Child car seat question

[burnsoc]

Hi,
We're flying to WDW next week and renting a car from the airport. We have three kids who need seats. Our infant will be in one of those airline/car/stroller seats okayed by the FAA. Our oldest only needs the booster(I'll carry that). However our 2 YO will need a seat. We're using DME for our luggage, so I'd rather avoid picking up a seat from baggage. However, it's also killing me to pay $50 to rent a seat from the rental car company. Has anybody been in a similar situation? I'll probably rent one, but just thought I'd ask fellow dis'ers if they've found a way to avoid renting. Do they let you gate check a car seat? TIA

 

[Kies99]

Hi,
We're flying to WDW next week and renting a car from the airport. We have three kids who need seats. Our infant will be in one of those airline/car/stroller seats okayed by the FAA. Our oldest only needs the booster(I'll carry that). However our 2 YO will need a seat. We're using DME for our luggage, so I'd rather avoid picking up a seat from baggage. However, it's also killing me to pay $50 to rent a seat from the rental car company. Has anybody been in a similar situation? I'll probably rent one, but just thought I'd ask fellow dis'ers if they've found a way to avoid renting. Do they let you gate check a car seat? TIA

Just check the extra seat as normal luggage and pick it up at the airport. Don't bother with having DME get it. We always put ours in a strong, plastic garbage bag and tied it up with a tag on it and never had an issue. Not sure if you can gate check it unless it doubles as a stroller.

 

[kim_o]

Doesn't the 2 year old have a seat on the plane? Why wouldn't you just bring the seat on the plane for the 2 year old to sit in?

 

[burnsoc]

Doesn't the 2 year old have a seat on the plane? Why wouldn't you just bring the seat on the plane for the 2 year old to sit in?

A regular car seat is not allowed to be used on a plane. Only special FAA approved seats.

 

[ntink]

Many regular car seats are FAA approved, just check for the sticker on the seat or check the car seat's manual. Also, if you are renting a car, why do you need DME? Will they take your luggage without also taking you?

 

[peemagg]

Booster seats that don't have harnasses are the ones that are not FAA approved. If your kids do not need the seats on the plane, I would do as someone suggested and check your carseats at the ticket counter. I would be sure to put them in something to keep them clean and in good shape.

 

[Cedarmom]

Depending on what you are calling a regular car seat, it is mostly likely FAA approved. Can I ask what seat you have? We can probably tell you if it is or isn't. Just about the only seat that isn't FAA approved is a Britax Regent. Just about anything else bought in the US (I can't think of an exception but there might be another I'm blanking on) will be FAA approved as long as it is used in 'harness' mode (as opposed to as a booster--some seats do both).

Since you have to buy a seat for the 2 yo anyway, just put him in his car seat. He'll be happier and safer on the plane!

 

[Disney_Dizzy]

Hi,

We are also renting a car in March and have a similar situtaion. Would like to see replies.

Thanks!

 

[aanderson5]

We rented a car seat for DS(3.5 at the time) in Aug. The first seat they brought us had a cut in one of the straps over half way through. They gave me another seat but I never felt 100% comfortable. I don't know how people treat the seats or if they have been in an accident.

We are going next week. DS(4) is still in a full car seat due to the fact that he is still too light for a booster. We are bringing our own seat. We will put him in it on the plane. He is comfortable in it and we feel safer knowing it is his seat. Plus we are used to installing his seat. The car company will not help you put in the seat - liability reasons.

 

[burnsoc]

Many regular car seats are FAA approved, just check for the sticker on the seat or check the car seat's manual. Also, if you are renting a car, why do you need DME? Will they take your luggage without also taking you?

Yes, You put the DME luggage tags on at home and once you check the bags at the airport, you don't see your bags again until they arrive at your hotel room. You don't have to take the bus. Thanks for the advice about the car seat, however our 2 yo will be in the stroller/car seat for our flight and our 7 month old will be on our laps. So we still need one more seat for the rental car. I was hoping to avoid baggage claim as all our bags will go straight to the resort, but it looks like I'll just check our car seat.

 

[hedgehog2owl]

Depending on what you are calling a regular car seat, it is mostly likely FAA approved. Can I ask what seat you have? We can probably tell you if it is or isn't. Just about the only seat that isn't FAA approved is a Britax Regent. Just about anything else bought in the US (I can't think of an exception but there might be another I'm blanking on) will be FAA approved as long as it is used in 'harness' mode (as opposed to as a booster--some seats do both).

Since you have to buy a seat for the 2 yo anyway, just put him in his car seat. He'll be happier and safer on the plane!

yep.
Just put him in the seat you own for him. Check on the side. It is probably approved.

AND he'll be more comfortable in the airplane seat with it than with out.

We took our car seat for my daughter on all our flights until she was five. That's when she could comfortably sit in an airline seat. She is very small though, she is the size of a 3 year old right now. But I would think most 2 year olds would like being in their seat better.

 

[msmama]

Do you have a bucket seat for the baby?

You could gate check that and then keep the 2 year old in the stroller seat for both the flight and in the car.

 

[stinkerbellsmommy]

Yes, You put the DME luggage tags on at home and once you check the bags at the airport, you don't see your bags again until they arrive at your hotel room. You don't have to take the bus. Thanks for the advice about the car seat, however our 2 yo will be in the stroller/car seat for our flight and our 7 month old will be on our laps. So we still need one more seat for the rental car. I was hoping to avoid baggage claim as all our bags will go straight to the resort, but it looks like I'll just check our car seat.

I was curious about this thread too, but we already decided just to stick with ME and not bring a car seat for DD2. However, when I asked about basically luggage only service, and not having passengers ride on ME, I was told this wasn't possible. I don't know if this has changed recently, and I guess there's no "REAL" way for them to enforce whose lugagge gets on the ME

 

[kim_o]

A regular car seat is not allowed to be used on a plane. Only special FAA approved seats.

Most regular car seats are allowed on planes. At two, your child should still be in a regular harnessed car seat, and unless it's a Britax regent, you'll be able to take it on the plane. The slight extra hassle it will be to get through the airport (just get a wheeled bag to put it in - they sell at babies ru us and it makes carrying through the airport really easy), is totally worth it on the plane. The 2 yo will be in his own seat and comfortable - making for a better flying experience for you.

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

I think what you were asking is whether the airline will allow you to just gate check an extra carseat, and the answer is - in most cases, YES! You should be able to gate check it right before you board and they will give it to you when you land. That way you won't have to fool with baggage claim. I would definitely double check with your airline before you go, though.

 

[bumbershoot]

DME is NOT supposed to be just a luggage service. You are actually supposed to be on the bus. It's generally a pretty big bad question on the Transportation forum, b/c it's definitely against the rules.


Carseats for kids that we have had are approved for air travel! We've had a Cosco Scenera, Britax Roundabout, and I believe even our Graco Nautilus (when used as a 5 point harness, as we will use it until DS outgrows it at 65lbs) is approved for on the plane. Seems doubtful that whatever you have is not allowed.

And there's no way I would trust whatever a rental car place has; I would even doubt that they have anything between an infant bucket and a booster, frankly.

 

[peemagg]

Actually you can not use DME for your luggage only without someone riding the bus.

When you land you have to check with the DME desk and tell them how many bags you have and then they stamp and check your confirmation and you get in the line for your resort. They then again when boarding the buses check the confirmation pages. If you or someone in your party is not on one of the buses, they do not put your luggage in the system for delivery to your resort.

In short you no ride, you no luggage delivered.

 

[dawnmommy]

Just carry the 2 year old's seat on the plane and use it there, then you'll have it immediately. Pretty much any seat that a two year old would use is already FAA approved. Obviously no 2 year old is in a booster, and all harnessed seats are approved, except the Britax Regent, which harnesses to 80 pounds and is rarely used for 2 year olds.

I also didn't think you could get ME to haul luggage only. But the carseat is the more important issue, and I would asbsolutely haul it on the plane. two year olds generally don't do well in those lapbelts only.

 

[Erica09M]

Do NOT rent a car seat from the rental place. That is soooo unsafe. You do not know the history of the seat. Instead of spending $50 to rent a seat, spend $50 on a Cosco Scenera and have your 2 year old sit in it on the airplane, and you'll have it with you for your trip. It's a very, very light weight car seat, so carrying it through the airport won't be a big deal. It even comes in a bag.

I'd never check/gate check a car seat either. There is so much potential for it to get thrown around and damaged.

 

[Jdougherty]

Frist, ME will not load your luggage with out you checking in and being on the buss.

Second, they will let you check the carseat at the gate. You can check it at the counter and most airlines will allow this for free in either case.