Flying without car seats

[Daniela Rose]

we won't be flying with car seats for our 2 and 4 year old. Does anybody use the CARES system? Thoughts? Does the person behind the kids get to use their table or does this get in the way?

Any experience using this?

 

[Mousemommy1]

The person behind you can still use the table. The harness goes around the seat, not the table.

 

[fdwt994]

we won't be flying with car seats for our 2 and 4 year old. Does anybody use the CARES system? Thoughts? Does the person behind the kids get to use their table or does this get in the way?

Any experience using this?

We've used it several times. As the previous poster said, it doesn't interfere with the tray table behind and it's not difficult to set up. It's SO much easier to check the car seat at the ticket counter for free (can also store a few extra items in the car seat bag like diapers, etc) and then simply take a tiny CARES pouch onboard the airplane. We will NEVER bring car seats on board again!

 

[DisneyDiana!]

I've used the same CARES system for both my girls. It was a real investment. Between the 2 of them we've used the same one for at least 10 flights now. It is super easy to use and light weight. When my girls were really small (around 2-3) I would bring a piece of non slip shelf liner to place under their bottom to keep them from sliding. After they could sit with little squirming I just used the harness. I purchased mine at Bed Bath and Beyond using one of their coupons. You could also buy one of off ebay. After next year I'll probably just sell it on ebay since my girls will be big enough to just use the regular belts.

 

[DisneyDiana!]

When you install it make sure you lower the table behind it BEFORE you install it. Otherwise you'll be installing it over the table and the other person won't be able to access it. We still have people ask us all about the CARES system when we fly. I've never had a flight attendant ask us to remove it or even comment on its use. Just in case I always carry the info that says that it can be used on airplanes. We fly Southwest out of Chicago

 

[Daniela Rose]

Thanks! I'm going to rent one for my 2 year old. I think the 4 year old would be too big for it, but I'll have to see how tall she is at her next dr appt. I think she's 40" though or very close to it.

I noticed online that I should lower the table behind us and install it and then put it back on.

With all these fights these days on the airlines I'm not looking for trouble lol

 

[fitgirl36]

Yep used it when DD was younger. Worked like a charm and the passenger behind DD could still use the tray table. Yes, I asked the person (or did it myself) to lower the table and then put the table back up. No biggie ever for us.

 

[Princess Minnie321]

We rented from eBay one for my dd and used it on southwest. My DH and DS sat behind us, but the harness did not affect the tray table so I cannot see anyone being bothered by it. It too a minute to install.

 

[dalmatian7]

Thanks! I'm going to rent one for my 2 year old. I think the 4 year old would be too big for it, but I'll have to see how tall she is at her next dr appt. I think she's 40" though or very close to it.

I noticed online that I should lower the table behind us and install it and then put it back on.

With all these fights these days on the airlines I'm not looking for trouble lol

Another vote for the CARES! We typically fly on smaller planes because of our route and it worked fine on those seats also. We used ours from age 2-5. Before that we used a car seat on the plane.

Yes you lower the tray, install, and put the tray back up. I practiced at home on a table chair to k ow what I was doing.

 

[kboo]

We used it for SO many flights when ODD was between 2-4. It's very simple - just remember to take it with you when deplaning!

 

[Juliet0778]

I have friends who like the Cares system. Our first flight was when our son was 4 and we just used the regular seatbelt. He's always been the size of a kid 1-2 years older though.

 

[Dis703]

We used it when my twins were 2 years old and they worked great. With three kids and luggage I wasn't about to drag 2 car seats through the airport as well so we rented a couple CARES harnesses from eBay. I definitely recommend them. And no interference with the tray table.

 

[LMO429]

I just used it for my 19 month old son I would recommend it especially since little ones can unbuckle the lap belt alone.the cares harness would still keep them strapped in super simple to install and does not take up a lot of space.