Help With Karmel Shuttle Please!!

[Creen14]

Our travel agent booked us a shuttle with Karmel and so far I am regretting it. I find it hard to believe that I can't get straight answers from them.

Our daughter is four, 42" tall and 40 pounds. When I was inquiring about carseat installation no one could give me an answer about whether or not they had latch systems to install. I called twice and one person said no, one person said some do. The kicker is, you don't know what van you will be dispatched even if you tell them you have a carseat.

So then we decided we will go with a backless booster since there is no install involved and it's smaller to travel with. Well, now they can't guarantee which seat type the van will have. If it's not a bucket seat, we will need a back to our booster I'm pretty sure. I was told again that it depends which van you are dispatched.

I was also told by an employee on the phone that you don't need a carseat/booster when travelling in a commercial van. That's a first for me. I would never go that route.

I contacted my travel agent to see if we can cancel but i'm thinking it's just what's included in the package I can't believe it's this complicated when they must transport thousands of kids!

Can anyone give me straight answers?

 

[ParkHopper1]

I was also told by an employee on the phone that you don't need a carseat/booster when travelling in a commercial van.

That part is not correct, cars and passenger vans require car seats and seat belts in CA. Only passenger busses (including the short shuttle busses) do not require car seats or seat belts.

 

[Creen14]

That part is not correct, cars and passenger vans require car seats and seat belts in CA. Only passenger busses (including the short shuttle busses) do not require car seats or seat belts.

Exactly why I'm getting a bad vibe with Karmel. Do they not know this??!!

 

[lalasmama]

Yes, a booster is needed. If there is no headrest, the booster will need a back (per the manufacturer's instructions and best practices; however some high backs require a headrest behind it, so check your manual). Every one under 8 must be boostered unless they are above 4'9". The only caveat I can find is a commercial tour bus (aka a Greyhound style, or similar, *not* something like a Ecnoline van).

My thoughts: The van will have seatbelts, so you could install your 5-point with seatbelts (iincluding a seat with just a lap belt) if you are comfortable learning how to do so, *and* if your seat doesn't require top tethering. Next best would be a booster with a back. You can disconnect the back to make it easier to carry. We just bungee corded ours to the outside of the carryon.

I can't remember what airport you are flying into, or the size of your party. Would a ride share (Uber/Lyft) be an option? That's been our go-to, especially with kids, as there's no questions about getting a car that's compatible with a basic booster seat. Yes, it might mean eating the cost of the Karmel shuttle...

 

[lalasmama]

Exactly why I'm getting a bad vibe with Karmel. Do they not know this??!!

The fact that they ignore (or are not aware of the laws) concerns me.

My hubs often reminds me "most people don't research their Disneyland vacations like you do." It's a fair point. And if you follow his line of thinking, a lot of people don't know CA's 8 & 80 car seat laws, and don't look into it. And what shuttle would say, "Nope, can't do it. Bye bye $50 fare. No ride without an appropriate car seat."

Heck, people continually recommended Lansky's for years as a great hired car service for families needing car seats... Then someone here pointed out that the seats had been quite expired. It's kind of a buyer beware situation, and a lot of people just don't look into it or care.

Edited to add: Lansky has updated their seats once it was pointed out that they were expired. That was a few years ago, so seats shouldn't be expired again yet.

 

[Creen14]

Really? That's who I wasnted to change to :S

Heck, people continually recommended Lansky's for years as a great hired car service for families needing car seats... Then someone here pointed out that the seats had been quite expired. It's kind of a buyer beware situation, and a lot of people just don't look into it or care.

 

[bumbershoot]

All Karmel vans I've been in have flat bench seats.

I'm quite sure other shuttle companies could have given and have given the same answer, by the way. The fact of the matter is that if there were an accident, it's up to YOU to have the child in a carseat. Even SuperShuttle doesn't *make you* use a seat, and in fact got quite snippy with me as I installed my Roundabout.

Does your seat not have the ability to be locked in without LATCH? It should.

 

[Creen14]

All Karmel vans I've been in have flat bench seats.

I'm quite sure other shuttle companies could have given and have given the same answer, by the way. The fact of the matter is that if there were an accident, it's up to YOU to have the child in a carseat. Even SuperShuttle doesn't *make you* use a seat, and in fact got quite snippy with me as I installed my Roundabout.

Does your seat not have the ability to be locked in without LATCH? It should.

Yes, it can be. A latch is just super easy, though. Every car i've ever been in has had it so I just don't get why a company that caters to families wouldn't.

 

[pharmama]

When our kids were younger we used one of these for travel and LOVED it. Ended up using it full time in our 911 where car seats didn't fit very well too.
https://ridesafertravelvest.com/

 

[youngdeb12]

From what I understand now, Lansky's has dealt with the expired car seat issue and only has valid car seats now. We will be using them this coming Saturday and can let you know. We will be having them provide both a booster and a 5 point harness car seat.

 

[goooof1]

Your travel agent should be made aware of the issues and make arrangements that will work! Why can't the travel agent cancel and make new reservations that would work....or leave transportation to you to arrange? (and refund that portion of the package)

 

[lalasmama]

I'm sorry. I should have noted (thought I did! ) that Lansky's did update their seats after they were called out about it. That was a few years ago, so their seats are likely not expired now.