Carseats in the plane?

[ksjayhawkfan]

I would never have had a second thought about letting our 7 mth old sit on my lap. That is until we flew into MCO in June. We had some pretty bad turbulence. Our 6 yr old was in her seat belt and was still bouncing around like crazy, she thought it was great fun.

But if they baby would have been with us, I wouldnt have been able to hold onto him, I had enough trouble keeping myself in the seat. If we end up flying with him before he is 2, which I doubt, we will definatly get him his own seat. Thats some scary stuff

 

[NotUrsula]

Any Momma Bears who want to consider arguing with an FA over *ANY* emergency safety procedures had better think again. It is *NEVER* worth it.

Since 9/11, refusing to follow the in-flight safety orders of a FA is a Federal felony offense ("interfering with a flight crew"), punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. Most people get off with a hefty fine and suspended sentence if they don't get physically violent, but if you try it you pretty much guarantee that you will be escorted off the plane in cuffs, arrested and booked. If you physically struggle with a FA in any way (such as refusing to stay down in the emergency position when told to), they WILL gang up on you and use cable ties to strap your arms and ankles to your seat.

The emergency position for babies on the floor is NOT meant to preserve the safety of the child; it is meant to minimize the risk to other passengers that they will be hit by a heavy object flying loose in the cabin. The fact is, FA's know that a lap child held in arms is likely to go airborne in a really hard-landing situation; their duty is to minimize harm to the passengers in general, not to one passenger in particular. In an emergency landing, a baby on the floor is less likely to injure other people than one held in a parent's lap, but the injury risk to the child stays about the same in either position.

 

[ducklite]

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?

I guess you put a value on your child in that situation.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

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?

You really don't need one for the older child, and in all honesty, depending on the height of the younger child they might be too tall. If you did decide to take one for the younger child, you could get one of those bags they can be carried in and hang it off the back of the stroller. The older child can walk, younger one goes in the stroller, shouldn't be an issue for you.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

I know they can be strict, but if it were me (especially after reading what you wrote), I would probably be holding/hugging my lap child with all my might. Even though it's against the "rules", what would the airline possibly do?

If you're not going to buy the kid a ticket, at least have the courtesy to stuff him under the seat so he doesn't become a missile that will cause futher injuries to other passengers. It's your conscience. There's NO WAY that despite your best intentions you'd be able to hold on to him in the event of a crash.

BTW--The kid they are talking about further up in this thread was the US Air Sioux City crash--they found him in a luggage compartment after the fact. Had he been strapped in he probably would have survived.

Anne

 

[pewing]

I guess you put a value on your child in that situation.

Anne

First of all...I already posted earlier that I canceled my trip to visit my oldest and dearest friend b/c of all the horrible stories shared here. I can not justify a second ticket for a weekend trip nor can I drive from Alabama to Wisconsin with a baby by myself

I am a bit surprised how mean spirited some folks can be (especially on these boards...which I love )

How dare anyone accuse me of not valuing my child. I would gladly die for her (or either of my precious sons). I love my children and even tho' you don't know it...I am a good mother.

 

[ducklite]

First of all...I already posted earlier that I canceled my trip to visit my oldest and dearest friend b/c of all the horrible stories shared here. I can not justify a second ticket for a weekend trip nor can I drive from Alabama to Wisconsin with a baby by myself

I am a bit surprised how mean spirited some folks can be (especially on these boards...which I love )

How dare anyone accuse me of not valuing my child. I would gladly die for her (or either of my precious sons). I love my children and even tho' you don't know it...I am a good mother.

I never said you didn't love your child or that you weren't a good mother. I said that you were putting a value on the life of your child. You originally WERE doing this. I'm glad you've decided to forgo the trip for teh safety of your child. But I still stand by my observation.

Anne

 

[bjakmom]

I try not to pass judgement on the choice to lap seat a baby - I did it many times as a young mom when DDs were little - but if I had known that I would be FORCED (they are not being nice at this point, they are considering the safety of everyone in their care) to placed DS on the floor between my legs while assuming crash postion myself (fortunately DH has really long arms and could reach to hold onto his leg) when he was only 5 mos old, I would have never made that choice. I have posted my experience on these threads a few time to educate parents/adults travelling with lap babies that this is the policy followed by the airlines - and, insane as it may seem, your baby is actually 'safer' on the floor than they are in your arms or in your lap at the time of impact - that's why they make you put them there!

I lapped my babies when I was completely oblivious to this policy - never again for me - and I realize that I am very lucky to be able to afford seats for my kids and grandkids, so I can still travel with them on planes- I really do empathize with those who have to cancel a trip rather than lap a baby- many choices and sacrifices we make for our kids are tough. If I had to sit my little GrD on the front seat of my car with no seat belt in order to get somewhere, we would stay home or walk! I think it is very important to make informed decisions since we are the ones who have to live with the consequences.

PS: we had a very rough landing into Chicago after a completely uneventful flight (landing gear stuck) and, thankfully, everyone was safe and uninjured - many of us frantic mothers and fathers held our kids close for a very long time - it was scary to see the firetrucks waiting on the run-way for us !

So lap or not - but know what you could be up against in the very rare case of an emergency. I just wish the airlines would make seats mandatory for all passengers!

 

[Pinnie]

I just wish the airlines would make seats mandatory for all passengers!

Amen!!!

pinnie

 

[KarenP99]

If you're not going to buy the kid a ticket, at least have the courtesy to stuff him under the seat so he doesn't become a missile that will cause futher injuries to other passengers. It's your conscience.
Anne

Why would you say something so horrible & hurtful. If you would read ALL my posts (rather than taking a quote out of context), you would notice that I concur that carseats are the best place.

That was just mean, shame on you.

 

[ducklite]

Why would you say something so horrible & hurtful. If you would read ALL my posts (rather than taking a quote out of context), you would notice that I concur that carseats are the best place.

That was just mean, shame on you.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I read "The flight attendant could scream all they want, they won't dictate how I handle an already bad situation." and although you do indicate that you think a carseat is the way to go, you also specifically stated that you would choose to possibly injure many others rather than follow the clear direction of a flight crew. My concern is that others who don't feel the need to buy a ticket for thier child would take this same line of logic, which we both agree is not the right line.

Anne

 

[djbleach]

We've flown with our 22month daughter 5 r/t times from Virginia to Orlando.(1h50m flight). We've never bought an extra seat. We have taken our car seat with us, like previous posted. If the flight isn't full, then we've been able to use the seat beside us. On one flight they said the plane was going to be full, so we had to lap her. (The flight actually wasn't full) The last flights it's only been one parent, luggage, child. It's really hard to travel with a car seat, luggage, child. We've not brought a car seat and just rented one.
It was nice with the seat, but not for the money saved. After 2 years old It's not a choice.
When It's your time, It's your time. I believe in a "higher power" and things seem to work themselves out. If I have to put my child on the floor in an emergency landing. I'd be scared, but I'd let her think it was a game like we were changing her diaper. Anyway. To each their own. We are flying the 18th, and I may try and bring along the car seat.? I haven't bought any extra ticket, but I'm willing to lug the seat around in hopes of an empty seat. Like I stated before, the seat was easier to put her in, and not have to keep her in my lap. Not saying that the car seat made her the happiest, she still wanted to get out. She has slept in the seat, and on my lap. The cabin pressure seems to help knock some out to sleep.

 

[KarenP99]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I read "The flight attendant could scream all they want, they won't dictate how I handle an already bad situation." and although you do indicate that you think a carseat is the way to go, you also specifically stated that you would choose to possibly injure many others rather than follow the clear direction of a flight crew. My concern is that others who don't feel the need to buy a ticket for thier child would take this same line of logic, which we both agree is not the right line.

Anne

Ugh...my original reply was deleted.

Trying sum it up a second time will never sound as good.....but:
I didn't specifically state that I would choose to injure others. I stated that I would hold my child regardless....if it's a doomed flight, end of mine & my kids life...damn it, I'm going to be holding my babies. I'm sure the flight attendant will have worries of his/her own. They would be in my arms, and in my seatbelt...even though that's a no-no, if my kid wasn't to survive....it's going to be in my arms rather than at your foot. Now before I get blasted....be reminded that this is a WORST CASE SCENERIO, it's a horrible, sensitive topic, it makes me sick to my stomach thinking of it.

If were so worried about injury, then we should get rid of lap-tops, gameboys, soda cans, hot coffee....in the event of sudden turbulence these things could most definitely injure someone.

Karen

 

[Disney Daniel]

Okay folks, I think this thread has run its course.