SWA/ car seat placement?

[madge]

Is there any place (other than the exit rows) that we may not put our car seat, when flying on Southwest? There are 5 of us, and we enjoy sitting in that front section, where there are 6 seats together. We have never flown with a car seat, so I'm not sure if we are allowed to sit there....

thanks

 

[prncess674]

you will need to put the carseat in the seat closest to the window so you don't impede or trap someone in the window seat. You will be allowed to sit in the "lounge area" as it is referred to on SWA. There is lounge seating in 3 places on most planes. One left and right as you enter the plane. One set left and right mid-cabin where the exit windows are (you would not be allowed to sit here with children under 15) and a final set all the way to the back. You may sit in any lounge area except the mid cabin. The back one may suit your needs better because you will be right next to the lavatory and it always seems quieter. Also since you will need to wait for others to deplane so you can get your car seat off you won't be in a huge hurry if you sit in the back. If you do decide to sit in the front please don't hold up lines of people behind you wrestling with the car seat if you decide to sit in the front. Be considerate of your fellow passengers. Remember you were allowed to pre-board because you need additional time so please don't hold up others deplaning.

 

[NotUrsula]

Just FYI, if you choose to sit in the lounge area, it is better NOT to put the carseat in the row that backs against the bulkhead.

The design of carseats presupposes a seatbelt that latches on the side. Aircraft seatbelts latch in the center, so the buckle will end up behind the carseat. If you've gotten it tight enough to be secure, you will very often have trouble reaching in from the side to release the buckle when it is time to get off the plane. If that happens, you want to be able to go around to the row behind you and reach up between the seat cushions from the back, which makes it much easier to release the buckle.

PS, the easiest way to tighten in a carseat on a plane is to first lift the armrests out of the way. Then adjust the aircraft seat belt as long as it will go, thread the seatbelt through the carseat, and latch the buckle. Then position the carseat and put your knee on it, while pulling the loose end of the seatbelt to tighten down the seat.

Oh, one other spot where you can't put a seat. If the rows by the emergency exit doors are NOT lounge seating (on some SWA planes they are not), the front-facing row in front of the exit row is also a no-carseat zone. This is because the backs of those seats are supposed to be able to collapse forward to make it easier to get to the exit; with a carseat strapped in, they won't fold forward.

 

[Maxwell]

I thought they would not allow Car Seats in the first 2 rows "lounge" area.

 

[madge]

were allowed to pre-board because you need additional time so please don't hold up others deplaning.

If I had my way, I wouldn't pre-board with our daughter. To keep her entertained while the people that refuse to move so everyone has a seat, through the flight, then the de-planing is going to be a monumental challenge. The less time she is restrained, the better it is for everyone.

 

[madge]

PS, the easiest way to tighten in a carseat on a plane is to first lift the armrests out of the way. Then adjust the aircraft seat belt as long as it will go, thread the seatbelt through the carseat, and latch the buckle. Then position the carseat and put your knee on it, while pulling the loose end of the seatbelt to tighten down the seat

sounds like what we have to do in the car, sometimes

thanks for the advice!

I'm sure the Flight Attendant will help us with the best placement of the car seat. I think I remember that we were not allowed to sit in the front part of the plane with young children, but I could be confused.

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by madge
. . . .

If I had my way, I wouldn't pre-board with our daughter. To keep her entertained while the people that refuse to move so everyone has a seat, through the flight, then the de-planing is going to be a monumental challenge. The less time she is restrained, the better it is for everyone.

You can roll your eyes all day and all night IT IS RUDE to hold up everyone behind you while you fart around with a car seat. give your child a toy and sit tight for a few minutes. Let those who are ready off the plane. Besides if your daughter is that impatient waiting you really shouldn't be bringing her to WDW. There is plenty of waiting and patience required in WDW.

If you don't want to bring your daughter on the plane have one adult with the car seat pre-board and then you board at the end with your daughter.

You can't have your cake and eat it too. I personally don't want to be on a plane any longer than necessary should i be given special access to deplane first???? Teach your daughter a little patience.

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by madge
we enjoy sitting in that front section,

We all enjoy sitting in the front section. Unfortunately there is only one row one, if your flight is a continuing flight the front of the plane will more likely than not already be full of others. As soon as your children are old enough you will have to join the rest of us in general boarding.

 

[JennsBabySky]

I just found out that AA (not sure about SWA) doesn't allow carseats in the row in front of and the row behind the exit row. However, it does not sound like it is heavily enforced. I would try to avoid these seats if others are around.

I'm flying with a carseat for the first time tomorrow, so I won't have any actual tips until next week! However, I have seen posts where one parent boards with the carseat and installs it while the other parent plays with the children until towards the end of the boarding process. This delays the amount of time the kids have to sit on the plane and helps them burn off some steam. Of course, this only works with two adults.

My daughter is a pretty well behaved 3 year old and she is really looking forward to her "first" flight (not really her first, but she doesn't remember the others). On the other hand, I am starting to worry and packing a lot of toys from the dollar store and little snacks. We frequently go to Disneyland and she is very patient about waiting in line. But in this case she does have a few inches to walk around and we can shift between holding her and letting her stand and circle us in line. Moreover, if she has a complete meltdown -- happens with the ALL kids at times, they get hot, tired, etc -- we can always exit the line and either leave the park or distract her away from the crowds of people. Unfortunately, on a plane, she will be stuck in one seat for the entire 5+ hours. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.

If your little ones are really impatient by the time it comes to get off the plane and there are 2 adults, you could also have one adult deplane with the kids and the other stay and remove the carseat. This way, you won't hold up the plane, but your kids don't have to try to be patient after a long (and probably boring) flight. It is really hard for children to watch everyone else leave while they have to stay seated. Of course it is our job as parents to teach them patience, but it may be easier to avoid the public meltdown and teach them this in other, less crowded places! Especially if you are traveling with a carseat. I am assuming that one child is probably age 4 or under -- they are just learning reasoning and have no concept of "a couple more minutes".

Have a wonderful vacation and an uneventful flight,
Jennifer

 

[madge]

I have seen posts where one parent boards with the carseat and installs it while the other parent plays with the children until towards the end of the boarding process. This delays the amount of time the kids have to sit on the plane and helps them burn off some steam. Of course, this only works with two adults.

I called SWA to ask this question, The agent couldn't really give me a definite answer one way or another. I was left with the sense that it is up to each indiviual airport and the people on duty for that flight. I would love for my DH to board with the car seat while I let our toddler burn off that last bit of steam We are a family of 5, at the very least we need to sit 3 and 2. The way SWA boards, we would have to pre-board or get in the first seating group in order for us to be together.

My daughter is a pretty well behaved 3 year old and she is really looking forward to her "first" flight (not really her first, but she doesn't remember the others). On the other hand, I am starting to worry and packing a lot of toys from the dollar store and little snacks.

Our daughter is turning two while we are on vacation--she is fairly well behaved, but she "is" a toddler....she has her moments She does NOT travel well in the car for more than an hour, she never has. I have treats for her stashed away and I am hoping for the best. Short of staying home, that's all I can do. I try to put myself in her shoes sometimes...sitting in one spot, restrained, and in wet pants. It can't be fun.

Good Luck to you on your flight!

 

[CarolA]

Well this may not be an issue for long. SW is removing the "Lounge" seats on thier planes. The newer ones don't have that configuration and I believe they are changing it as the refit their existing fleet.

I have no problem with kids boarding early or waiting on you to get your child seat. After all we have already waited on joe businessman who stuffed his oversized luggage into the overhead and took five minutes of tugging to get it out.

PLEASE take toys. Tuesday I got to sit in front of a three year old. We were delayed on the ground for over an hour and we had an hour flight. The mother bought NOTHING for her child to do. No crayons, books, toys etc... So the child got bored and cried loudly! Since I was frustrated with the airline I don't blame the kid, but the mother was pretty unprepared.

 

[madge]

PLEASE take toys. Tuesday I got to sit in front of a three year old. We were delayed on the ground for over an hour and we had an hour flight. The mother bought NOTHING for her child to do. No crayons, books, toys etc... So the child got bored and cried loudly! Since I was frustrated with the airline I don't blame the kid, but the mother was pretty unprepared.

I never leave the house without toys, cheerios, and dum-dum lollipops...ever. I will be armed with benadryl, books, toys, and (hopefully) a portable DVD player, that should (hopefully) be enough

Carol, How long is the flight from BNA?

 

[JennsBabySky]

Originally posted by madge
I never leave the house without toys, cheerios, and dum-dum lollipops...ever. I will be armed with benadryl, books, toys, and (hopefully) a portable DVD player, that should (hopefully) be enough

Too funny -- I've just finished packing my backpack and there is: cheerios, dum-dum lollipops, toys, crayons, etc. Amazing how half a county away all kids want the same thing. My daughter also loves oyster crackers and at the dollar store I found a tub with lots of packages of theses crackers (like you get with soup at restaurants) I packed several packages of these too. Kind of messy, but better than crying!

Have fun,
Jennifer

 

[CarolA]

The flight from Nashville to Orlando is about 1.5 hours. (I think) I was actually flying from Atlanta where the flight is half an hour, but the scheduled time is an hour to give you 30 minutes to get out of Atlanta.

 

[madge]

Originally posted by CarolA
The flight from Nashville to Orlando is about 1.5 hours. (I think) I was actually flying from Atlanta where the flight is half an hour, but the scheduled time is an hour to give you 30 minutes to get out of Atlanta.

we will spend more time in the car getting to Nashville then we will on the plane. yay! Darn those time zones, LOLOL...I couldn't figure out if the flight times were in "my" time or local time.

We have flown several times, it isn't like I don't know what I'm doing in that respect....it's just a different experience with a toddler and an airport we have never used

 

[madge]

Originally posted by prncess674
We all enjoy sitting in the front section. Unfortunately there is only one row one, if your flight is a continuing flight the front of the plane will more likely than not already be full of others. As soon as your children are old enough you will have to join the rest of us in general boarding.

pre-October 2001, I arrived at the airport early enough to get in the "A" boarding group so my family could sit together. it was never a problem, as the flight originates at our airport.