Spin on Car Seat and Airplane Concern...

[pinktink83]

IME, 20 months is much too young to not have a carseat on the plane. Both of my kids were in carseats until at least 3 years old. And even then...it was borderline. Plus, how will you be getting from the airport to your hotel? You'll need a carseat for the car/taxi/etc. Its really not that big of a deal to bring it. I've had to deal with two of them before! Just stack on top a rolling cart when you get to the airport.

 

[Katienphil]

IME, 20 months is much too young to not have a carseat on the plane. Both of my kids were in carseats until at least 3 years old. And even then...it was borderline. Plus, how will you be getting from the airport to your hotel? You'll need a carseat for the car/taxi/etc. Its really not that big of a deal to bring it. I've had to deal with two of them before! Just stack on top a rolling cart when you get to the airport.

Disney's Magical Express will be our transportation...so no carseat can be used on that.

 

[jessica52877]

I am probably the odd man out, but I wouldn't put my child in the car without a carseat therefore I wouldn't put them in a plane without a car seat. I just CANNOT justify it! My personal opinion only but I will stick to it. My son is 3 1/2 and about 36 lbs, we still take the car seat and will until he hits 40, or if I get a new car seat, 55 then, depending on seat specifications. Yes, it is something else to have and carry but my son's life is worth the extra "hassle". I honestly feel it is easier.

There are also no issues with the seat in front reclining, my son has still had plenty of room for his legs.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

You really need to check with Southwest, I know from experience that United and American require FAA approved seats for children under 2 in their own seat.

My suggestion is to bring the carseat and talk to your doctor about Benedryl. My doc said it is fine to use it for the kids for plane. Remember that children react differently to it, some sleep and some get all wound up.

 

[surfgirl]

I've used Benadryl and had good luck - it doesn't make them sleep, but just takes the edge off. Also helps with the ears - less 'stuffiness'. (I'll probably be flamed for 'unnecessarily' giving my children medicine, but it made the flight easier for them... and hence, easier for me).

Test it first! There ARE some kids that get hyperactive from it, so flying is not a good first time.

IF you finally decide to take the carseat, make sure it has a 'FAA Approved' sticker on the side - I had a flight attendant ask for that.

Do what you are comfortable with. There will be naysayers whatever that decision is. I realize that its safer to fly with a car seat, but I've had to travel with 3 children under 5 years + toys + diapers + extra set of clothes for everyone (I was thrown up on once flying... thank goodness for the extra sweatshirt in my bag!). There is no possible physical way that I could carry 3 carseats. And we've been fine.

There is my priceless advice: carry a second set of clothes while flying... I had a kid sick once and we both got covered. I was lucky to have a change. I now fly with a change for all.... even it its pj's (easy if need to change top or bottom and you make sure not to leave them behind!)

good luck!

 

[NotUrsula]

My son is 3 1/2 and about 36 lbs, we still take the car seat and will until he hits 40, or if I get a new car seat, 55 then, depending on seat specifications.

Just so you know, most of the carseats that have upper-body harnesses rated for over 40 lbs are not approved for aircraft use, because they are too large for aircraft seats. (The Britax Husky being the most popular example.)
Of course, no seat that lacks an integral upper-body harness will be approved for aircraft use at all.

Commercial aircraft move differently than cars, and 40 lbs really is the point where a child will safely and properly fit in an aircraft seat using the lap belt.

 

[MomPlanner22]

Hey CleveRocks,

Thanks for the info on Booster Seats. I didn't know they weren't allowed but it makes sense. We have to bring the car seat because we are going to visit family after leaving WDW. We will bring our Britax Roundabout for DD (2.5) on the plane and likely gatecheck booster for DS (4.5). I did check with ME and since the motorcoaches don't have any seat belts at all and car seats can't be affixed to the seats, they will put your car seat in the understorage.

My kids don't object to their car seats and I think would do better with the familiarity they provide. However, if your child is likely to stay seated, large enough for the seat belt to actually provide them some restraint and you don't need a car seat while at WDW, I'd leave it home. It is hard enough going through the airport with just the kids and stuff you need for the plane!

 

[juliehry]

I always travel with my car seats. The chances of needing them are slim, but why risk it? If there is some sort of emergency your child could easily be ejected from their seat and be a human missle. I think carrying the seat is a small price to pay when you think of the alternatives. Would you allow your child to "sit like a big girl " in a car? How will you live with yourself if something happens because she was not in her car seat in the plane? I also have always rented a car because I feel the busses present the same problem. If I could not afford to rent a car I would not go.

 

[jodifla]

I always travel with my car seats. The chances of needing them are slim, but why risk it? If there is some sort of emergency your child could easily be ejected from their seat and be a human missle. I think carrying the seat is a small price to pay when you think of the alternatives. Would you allow your child to "sit like a big girl " in a car? How will you live with yourself if something happens because she was not in her car seat in the plane? I also have always rented a car because I feel the busses present the same problem. If I could not afford to rent a car I would not go.

Wow! Talk about an extremist! So, guess you NEVER go to the Magic Kingdom, since the only way to get there is without a car seat.

 

[CleveRocks]

Wow! Talk about an extremist! So, guess you NEVER go to the Magic Kingdom, since the only way to get there is without a car seat.

Well, I also don't personally want to run my life the way juliehry does, but I personally wouldn't call her an "extremist." I disagree with her views, but I respect her desire to, in her mind, put her kids' safety over her own selfish enjoyment.

My wife is a pediatrician, and I am a therapist who works with children and adults AFTER they've been in horrible, life-altering accidents. She and I have seen it all. We know that bad things don't just happen to "other people," because we've both (separately) treated those unlucky "other people." Even with all this knowledge, we're still fine with taking our kids on Disney Transport buses, and NYC subways, etc. It's all about personal decisions, about what you think is reasonable, and what you can live with and what you can't.

Some may call juliehry an "extremist," but on the other hand, she'll probably never know me. That's a good thing. If I come to your home to provide treatment, it's because a horrible, horrible thing happened to a loved one, and that loved one will never be the same again. Of all the people I've treated who were injured as a result of a motor vehicle accident or bicycle accident, I've NEVER treated a patient who: was wearing a seat belt; who was in a child safety seat; or who was wearing a bike helmet. Never ONE.

 

[jodifla]

Well, I also don't personally want to run my life the way juliehry does, but I personally wouldn't call her an "extremist." I disagree with her views, but I respect her desire to, in her mind, put her kids' safety over her own selfish enjoyment.

My wife is a pediatrician, and I am a therapist who works with children and adults AFTER they've been in horrible, life-altering accidents. She and I have seen it all. We know that bad things don't just happen to "other people," because we've both (separately) treated those unlucky "other people." Even with all this knowledge, we're still fine with taking our kids on Disney Transport buses, and NYC subways, etc. It's all about personal decisions, about what you think is reasonable, and what you can live with and what you can't.

Some may call juliehry an "extremist," but on the other hand, she'll probably never know me. That's a good thing. If I come to your home to provide treatment, it's because a horrible, horrible thing happened to a loved one, and that loved one will never be the same again. Of all the people I've treated who were injured as a result of a motor vehicle accident or bicycle accident, I've NEVER treated a patient who: was wearing a seat belt; who was in a child safety seat; or who was wearing a bike helmet. Never ONE.

I'm still waiting to hear how she gets to the MK, since you can't drive your car there.

And how does riding a city bus or a Disney bus or a school bus equate with "selfish enjoyment?" It's part of living life, and in living life, there's some danger.

I find it interesting that none of your clients were wearing seat belts. Because certainly, people are killed in cars wearing seat belts on while in car all the time. It certainly increases your odds, but it's not a failsafe.

 

[jessica52877]

Just so you know, most of the carseats that have upper-body harnesses rated for over 40 lbs are not approved for aircraft use, because they are too large for aircraft seats. (The Britax Husky being the most popular example.)
Of course, no seat that lacks an integral upper-body harness will be approved for aircraft use at all.

Commercial aircraft move differently than cars, and 40 lbs really is the point where a child will safely and properly fit in an aircraft seat using the lap belt.

Thanks for the advice. If we get a new carseat it will be Britax. I'll probably wait and see how old he is when he hits 40 lbs.

 

[grlpwrd]

Thanks for the advice. If we get a new carseat it will be Britax. I'll probably wait and see how old he is when he hits 40 lbs.

I've mentioned this in one of the many other carseat threads here... Britax has signed a deal with Fisher Price which now makes 2 carseats which are comparable to the Britax Marathon and Roundabout models: Fisher Price's Safe Voyage and Safe Voyage Deluxe. Cheaper and less designer choices, but great price.

I won't get into the carseat debate again as it has been overdebated here. I don't argue about safety and I don't think we can convince those here who are adamant against using a carseat anyway. I just think it's irresponsible and negligent in convincing those not to use one, but that's just me.

GL, OP, with your decision and be safe!

 

[CleveRocks]

I'm still waiting to hear how she gets to the MK, since you can't drive your car there.

And how does riding a city bus or a Disney bus or a school bus equate with "selfish enjoyment?" It's part of living life, and in living life, there's some danger.

I find it interesting that none of your clients were wearing seat belts. Because certainly, people are killed in cars wearing seat belts on while in car all the time. It certainly increases your odds, but it's not a failsafe.

Well. like I said, I don't live my life the way that previous poster does. I agree that there's danger in many things that we do. But that's my choice whether or not I want to risk that danger. If I thought there was a great risk of injury to my kids from going to MK, then guess what, I wouldn't be taking them to MK. [But by the way, can't you drive to MK with kids in car seats, then walk to the ferry rather than taking the tram? This MIGHT satisfy her safety concerns]

As to the seat belt question, well, I'm not a cop, not an EMT, and not a ER doc or neurosurgeon, but I certainly see all the written reports from these folks as part of the medical records package I get before I start treating someone. Been doing this type of work for over 16 years, and I've never seen the phrase "restrained driver" or "restrained passenger" in a medical record or police report. If a motor vehicle accident is so severe that physical trauma occurred to the head while the head was at or near the headrest, then the injury was likely so traumatic and devastating that nothing could have saved them. For example, if you're driving 60 MPH and a tractor trailer going in the opposite direction at the same speed crosses the center line and hits you head on, you're dead because your entire vehicle "accordioned" into the tractor and your entire body was crushed.

The people in MVAs whom I've worked with tended to be injured by being ejected from the car (impact through the windshield or window and then again upon impact with the ground, and/or hitting the head on the rim of the roof either through the windshield or the window and being "scalped") or by being rammed around inside the cabin of the car like a missile or a pinball, hitting the head on any of the hard surfaces on the inside of the car.

Restrained drivers and passengers with their headrests in the proper place don't usually impact their heads upon any hard surfaces, and thus I never get to know them. I'm sure there are some out there, but I've just never seen them myself.

I live my life and guide my kids through life taking what I think are appropriate precautions to MINIMIZE risk. I totally agree that we can't eliminate risk or danger and we can't totally prevent horrible things from happening. I agree with you. But what I think is reasonable risk may be extreme to some and lazy to others. For example, just this afternoon my neighbor's 3 year old daughter was laying down on a skateboard IN THE STREET and was moving herself (with her arms) down the street and through and past an intersection. I knocked on my neighbor's door and told her this and shared my deep concern, figuring the girl got out of the house somehow. My neighbor told me she knew what her 3 year old was doing, that drivers would look out for her, and that I should mind my own business. I'm sure my neighbor thought I was being an extremist.

 

[dopeyfanatic]

Why is it that this board has to turn so many posts into arguments? Seriously, that's why I have so few posts here! My friend was killed WHILE WEARING HER SEATBELT. Yes it happens. For carseats on airplanes, some require. Those that don't it's up to the parent if they feel it is necessary or not. No need to argue about who is being extreme or overconcerned. Seriously people, isn't there better things to do than argue?

 

[susykt4]

Our first family trip DS was almost 2 1/2. I took his carseat because we needed it for the rental car anyway. That flight was so horrible that I ended up checking it with baggage on the way home. The seats were so small that he had no leg room and continually kicked the seat in front of us. I spent the ENTIRE flight fighting with him to stop kicking and apologizing to the ticked person in front of him. I certainly understand the safety issues, but will NEVER take a carseat on a plane again!!!

 

[CleveRocks]

Why is it that this board has to turn so many posts into arguments? Seriously, that's why I have so few posts here! My friend was killed WHILE WEARING HER SEATBELT. Yes it happens. For carseats on airplanes, some require. Those that don't it's up to the parent if they feel it is necessary or not. No need to argue about who is being extreme or overconcerned.

Sorry to hear about your friend.

Seriously people, isn't there better things to do than argue?

I actually like to think of it as debate. I'm not angry. I'm arguing a point, but I'm not "arguing" if you know what I mean. Isn't there anything better to do, you ask? Well, if all of this debate is the straw that breaks the camel's back to convince someone to be safer on transportation, then what could be more important? Knowing how to wait 5 minutes less in line for Dumbo???

 

[dopeyfanatic]

Yes, but you're talking about an airplane, not a car. VERY different types of transportation and safety issues. And frankly, as someone else has said, do you really think you're going to change someone's mind? If they don't want to take one, they won't. And "debating" it isn't going to change their mind. For every person who says yes, someone will say no, and they'll be back to deciding for themselves....

 

[CleveRocks]

Yes, but you're talking about an airplane, not a car. VERY different types of transportation and safety issues. And frankly, as someone else has said, do you really think you're going to change someone's mind? If they don't want to take one, they won't. And "debating" it isn't going to change their mind. For every person who says yes, someone will say no, and they'll be back to deciding for themselves....

So there's no sense in sharing opinions about anything, right? Yes, I DO think it's possible to change someone's mind. Not an entrenched, dyed-in-the-wool, stubborn individual who already has their mind made up, but what about OTHERS reading the thread who may tend to agree with an opinion opposite mine (or yours, or anyone's) but don't feel strongly about it? THOSE people might get their minds changed. If information can't change people's minds, then Oprah and the entire advertising industry are in for a big surprise.

Why is it that this board has to turn so many posts into arguments?

Psst ... don't look now, but you seem to be arguing.

 

[dopeyfanatic]

People like you are why I don't frequent these boards. I'm NOT arguing. I'm simply pointing out that practically EVERY thread on this board turns into a debate. I know MANY MANY people who will agree with me. I'm wondering why, in reply to her post, people couldn't have just posted that certain airlines REQUIRE the seats, and for those that don't, should hers be one of the, it's up to her what she feels comfortable with. Instead people who think she should use them are appalled that some people wouldn't. The fact is, it's safer to fly than drive. The chance a carseat would help isn't much. It's not like crashing in a car, if you crash in a plane a carseat isn't going to do as much help, not that it won't do ANY, just not the same. I'm not saying I'm for or against them, honestly I have no stand. I don't really care. Those that want to take them, cool. Those that don't that's ok too. I'm not going to look down on them and say they're not thinking of their child's safety. You can't compare apples and oranges.