Checking Carseat at airport

[JBurke]

We are renting a car once we reach Orlando and plan on bringing our own car booster seat for our little guy.
I dont want to have to buy a carrier/cover for the car seat, what else can I use to protect it and keep it covered during flight?
Is a plastic bag acceptable, or is it okay just to leave it as is with a luggae tag put on it?

 

[Kimberle]

We've checked our carseat many times. I just put a luggage tag on it. Sometimes they wrap it w/ plastic, sometimes they just put it in a plastic tray. Either way, it's always been fine.

 

[jel0511]

I've always checked my DD's booster seat in a car seat bag. It keeps it from getting dirty, I can't believe how dirty the bag is, and if I didn't cover it, it woud be on her seat. They are only $20 at Babies R Us, and I think it's a good investment. You won't be able to use a regular trash bag, since that will rip.

 

[BevS97]

I've never put mine in a bag either, and it's always been fine, it's usually been put in a plastic tray.

bev

 

[Cameo]

We bought a large, rolling duffle bag that we packed the booster seat in. We also stuck diapers, sweatshirts, sandals in the bag. We can't quite get all of our stuff into one large suitcase, so this was a nice alternative to taking another full-size suitcase, which we really didn't want to do. Previously, we have also checked a full-size car seat and left it uncovered, just put the tags on it. It was a little scuffed when it arrived, but not too bad. Also, it came out on the oversized luggage carousel so we had to go somewhere else to get it (not in Orlando).

 

[JennsBabySky]

You might also consider gate checking your booster. From what I understand, luggage is not always "handled with care." Your luggage and in this case, your booster seat, can be tossed around and handled very roughly. If someone's 60# luggage is tossed on top of your booster it could get damaged. The worst part is that the damage may not be visible. Maybe the plastic is weakened so it breaks easier in a crash. I know most car seat manufacturers recommend replacing the seat after a crash (even fender benders). I would think that having 60# luggage land on your seat would simulate at least a minor fender bender. If you are bringing a no back booster that might even slip into your carryon. I have also heard that it is fine to check your carseat/booster if you pack it well in a box. Think of how you would pack it if shipping it across country -- well padded so it could withstand being abused.

Good luck and have a wonderful trip.

Jennifer

 

[Susan E]

When our son was 11 months old we took him on vacation with us and booked a rental car with car seat. When we arrived at our destination, the rental company had no car seats, and neither did any of the other rental companies. The car rental agent gave us the car seat out of her own car. (She had a second one).

Since then we always take our own car seats. My husband plays hockey and we discovered we can get our two booster seats into the hockey bag. On our trip home we usually stuff things around it to make room in our suitcases for the new purchases.

 

[Needs Motivation]

We've checked two car seats numerous times on flights, simply by putting each one in a regular kitchen garbage bag with the drawstring tie. We put our address labels on each one while the airline puts on the standard adhesive baggage stickers. Never had any problems.

 

[howdy29]

When we have taken a car seat on airplanes we bag checked it. When you check it in ask them to put it into a bag and they should do it. We have never had it damaged.

 

[keith-atl]

Originally posted by jel0511
I've always checked my DD's booster seat in a car seat bag. It keeps it from getting dirty, I can't believe how dirty the bag is, and if I didn't cover it, it woud be on her seat. They are only $20 at Babies R Us, and I think it's a good investment. You won't be able to use a regular trash bag, since that will rip.

Thanks for the info on this, I was wondering how much it would cost and I would rather bring our daughters car seat than rent one from a car rental place.

 

[sters]

We've always taken them on the plane with us, but our kids were pretty small still. I'll have 3 boosters this trip, so not sure what to do! It's a lot to juggle on the plane and my 6 year old wont' need it there for sure.

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by sters
We've always taken them on the plane with us, but our kids were pretty small still. I'll have 3 boosters this trip, so not sure what to do! It's a lot to juggle on the plane and my 6 year old wont' need it there for sure.

You will not be allowed to carry on a booster seat onto the plane, unless it is going to be used by your child. As you already know, you'll also need the 5 point harness on the booster seat to use it on the plane. If you're not going to use it, you'll have to check it with all your other luggage.

 

[frannn]

The drawstring sacks for laundry look like they might fit a medium sized carseat. I know they wouldn't protect it if its handled roughly, but it would keep it clean. Has anyone tried this? Are the bags big enough? Thanks!

 

[Cameo]

I did see someone bring the small booster seat (without the harness) for their child onto the plane. The child sat in it during the flight and buckled up. This was about 1 1/2 years ago. Maybe things have changed. That was on Northwest Airlines.

 

[Duckster]

We just got back from Disney and did the same thing. We simply placed the booster seat in a trash bag. I would suggest getting the thickest trash bag you can get. We use a bag made for outdoor work. I would also suggest doubling the bag just to protect your seat. Have fun!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

The Eddie Bauer Carseat Travel Bag is $14.99 on Target's site.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Originally posted by JennsBabySky
You might also consider gate checking your booster.

I second the gate check!! And if you have a layover, pick up your carseat/booster from your first flight and carry it to your connection yourself. A little bit of a hassle, but worth it! My theory is if the airline loses your luggage, you can continue on with your trip. If they lose your carseat, you are stuck!! I always gate check carseats.

 

[Artuero]

We usually bring our own car seat as it gets pretty expensive to rent two of them (from Hertz at least) for any significant length of time. We check the car seat at normal check in and they (United) always put it in a plastic bag for us. I didn't know about the $15-$20 bags before, might get a pair of those, or maybe a hockey bag as mentioned above. Not so much because the plastic bag doesn't work but because it'd be easier to carry and we might be able to stow some additional items.

Renting car seats can be a pain. Through trial and error I have found that it is best to call the actual rental location, talk to the manager and tell him exactly what you need (infant, toddler, booster). That tends to get the job done. Otherwise we have had to spend a fair amount of time moping around the rental location while they got the right stuff in there, even after making the appropriate notations on the reservation.

 

[NotUrsula]

Artuero, if you buy one carseat satchel you should be able to put 2 seats into it with room to spare. The satchels are wedge-shaped and generously sized, and seats can usually be nested.

 

[Artuero]

Thanks, I'll have to get one of those. Seems like a nice place to stow coats on winter trips to warmer environments too.