hooking up car seats on planes

[Deesknee]

I hope I'm posting this on the right thread.
I was wondering if someone could give me an idea of how long it will take to hook up a car seat on an airplane seat. We have traveled with kids before but the ages were 3 1/2 & up so they just used the seat belt, and 11 months so we just held her on our laps. Now, we are bringing a 23 mnth old & are planning on using her car seat. I know most airlines let those traveling with young children board first. I assume the car seat issue is part of the reason. Honestly, I don't recall ever seeing a carseat on a plane, I'm sure I just haven't noticed.
So, you veterans.... how difficult is it? We are planning on using one we purchased in 1992.
Thanks to anyone who can give me a heads up on this.

Dee

 

[Uncle Buck]

It's actually easier than installing in a car. Just slip the lap belt through the receiver, cinch it down, and it's done. Just be aware that, for safety reasons, they will require it to be installed in the seat farthest from the aisle (i.e. window seat).

 

[My2Cinderellas]

it's very easy to do, I've done it several times and it's as easy as doing it in the car. easier actually as you have a bit more headroom to maneuver iwth.

as a side note - please consider getting a new car seat if the one you are using is from 1992. there have been many upgrades in safety features since then, and the plastic it's made of becomes more brittle as it ages, making it less able to absorb any impact and protect the child. I think current recommendations are to replace every 5 years or immediately after being involved in an accident.

 

[akrake]

most airline will NOT let you board early just to put a carseat in...unless you are traveling by yourself without another adult...they figure that if you have someone there to help you that you do not need to get in early. over the past year...on Song, delta, sw, united, us air, the only times i was successful getting on early to put the seat in was when i was alone with the 3 kids...carting the huge roundabout & pregnant!!
akrake

 

[safetymom]

You shouldn't be using a car seat if it is more than 5 years old. The plastic can become brittle, the foam can degrade, etc after being exposed to sunlight. It may not perform correctly. Also your car seat probably isn't approved for use on an airplane since it is so old.

 

[ducklite]

Safetymom, you read my mind! I'd be willing to bet that a car seat that old isn't approved for use on a plane.

Anne

 

[loveswdw]

Our last trip (March 2005) we took our then 15 month DS on an Embraer jet. They are the small ones that only carry 50 or 60 or so passengers. My DH was in charge of putting in the car seat (Britax Wizard--big, big car seat). On the small plane it was a pain! My DH finally had to call the flight attendant to help him because the seats are small and the latch was so far down that my DH couldn't get his hand in the space to latch it. After a little work the flight attendant got it clicked in place.

My advice would be to check which type of jet you will be flying on and check the seat space against the base of your car seat. Next trip we'll be borrowing his other seat from his grandma. It is much smaller than his Britax. We just figured he'd be more comfortable in his regular seat.

Oh, and we didn't get to board early at all. In fact we were one of the last ones on the plane.

loveswdw

 

[Deesknee]

Thank you to everyone for your answers & concerns.
The 1992 car seat is FAA approved. I do NOT use it on a regular basis. We have a brand new one for our "new" precious baby. The 1992 seat is easier to transfer from one place to another. DD is under 2. I know we could hold her on our laps, but I would feel better if she was in a car seat, even one that might not be AS safe as a newer one. Like I say, at home she always uses her new one.
When I mentioned airlines letting parents board early with young children, I guess I worded it wrong, I actually meant they usually let them board first. I was hoping that would give us enough time to get the seat in befor the crazy crowded stage of boarding.lol From the sounds of your responses and considering the car seat we're using isn't huge this shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks again to everyone!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

I don't think it is necessary to get a child seat fastened "just right", all that counts is that it doesn't come loose if you tug on it. Also I don't think it matters whether a child seat is facing forward or backward except the seat belt might only be long enought to hold it one way.

You don't really need to preboard with your child seat. Unlike the right of way at an intersection, extra time you need to board and get settled is "a thing" you take, not "a thing" that is given/proffered/yielded to you. It is a courtesy to the airline if you ask to preboard if the gate agent does not announce preboarding for families with young children, then the gate agent can plan for the most expeditious overall boarding.

Since the child seat must be installed next to the window, you are probably not in the way of other passengers walking down the aisle when you install it.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a link to a page with useful info.
You might also want to check with the airline and/or with the FAA. Even though your car seat was approved in 1992, I think the regulations changed in 1994 and your car seat may not have the correct wording or sticker they are looking for.

 

[djbleach]

I've flown with our DD a few times. We've used the car seat a couple times and the last times no car seat. On Southwest they have always let us get on first. It helps us get on and get situated. With the car seat she was was just starting to walk. The last two times with no car seat, she was just held on the lap. I try and get the very first row. This seat has more leg room and she can walk around a little while people are boarding the plane. Once the plane takes off I've had her sleep and not sleep. Of course It's a nicer flight when she's asleep, It just can get uncomfortable with her being on the lap for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
I'm not sure how long your flight is, we live in Virginia.
She's almost two, so she still flies for free. I'm not sure if you've bought an extra seat? If so, then of course she can have a car seat. For us, we never have bought an extra seat, so when the flight was full, there was no extra room for the car seat.
My suggestion for getting a new car seat would be hit the yard sales. I'm sure you can find a 2000 model for $15/20 bucks.

 

[Deesknee]

thanks to all. SueM thank you for the great link. I added to my favs.
I'm going to call Song now for further info.

Dee

 

[NotUrsula]

Just FYI for you all, the age of the seat really has nothing to do with whether it is approved for aircraft use unless it was manufactured prior to 1981. The wording was actually last changed in 1985, but the 1981-85 wording is also acceptable under FAA regs, http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/tex...&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.4.19.11.10.9&idno=14
I won't state an opinion on whether or not a seat that age is hazardous, but I will say that there is nothing in the law to prevent it being used.

As to how to install it, I've posted tips on the special issues of aircraft installation many times, most recently http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=720891&highlight=carseat

 

[safetymom]

That is correct but it may not have the sticker on the seat.

I used to be a occupant safety consultant and that was something we told every parent. Don't use a seat that is more than 5 years old.

 

[mikey13v]

We have taken our DS on 7 flights in his first 3 years, and every time Alaska Airlines allowed me to board early to put the car seat in, so when my DW and DS boarded he was placed directly into his seat, keeping the isle clear the entire time. I guess Alaska Air is just smart enough to realize that this measure is not so much a benefit to us as it is to all of their other passengers. This measure really makes things a lot easier for us and other passengers. They also allow us to put DS between us, so we can both take care of his needs (and discipline).
I would sugest this method even if they don't allow you to preboard. Just keep one parent with the child in the jetway for a few minutes while the other parent prepares the car seat on the plane. Then the other parent gets on the plane, puts the child in the seat, sits down, buckle yourself and the child, and all is done with no hassles.

 

[akrake]

thanks to all. SueM thank you for the great link. I added to my favs.
I'm going to call Song now for further info.

Dee

The last 2 times we flew out of logan on song to mco, we were not able to board early....also note....the 2 families with carseat...us & another, had to be reseated bc they assigned us to exit rows...you would think that if you are buying a ticket for a child under 2 that the computer would flag it before assigning seats....we booked on the song website to get the best rate so i think that's why we couldn't choose our seats......the only time i've been successful boarding early (as i stated in a previous post) was when i was flying delta by myself with 3 kids (car seat & pregnant)...the gate agent let me board early & was shocked that i was alone & didn't have anyone to help me...not that it was her business...but my husband had to work & it was spring break....
good luck.
akrake

 

[lovesdumbo]

I've flown Song 3 times and never been allowed to board early. I did find it helpful to have DH board when they called our row and I gave him a headstart to install the seat(s) before I got on with the kids.

I found this backpack to use for carrying the carseat to the plane and found it much easier to use than the carseat bags Car Seat Backpack I purchased mine at a Samsonite outlet.

 

[Deesknee]

Just thought I'd let everyone know I was able to hook up the car seat very easily. (somewhat amazing for me! LOL).
Also, they did not have parties with young children board first (although last July Jetblue did as did the old Delta flights we used to take). I do understand this though. As I looked around the waiting area, everyone had young children! It would have been pointless. Don't know that didn't occur to me
Thank you everyone for your suggestions, sites, & concerns.

 

[JennsBabySky]

Just thought I'd let everyone know I was able to hook up the car seat very easily. (somewhat amazing for me! LOL).
Also, they did not have parties with young children board first (although last July Jetblue did as did the old Delta flights we used to take). I do understand this though. As I looked around the waiting area, everyone had young children! It would have been pointless. Don't know that didn't occur to me
Thank you everyone for your suggestions, sites, & concerns.

I'm glad it all worked out. We usually fly American and they stopped allowing preboarding for kids (at least for the Orlando flight). I felt terrible because my husband had to wait in the aisle while I installed the seat, but at the same time, we were left without an alternative since there was no preboarding. If they did have the preboarding, I wouldn't have had to hold everyone up. But, as you said, it would have been most of the flight (although you think the Flight Attendants would want the carseats installed earlier to allow for faster boarding, they try to get these flights boarded so quickly now). On my last flight, I was able to install my seat quickly, but then I couldn't get it unbuckled! I had a brief moment of panic, but luckily on try 2 it came out.