Checking infant carseat

[iluvdisneyworld]

Opinions.. Is it better to check my infant carseat with our luggage, or gate check it? How should I wrap it up? TIA

 

[AngieWin]

Your best option - Check at the gate to see if the flight is booked. If it isnt booked, you should be able to bring the carseat on with you and use it in a seat.

If the flight is booked (or overbooked) I would definitely gate check it. Just make sure that the seat belts are fastened and do not hang down. If there are any attachments (headrest, pillow, toys) take them off and stash them in your carryon. If you gate check it and there is nothing hanging, you shouldnt need to wrap it and it will be waiting for you when you get off the plane. If you have a travel system/stroller, snap it on and go.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Neither, I have read that you should never check a carseat. If a carseat is dropped or otherwise abused it can develop invisible stress lines. Then if it's in an accident it won't be strong enough to protect your child. If you check it there's no way of know what happened to it while it we in the hold.

I've never tried it, but I think there's a good chance an infant carseat is small enough to go into an overhead bin. Since you're flying with a baby you'll be able to preboard so you should be able to find space. If it doesn't fit then I'd ask the flight attendant about the safest way to stow it.

 

[mommy*RN]

Hmm, I never thought about the dropping...and that is an excellent point. I wouldn't check the seat with your regular luggage for TWO reasons now. The first is that it will definitely be banged around quite a bit, and second they will count it towards your luggage weight and it may incur fees if you go over the set amount. If you didn't get a seat for your child (which I did not for DD) but want to bring the carseat, then I would definitely gate check it or attempt to stow it like the pp stated. I do not recommend renting one with a rental car. When I went to WDW in 2004, I rented a carseat. Not only was it very $$$, but the seat looked like it was from when I was a baby (many many moons ago). It was scary. They wouldn't even help me install the thing because of liability. It was crazy
Good luck with your travels!
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