Small kids & airport transportation

[TinkLoverSam]

In forward facing car seats straps must be above or just at the shoulder unlike rear facing car seats where they must be below or just at the shoulders. Depending on how the child is built (long legs, long torso etc) a child who is under the maximums for a car seat can still not fit properly

 

[ClaraOswald]

In forward facing car seats straps must be above or just at the shoulder unlike rear facing car seats where they must be below or just at the shoulders. Depending on how the child is built (long legs, long torso etc) a child who is under the maximums for a car seat can still not fit properly

Crap...pulled out the old seat and his shoulders are only about an inch from reaching the last slot. Not looking good for him to fit come February. Dang...now I'm not sure what seat we'll use.

 

[DahliaRW]

Looks like the OP covered it. Your car seat manual for the Scenera should say the same thing. FFing the straps need to hold your child back against the seat. You might like a travel vest http://www.amazon.com/Safe-Traffic-...0118&sr=8-1&keywords=safe+ride+traffic+system . You can google to find the best price, but you'll need the small. We used this with my kids when they were younger. You can't use it on the plane, great for cars, though. But hold off and check closer to your trip. Torsos grow less quickly than legs.

 

[lalasmama]

Crap...pulled out the old seat and his shoulders are only about an inch from reaching the last slot. Not looking good for him to fit come February. Dang...now I'm not sure what seat we'll use.

Remember, though, that even if he grows an inch, it might not be all in his torso--it's (likely) going to be all over; some in his torso, some in his legs, even some in his neck/head. Now, that being said, our grandson is 20 months, and about to outgrow his Scenera, because he's got a long torso, and he's almost at the top slots now rearfacing... and we're not flipping him for several months still.

All that being said, Cosco makes a cheap, light, adequate combination seat (harnessed, and eventually a less-than-stellar high-back booster). It sucks for day-to-day use, in my opinion, but it's lightweight for travel.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Do you know the name of that Cosco one? I'm not sure if I've seen it.

Good point about the way he'll grow. I am going to cross my fingers because I really don't want to buy another seat. We already own two (good/bulky) convertible seats for our cars so we really don't need another one.

 

[lalasmama]

Do you know the name of that Cosco one? I'm not sure if I've seen it.

Good point about the way he'll grow. I am going to cross my fingers because I really don't want to buy another seat. We already own two (good/bulky) convertible seats for our cars so we really don't need another one.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Disney-Highback-2-in-1-Booster-Car-Seat/44782644?reviews_limit=10&

This is similar to the ones we have, but I think we paid less than $40 at our neighborhood Walmart. It won't be a long-term solution, but it should last for this trip, and maybe a possible flight too, depending on how soon that would be. Like the Scenera, it's lightweight, cheap, easy to install. It's not cushy by any means, but it makes a reasonable occasional seat. It's our "grandparent seat" for when they outgrow the Scenera and aren't big enough for the Evenflo Securekid.

I believe the Evenflo Maestro is also a lightweight, cheapish seat, a bit more comfortable, and under $70.

 

[travelgirl06]

We just did a trip with our kiddos and did a backless booster for our older kid and a concertible car seat (Scenera) for the 2YO. We have a car seat backpack and were able to nest the booster in the Scenera in the backpack for transporting/if you want to check your car seats. The backpack is huge, but quite a lifesaver when trying to haul multiple car seats, luggage and children around the airport

When they were younger we were actually able to nest the infant seat inside the concertible seat in the backpack - that was a bit more challenging, but again made getting to the check-in counter to check bags doable

 

[ClaraOswald]

I do NOT recommend checking a car seat at the airport. Not even gate-check.