The CARES Device for Flying...Questions

[MercerMom]

Hi, I am interested in renting the CARES Device for my two year old on the plane, he has never flown before. I noticed there is nothing before the legs. Has anyone had any trouble with kids sliding out and escaping? My two year old is pretty resourcful when it comes to things like that.
I really don't want to lug that giant britax through the airport, but I also want him to be comfortable. Need opinions. When they are that low, he won't be able to look around...is that good or bad. Neither of my kids have flown and we're kinda nervous.

 

[gabriellyn]

We didn't have a harness on this last trip, so our 2yo only had the regular seatbelt. He did try to wriggle out, but we successfully diverted his attention with candy, movies, whatever. Luckily we had a short flight, so it was bearable. The year before that we took our car seat and I have to say it was MUCH BETTER WITHOUT THE CAR SEAT. I would rather deal with the wriggling than the car seat any day. The security back through in Orlando is such a hassle that I really recommend you check or send everything through except maybe the diaper bag. They made us put the car seat through an xray machine and almost broke it trying to fit it through before finally putting it through another machine. NEVER AGAIN. You should be just fine with the harness - just bring plenty of distractions.

 

[ryanshana]

I just wanted to thank you cause I have never heard of CARES. I am soooo getting one. DS was 2 at last trip and he wriggled out and climbed (YES CLIMBED) under the seat to get to DH who was in front of us w/ other DS. my son is a monkey if yours is too I'd get one!

 

[MnMomW3Boys]

CARES what is it, and how do I get one? I am flying with my 2 year old in May, and he has flown before but not since he could walk, and I don't want to have to wrestle him in his seat, and I don't want to deal with the car seat either.
TIA

 

[MercerMom]

The CARES is a harness that basically make an airplane seat a carseat. They are expensive, but you can rent on on ebay. To an ebay search and you can read all the details.

 

[MnMomW3Boys]

The CARES is a harness that basically make an airplane seat a carseat. They are expensive, but you can rent on on ebay. To an ebay search and you can read all the details.

Thank you, off to search eBay.

 

[sshaw10060]

We have used the CARES 3 times and love it. We definitely agree it is better than hauling the car seat. I would recommend you practice putting it on at home since it does take a little practice. The other trick is not to let your toddler see how to unfasten the seatbelt. Once they figure out that trick it is one big game.

 

[Binnie]

I used the CARES with my daughter in November when we flew to WDW, and will use it again in March. I thought it was great... Much better than schlepping that darned car seat around!

No crotch strap really wasn't an issue for my then almost 3 year old, but slipping out of the shoulder straps was more of a problem. I had to make sure it was tight, which made DD mad. I think the seats are big enough relative to the munchkins that as long as it's tight, you should be OK.

You can rent them on e-bay, or you can buy them at kidsflysafe.com. Worth the expense to me!

 

[Olga]

We bought a CAREs and it's perfect. The harness holds your child in position just fine. Our toddler falls asleep on planes, he seems very comfortable. View the video and board early. This invention is so convenient and easy to use.

 

[MM_Bound]

We have a 2 year old use CARES and really like it. Somethings we found helped with it:
1. Watched the instruction video with him and got him excited to use it. He feels special using it.
2. One person can install it easily, so if you want send in one person in pre-boarding then have the other person come on with the regular passengers. That way your child had minimal time on the aircraft when it is just sitting there. After you install it once odds are you can all board with regular boarding and install it with them in the seat, it takes about 30 seconds.
3. Get a section of that rubber stuff people put in drawers so things don't slide around and have your child sit on that. With leather seats we found he constantly slid down and made him uncomfortable. The less we reminded him he was in it the better.
It is way better than bringing the car seat on board for us, and he carries the CARES in his carry on luggage so even less for me to carry around. If you fly once and a while it can quickly become a reasonable purchase.

 

[jpeka65844]

Be aware that the CARES harness does not fit all airplane seats. The seats on our usual Midwest Airlines flight were too thick and the arrangement of the tray table on the back made it impossible to use it. There's $80 I might as well have lit on fire.

 

[Michelina]

Had anyone used it on Airtran? Thanks!

 

[PeterPanMom]

We have a 2 year old use CARES and really like it. Somethings we found helped with it:
1. Watched the instruction video with him and got him excited to use it. He feels special using it.
2. One person can install it easily, so if you want send in one person in pre-boarding then have the other person come on with the regular passengers. That way your child had minimal time on the aircraft when it is just sitting there. After you install it once odds are you can all board with regular boarding and install it with them in the seat, it takes about 30 seconds.
3. Get a section of that rubber stuff people put in drawers so things don't slide around and have your child sit on that. With leather seats we found he constantly slid down and made him uncomfortable. The less we reminded him he was in it the better.
It is way better than bringing the car seat on board for us, and he carries the CARES in his carry on luggage so even less for me to carry around. If you fly once and a while it can quickly become a reasonable purchase.

Great idea! I was going to mention the only problem we had were the slippery seats on Southwest. I will definitely be using this idea!

 

[PrincessPeyton]

We used it on Airtran without any problems, but I agree with the OP...get plenty of practice before you leave for the airport!

 

[Olga]

Had anyone used it on Airtran? Thanks!

Yes, we have used it on AirTran, no problem.

 

[Binnie]

We used it on airtran. No problems, even in business class. And I wasn't smart enough to practice with it ahead of time, so I opened it for the first time on the plane. I figured we could pre-board, but that didn't happen...

 

[mom2meiko]

has anyone had any problems using this on jetblue or delta? we will be flying one of those airlines and want to use the CARES if possible for our daughter who will be 2.5 yrs.

 

[hopefor4]

Hi I just returned from a trip to WDW, Air Canada, and the CARES was a god send! My DD is 27 months, and it was great! You must get the strap that goes around the back of the seat VERY TIGHT!! This stops it from slipping down. Also, I got the strap covers to make it more comfortable. I also put a blanket under her, and rolled a few times under her knees. She must have been comfortable because she slept both ways!

Michelle

 

[Willow25]

I just flew from Australia to the US round trip with my 16 month old daughter. We used the CARES harness as I am pregnant and refused to lug a car seat around. I would highly recommend the using the tips about putting something underneath my daughter fell asleep and I kept having to lift her back up. Also make sure you practice the installation because if you do not have it all tight and appropriately fitted it can be uncomfortable for them.

I also waited until the last minute to fully strap her in. I let her stand on the seat and look out the window then when they announced it was time to take off I strapped her in. For my daughter the sensation of taking off seemed to calm her and it started the flight off a lot better. For smaller flights CARES is a godsend.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

We just returned from WDW and used CARES for the first time. It was great!! I used a piece of the non-stick padding you can use to line a cabinet as another poster mentioned. It kept DS from sliding down. It was a ton easier then lugging his ginormous britax car seat on the plane!!!