taxi's & car seats

[srauchbauer]

we are starting to plan our Oct. trip and decided this year we are not going to rent a car (see no point when it just sits in the hotel parking lot). But we have never used a cab or limo always rent a car, so here is my questions.

1) do you need a car seat for a cab or limo ride from the Airport (lax) to DL? Kids are 5 and 3.

2) what are the prices for a cab ride vs. a limo?

thanks everybody.

 

[CdnCarrie]

You are not legally required to have a carseat for a cab.

 

[sierranevada]

PP is correct, car seats are not required for taxi/limo. Last I heard, a taxi from LAX to DLR is about $70ish. The best place to get limo quotes is limos.com - very competitive. Supershuttle is $16/pp from LAX so for the price difference, I would go with a taxi.

 

[srauchbauer]

thanks everyone, now I just have to get use to the idea of the kids not seating in a carseat.

 

[inluvwithbuzz]

Thanks for posting that question. I too am planning a trip for October and it will just be myself and my DS3. And I am debating on renting a car or just taking the super shuttle to disneyland. And only going to places with in walking distance. But I am thinking for the amount you would have to pay for a shuttle or taxi both ways. It would almost work out to the cost of renting a car. I am going for a week and renting a car right now would cost me about $150 for an intermediate. I am sure between now and closer to the trip rental cars will go cheaper.

Maybe I will bring the booster seat even though taxi's dont require car seats for children.

 

[jenniferrose]

Personally, if I were going to take a cab, I would feel much more comfortable with a carseat. If I were taking a Shuttle, I would probably be ok not having one. But that is just my feeling. Maybe because the shuttle is bigger and higher off the ground. Depending on how far you are flying, you may want to take your carseat. Some kids feel more comfortable on the plane in the seat they are used to. They know they have to stay put and are less likely to want to get up and wander. Just my two cents.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

What??? A taxi is a car/sedan with seat belts why in the world wouldn't you want your child in a car seat??? We rarely rent a vehicle when we visit DLR/S CA ~ up until the middle of last year I brought a Cosco Scenera for DD to use in whatever vehicle gets us from the airport to our hotel and back to the airport ~ now I bring a backless booster for her ~ she's gotten too big for the Scenera. We typically fly into LGB airport and have a car service company pick us up ~ it's always the same guy, we're always in either a Toyota SUV or Lexus SUV. All of our visits last year but 1 was just me and my 2 kids ~ if I can handle bringing a car safety seat for my kid I'm sure you can.

Cost ~ it depends, what airport are you flying to - we pay $45 each way from and to LGB. If you want to skip car seats, consider a shuttle/bus *Magical Express *not free* available at some airports, not LGB. *but those make me nervous anyway.

Have a fun, safe visit!

*BTW I'm a former Child Passenger Safety Tech - I'm all for extended harnessing ~ heck DD faced the back of the vehicle till her 4th B-day

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I would bring your car seat on the plane for the little one at least, maybe a booster for the older--that you can gate check... then you don't have to "get used to the idea", just because it isn't required doesn't mean you can't use them... We use the "pac-back" to travel with our big britax car seat... and now that dd is 6, with her high-back booster. Makes taking a large carseat on a plane so much easier...

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=363756&cmSource=Search

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I would bring your car seat on the plane for the little one at least, maybe a booster for the older--that you can gate check... then you don't have to "get used to the idea", just because it isn't required doesn't mean you can't use them... We use the "pac-back" to travel with our big britax car seat... and now that dd is 6, with her high-back booster. Makes taking a large carseat on a plane so much easier...

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=363756&cmSource=Search

DD's main seat is a Britax Wizard ~ that BIG beast doesn't travel with us

 

[Ariel224]

I too am a former Child Passenger Safety Technician. At 80 mph on an LA freeway, the laws of physics in a crash do not differentiate taxi vs. regular passenger vehicle or van type shuttle. While local laws may be satisfied in not using seats, it doesn't translate into a safe option.

Large charter bus shuttles use a concept called compartmentalization to protect their passengers. (Think eggs cradled in an egg carton). If OP really doesn't want to bring seats, this is truly the safest option. Disneyland Resort Express

Just my $0.02.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I too am a former Child Passenger Safety Technician. At 80 mph on an LA freeway, the laws of physics in a crash do not differentiate taxi vs. regular passenger vehicle or van type shuttle. While local laws may be satisfied in not using seats, it doesn't translate into a safe option.

Large charter bus shuttles use a concept called compartmentalization to protect their passengers. (Think eggs cradled in an egg carton). If OP really doesn't want to bring seats, this is truly the safest option. Disneyland Resort Express

Just my $0.02.

Agreeing with compartmentalization *but it doesn't really work till an average sized child is 5 or 6 ~ and they have to be sitting properly.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

DD's main seat is a Britax Wizard ~ that BIG beast doesn't travel with us

DD's 23 lb britax frontier can go on my back with the pac-back... its a tight squeeze getting through the aisle on the plane... the high-back booster I got, at 12 lbs, is a dream to take, but it isn't FAA approved, so it gets gate-checked.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

DD's 23 lb britax frontier can go on my back with the pac-back... its a tight squeeze getting through the aisle on the plane... the high-back booster I got, at 12 lbs, is a dream to take, but it isn't FAA approved, so it gets gate-checked.

DS's seat is the Husky ~ similar to the Fronteir, perhaps huskier ~ once that puppy was installed it didn't come out of the car, it "expires" next month ~ it'll be interesting to dispose of.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

DS's seat is the Husky ~ similar to the Fronteir, perhaps huskier ~ once that puppy was installed it didn't come out of the car, it "expires" next month ~ it'll be interesting to dispose of.

I understand!! The frontier only gets moved if absolutely necessary! I miss the days of our Britax roundabout and being able to use latch... ahhhh it was sooo easy!!

 

[Ariel224]

Agreeing with compartmentalization *but it doesn't really work till an average sized child is 5 or 6 ~ and they have to be sitting properly.

I can't argue with that. Compartmentalization isn't perfect, and it does rely on proper sitting (but so do seatbelts!) My first choice would be to have and use the car seats. But if someone is going to opt not to do that (which is what I was basing my comparison on), I'd still choose a large charter bus over a vehicle with a lap belt, improperly fitted lap/shoulder belt system, or no belt at all. On my first (and LAST) experience with Super Shuttle, half the passengers didn't buckle up at all. We were the last to be picked up, and the two remaining seats of the van were either lap belt only, or completely broken lap/shoulder belt. For me, it was a very scary ride, and I'm glad my kids weren't along.

 

[srauchbauer]

okay I guess I didn't state my question correctly and didn't mean to start a thread about the use of car seats. Yes I am a firm believe in car seats and when I say car seat I mean the five point buckle ones, not boosters. Of course I would bring boosters for them.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

okay I guess I didn't state my question correctly and didn't mean to start a thread about the use of car seats. Yes I am a firm believe in car seats and when I say car seat I mean the five point buckle ones, not boosters. Of course I would bring boosters for them.

My 1st post was directed mostly at the posters telling you child safety seats aren't required.

 

[DisKatrina]

My DD is five. We aren't renting a car, but I was going to bring a booster seat for the shuttle ride. A PP said the shuttle has broken seat belts? I'm worried now. I'd take the charter bus, but we are staying at Hojo, not DLH. Is the shuttle always that bad? If it is, I'll get a cab.

 

[SaraK]

My DD is five. We aren't renting a car, but I was going to bring a booster seat for the shuttle ride. A PP said the shuttle has broken seat belts? I'm worried now. I'd take the charter bus, but we are staying at Hojo, not DLH. Is the shuttle always that bad? If it is, I'll get a cab.

We rode SuperShuttle last month to/from HoJo. Our 5 year old son sat in the backless booster that we brought along. None of the seatbelts in either shuttle were broken.

 

[DisKatrina]

Thanks, Sarak.