Checking a booster seat

[trstno1]

I read on another thread today that kids are not allowed to sit in booster seats during the flight (only in seats with a built-in harness are allowed). I had planned to have our 4y/o sit in her booster seat, but now it seems I will need to check it.

Has anyone seen bags for protecting checked booster seats? Do I even need one?

Thanks!

 

[alloyd1170]

I believe Babies R Us carries them. Someone posted that they gate checked theirs, but what a pain to haul it through the airport. The bag for it might keep it cleaner and from getting scratched up. I posted about the boosters on planes earlier (if thats the one you read). The reason you cant take them on is because the seat has to be secured with a shoulder seatbelt. The lap belt alone is too dangerous. Its says it in most manuals.

alison

 

[ksc37]

We checked a booster seat for our 3 year old on our last trip. We didn't have a bag, they just tagged it and took it. (We did forget to remove the cup holder, so it's gone for good). Other than the cup holder, it came back in good condition.

I saw the posts on the other boards, and honestly, when I traveled I didn't really think twice about having my 38 pound son sit in a regular seat. We were already going to be dealing with one car seat on the plane, and didn't want to deal with another. Sitting in a regular seat worked out fine for him, because he could curl up in the seat and put his head on my lap and go to sleep.

 

[MelessaG]

For the same price as a travel bag for the big booster seat (at least in 2002), we bought one of those smaller booster seat-the ones that boost kids up in the seat, but don't have a backrest (they have them at Target and Wal-Mart for about $20 and they are made by Cosco and Graco). We packed it in our suitcase and used it on the trip and now DH uses it in his car and when DD #1 goes on playdates, I give it to the mom of the other kid to use if she is driving DD somewhere. I think we've recouped our $20 investment and it was nice just to stick in a suitcase coming and going.

 

[laughinplace199]

I read somewhere that if you have a booster seat with a removable back, you should check the back with your luggage and keep the bottom part with you (carryon or gate check). That way, if your luggage is lost, you'll still have the bottom part of the booster seat, which can usually be used without the back. I am thinking of doing this. That way, if the back of her booster gets lost, we can use the bottom in the rental car. I bought a carseat travel bag, so the booster back should fit in there easily.

 

[detroitmama]

I've checked a carseat before at checkin desk with my luggage. I put it in a large, thick as possible black plastic garbage sack (like a large lawn bag.) It worked great, and was cheap. Just be sure to bring an extra one for the trip home, in case the first one gets ripped or something.

I plan to do this for our trip in 2 weeks.

 

[moinab]

When we check our luggage, DH always asks the agent assisting us to put DS's booster seat in a bag. They have large, thick plastic bags right there.

 

[debster812]

We've checked DS's high back booster a couple of times. We put our name and address on the bottom on masking or duct tape, and then the nice folks at SWA put it in the BIGGEST THICKEST clear plastic bag I have EVER seen. Then they toss it in a bin as well.

We've not had any problems at all.

 

[peanutzmom]

Yep, I third the last two posters. We check our kids booster seats several times a year when we travel. They have big clear plastic bags to stick them in. If the folks at the desk don't put it in a bag, just nicely ask if they have a bag to put it in -- there's usually a whole box of them under the counter.

 

[bubbasmom99]

We pack our son's booster (Graco Turbo Booster, without the back) in our checked luggage. We've done this the last couple of trips, and it comes out fine. I'd rather have it somewhat padded and protected in our suitcase than out there to be thrown around by baggage handlers.