Flying and taking car seats

[CapnJacksGirl]

First off, this isn't question isn't about our WDW trip - we use ME and Disney transportation there and are thrilled with it! My question is about flying to visit family. I haven't ever flown with both DSs to somewhere that we will need their car seats. How do you get two car seats to your destination to use in the car when you get there? I know they don't need them on the plane. Do I check them and if so, how? Obviously with the fees being what they are now, it'll be expensive, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do! Does anyone have experience with this that can help? TIA!

 

[mom2meiko]

you should double check with your airline but i don't think they will charge you for checking carseats. some people prefer to gate check carseats - less likely to be lost? - but then you have to lug them through the airport which is kind of a pain.

 

[michael's mom]

We gate checked our carseat when we took DS (then 14 months) to WDW. If you want them on the plane, some carseats can be used on the seat in the plane. But, gate checking doesn't cost anymore money, so if you are paying to check luggage, I'd take the carseat through the airport, hassle and all, and gate check it. We bought a carseat bag from onestepahead.com that had wheels on it to make trek through the airport easier.

 

[TheDizMom]

Personally, as a former flight attendant, I would highly recommend you use them. If you are getting seats for your kids, and your car seats are FAA approved, take advantage of your need to have them with you!!! It is a pain to get them through security, and have to lug them around, but your children will be so much safer. The seat belts are not going to hold a toddler in the seat in an emergency because they simply aren't designed for them. Your children will also be much happier in something they are familiar with in a situation they aren't familiar with. It's the whole comfort level thing.

If however you just don't want to do that a large duffel bag will work well. You should call your airline or look on their website to see what they say about checking car seats, and any potential fees. Alternatively perhaps your family members have friends who no longer need their car seats or have extras they could loan out during your stay

 

[mjkacmom]

If they have seats, why wouldn't you use the carseats?

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

We have always used the carseats on the plane. Not sure if I would trust checking in my carseat and risk them getting damaged.

 

[mrswh]

We take our car seats on the plane for several reasons. First, though airlines may not require a toddler to have a car seat, the FAA recommends a car seat as the safest place on an airplane for children under 40 lbs. (rear facing if under 20 lbs.). The airplane seat belt is not intended for use on children under 40 lbs., and, despite airlines allowing it, a lap is not a safe place for a child to travel on an airplane (according to the FAA).

Second, after seeing what the luggage guys do to our other luggage (and having them break 2 strollers), there is no way I would check the seats. Assuming they arrive when you do (we all know luggage does not always arrive as planned, and you can't go anywhere without the car seat), I would not count on it arriving without damage. Aside from the damage that you might see, you have no idea what has happened to the inside of the car seat where you can't see it - there could be a crack in an important part of the seat, for example, rendering it unsafe. I really wish someone would sell a hard-sided case for car seats so we could check them through with confidence!

Finally, we find that the kids do great in their car seats on the plane. They are used to being in them in the car, and I think that helps them accept the restraint. It makes them feel more comfortable, IMO.

I won't lie - it's a pain to drag them around the airport. You have to put them through the x-ray machine at security and of course installing them in the plane is another hassle. My husband carries both car seats - one on each shoulder like backpacks. (I admit he is 6'4" which certainly helps - but you can get collapsible luggage carts if necessary.) Then he gets on the plane first, with the "people who need extra time" group. That way he can install the seats without backing up the aisles, and the kids can run around the gate area for a few extra minutes rather than sitting on the plane for the entire boarding process.

Just some food for thought!

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

I saw online somewhere, not sure what baby site it was, a device that attachs to the larger car seats so you can pull them behind you like wheeled luggage. It allows you to strap in the children so your not hauling a seat, bags and tryng to watch kids. Then if your not using the seats on the plane you can gate check them. If I find the website I will post it for you.

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

If your children have seats you really should be using the car seats in the seats. Most if not all seats are certified by the FAA for use in planes. We plan to use DD's Britax Marathon when we take her on Sept,

 

[all4fun]

First off, this isn't question isn't about our WDW trip - we use ME and Disney transportation there and are thrilled with it! My question is about flying to visit family. I haven't ever flown with both DSs to somewhere that we will need their car seats. How do you get two car seats to your destination to use in the car when you get there? I know they don't need them on the plane. Do I check them and if so, how? Obviously with the fees being what they are now, it'll be expensive, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do! Does anyone have experience with this that can help? TIA!

If you have an under 2yr old flying that will be a "lap baby" then you will have not choice but to check his car seat. I would recommend gate checking as it will be one of the last things loaded and will be less likely to be damaged this way. You might consider putting it one of those red gate check bags made by J.L. Childress (I think Walmart sells them). It will keep it from getting dirty.

Just fyi: airlines do consider car seats to be "fragile objects" and do not accept liability for them if they are damaged in transit. This is one great reason to buy both your kids seats (if you haven't already, that part wasn't clear to me in your OP) and use their seats on board the plane. Since your older dc will certainly have his own seat, I would bring his car seat on board and use it, as long as it has a sticker on it that says it's airline approved (most 5pt harness car seats sold in the US are airline approved). This will be safest for him and the car seat. I know they are not "required" on the plane, but the FAA does recommend their use for children up to minimum of 40lbs.

When we traveled with ds's car seat aboard planes, I would board with the convertible car seat draped upside down over my arm. Putting it base up made it easier to carry down the aisle. You can get the seats through the airport a number of ways. I usually just threw ours on the stroller and have used a cheap metal luggage cart to tote it around as well. Come prepared with lots of patience because traveling with kids can be trying!

hth!

 

[CLR4321]

Of the 4 times I flew with my DS, only once did I take his carseat when going to visit family. I had my Mom borrow a carseat from her friend's DD, and another time when visiting a friend, I used her DS's spare.
This does make it much easier than hauling a carseat around. You may want one though if your child has their own seat on the plane.

 

[CLR4321]

One thing to also be sure of....Be sure the carseat has the FAA approved sticker on it. I know someone who was turned down not once but twice with her Britax Marathon because it apparently did not have the exact sticker they look for. I thought it was a bit funny considering Britax's are literally the safest carseats made in the world.

 

[smiths02]

I agree with others.


When DS was 1, we flew to CA and were going to rent a car. He had his own seat on the plane. I just strapped the car seat into the plane seat. I felt this would be much safer than holding him.

I did make sure the carseat had the sticker on it (FAA approved) and we don't have one of the very large carseats (some of the Britax ones are large). We own two car seats (one for each car) and we took the cheapest one with us.

You can buy something like this http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-Seat-Travel-Accessory/dp/B000JHN3AS/ref=pd_bxgy_ba_img_c

 

[tanyaandallie]

You can use a luggage cart to lug the carseats through the airport. Or you can use a carseat bag. We used carseat bags with wheels and they work fine.

If you have seats for both kids, I'd take the seats on and let your kids sit in them. Far more comfy for the kids plus the added protection of the carseat.

 

[jc040404]

If you bought seats for the kiddos, please use them on the plane! It was a total pain in the butt to bring them on and off the plane, but worth it, IMO. (and I was flying alone with two!) You know they aren't going to get damaged and your children are protected this way!!

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

Can I gate check a booster seat? My 7 1/2 year old uses a booster seat ... in years past, I've just checked it with my luggage, but if I can save $30 and gate check it, that is what I would prefer.

 

[summermac]

How do you know if your seat is FAA approved?