Flight Question...

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Okay so...yes...I was maybe following along the other flight post indulging in some DIS drama . But, it made me think of something I keep forgetting to ask.

We're heading to the World in Febuary and are deciding whether we want to drive (a 18+ hr drive from Fort Hood) or to fly with our 2 year old twins. I know the have to have their own seat...BUT...are they okay in the seat belts on the plane? Or should I bring their seats? (big...bulky...complicated...convertable infant to smal child seats)

 

[IheartAriel]

We are leaving in two days and have no intention of using a carseat for our 2.5 year old. She will be in the seat with a seatbelt like Mommy and Daddy.

Don't let others deter you from making your travel arrangements.

 

[kevschickee]

Oh jeeze this will open up a can of worms that being said I am not bringing a carseat for either my 2 year old or 3 year old.

 

[bumbershoot]

At 2, I still did use the carseat for DS. There was absolutely no way he was going to sit still enough in that lapbelt, and I knew I wouldn't be able to explain why he was in such a flimsy contraption for flying but his carseat would still need to be used for driving. PLus, we needed the carseat anyway for our trip.

At 3.5, on our way home, on DS's 6th one way flight, while getting onboard an already full flight and dealing iwht the thought of making sure I didn't smack anyone already seated with carryon or carseat, I gate-checked the seat at the last minute, and found that he was a lovely traveler with just the lapbelt. He's never tried to get out of it.

Would have been different at 2.


The main controversy on kid/flight threads is lapbabies....since yours are over 2 and MUST have a seat, there's not as much controversy over lap belt vs carseat harness, as long as you know for sure your kidlets won't try to escape (since it's easier to escape from a lapbelt).

 

[4HppyCamprs]

I flew with my son when he was two and he did lovely in the lap belt and it was a cross country flight...We did not bring our carseat because we requested our rental car come equipped with one.

We are not bringing our carselt with DS #2 6 months because we will not need it on property. He is in the big bulky convertible because he outgrew infant seat. AND YES he will be a LAPBABY!

 

[Wendybird55]

I had the same dilemma when I brought my son for the first time last year - he was almost 2. Didn't know if I should bring car seat or not - wasn't thrilled with having to lug it along with stroller, diaper bag etc. But concerend about safety and mostly keeping DS in his seat as he is very active and would have gotten out of the airline seatbelt easily.

My wonderful solution was the CARES harness. It's an airline safe harness that you use in conjuction with the airline seatblet so that you also have over the shoulder restraint on your child. It's easy to use and very easy to carry. And best yet - you can rent them! (they can cost about $80 to buy). I know you can check EBay - I rent mine from a website called sweetpea I think) they were very good.

Anyway this helped keep DS safe in his seat and I didn't have to lug a car seat. Plus by not being in the car set DS legs didn't reach the seat in front of him so he couldn't kick it and disturb the passengers in front and there was room to put down his tray for his DVD player, books and such.

We're going again this year and he will amost be 3 and to tell you the truth I think I will go with just the airplane seatbelt this time. He's older and listens better and he was very good last year when we flew (slept most of the way).

 

[Fintastic]

When DD was that age we still took the car seat with us - because she was so used to sitting in it, and knew that she had to stay put when she was in it, whereas with a regular seat belt that she could undo she would have been up and down and everywhere through the whole flight!

 

[Jdougherty]

Having just flown (yesterday) with an 18month old who was given her own seat by southwest, Lapbelts won't keep them in very well. I also second the pp on the C.A.R.E.S. harness or ACSD harness

"Aviation Child Safety Device (ACSD)
The FAA-approved Aviation Child Safety Device (ACSD) provides all the protection of a traditional child safety seat by combining the use of the aircraft's lap belt and a four-point shoulder harness. Unlike typical child safety seats, the ACSD weighs less than 1 pound and fits into a 6" carrying case, making it much lighter and easier to transport"

it is for childern 22-44 lbs ( 2-4 years) Can be found on the fallowing website for about 80.00 as we fly frequently ( military family) my DD is getting her's on her second birthday.
http://crsmithmuseum.org/giftshop/giftframeset.htm

P.s. my DD also "fussed" for a little bit, BUT I put in a movie for her gave her a snack and she was enjoyable the rest of the flight. YES, she was classified as a "lap child" but the flight wasn't full.

 

[dougsmom98]

So I don't get flamed, I will preface this by saying that a car seat on an airplane is the safest for any child. That being said, we took our twins for the first time when they were two. We bought them seats and used car seats for the flight down. What a pain in the neck that was. Talk about not being able to move. I couldn't bend over to get the bag on the floor. One of the kids threw up and we couldn't move to clean anything up. One of the twins screamed from the time I put him in the car seat until they took off the fasten seatbelt sign and I picked him up after that, I held him for 2.5 hours. I worried constantly about them kicking the seat in front of them. It was awful. Getting through the airport was nearly impossible with the car seats, their carry ons, stroller, and the stuff for my 4 year old. On the way home, we checked the car seats and put them in a lap belt and it was perfect.

 

[AmyBWV99]

You know your kiddos best.

I've checked my preschooler's car seat several times he's been able to handle sitting still with just the lap belt even at not quite 3. He'll be flying here again shortly and will go again in just the lap belt at 4.

When I've had him in a car seat it's a he kicks the seat in front and wants the tray table down to rest his legs on. No idea where he got that idea but DH looked fairly guilty.

DS#2 may be in a car seat till Jr. High. They are totally different so you'll know what'll work for you.

It is a PITB to drag the car seat thru the plane. I don't know anyone who'll praise it's ease of boarding and installation but you do what you gotta do.

 

[DT83097]

Here's another vote for the CARES harness. We used it for our 20mo. old at the time and it was wonderful. It gives you the safety of a car seat without lugging the seat through the airport! Our daughter slept through most of her flight, but when awake she was perfectly comfortable.
The choice is totally up to you, but if you want a little more protection than the lap belt, without the bulky car seat, this is a great option IMO!
Hope you have a great trip.

 

[stephie1012]

during turbulence the plane lapbelt is only good for people weighing 40lbs or more, if the kids are more then 40lbs i wouldnt bring a seat.

That being said my ds is a bit over 30lbs at 2 and will be in his carseat rearfacing on the plane. Its much easier for him to interact with me sitting that way and he wont kick anyones seat.


We drove in march it was 20hrs. It wasnt as bad as i thought but it exhausted us. We were like the walking dead at disney, thats why we are flying in september.

 

[Erica09M]

I'd definitely take their car seats. I wouldn't sit a 2 year old in just the airplane seat. If you don't want to lug around your current heavy seats, you can purchase a Cosco Scenera for about $50 each (sometimes you can find them on sale for $40 at Target or online) and use them. They're very light weight, come in a bag, and are easy to travel with and install on an airplane. If your girls are under 35 pounds, you can install them rear facing too.

The other option is the C.A.R.E.S. and you can rent it off of ebay for less than $15.

 

[Erica09M]

We are leaving in two days and have no intention of using a carseat for our 2.5 year old. She will be in the seat with a seatbelt like Mommy and Daddy.

Don't let others deter you from making your travel arrangements.

Don't let others... as in everyone, or just those who say she should have a car seat for her twins on the plane? You don't want others the deter her from making her plans, but yet you still gave opinion

 

[Bren's Mom]

When I'm making any decision I like to consult the 'experts' and weigh their information heavily along with my gut instinct and other parents anecdotal experiences.

Here's what the experts in air travel and safety say about flying with children:

http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

Children are safEST in a car seat (or CARES if weight/age appropriate). That does not mean they are unsafe with no car seat, but they are definitely safer IN one. Parents need to make their own decisions.

Imo, though, that decision shouldn't be based on a bunch of moms who did not follow best practice recommendations and who are pushing other moms to do the same simply because they want to feel like their decision was a good one.

In my personal experience, at 2 a car seat was a necessity. At 3 CARES worked wonderfully. Now, at age 4 and just at 40lbs, I'd let him sit in just the plane seat belt.