Southwest lap child

[KarlaG4Kids]

We will be going to WDW in May. My granddaughter will be 22 months old at the time. Does anyone know if we need to have documentation for her showing how old she is? Do they ask for the birth certificate on infants? We want to allow enough time to get one if needed.

 

[Diegosmom]

They usually dont but if they think she looks older then 2 they will ask you to prove it. If you cant they will charge you for a full fare and will give you your money back if you can send them proof. So I would just get a copy of the cert now.

 

[dudspizza]

They usually dont but if they think she looks older then 2 they will ask you to prove it. If you cant they will charge you for a full fare and will give you your money back if you can send them proof. So I would just get a copy of the cert now.

Southwest will ask for a birth certificate for proof that the child is indeed under 2. This is only needed if the child is flying free as a lap child. If they have their own, paid seat, then no documentation is needed.

In general, if SW or any other airline allows a child to fly as a lap child and the child is 2 or older, they can get a hefty fine from the FAA.

Duds

 

[BensDaddy]

Just a quick thought from a former airline pilot (please excuse the interruption but I feel strongly that "lap children" are not as safe as they would be if they were restrained in a an FAA approved car seat or CARES device)

The NTSB has recently requested that the FAA make it regulatory for all passengers - regardless of age - to be seated and restrained in a separate seat during take off, landing, and during turbulence.

The FAA has stated it is safest for children to be restrained in flight but has not mandated restraint of these defenseless passengers. Instead, children under the age of 2 are allowed to sit on an adult’s lap – endangering not only themselves but every other passenger in the airplane cabin if there is unexpected turbulence or aborted take off or a crash landing.

The forces one would encounter during the rapid deceleration of a sudden stop or impact are simply unsurvivable without proper restraint. They are mandated in cars... but not airplanes where the forces are exponentially higher?

If you don't like carseats (they are pretty cramped in RJs) then do a search for the CARES device (good for 22 to 44 pounds). They even rent them on eBay. Best thing since sliced bread for traveling via airplane with your little ones.

I was an airline pilot for many years (and still fly professionally). I would strongly advise against "lap children". It is extraordinarily unsafe and no savings of a few hundred dollars is worth the risk.

Ok, off my soapbox. Here's the link:

http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/children.html

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Bensdaddy, thank you for the great information. I totally understand your position and my only concern is that many carseats aren't approved for use on the flights....so you have provided excellent information!

 

[taitai]

Bensdaddy, thank you for the great information. I totally understand your position and my only concern is that many carseats aren't approved for use on the flights....so you have provided excellent information!

Really? I have never owned a car seat that isn't approved. Are there really "many" carseats that you can't take on flights? I thought they all were flight safe these days.

 

[tjmw2727]

Most airlines ask for proof if the child looks close to 2, Southwest asks for a birth certificate 99.9% of the time. There is a substantial fine if a carrier gets caught with an unticketed child over 2 so SWA asks all the time.

From Southwest.com: (bolding mine)

"If you choose to travel with your infant on your lap (at no additional charge) the infant will not need a boarding pass; however, you will need to obtain a Boarding Verification Document (BVD) for the infant. The BVD will allow the infant to board the aircraft. BVDs are available at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter on the day of travel. In order to complete your BVD, the Customer Service Agent will need to verify that your infant has not reached his/her second birthday, so be sure to bring along a copy of your infant's birth certificate."

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/family/baby-on-board-pol.html

OT - but there are very few carseats in use these days that are not approved for use in aircraft. The actual wording on the sticker placed on the back of the seat will read: (often in red lettering)

“THIS RESTRAINT IS CERTIFIED FOR USE IN MOTOR VEHICLES AND AIRCRAFT”

 

[CarrieR]

Very few carseats are not FAA approved. (No booster seats are approved, but at 22 months I would presume your granddaughter is still in a seat with an internal harness!) Virtually all "mainstream" seats are approved; a few very high-end seats aren't approved and most of them are quite large. If you happen to know what seat your granddaughter has, someone here will be able to tell you if it's approved or not.

 

[BensDaddy]

Really take a look at the CARES device. WAY easier than traveling with a carseat.

 

[goofy4tink]

A few years ago, I was traveling to NYC via Amtrak. A young man, in uniform, boarded in western Ct, with his wife and young dd (young toddler). They took seats behind us. We got to talking due to a situation on the train. Turns out he was a pilot for Continental, trying to get to Newark for a last minute sub flight. I asked him how he felt about lap babies on flights, especially since he was a pilot with a young dd. And you know what??? He said he was just fine with lap babies..that they were very safe in a parents lap!! In fact, his wife was flying out on another flight, with their dd as a lap baby!! I was astounded to hear him say that. Of course, he was on the young side.

Me? I wouldn't have a lap baby on a flight of more than an hour, and even then it would be iffy. I'm all about 'my' comfort when I'm flying, so I don't want a squirming, fidgity baby on my lap for 3 hrs! And I personally don't think it is safe. BUT...that's just my opinion. The airlines allow it, so there ya go.
And yes, you do need proof of age when traveling with a lap baby.

 

[skygirltkw]

Just a quick thought from a former airline pilot (please excuse the interruption but I feel strongly that "lap children" are not as safe as they would be if they were restrained in a an FAA approved car seat or CARES device)

The NTSB has recently requested that the FAA make it regulatory for all passengers - regardless of age - to be seated and restrained in a separate seat during take off, landing, and during turbulence.

The FAA has stated it is safest for children to be restrained in flight but has not mandated restraint of these defenseless passengers. Instead, children under the age of 2 are allowed to sit on an adult’s lap – endangering not only themselves but every other passenger in the airplane cabin if there is unexpected turbulence or aborted take off or a crash landing.

The forces one would encounter during the rapid deceleration of a sudden stop or impact are simply unsurvivable without proper restraint. They are mandated in cars... but not airplanes where the forces are exponentially higher?

If you don't like carseats (they are pretty cramped in RJs) then do a search for the CARES device (good for 22 to 44 pounds). They even rent them on eBay. Best thing since sliced bread for traveling via airplane with your little ones.

I was an airline pilot for many years (and still fly professionally). I would strongly advise against "lap children". It is extraordinarily unsafe and no savings of a few hundred dollars is worth the risk.

Ok, off my soapbox. Here's the link:

http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/children.html

what he said...as a former flight attendant I have seen a few lap children hurt by mild bumps or braking that bothered no one else. Not to mention the holder of the lap child usually becomes exhausted and frustrated, especially with a squirmy toddler. Buy a seat.

 

[rwdavis2]

Just a quick thought from a former airline pilot (please excuse the interruption but I feel strongly that "lap children" are not as safe as they would be if they were restrained in a an FAA approved car seat or CARES device)

The NTSB has recently requested that the FAA make it regulatory for all passengers - regardless of age - to be seated and restrained in a separate seat during take off, landing, and during turbulence.

The FAA has stated it is safest for children to be restrained in flight but has not mandated restraint of these defenseless passengers. Instead, children under the age of 2 are allowed to sit on an adult’s lap – endangering not only themselves but every other passenger in the airplane cabin if there is unexpected turbulence or aborted take off or a crash landing.

The forces one would encounter during the rapid deceleration of a sudden stop or impact are simply unsurvivable without proper restraint. They are mandated in cars... but not airplanes where the forces are exponentially higher?

If you don't like carseats (they are pretty cramped in RJs) then do a search for the CARES device (good for 22 to 44 pounds). They even rent them on eBay. Best thing since sliced bread for traveling via airplane with your little ones.

I was an airline pilot for many years (and still fly professionally). I would strongly advise against "lap children". It is extraordinarily unsafe and no savings of a few hundred dollars is worth the risk.

Ok, off my soapbox. Here's the link:

http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/children.html

Thank you! From what I've read about that crash in Iowa (correct) a while ago where the pilots landed with no hydraulics, a woman had a lap baby and the best they could do was try to put it under the seat in front of them as belting it in would not have worked. The baby died.

We always bought a separate seat for our kids and made sure the car seat would work on the plane. Although safer than driving is a few hundred dollars worth the risk?

 

[DebbieB]

what he said...as a former flight attendant I have seen a few lap children hurt by mild bumps or braking that bothered no one else. Not to mention the holder of the lap child usually becomes exhausted and frustrated, especially with a squirmy toddler. Buy a seat.

Not only the holder of the lap child but the person next to them. One time I was on a flight and was a couple rows and across the aisle from a woman holding a toddler, probably close to 2. I don't think the woman sitting next to her was related, they were not talking or anything. That child was squirming all over the place plus throwing stuff, it had to be irritating to the woman next to her. At one point her pacifier fell on the floor and someone across the aisle picked it up and the mother put it back in her mouth! . Then the child stood up and threw it and it landed a couple of rows back. No one could seem to find it until everyone got off at the end. It was a 3 hour flight, too long to hold a toddler.

 

[deegack]

Dd just turned two she won't let me hold her on my lap for more than two minutes and that is with something to distract her. I can't imagine several hours of trying to do that. That sai any time we flew with her from infant on up she had her own seat. It is the safest and most comfortable way to travel for everyone.
But to answer your question sw will require a copy of her birth certificate.

 

[malibuconlee]

In my experience Southwest will always ask for a copy of the birth certificate if you have a lap child.

 

[mom2brooke76]

I flew with my dd from the time she was 3 months, until she was 2, as a lap child. We exclusively flew SW. Southwest ALWAYS asked to see her BC, even when she was 3 months old. I wanted to add that when I flew with her when she was closer to 2, it was the WORST trip of my life. I would never fly with a child that age again in my lap. It was only a 1 1/2 hour flight, but an almost 2 year old doesn't want to be still, making for a very uncomfortable trip.

 

[mom2brooke76]

One other thing...........for those that are interested in CARES harnesses but don't want to invest the money in one, there are several people on Ebay that rent them about for around $15 for your trip.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

We will be going to WDW in May. My granddaughter will be 22 months old at the time. Does anyone know if we need to have documentation for her showing how old she is? Do they ask for the birth certificate on infants? We want to allow enough time to get one if needed.

Yes. SW will want proof. I have read of SW denying boarding to tiny infants. At 22 months you must have that birth certificate. (and I wish you luck. I would not want to fly very far with what is basically a 2 year old on my lap)

 

[azdizzymom]

I wouldn't take a lap child--did once when oldest was 2 months...after that every time we paid for seats....first time paying for seats for him he was 6 months..not fun but worth it (got more expensive with 2 babies).

Just flew in April. On the flight from SLC to IND a person had a lap child about 1.5 or so ...banged on the lady sitting in the window seat (I had aisle seat and her daughter was middle seat) seat for a long time. Then he threw a sippy cup that hit her. Funny thing is my youngest (14) was in the row with the baby and mom...he had aisle seat. When we got on plane a man was sitting in my son's seat. I told him we had aisle seat...obviously he didn't want to sit by the lap kid.

I honestly can't imagine you or your child being comfortable for a long flight. It will start the trip off on a stressful foot. I wouldn't count on there being empty seats either. It isn't fair to the person next to you or in front of you...kids can't stay confined and are likely to bang on seat or reach over...those people paid for their seats ...not to share with a kid. Just my opinion tho.

Do what you feel you need to do.....but have a fun trip!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Thank you! From what I've read about that crash in Iowa (correct) a while ago where the pilots landed with no hydraulics, a woman had a lap baby and the best they could do was try to put it under the seat in front of them as belting it in would not have worked. The baby died.

We always bought a separate seat for our kids and made sure the car seat would work on the plane. Although safer than driving is a few hundred dollars worth the risk?

Amazingly this is only partially true. At least one infant survived. She did have injuries from sliding all over the plane as she was ripped free of her parent's arms.


And for those of you thinking. "that won't happen to me I won't let junior off my lap". Yes you will. You would be required to assume the braced position. Keeping your child in your lap then is just as dangerous and the Flight Attendant will not let you do whatever you want.