Did you purchase a seat for your toddler?

[Hannathy]

The FAA brace position recommendation HAS changed, but it sure has not been twenty years since it was changed: the current recommendation came out in 2003:
/QUOTE]

Well I started flying with an infant in 1991 and even then they did not advise me to do that including a rough landing in 1992 where the went over the emergency brace positions. And personally came to my seat and went over what to do. I mentioned 20 yrs because that is how long ago the accident that everyone always quotes happened.

 

[angikay30]

Has anyone out there tried the "CARES" - Child Aviation Restraint System? I'm interested in hearing back from anyone who has.

For those who are unfamiliar with what this is - its a FAA approved harness that replaces the need for a carseat. This harness fits in your pocket. Its for kids 22-44 pounds.

I'd love to hear back from anyone that's used this system.
Thanks!

 

[graygables]

The FAA brace position recommendation HAS changed, but it sure has not been twenty years since it was changed: the current recommendation came out in 2003:
/QUOTE]

Well I started flying with an infant in 1991 and even then they did not advise me to do that including a rough landing in 1992 where the went over the emergency brace positions. And personally came to my seat and went over what to do. I mentioned 20 yrs because that is how long ago the accident that everyone always quotes happened.

Our near-crash was in 1995 and they specifically told the passengers with babies to put them on the floor in front of them as they went into the brace position. We had several hours in the air to prepare for any incident and we practiced a few times. It was a moot point b/c the pilot performed a maneuver to snap the landing gear in place which no one was prepared for, so lap children flew out of arms anyway (and flight attendants tumbled down the aisles and people passed out from the G forces...)

 

[MaryKLady]

Just my 2 cents, do what works for you, but...

My DH is in the aviation business. As long as my DD needs a car seat in the car, she will be in one on a plane. No one is strong enough to hold a child in the event of an emergency.

 

[Zakk and Marcs Mom]

Has anyone out there tried the "CARES" - Child Aviation Restraint System? I'm interested in hearing back from anyone who has.

For those who are unfamiliar with what this is - its a FAA approved harness that replaces the need for a carseat. This harness fits in your pocket. Its for kids 22-44 pounds.

I have not used one myself but I have heard others (on another board) talk about how great they were. One person had an issue with the airline staff not being familiar with it and not allowing her to use it without a big fight so you may want to make sure it says FAA approved on it or take documentation with you. (this was a few years ago so maybe it is better known now?) I understand that they are hard to find though, do you know where to get one?

 

[NotUrsula]

RE: CARES harness

... One person had an issue with the airline staff not being familiar with it and not allowing her to use it without a big fight so you may want to make sure it says FAA approved on it or take documentation with you (this was a few years ago so maybe it is better known now?) I understand that they are hard to find though, do you know where to get one?

There has to be some confusion here. The CARES harness was only approved last year and became available for consumer purchase in Sept. 06, so the harness that person had could not have been one.

AFAIK, the only place to purchase a CARES right now is from www.kidsflysafe.com They are $75 each, plus shipping. There is also supposedly someone running an eBay business that rents them out, but I don't know details about that.

There is a review thread on the FlyerTalk Travel w/ Children board: http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=637695

 

[Zakk and Marcs Mom]

hmmmm, must have been another one then, I know that there is one that is now NOT approved so maybe it was that one... sorry.

Being new, I would still make sure I had something with me to prove that it was approved to be used - just incase...

 

[dhardawa]

Once again. They DO NOT do this anymore and haven't for probably 20 yrs, so this is not a concern. they do not have you put them on the floor. I and my DH have also flown a lot and have never seen a child hurt from turbulence.

Once again, this varies by airline and IS done today on some.

 

[dhardawa]

All babies/toddlers need to be in a car seat on a plane. The majority of plane crashes are survivable because they are runway crashes or crashes between planed on the ground. Unfortunately, these are not always survivable for a lap baby. Then there is the whole turbulence, rough landing, air pockets, etc. issue. It isn't a matter of convenience, it is a matter of safety.

 

[thepeach80]

If you didn't need a carseat when you got to your destination, your child is at least a normal sized 2yo (not like my peanut), and you travel often, I might consider the CARES. We need carseats at the other end whenever we travel so it just make sense to bring our carseats instead. Our main travel seat we use for Evan was cheaper than $75!