Help - Booster seats and flying SWA

[jennwdw]

Hi, We are flying SWA. Both of my boys now use booster seats. From what I understand they are not airline approved. I'm fine w/that as I think both my boys will sit nicely on the plane w/their lapbelts. How can I transport the boosters so that we can use them in our rental car in FL??? Can they be gate checked? How has anyone else done this previously? I know we can rent boosters from Alamo but at $9/day it seems a little ridiculous because I could easily buy new ones for what it would cost. If anyone has some info and their personal experience I would appreciate it....

 

[bicker]

You can surely check them as checked baggage. Gate checking is typically for strollers, wheelchairs, and other items that are needed for transporting the passenger from the gate to baggage claim.

 

[debster812]

We checked DS's high back booster at the checkin desk several times on SWA. We put our name and address on duct tape on the bottom of the seat, and the agent at SWA put the seat in the BIGGEST clear plastic bag I had ever seen. They then put it in a shallow plastic bin.

The seat made it with no problems, and no damage.

 

[crazywig]

i check ds's carseat all the time, in a carseat bag and it has never gotten damaged.

you can gate check them but i've got 2 small kids, the stroller and ds's carseat already to lug to the gate so i just check with my luggage.

 

[tlbwriter]

What kind of boosters are they using? If your boys are tall enough, I'd get a couple of backless boosters like this. They're inexpensive and very easy to just carry onto the plane.

 

[jennwdw]

Thanks for all the help. For my oldest I do plan to just use the backless part. We have the Graco seats that can convert to backless. However my youngest still needs the back because he needs the shoulder harness positioner on the high back portion. I may try to locate a carseat bag and see if it will hold both boosters (I assume that since my boosters are less bulky than my carseats I can fit both in one.) I just wanted to see what others experiences have been w/transporting them on the plane. It sounds as though they will be safe if I check them through.

This is our boys first airplane trip so they are pretty excited. However I hate flying and haven't been on a plane in 7 years. Just trying to make sure I have all the particulars nailed down for traveling w/kiddos. Once I take my meds (yes, I'm one of those who have to medicate b4 flying) I'm likely to miss alot of details.....

 

[tlbwriter]

Remember that the back can be easily removed and replaced; they might pack easier that way.