shuttle/car seat question please

[DisneyMomma81]

1) These are not school-style buses or city buses like at WDW - which the recommendations you quoted apply to. They are luxury tour buses. As with the other types, there are no individual seatbelts or latch to fasten the seat in. I actually called Gray Line and spoke with them a couple minutes ago and they do not allow passengers to place their children in car seats. According to them (and this is also how I felt), it is actually more secure holding your child in your lap than in a carseat that is not attached to the seat of the vehicle. BTW, at WDW, the same rule applies - you can't use car seats on their buses either (which are the city bus style).

I really don't see how this can be true ~ a child would fly out of an adults arms if a crash was to occur, at least buckled in a seat they have a shell around them. Everything I learned in my week long course tells me this would be better. I wouldn't take their word for it ~ please check with a licensed Child Passenger Safety Tech. www.usa.safekids.org

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I really don't see how this can be true ~ a child would fly out of an adults arms if a crash was to occur, at least buckled in a seat they have a shell around them. Everything I learned in my week long course tells me this would be better. I wouldn't take their word for it ~ please check with a licensed Child Passenger Safety Tech. www.usa.safekids.org

I just can't see how something that is not strapped down makes it safer. Please keep in mind that we are talking about a luxury tour bus, not a car, taxi, van, etc. I really didn't want to get visually graphic, but I see that may be the only way to illustrate my point....

If the child's car seat is facing forward (because they are old enough) and not firmly buckled to the vehicle seat and it goes flying forward with an upward angle, that front of that kid's head and face is still going to be squashed or worse. No car seat protects a child from being thrown forward and gutted in the throat with the god-forsaken potential of decapitation. With the weight of the car seat propelling itself forward into the top edge of the seat in front of it, that child doesn't stand a chance. I can visualize this happening to my child and I don't like the thought of it happening one bit. If my daughter is jerked a bit out of my arms, at least I know that she won't have the weight of the car seat pinning and crushing her arms, legs, head, etc.

If the bus company tells me not to use it, they have their reasons based on those government laws and they know their liability. I think sometimes we try so hard to protect people - both adults and children alike - that we can make assumptions and get a bit zealous without realizing it.

BTW, I have 20 years as a technologist in radiologic sciences and nuclear medicine. I've seen some horrid things in my day. I think that is my final word on the issue.

 

[DisSarahK]

DisSarahK, there is a woman on ebay that rents her CARES harness.

Thanks so much for this tip, I never would have thought of that. I did find someone locally to lend me one though, so I'm all set.

I really don't see how this can be true ~ a child would fly out of an adults arms if a crash was to occur, at least buckled in a seat they have a shell around them. Everything I learned in my week long course tells me this would be better. I wouldn't take their word for it ~ please check with a licensed Child Passenger Safety Tech. www.usa.safekids.org

You are the first tech I have ever encountered who recommends putting a child in an unsecured carseat in a tour bus. No way will I do this. No way. It would be a danger to my child as well as to *everyone* else on that bus if there was an accident.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I hope you can find a solution that works for both you and your daughter.

I just had to comment on the carseat/Disneyland Express conversation. Even if you wanted to bring a carseat on, they will not let you because they have no way of latching/buckling them in. It is a danger to the child and everybody around them for them to be in an unsecured carseat. While I agree, the safest method of transportation for a small child is to be in a secured carseat, this is not an option on the Disneyland Express.