Infant carriers on airlines?

[jnrrt]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but we just booked our flight for our trip in September. We'll have a 7 year old, a four year old, and a 12 month old. The baby will be legal in either an infant carrier or a "regular" car seat and we did buy him a ticket, but I don't know if carrier-type seats are FAA approved? The thing is, I know we flew with my older daughter when she was an infant, but I can't remember what we did with her! I'd much rather keep him in the carrier, since it's a lot smaller, and I'm really tired of schlepping car seats all over the place.

Also, does anyone know if a four year old weighing 35ish pounds is legal in a booster in FL? We have a booster that you can remove the back from, and it would be so nice, again, to take that smaller seat. And for the first time, no seat for our oldest! Yea!

Any help would be appreciated - thanks!

 

[flminivanmama]

if your four year old fits in a BPB it's fine here in FL - they just need to be in some seat (till 8 yo or 80 lbs) - doesn't matter what type of seat (ie backless or not)

for the infant seat - it should say on the side or in the book if it's FAA approved. but does he still fit in it? make sure he's not too long

 

[jnrrt]

Well, I am the proud mommy of a completely average child (size only, mind you!) so actually, I think he still will fit in the carrier. My daughters weren't pediatricion apporved to be faced forward until they were 14 and 15 months because we seem to run small. But my son't pretty average.

As for checking the seat, unfortunately it's as old as my oldest - 7 years. So the side's pretty much wiped clean, and the book is long gone. Now that you bring that up, perhaps they won't let me use it anyway if they can't see that it's marked as approved?

 

[flminivanmama]

no we've taken the seats on planes without them checking

you can look on the seat's manufacturer's site to see if it's FAA approved (I think most of them are though )

but you are supposed to replace them after 5 years

 

[JerJan]

Be CAREFUL! We took our 13 month old DD from California to Ohio when we moved and Continental Airlines was adamant that the car seat had to have the FAA sticker on it and that it was readable (they did check for it), that was in 2001. In 2003 we went from Ohio to WDW on Air Tran and they too wanted to see the sticker (they checked for it too) on the seat. I would STRONGLY advise you to check with the airline that you are flying with to find out what their rules are. Have Fun!!!!!

 

[jnrrt]

Actually, I know about the replacement thing. Honestly, I just don't really care enough to do it. I've had it the whole time, I know it's in good condition. I thought about replacing it, but this is our last child, and it's still in fine shape. So, what to do? What would happen if I got there with my car seat and it didn't have a sticker - worst case scenario? I assume that he's allowed to ride without a seat entirely since I would have been allowed to hold him. Of course, we wanted him in a car seat or we wouldn't have bought a seat. Would they make us gate check it?

I guess I will be calling...

And I just picked up on the 8 years old and 80 pounds in Florida! So I guess that means that I do need something for my 7 year old since she only weighs 50 pounds. Uurrgghhh. We will never make it through security...

 

[JerJan]

Yes...If you got one those people at check-in that are "STICKLERS" for the rules you would have to gate check it. Are you renting a car? If so you can get booster seats through them but I'm not too sure about their cleanliness....

 

[EthansMom]

The only one who will need a carseat on the airplane is the baby. You should be able find out on the manufacturer's website whether or not the infant carrier is FAA-approved. If so, I would take a print out showing that it is. If you can't find out, I would take the other carseat because if the airline takes the conservative approach, they wouldn't let you use the old carseat and you would be stuck with the baby as a lap baby even though you paid for a seat! Ugh!

If you are renting a car, you will need booster seats for the other two kids. I would check them so you don't have to carry them (the seats, not the kids ). If you are taking ME or another bus, you don't need carseats or boosters. If you are taking a limo service, look into paying a fee to have them provide the booster seats.

We did have to rent carseats on a couple of our trips (both times we forgot to take DS's carseat out of the car to take to into the airport). The carseats provided were minimally acceptable -- in one case the seat was rather old and stained. Also, the rental place did not install the carseats, DH had to do the installation -- something about liability.

 

[flminivanmama]

never mind! It must just be in the legislature now?? I was sure it was the law

anyway I was going to C&P it for you and it says 5 years old with no weight limit .... not 8 yo & 80 lbs as I thought


http://www.kidseat.org/

 

[jnrrt]

Wow, thanks to all of you for being so helpful!

I will try to get a printout about the seat - that's a great idea. If not, I'll probably just bring the "standard" one as we've used it on a plane fairly recently with no problem.

EthansMom - I had no idea you could check children! What an option! Too bad I've already bought their tickets, and I did sort of promise the girls that they could look out at the clouds. Maybe next time though... Otherwise, I had planned to check the booster since I don't think it's allowed anyway, and there's really no point in lugging in into the cabin with us.

We are renting a car, but I don't really like relying on someone else's seats. Not only do I know mine are clean, I know where they've been and that they haven't been in a crash and have been well cared for (although, of course, they are old ). I'd do it if I had to, but I'd rather not.

And flminivanmama, that site seems to say that four and five year olds only need at a minimum to be in a seatbelt. Is that right? That seems a little nuts without a weight limit. I know we'll bring the booster for her anyway since she's really a peanut, but our older daughter is quite tall (and skinny), and the booster actually makes the seatbelt in most cars fit worse than if you do nothing. I'm relieved we don't have to have one for her.

You know, the problem with all these seat belt laws is that the range of sizes for kids makes it really hard to pin down what is safest for everybody. I know my neice was 20 pounds at 6 months and didn't fit into her carrier anymore, but my daughter (hanging onto the chart by her fingernails, bless her) was finally allowed to turn around at 15 months because riding backwards was making her carsick, and the pediatrician took pity on us. She was only 18 pounds. And my other daughter doesn't weigh much, but as I said, she's pretty tall. So we just do the best we can.

 

[flminivanmama]

 

[jnrrt]

Eureka! I just tried one more time to make sure there are no stickers saying anything about this on my seat, and hidden away on the bottom (where it couldn't get rubbed off, and I didn't see it the first time) it says, "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft". Woohoo!

Now, what does it say about me that I "woohoo-ed" that bit of information?

 

[Colinsmom]

If your infant seat is 7 years old, it has expired and should be destroyed. It may not be able to adequately protect your child in a crash.

And I'd be surprised if a one year old boy could still fit in an infant seat heightwise, especially if he's of "average" height. Make sure that there is at least 1" of plastic shell above his head, otherwise he is too tall.

 

[DISLOVE]

Actually, I know about the replacement thing. Honestly, I just don't really care enough to do it. QUOTE]


WOW!

 

[jnrrt]

Okay, before I get flamed off the boards, would it make everyone feel better to know that I actually had the very car seat of which we are speaking inspected for wear and safety before I used it, and it was fine? I was told that the only reason to replace was if I didn't like the color scheme - which was what I referring to when I said I didn't care. And I did think that it was implied in the rest of my posts that I am very concerned for the safety of my children, as I have purchased a full-price fare on the plane for my infant BECAUSE I am not comfortable with him not having a carseat and we rented a car BECAUSE I feel strongly about my kids in carseats (why we don't take busses), and I'm bringing a carseat that is not required by law for my four year old BECAUSE she will be safer in it even though it's not particularly convenient. I have no problem at all if other parents make different choices, it just happens to make me uncomforable to have my kids not in carseats.

Sorry if I'm defensive, but it also seems that there are nicer ways of getting your point across. Flmimivanmama pointed out the replacement thing in her post, but in a really nice way which made me go back and check if I felt comfortable with the safety of my child, rather than flaming me, which really does not induce me to listen to the advice.

I'm a great mom. Perhaps you could assume that not only am I not stupid, uninformed, or casual towards my children's safety, but it's also likely that I love my children more than you love my children.

 

[DISLOVE]

I was not flaming you or making judgements about you as a parent. I was trying to point out how you sounded. I did notice the rest of your posts sounded like you were concerned about your children's safety... was very confused about how your original post sounded.

Have a wonderful trip...

 

[Colinsmom]

Okay, before I get flamed off the boards, would it make everyone feel better to know that I actually had the very car seat of which we are speaking inspected for wear and safety before I used it, and it was fine? I was told that the only reason to replace was if I didn't like the color scheme - which was what I referring to when I said I didn't care.

I'm not trying to flame you. I find that very few people know that there is an expiration date for car seats. It is in the instruction manuals, but buried pretty well so it is easy to miss.

No one can do a visual inspection of an expired car seat and tell you that it is safe to use. Certified car seat techs will absolutely not do this - they MUST follow what is in the car seat manual. There are plenty of people who try to pass themselves off as car seat techs, but they have not completed the proper training and unfortunately give out a lot of misinformation in the process. Have you considered calling the car seat manufacturer and asking if your seat is safe to use? They know their seats the best, and that's really the opinion I would trust.