Child car seat questions in Florida...

[Maliki2]

My son will be 6 this year and he is over 40 lbs finally. Here in Vermont our car seat laws are pretty tough.

I'm flying United...anyone know if he is allowed to fly without a car seat? And what are the laws for children that age while in Florida? We are trying to reduce the amount of baggage we bring with us, and the Car Seat/Booster would be a plus not to have to lug around.

 

[gmeh1]

My son will be 6 this year and he is over 40 lbs finally. Here in Vermont our car seat laws are pretty tough.

I'm flying United...anyone know if he is allowed to fly without a car seat? And what are the laws for children that age while in Florida? We are trying to reduce the amount of baggage we bring with us, and the Car Seat/Booster would be a plus not to have to lug around.

Yes, he can fly without a car seat. As to seat laws in FL. http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes...ng=&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.613.html

 

[dudspizza]

My son will be 6 this year and he is over 40 lbs finally. Here in Vermont our car seat laws are pretty tough.

I'm flying United...anyone know if he is allowed to fly without a car seat? And what are the laws for children that age while in Florida? We are trying to reduce the amount of baggage we bring with us, and the Car Seat/Booster would be a plus not to have to lug around.

The is quoted from the statue link posted by gmeh1.

(1)(a) Every operator of a motor vehicle as defined herein, while transporting a child in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, or highways of this state, shall, if the child is 5 years of age or younger, provide for protection of the child by properly using a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device. For children aged through 3 years, such restraint device must be a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer’s integrated child seat. For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a seat belt may be used.

 

[deegack]

You don't need it but if he's in a low back booster you can carry it on (but can't use it on the plane) and pop it in the overhead bin.

 

[CarrieR]

He's totally fine in just the airplane belt... not legally required to be in anything at all in FL, but I would strongly suggest taking just a backless booster. You can buy them at Wal-Mart for less than $15, and they're lightweight enough to just toss in a carry-on backpack. Significantly safer than just the adult seat belt for a six-year-old.

ETA: If you're staying on-site, taking DME and Disney transportation (not driving your own vehicle) the whole time, you can safely leave the booster at home. Boosters aren't used on motor coaches/busses.

 

[msdroz]

This is a great q, thank you for posting. My son will be 6 in September so technically he will need a booster. However, we are taking Magical Express to the hotel, but a taxi back home to the airport. Does anyone know if he'll need a booster in a taxi cab?
Thank you so much!

 

[Alesia]

This is a great q, thank you for posting. My son will be 6 in September so technically he will need a booster. However, we are taking Magical Express to the hotel, but a taxi back home to the airport. Does anyone know if he'll need a booster in a taxi cab?
Thank you so much!

In Florida, car seats or boosters are not required for children aged 4 and over.

 

[Maliki2]

You don't need it but if he's in a low back booster you can carry it on (but can't use it on the plane) and pop it in the overhead bin.

Awesome...thanks! We have two of the smaller no back booster seats. We are flying UNited and they charge for checked luggage. I'm also bringing a stroller, so I think I will buy a stroller bag, and toss the stroller and seat in there, and just pay for the $25 checked luggage. I think that will work.
Thanks for the information!

 

[overthemoon4mickey]

Check with united but back when they were continental they never charged us for stroller or booster seats because they were considered necessary items. We just gate checked them. I would rather deal with the hassle of traveling with a booster seat than have something happen that could have been prevented. My kiddo is 6 and 62 lbs as well as 49" tall. However I will be using a booster because I assume most people on the roads in Orlando are tourist like me and may not be that familiar with the roads....

 

[Maliki2]

"Strollers may be checked to your final destination without a fee, in addition to your normal baggage allowance.

Children can be transported in their strollers throughout the airport. However, strollers must be checked at the gate. No strollers of any size are permitted as carry-on baggage. Your child's stroller will be delivered to you at the aircraft door upon request at your connecting city or destination. Large, non-collapsible strollers cannot be checked at the gate. Please see a United representative at the airport check-in counter to check your large, non-collapsible stroller.

United is not responsible for damage that occurs to strollers that are not packaged in a box and checked at the check-in counter. "

This could be interesting. Our stroller is a decent sized one, I'd say mid range. Wheels can be removed etc. So we can check it which is nice. But I might just spend the $25 to check it with the seat and alleviate the problems of it being banged all to hell. At least the padded bag might save it. But who knows. Nothing about the booster though.

 

[gmeh1]

He's totally fine in just the airplane belt... not legally required to be in anything at all in FL, but I would strongly suggest taking just a backless booster. You can buy them at Wal-Mart for less than $15, and they're lightweight enough to just toss in a carry-on backpack. Significantly safer than just the adult seat belt for a six-year-old.

ETA: If you're staying on-site, taking DME and Disney transportation (not driving your own vehicle) the whole time, you can safely leave the booster at home. Boosters aren't used on motor coaches/busses.

Actually, that is not correct. From http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/cps/CSSB.pdf

Florida’s Primary Safety Belt Law passed on June 30, 2009. This means
officers may stop motor vehicles for front seat occupants or occupants
under 18 failing to wear safety belts. Tickets will be issued. The Child
Restraint Law has always been a primary law. Any driver can be
stopped for not having a child under age four in a child seat.
• Many people tend to move their child to the next step of restraint

 

[Alesia]

Actually, that is not correct. From http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/cps/CSSB.pdf

Florida’s Primary Safety Belt Law passed on June 30, 2009. This means
officers may stop motor vehicles for front seat occupants or occupants
under 18 failing to wear safety belts. Tickets will be issued. The Child
Restraint Law has always been a primary law. Any driver can be
stopped for not having a child under age four in a child seat.
• Many people tend to move their child to the next step of restraint

How does this contradict what Carrie wrote?

 

[tms295psu]

Regardless of age or weight of the child. Or what the "law" states.... see how your kiddo fits in a seat without a booster. The seat belt should fit across the hips! Not the belly or the tights. Also the shoulder harness should cross the sternum and collar bone! If you kiddo does not fit the belt without a booster... I highly recommend taking it.

The nuisance of a car seat in the airport.... is well worth what could happen if your child is not properly restraint. I-4 is a very busy (NASTY) road. Traffic will move @ 80 mph and come to a complete stop in a matter of seconds!

 

[MolonLabe]

This is a great q, thank you for posting. My son will be 6 in September so technically he will need a booster. However, we are taking Magical Express to the hotel, but a taxi back home to the airport. Does anyone know if he'll need a booster in a taxi cab?
Thank you so much!

No, a boostercwould not be required in a taxi. Should be in the same link provided earlier by another poster.

 

[gmeh1]

How does this contradict what Carrie wrote?

He's totally fine in just the airplane belt... not legally required to be in anything at all in FL, but I would strongly suggest taking just a backless booster.

 

[gmeh1]

Regardless of age or weight of the child. Or what the "law" states.... see how your kiddo fits in a seat without a booster. The seat belt should fit across the hips! Not the belly or the tights. Also the shoulder harness should cross the sternum and collar bone! If you kiddo does not fit the belt without a booster... I highly recommend taking it.

The nuisance of a car seat in the airport.... is well worth what could happen if your child is not properly restraint. I-4 is a very busy (NASTY) road. Traffic will move @ 80 mph and come to a complete stop in a matter of seconds!

Excellent points!!! And totally right on about I-4.