Take the car seats on the plane or not?

[Fall1]

I know this has been discussed some, but I'd love some opinions here. We are going to WDW for the first time with children in October. We'll be with twin 28 month olds. We bought 2 Cosco Scenera car seats for the rental car.

Should we bring them on the plane or not? How difficult is it to install them on the plane?

I'm wondering if the kids will be more apt to stay put on the plane in a car seat or not. Thanks!!

 

[monorailsilver]

I would. Not only is it safer but it keeps the kids contained so much better.

 

[VirataMama4]

I would and did. It was a pain, but totally worth it for safety and kept him in his seat.

 

[peemagg]

We did it with 3 seats. Not hard at all to install as long as the airline gives you the time you need. Ours unfortunately didn't, but that is a long story. To get them all through the airport we strapped them to one of those folding luggage carriers.

 

[kevschickee]

I am renting 2 cares harnesses off of ebay so I don't have to lug those huge carseats with me

 

[Erica09M]

I would absolutely bring the car seats on the plane. The FAA suggests that any child under 40 pounds ride in a car seat, or something like CARES. When we go on our trip, my littlest one will be 23 months and she'll ride in her car seat rear facing on the plane. We bought the Cosco Scenera specifically for traveling since it's so light weight.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I am renting 2 cares harnesses off of ebay so I don't have to lug those huge carseats with me

Anyone with a rental car, like the op, would need car seats so CARES wouldn't be a great solution for her.

I agree that bringing the seats onboard is the best option, especially for 2 year olds. It will be worth the extra minutes it will take to install them. If you have problems with the buckle being inside the belt path, ask for a seat belt extender...that should take care of the problem.

 

[lessernobleman]

I realize that you already purchased the car seats, but you might be better off with a high back booster with the five point harness. They are actually a little easier to transport and transfer than the car seat you mentioned (we've had both...) The car seat has a base that is a bit of a pain. We used a high back booster for my son when he was around 24-26 months and it worked great.

As far as taking them on the plane, I work with a guy whose sister is a flight attendant for Southwest. I asked him to ask her a few similar questions, and she said that they (the flight attendants) actually like it/appreciate it when people bring appropriate seating for their children.

Installing them on the plane is pretty much like installing in the middle seat in your car (no shoulder strap.) The buckle is different.

Your kids may or may not be more inclined to remain in the seat. Mine wasn't. He noticed that we were next to him and not driving or anything and wanted out...

 

[castle71]

at that age with child seats (as opposed to boosters). I always did, and it was much easier to keep the kids comfortable and secure in the car seats because that's what they're accustomed to, and because they can wiggle out of a lap belt.

I used to throw the car seats right on the stroller and wheel that through the airport, then gate check the stroller and roll them right to the door of the planes. Then I would drop the car seats, break down the stroller, and carry the car seats only from the door of the plane to the seats.

Your car seats need to be FAA approved or you may find that the flight attendants won't allow their use after all that trouble. Make sure they're marked. Also, the car seats always have to be closest to the window; adults can not be on the inside, or have to climb over them to exit the plane in case of emergency.

It's usually not difficult to install them on the plane; it's the same process as using a lap belt in the car. I've never bothered with the U stability rings (or whatever they're called) for flights.

 

[Erica09M]

The Cosco Sceneras are FAA approved and appropriately marked, so no problems there.

Harnessing boosters would only work if she wants her children forward facing in the car (or on the plane). Even at 28 months, her little ones could still rear face (if they aren't over Scenera 35 pound rear facing weight limit) since it's 5 times safer and reduces the risk of serious injury or death in an accident by 75%.

However, with the Scenera and a rear facing install in the car... you sometimes need to use a foam pool noodle or a rolled up towel to get a proper recline. So that's something to consider and have with you if you're going to rear face your little ones.

 

[MineMail]

Take the seats with you. We also have twins and took them on their first plane trip when they were about your kids' age. We used those seats before, during, and after the actual plane ride, lol. They sat in them while we waited for check-in, boarding, and the rental car. It worked out great because they were comfortable and together in one spot right where we could see them. Just plop them down together and hand them the Sunday comics and viola! Instant containment of twins!

 

[kevschickee]

Anyone with a rental car, like the op, would need car seats so CARES wouldn't be a great solution for her.

I agree that bringing the seats onboard is the best option, especially for 2 year olds. It will be worth the extra minutes it will take to install them. If you have problems with the buckle being inside the belt path, ask for a seat belt extender...that should take care of the problem.

You can rent carseats when you rent the car.

 

[limace]

Absolutely take them! My daughters both stayed contained better and were more likely to sleep in their car seats. I wouldn't rent a seat-too many exposes on how unsafe rental seats can be. Oh, and you can get those great screw-on things that convert your seat to a stroller-anyone remember what they are called?

 

[brymolmom]

I guess I'll be the opposing viewpoint. At that age - I wouldn't bring them on the plane but would check them for use in your rental car. With two of them plus two children the same age - WAY too tough to bring through the airport, IMO. And they can sit with a lap belt to be safe from turbulence.

OP - How are your seating assignments on the flight? I BELIEVE there is a one car seat per row limit - and that it has to be the window seat. So if you were hoping to be in between your two kids - I don't think that's possible with two carseats.

I haven't brought carseats on the plane since my kids were big enough to have the lap belt on (and I agree it does help for problems with turbulence). I just never found enough true data to support that belts (or carseats) on an airplane help with much other than turbulence. So once they were big enough for a lap belt around their middles - I was comfortable with their safety on the plane.

Just start explaining now that when you're in your seat the belt needs to stay BUCKLED and that they need to stay in their seats unless a potty break is needed. That should get you around the 'staying put' issue.

Good luck!

 

[Erica09M]

You can rent carseats when you rent the car.

Yikes! Never. That's way too risky. I'd never use a used car seat, especially if I don't know if it's ever been in a wreck or dropped, etc. You don't know if you'll be given a brand new seat (or if that brand new seat has been dropped, thrown, etc), or an expired seat, or an unsafe seat. Taking your own car seat is the only way to 100% insure that the seat they're riding in is safe.

I'd NEVER recommend to anyone that they rent a car seat.

 

[Erica09M]

I guess I'll be the opposing viewpoint. At that age - I wouldn't bring them on the plane but would check them for use in your rental car. With two of them plus two children the same age - WAY too tough to bring through the airport, IMO. And they can sit with a lap belt to be safe from turbulence.

OP - How are your seating assignments on the flight? I BELIEVE there is a one car seat per row limit - and that it has to be the window seat. So if you were hoping to be in between your two kids - I don't think that's possible with two carseats.

I haven't brought carseats on the plane since my kids were big enough to have the lap belt on (and I agree it does help for problems with turbulence). I just never found enough true data to support that belts (or carseats) on an airplane help with much other than turbulence. So once they were big enough for a lap belt around their middles - I was comfortable with their safety on the plane.

Just start explaining now that when you're in your seat the belt needs to stay BUCKLED and that they need to stay in their seats unless a potty break is needed. That should get you around the 'staying put' issue.

Good luck!

The FAA recommends a CRS for any child under 40 pounds. I don't think her 28 month old twins are 40 pounds, but I could be wrong.

 

[kevschickee]

The FAA recommends a CRS for any child under 40 pounds. I don't think her 28 month old twins are 40 pounds, but I could be wrong.

recommends is the key word

 

[Erica09M]

recommends is the key word

Exactly, it is the keyword! It's recommended because it's safer.

 

[kevschickee]

Just like when my pedi reccomends things I take it all in and use what I want of it. Choices are great

 

[Fall1]

Thanks for all the responses. I think we'll decide between renting the CARES system for the plane or bringing the seats. Right now we are leaning towards bringing the seats.

I called Jet Blue and they said you can do 2 seats in 1 row, but you can't have one on the aisle.