Does a 20-month-old have to sit in a carseat on the plane?

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by DisneyConvert
I find this subject fascinating.

We are parents of a relatively sizable 25 month old ("2 old!", he tells us). We have always previously traveled (2 other WDW trips in the past 13 months) with a separate seat and a car-seat for him. We've also always rented a car.

This time, courtesy of FTP, we are going "big-time" and staying at the Poly and NOT renting a car. So for our 7 days down there, we won't need a car-seat.

As he is 35 lbs and 35" (good size for his age), we are NOT bringing our car seat either. We are thinking about bringing a little strap-on-the-back booster seat that turns a regular seat belt into a 4-belt harness. It is NOT FAA approved but I am sure it will be better than nothing.

I love my child yet I am also keenly aware that the safety nazi element of our society (regulators - wolf crying media - liability lawyers) assigns rules in black/white when the world isn't always that way. Having an extra arm at the airport or boarding the plane might be safer than the incremental safety of an FAA-approved car seat during a bump or, god-forbid, a crash.

I really don't know. Maybe I'm just lazy. Maybe I'm old enough to remember a world where seat belts were optional and (most) children still managed to grow up safely.

Check back with me on October 15th and I'll let you know how we did.

:confused

From a carseat fanatic - JMHO - Do not bother with that "booster, seatr". We were loaned one from a friend and it was AWFUL please don't put your child at risk and waste your money.

If your comfortable with your child in the airplane without a carseat then try one of the limo companies. For just about what you would pay for mears they will take you to and from your resort, offer you a grocery stop and provide a carseat for your child.

My youngest dd 2 1/2 yo was using that seat when she managed to get herself laying flat on her back with the "adjuster on the place where you sit and nothing on the back of the seat and her legs dangling. All dh and I could hear was "stuck, stuck" she managed to do this or slide into this position at least 5 different times the first day. We went to walmart and purchased the cheapest carseat we could find as we did have a rental carl that trip. The one we were loaned was by Graco, was cardboard on the back covered with material and looked like the 5 pt harness - no good. I don't think this think is safe at all - if nothing else check this out in person, try it in your car before you try it on you child. HtH someone.

TJ

 

[DisneyConvert]

I still think it is kind of odd that we are (supposedly, presuming they check) not allowed to use a booster seat unless it's FAA approved!?.

Like keeping him on our lap will be safer?

We are doing the car service to/from MCO<=>WDW and will have a (real) car seat available then.

Thanks for all the good advice. While we may not all agree on every point, I feel great knowing DisBoard'ers are all working together so we can have a great (& safe!) time at a great place.

 

[justhat]

Of course, I don't know what makes a certain carseat FAA approved, but I'm assuming it might have something to do with getting the child out in an emergency, or how well it would restrain them in case of trouble. Keeping him on your lap isn't an option since your child is over 2, so I guess in the FAA's point of view, having the child in a regular seat is safer overall than a seat that is someway not a good fit in case of emergency. If they just made all car seats FAA approved, then it wouldn't be such a problem.

 

[mom2alix]

I'll admit to being pretty concerned with my child ALWAYS being in her car seat, but another point for those who think we're nuts. Comfort counts!

Airline seat belts are really easy to unlatch. Personally, chasing my child down the aisle of an airplane after she's released herself is not my idea of a great way to start our vacation. Not to mention highly inconsiderate of the other passengers. By the same token, holding a squirming kid on my lap for 3.5 hours sounds like purgatory.

My DD is used to her car seat as we take several long car trips each year to visit family. This is her first plane ride and we purchased a seat for her just to make sure she's as comfortable as possible with this new experience. I don't see it as a whole lot different than bringing along that favorite blanky (which no parent in their right mind would EVER forget).

 

[Hawk]

Well here is my 2 cents. I went to the airport today to purchase tickets, including one for my two year old son. We are flying Delta Airlines in February. I asked whether a car seat was required.

Answer: No seat is required, but it is recommended.

Hawk.

 

[justhat]

I think it's different in your situation, however, since your son is already 2, as opposed to the OP's son who is 14 mos. According to what we were told, if you purchase a seat for a child under 2 they must be in a car seat.

 

[mep319]

I have never seen the airline check for the "approved by FAA" sticker...

Most safety seat laws in states are by age or weight...usually a standard car seat is 4 yrs of age or 40 lbs...booster seats 8yrs or 80lbs and so on. So the mother of the 25 mo old who is 35 lbs (wow! big boy!) would probably be okay in a plane...I wouldn't in a car. That being said I have a friend whose son at 19 mos was held by his mother, b/c and I quote.."I'm glad you can afford to throw money away on a seat, but I won't." During a turbulent flight he somehow "bounced" out of her arms and into the ceiling of the plane and ended up with a concussion...not a fun way to start a vacation...the doctor also told her in the ER that he had one child break his arm in a similar incident...(I can't figure out how that happen). Is it a hassle to lug the car seat & an expense to purchase that extra plane ticket...YES (big pain in the neck carrying that thing thru the airport) but it is worth it! Mine is in a booster and I don't bother to bring one now (A 7 yr old in a booster....I may make her sit in it till she is 10)...I'd hate to look back with a "I should have....."

 

[summerrluvv]

Originally posted by mep319
I have never seen the airline check for the "approved by FAA" sticker...

They always checked mine on every airline I flew when my son was in an infant seat. Maybe times have changed.

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by mep319
I have never seen the airline check for the "approved by FAA" sticker... ..."

And on the other end of the norm we have ALWAYS had our seats checked. When my girls were small we flew several times a year and I can only recall one time when we were not asked to see the FAA approval sticker on the back of the seat.

I helped a mom flying alone with a 2yo this past April. She had a combination seat - it used 5 pt harness that could be converted to a high back booster. The sticker plainly stated that when used with the 5pt it was faa approved and when used as a lap positioning booster it was not faa approved. Attendant just looked at the not approved part and tried to deny the use. My girls distracted the child while the mom and I (kindly) explained the seat and what the sticker said and the attendant allowed the seat, phew!

TJ

 

[mep319]

Wow..we flew/fly several times a year (usually USAIR) and were never checked...that surprises me. Of course we haven't used one for the last 2 years...