Taxi with Kids

[palenskec]

Alright, please don't judge me here ....

We have a 5 year old who "technically" should still be a booster seat. We would like to take a cab from the airport (long beach) as our group is small and so I don't really think we need a shuttle. So, I guess I'm wondering has anybody had experience with kids in cabs.

 

[nikkislaght]

Most honest cabbies won't take you with a child that should be in a booster and isn't!
The shortest airport to DL is 13 miles, along a fast moving freeway !

If you don't want to haul a booster go to Walmart and buy a bubble bum booster seat ! Or over night it from Amazon . It's inflatable and very small when in its bag!
And as far as judging , this post is ripe for judgement !

 

[Spyral]

We recently did a 1 day trip to USH, and took a taxi to/from the Burbank airport. We had purchased a MiFold booster seat. However each way, the taxi driver didn't care/ask about a booster. They just took off once we got in the cab/van. We're a family of 5. Heard the same from others in regards to boosters and taxis, however, wanted to be on the safe side and have one just in case. The MiFold is pretty darn small. You can also get it overnight from Amazon. We debated between the Mifold and the Bubble Bum. I wasn't sure about blowing up the BB after it had been in the seat of the taxi a few times (mouth piece is on the bottom from what I've read), but most people have disinfecting wipes to take care of that.

Bubble Bum
MiFold

 

[Darkbeer1]

Most honest cabbies won't take you with a child that should be in a booster and isn't!
The shortest airport to DL is 13 miles, along a fast moving freeway !

If you don't want to haul a booster go to Walmart and buy a bubble bum booster seat ! Or over night it from Amazon . It's inflatable and very small when in its bag!
And as far as judging , this post is ripe for judgement !

The closest airport is Long Beach, and it is all city streets (well, one city street), basically when you leave the airport, take the road east 13 miles down Wardlow/Ball Road (changes names) and you are there.

And yes, look at the Bubble Bum for a booster seat.

Any private town car would be about the same price, and some provide child/booster seats. You must book in advance though.

 

[amyg1975]

Not worth the risk, take some sort of seat for your child.

 

[Scootypuffjr]

We have a Mifold. It fits in my purse (which is not big at all) and we love it. We recently took it on a trip to DL and Aulani. One of the best purchases I've made.

 

[jenbright]

I'll add another vote for Bubble Bum! We have 2 and the kids each carry their own inside their backpack...I don't have to haul or lose luggage space . We've taken them all over including a couple Europe trips.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Not worth the risk, take some sort of seat for your child.

Agree with this! Since there are very portable options available, please don't risk it. What would you do if something were to happen?

 

[palenskec]

Thanks everybody. Didn't know about portable booster. I am a teacher and I see lots of kinder kids in and out of cars every day and not very many have boosters. We must have a bunch of terrible people here in Oregon and not parents of the year!

 

[amyg1975]

We do have strict laws. What is the law for Oregon?

Current California Law: Children under the age of 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat.

 

[Spyral]

We do have strict laws. What is the law for Oregon?

Current California Law: Children under the age of 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat.

Yup, that is the reason we purchased a mifold prior to our trip (besides wanting to be safe, of course). That law includes taxis as well as of 2012 I believe.

 

[5forMickey]

Not judging --- but as an above poster said, it's just not worth it to risk your child. LA traffic is crazy and you would feel so bad if something happened and you had to live with the "what if's". Don't do it because it's the law, do it for the sake of your child

 

[Darkbeer1]

Not judging --- but as an above poster said, it's just not worth it to risk your child. LA traffic is crazy and you would feel so bad if something happened and you had to live with the "what if's". Don't do it because it's the law, do it for the sake of your child

And the way the law is written, it is the Parent that gets the ticket, not the Taxi Driver. (Unless there is no adult in the vehicle).

I think there is full agreement here, either bring your own, or arrange for a vehicle that provides car/booster seat.

 

[palenskec]

We do have strict laws. What is the law for Oregon?

Current California Law: Children under the age of 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat.

Oregon its all about height and weight. Which she meets here in Oregon....by about 1/4 inch. LOL. I didn't realize in California it was an age thing. See ... we all learn something new every day!

 

[Aladora]

Oregon its all about height and weight. Which she meets here in Oregon....by about 1/4 inch. LOL. I didn't realize in California it was an age thing. See ... we all learn something new every day!

I think Oregon is over 4'9" OR 8 years old AND the adult seat belt fits correctly which is determined by being able to answer yes to all of these:

1. Can the child sit all the way back against the vehicle seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat?
3. Does the shoulder belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay comfortably seated like this for the whole trip?

 

[5forMickey]

I think Oregon is over 4'9" OR 8 years old AND the adult seat belt fits correctly which is determined by being able to answer yes to all of these:

1. Can the child sit all the way back against the vehicle seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat?
3. Does the shoulder belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay comfortably seated like this for the whole trip?

Well, as a little side humor, my 73 yro Mother would just barely meet those requirements by my 28 yro DD would still need the seat lol.

In all seriousness, I used to preach to same DD about putting the shoulder restrain behind her when she drove. I know it was uncomfortable. Unfortunately she learned I was right by a terribly hard lesson. She worked at a youth home while attending college. They took the girls on weekend outings for part of their therapy. On one trip one of the vehicles that one of her staff was driving got in a wreck, two of the girls (young teens) had their shoulder restraints behind them and were throw from the vehicle and killed.

Terrible lesson to learn but it is why I plead with everyone to follow the rules, they do save lives.

 

[Aladora]

Well, as a little side humor, my 73 yro Mother would just barely meet those requirements by my 28 yo DD would still need the seat lol.

Lol, I know! My son is the same way. He was in his booster until he was almost 10 but with a mom who is 5'1" and a day who is 5'6", he was never going to be a professional basketball player!

 

[Darkbeer1]

Here is a good guide to California and its Car/Booster seat rules.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-...Car.Seats.For.Children.Under.8.Years.Old.html