Flying w/ Infant in Lap - Your Experiences?

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Our kids have all been flying since they were 6mos, and we have never ever NOT bought a seat. And if I recall correctly we have never had to pay more than $120.00 r/t for the seat with the exception of an international flight. Our feelings are that this was part our budget. If we couldn't afford the 100 dollars for the seat then we had no business going. A meal alone is 100.00, so if you just give up one meal and opt to eat in, the seat is paid for. I'd much rather have peace of mind that I did all I could to protect my children.

OK this is just my opinion, but I have donned the flame retardent suit just in case.

 

[jel0511]

MOMTOMOOTOO - I completely agree with you and will be joining you with my flame retardent suit as well. Unforunately, this issue is never properly explained to new parents, and isn't conveyed well by the airlines. The customer service reps don't know the proper procedures or things to say, because they weren't trained properly. The only ones who do are the flight attendents, and at that stage, a parent is stuck in a situation that they might not want to be in. Unless the parent does the research on their own, they don't find out until sometimes it's too late. So, I'm now going to duck.....

 

[Kirk]

Please drop it! I'm sorry I asked and wish this thread to just go away at this point! The plane is full so another seat is not an option. If that makes me a bad grandpa, oh well!

 

[Pooh's Pal]

OMG!!!! Give the guy a break, he just asked a question!!!

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

Originally posted by Kirk
Please drop it! I'm sorry I asked and wish this thread to just go away at this point! The plane is full so another seat is not an option. If that makes me a bad grandpa, oh well!

Kirk -

There are always going to be those that "know better" than everyone else. Take your grandbaby, hold her close, have a great trip!!

My DD was a lap baby on a nine and half hour international flight in October, we all survived! We're taking our new baby on as a lap baby for our October trip to WDW, I'm not concerned at all.

Do what's best for your family!!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Originally posted by TinkBoo&ElliesMum
Kirk -

There are always going to be those that "know better" than everyone else. Take your grandbaby, hold her close, have a great trip!!


Do what's best for your family!!

 

[disdreams]

Kirk,

I apologize for my part in this "debate". I just wanted you to know that you are NOT a bad Grandpa for holding your baby on your lap when you fly....thousands of good, responsible people do it every day. You'll be just fine. Have a wonderful trip

 

[Pete's Mom]

Kirk - I had flown with Pete several times when his was an infant. Sometimes as a lap baby (luckily had seat open next to me) and also with purchasing a discounted ticket for him.

Might I make a suggestion that you pick an "off" time to fly when the plane won't be full? This way you would have more of a chance on getting an empty seat for the baby.

BTW - what a beautiful baby!

 

[zurgswife]

Good Luck Kirk..... Enjoy the trip..

 

[newmousecateer]

Have a wonderful trip Grandpa! And the baby is beautiful. Hope your daughter is doing well.

Hey! Who had the popcorn? Pass it over will ya?

 

[sgtdisney]

To the OP, do what you feel most comfortable doing and don't let anyone convince you that you are a bad parent or cheap for not buying a seat. Both of my kids have flown as lap children and we have never had a problem. Sure turbulence can happen, but unless you plan on strapping your kid into the car seat and never taking them out for any reason whatsoever you still have risk. Turbulence can happen at anytime, including the 5 minutes that people who have paid for an additional seat have the child out of it, comforting (or feeding) them.

Turbulence can even happen when you are up and out of your seat in the lavatory. I certainly wouldn't refuse to go the lav because of the risk of unexpected turbulence. Of course we all know in most air crashes the car seat won't make a difference. I recall a Northwest Airlines crash in Detroit, where the only survivor was a small child who was a lap child and was on the floor with her mother's body protecting her.

There are risks in everything, it is up to the individual to determine what level of risk they are comfortable with. My father was an airline pilot and I flew with him a couple of times with my lap babies. His concern with them in our lap wasn't with their safety as much as it was with my (and my wife's) comfort of having to sit with a baby in your lap for 2+ hours. What can I say, he is old school.

 

[poohandwendy]

I hope you have a GREAT trip! Your little DGD is beautiful...
(I took my eldest on her first plane trip as a lap baby- 6 mos- all went well)