DH is refusing to take the carseat on the plane...

[DawnaJean]

The carseat for DS was the biggest hassle on our whole trip. We toted that huge thing around and, of course, had no turbulence/rough landing. It was a major pain carrying it around, and I think airlines won't allow the more lightweight booster seat. Now that DS is 3, my DH thinks it is unnecessary for the flight (about 2 hours long) ...he is adamant about not taking the big car seat. We will stay on-site and use the busses exclusively so this isn't an issue. I, though, am still concerned about the safety issue.

Has anyone opted for the no carseat on the plane (or let the little ones out of the car seat while flying)?

Thanks,
Nervous Mom

 

[beattyfamily]

I stopped bringing a carseat at around 3 years old. But it does depend on the child and if they'll behave and keep their seatbelt on and not want to play musical chairs.

If your DH doesn't want to bring it, make sure he's the one sitting next to your child and in charge of entertaining your child and making sure they keep their seatbelt on!!

The hardest part for us was getting them to understand they cannot take their seat belts off.

Does you plane have TVs? 2 hours really isn't bad. Your child will be able to use the tray for coloring and eating.

I'd actually leave it home at age 3 unless I was also renting a car or I had a child that won't sit still without a carseat.

Good luck!

 

[we're all mad here]

Our daughter was 2 yrs 3 months and we did not use the car seat on the plane. The hardest part is getting her to leave the seat belt on, we also had a 2 hour flight. Having lots of stuff for her to do helped pass the time. The best things were coloring, a travel magna doodle and a plastic puzzle with 6-7 pieces of princesses. Depending on the time you leave, they may also sleep! Ours slept the whole way home, guess she was exhausted from the week of fun. Whatever you decide, good luck!

 

[CleveRocks]

For a 3 year old, the carseat with a 5-point harness is more about keeping the child in the seat than it is about safety. The COMMON safety problems associated with airline travel are different from those associated with car travel. In an airliner, the biggest and most common safety concern has to do with being lifted out of your seat and hitting the ceiling or overhead compartments; a simple lap belt on a 3 year old is more than sufficient to prevent this from happening.

By the way, I say this as the father of a 3 year old whom we took down to WDW when she was 2.5; we didn't take her car seat. I work with people who were catastrophically injured in motor vehicle accidents, and my wife is a pediatrician, so neither of us take child safety issues lightly.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My 3yo has done it without a car seat. We had 3 connecting flights on the way out--first leg, in carseat, second leg without, third leg with (she changed her mind and had wanted the seat this time). For the return trip--we opted to check the car seat. She was much happier, could access her tray better and just enjoyed the flight better.

If you are not renting a vehicle and know that you will not reconsider this and are 100% positive it is only busses--then leave the seats at home and enjoy your trip and the hassle free travel .

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We never take carseats. They are too bulky and I know my kids would never sit in them because a plane doesn't feel like it's moving the way a car does. If you aren't using a rental car I'd leave it at home.

 

[Hannathy]

I agree leave it home. I have flown many times without it. They are a real hassle to carry in the airport and on and off the plane. If you do take it please remember that in the carseat puts their little feet much closer to the seat in front.
I once spent an entire flight getting kicked by an older toddler behind me and when I mentioned it to the Mom she took his shoes off but continued to let him kick the seat, never told him not to.

 

[Nancyg56]

We took the carseat on our trip with a 4 year old. DD insisted, and I agreed that it would be safer. I cannot believe I am saying this, but leave the thing home if that is what your DH wants. It was a pain to drag it around, and we did not think that it sat in the seat securely enough to provise any greater measure of safety for out little DGD. WE checked for the flight home, and everyone was happier. I know that there are those who will disagree, and honestly, before we flew with the little one, I would have been one who disagreed, but after the fact, I think this one is personal preference.

 

[NotUrsula]

The most important question is, how much does your child weigh? The FAA recommendation for carseat use is yes if the child weighs less than 40 lbs. The dummy tests that they have done show that the regular seat belt is "as effective" as the carseat would be only if the child weighs more than 40 lbs.

 

[Schucraig]

My son was almost 3 when we went last month and we did not use it on the plane. He slept upon take off, and woke right before landing on both flights. If it does not have a sticker that says it is FAA approved they will not allow it on the flight! We tried taking our car seat on a flight last sping and the FAA approved part had faded and you couldn't read it so they made us check it! My son then just 2, did just fine, thank God! If I were you I would leave it home, since you don't need it for a car rental! Have fun!