To Book a Seat For Toddler or Not?

[DisneyAprilFool]

I'm sure this has been discussed, but I'm wondering what most people do...

Do you pay for a seat for a child under 2 or not (on the airplane)? If you don't- don't you worry about safety? If you do- do you regret it because it does cost a pretty penny?

I will probably go ahead and book a seat for our littlest- he will be turning 2 on the actual trip. My Mum says I shouldn't- she said if something were to happen, it wouldn't matter whether we had a carseat and the kiddo strapped in or not- I like to think the other way, obviously!

I'm sure this can be a heated topic- so please, play nice!

 

[all4fun]

Here's a pretty recent thread on the subject for you
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1503733
And in case you were considering checking a car seat instead of bringing it on board and using it:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1509559

 

[DisneyAprilFool]

Hey, thanks for the link Sometimes I miss things on the Dis! LOL!

 

[tjmw2727]

We always bought a seat for our kids and used a carseat. While its certainly not required the AAP, FAA and TSA all recommend using a carseat until a child is 40lbs just like in the car.

In addition, and just in case you aren't aware you will need to purchase a seat for your son on the return flight once he turns two. You will also need a birth certificate for the first leg if you do decide to lap sit. Most airlines require birth certificates especially for those children who appear to be close to the 2yo cut off.

TJ

 

[las3888]

We bought seats for DS to travel with us when he was under 2, but we only flew airlines that priced children that age at 1/2 price (United and Midwest Airlines). It was nice to have his own seat. I doubt he would have sat on either of our laps for more than 20-30 minutes at a crack.

 

[brymolmom]

I never did. When my kids were free - I did not reserve a seat - about 25% of the time there were extra seats so I was able to strap them in - but the rest of the time it was on mommy and daddy's laps. Honestly - I was a little more worried during the trip (afraid of turbulence) - but in many of the cases - my kids likely would have spent a lot of the time on my lap anyway.

Your mom's belief was basically my own - in the case of a major plane crash -most likely the seat would not help anyway. I know that is not ALWAYS the case - but to me it's a lot different than being buckled in in a car - where a baby can get thrown from the vehicle. Anyway- you are the only one who needs to be comfortable with your decision. If you are ok with no seat - then don't get one.

 

[PlutoPony]

If you son will be turning 2 during the trip, he will at least need his own seat on the way back - which would meaning buying a one way ticket. Some airlines have better deals on round trip tickets, other do not so you might want to check pricing from that perspective. Many/most airlines require a birth certificate be shown for lap children to verify that they really are under 2, it's not like at disney when you pay according to the age your child was at the beginning of the trip!

Edited to add: OOPS - sorry to post the point a PP has already made!

 

[DisneyAprilFool]

I'm pretty sure he'll spend most of the trip in my lap anyways- carseat or no carseat, unfortunately He's a velcro kid- that's for sure!

I had heard that about certain airlines about the age cut off- although since I haven't really thought about NOT getting a seat, I haven't looked into SWA's policies.

 

[stacy6552]

Especially since you are already concerned, buy your child a seat. Keep in mind that Mum might just have riden with you in her lap in a car, back in the day, so thank her for her opinion but dont neccessarily follow it. If you want you can remind her about the Souix City crash where all but one lap children died after being torn from their parents grasps, while those parents walked off the plane. Lap children are at incredibly high risk for injury during a routine flight and the stats go up with terbulence and emergencies. Remember even coffee pots are required to be secured.

 

[amelia1]

If money were an issue and it was a short flight(2 hours or so) then maybe I wouldn't. We took my DD to Hawaii when she was 19 months and bought her a seat. That was a 10 hour flight. She is 4 now and I also have a 2 year old. We are going in Sept to WDW and I booked them both a seat. It is only a 2 hour flight. My youngest is very independent and wants to do everything her big sis does. Money isn't an issue so rather than have her disturb everyone around her by screaming to get down from my lap, I bought her a seat.

I'm sure this has been discussed, but I'm wondering what most people do...

Do you pay for a seat for a child under 2 or not (on the airplane)? If you don't- don't you worry about safety? If you do- do you regret it because it does cost a pretty penny?

I will probably go ahead and book a seat for our littlest- he will be turning 2 on the actual trip. My Mum says I shouldn't- she said if something were to happen, it wouldn't matter whether we had a carseat and the kiddo strapped in or not- I like to think the other way, obviously!

I'm sure this can be a heated topic- so please, play nice!

 

[Rapunzel]

I'm not trying to flame, or be *****y...but I don't understand how parents think that flying in a huge tube of metal with seats in the sky is really any different then driving down the highway.

Would you drive as a backseat passenger in a car with your child on your lap?

I grew up flying, my dad used to work for one of the top airlines, I've seen my fair share of horrible turbulence. Lap kids can honestly become airborne in high turbulence areas. If we as adults are required to wear seatbelts during take off and landing as well as when its bumpy...why arn't kids under 2 required? It'll never make sense to me.

 

[fterie4u]

We are flying down the end of Seoptember, our DD will be 18 months and yes, we bought her a seat on the airplane. Othar than the obvious safety reasons we also thought that she would be the most comfortable that way. She is used to her seat, it is soemthing she knows. Plus, she know she need to sit in it. If she were on our laps, she would want down even more. I think and hope that it is going to be easier! Good luck!

 

[tjmw2727]

I'm pretty sure he'll spend most of the trip in my lap anyways- carseat or no carseat, unfortunately He's a velcro kid- that's for sure!

I had heard that about certain airlines about the age cut off- although since I haven't really thought about NOT getting a seat, I haven't looked into SWA's policies.

SWA is the strictest in regard to requiring birth certifcates for lap babies. They will require a birth certificare for the child before giving you the boarding verification document (lap baby version of a boarding pass) which is necessary to get through security.

If your son is two when flying even on the return leg you will need to purchase him a seat - the cut off is not an airline requirement but a federal one.

Here is the info from SWA -
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/infants.html

TJ

 

[liznboys]

We buy seats for our under 2 kids, and it is worth every penny for the ticket and every hassle of toting along the carseat. The last trip we had two of our four boys in carseats on the plane (one being 11 months old so he was rear-facing).

Here's a link for you:
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/airplanetravel.aspx

 

[DisneyAprilFool]

I honestly think the point someone made up there (sorry- don't know names) is what makes one wonder- if it's not safe, why is it allowed?

If it is unsafe, why don't airlines REQUIRE seats to be purchased?

I never heard about that crash mentioned either- but you guys have definitely given me good reasons to go ahead and purchase his ticket.

 

[bumbershoot]

I honestly think the point someone made up there (sorry- don't know names) is what makes one wonder- if it's not safe, why is it allowed?

If it is unsafe, why don't airlines REQUIRE seats to be purchased?

I never heard about that crash mentioned either- but you guys have definitely given me good reasons to go ahead and purchase his ticket.

On our last flight (on Southwest), the flight attendant told me that it wasn't required b/c if they required it, there was the high probability that many people would choose to drive, instead. Driving is FAR less safe than flying, with or without a carseat, and therefore more families and children would be in danger. Therefore, it's not a requirement.

When DS was on his first flight he was a lapbaby. Seattle to San Diego, a short flight. My arms were SHAKING by the time we got to San Diego, they were so incredibly tired from holding him. And I hold him ALL the time, he's beyond a velcro kid. But holding a squirmy one year old in a very confined space, keeping his long legs from the seat in front of you, trying to keep him calm...required almost more strength than I had.

Last year, though buying a seat for him was required and therefore not a choice, it was SO much more wonderful that I won't do the lapbaby thing again, should we have the opportunity to do so.

You mentioned SWA, so if you're using them, unless you guys are all buying the full fare tickets, don't bother with the baby fare. That fare is pretty much just half off of the full fare...so if you have some fabulous fare for the rest of you, just get the kiddo that same fare.

 

[northriver]

I have always purchased a seat for my children and taken our carseats.

Here is a link I just found today that makes me kind of ill, I will NEVER travel with a lap baby. I'm in Iowa and remember the Sioux City crash well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC4Q3ofz7SI

 

[Nanu57v]

We did for DD because I just felt too guilty. I really wished I hadn't felt so guilty, because I could've thought of many uses for that $150. But the fear of turbulance and me losing grip was too much. When I was younger a guy from my church was on this flight that took a nose dive. That made the fear too much for me. But, realistically the statistics show everything should be fine and if I could just not be so paranoid and trust that everything would be okay I'd skip the seat (if it was under 3 hours).

 

[Nanu57v]

I have always purchased a seat for my children and taken our carseats.

Here is a link I just found today that makes me kind of ill, I will NEVER travel with a lap baby. I'm in Iowa and remember the Sioux City crash well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC4Q3ofz7SI

That's so sad.

 

[brymolmom]

I'm not trying to flame, or be *****y...but I don't understand how parents think that flying in a huge tube of metal with seats in the sky is really any different then driving down the highway.

Would you drive as a backseat passenger in a car with your child on your lap?

I grew up flying, my dad used to work for one of the top airlines, I've seen my fair share of horrible turbulence. Lap kids can honestly become airborne in high turbulence areas. If we as adults are required to wear seatbelts during take off and landing as well as when its bumpy...why arn't kids under 2 required? It'll never make sense to me.

Not trying to flame either - I have no problem with people who choose to buy seats for their babies/toddlers. But, I do need to ask - do you or your children ever get out of your airplane seat to use the bathroom? I DO let my kids get up to use the bathroom/stretch their legs (# of times depends on length of flight and how much they're drinking - lol) on an airplane, and that - to me, is just as risky as having a child on a lap. Sure - you aren't allowed 'up' during really turbulent times, but you'll notice that they only alert that AFTER the turbulence starts in many cases - so who is to say it won't start when I am in the bathroom or my ds5 is in there. Don't get me wrong - I realize it definitely could happen and one of us could get more hurt than if we had chosen to stay in our seats, belted in, during the entire flight.

Also - I'm assuming that none of the posters who can't imagine this obviously don't use Magical Express....That is a total contradiction if they do.

I do realize there are risks in flying (and driving, for that matter) and a somewhat increased risk (although I'm not sure there are very clear statistics on this) of having a lap child. And I sometimes wish I lived a hundred years ago so that I wouldn't have to accept those risks for my family. But this is the century when I live, so I deal with it and only accept the risks that dh and i find acceptable! And this happens to be one of them. Of course both kids are over 2 now...so I won't have to make this decision again.