Surprise Trip!! Need Carseat/boarding Help W/ 2yo

[gypsydoodlebug]

DH surprised me with a trip to WDW in JUNE. Well, actually, he's going for a conference and is taking DD w/ us. Here's my question...we're flying Southwest and DD has her own seat. How do we attach her carseat? She's TWO and we have Britax car seats.

Also, I've never flown with a toddler before...I know we can preboard with kids under FOUR, but DD has a regular seat/ticket (actually 1/2 of a ticket using RAPID REWARDS and the other half paid for regularly). We don't have to have a blue preboard card if they're clearly under four, right?

Many thanks...I'm so excited DH is letting us go!!

 

[wirki]

I fly Southwest with my DD all the time. I do not take her carseat anymore. If it has any kind of straps hanging, they will not let you on the plane with it. You will have to check it. That has worked out fine with me. Also you do get to preboard before they are 4. My DD is 3 and big for her aga, and I have never been asked to show a blue boarding card. I do have her birth certificate with me anyway, so I guess I could show it to them if I need to. I have flown by myself with her and have had no problems. Have a fun and safe trip.

Debbie

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

I thought we had to have a FAA-approved car seat... I don't know how she'd do with a regular seatbelt because she's actually 21 months -- not yet two. I think she'd be more comfortable in a car seat...

 

[safetymom]

If her seat is paid for not a problem using a car seat as long as it has the FAA certified sticker on the car seat.

Also some times they suspend the preboarding if there are lots of small children.

 

[momsully]

Definately use the carseat. It will make the flight much more enjoyable for you and her. The seat needs to be in the window and you can not be in the exit row. Have a fun trip!

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

Definately use the carseat. It will make the flight much more enjoyable for you and her. The seat needs to be in the window and you can not be in the exit row. Have a fun trip!

Momsully: Do you mean next to the window? Or can we put her in between us?

 

[momsully]

They usually make you put the carseat next to the window because of the need to exit quickly in an emergency. I think if the seat base is small enough they would let you put it in the middle seat.

 

[Aneille]

Both times I've flown with my kids they made me put them in the window seat. And carseats must have the FAA sticker on the seat for it to be used in an airplane. I believe most Britax seats except the big Husky versions are FAA approved.

I have installed a Marathon and a Roundabout in an airplane with no problem. The attendants usually didn't help me with the seats though. The roundabout was easier because it was a lot smaller. The Marathon is a monster to carry down the aisle of the plane but its doable.

I was allowed to pre-board both times but the time when I left for Thanksgiving the pre-board time was certaintly not enough time to get the seats in before they started everyone else onboard. I was flying alone though with an infant in my lap and a barely 2 year old in a carseat. It was our first flight together and it was stressful.

The second time was to Disney and it was on Song. It was very relaxed and easy. I had my husband there to help and things went smoothly.

And neither time was I asked for a blue pre-board tix.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

OK! We have a Roundabout and a Marathon both, so we'll use the Roundabout (she's not picky). Can you guys help with how they're installed? Do we need any special equipment I need to buy or do the straps fit through the back of the seat? DH installed both, so I'm not sure if we need anything other than the belt SW provides...

I'm so excited about this, except for the flight (I'v flown SW more than a dozen times over the past year, so I'm familiar with the boarding procedures...) with DD since this is her first flight...

 

[Aneille]

You install the carseat forward facing just like you do in your car using the lapbelt only installation. There is a pic of the lapbelt insx. right on the side of the RA. You shouldn't even need a belt extender on the plane to do it. If for some odd reason the seatbelt on the plane doesn't fit through the RA's belt path, ask the attendent for a belt extender and they will give one to you. We didn't need one however.

Have a great trip!

 

[AspiringCindy]

Just go on www.seatguru.com and make sure the seat fits in the seat of the airline you are using. We traveled this summer with a Britax seat...and the base just fit with no room to spare! Also, we bought a hand cart with wheels(and a bungee strap)that folds for about $10 and used it to transport the seat through the airport and down the aisle of the plane!

 

[Aneille]

I also bought one of those micro-movers for my carseats and after 2 flights it was junk. Not sure if its the same thing or not as the one your talking about though. The first flight the micromover worked okay, the second time it didn't really. The carseats kept falling off the mover as I pulled it. I really wish they would come up with something really good for moving carseats at airports!

This trip we are going to try those car-seat bags you get from Babies R Us.

They carry this one:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t.../104-5074236-7472745?v=glance&s=baby&n=507846

and this one:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t.../104-5074236-7472745?v=glance&s=baby&n=507846

Not sure which one I will end up purchasing though.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

Oohh...thanks, Aneille. I'll have to get one of those.