

As for the booster seats, the shoulder straps in cars don't usually fit children correctly until they are older (closer to 8-10 yrs) because the shoulder part comes down higher on their neck. They make them to fit adults, not children. My daugher sits in a highback booster seat, using the shoulder harness from the car. I have read that the smaller (across the lap) kind of booster is not as safe as the high back booster.

If you choose not to purchase a seat for your infant on a plane, fine. I do not think that those of you who choose not to purchase a seat are bad parents, either. All I am saying is that make sure that you are aware of the potential risks, and don't expect that just because they allow it, that there are no safety risks.

-Angie

 

[angelam]

Here is some information on booster seats from the National Highway transportation safety administration:

Children who have outgrown their child safety seat should ride in a booster seat until they are at least eight years old or 4 feet, 9 inches tall, according to NHTSA. Children placed in poorly fitting adult safety belts can suffer serious life-threatening injuries, or risk being ejected from a vehicle altogether in the event of a crash.

I don't believe it is just a marketing ploy from the car seat manufacturers.

-Angie