Traveling with car seat and high back booster?

[Nicoleclaw]

Hi guys, I have a question about flying with a regular car seat and a high back booster. From what I understand, dd (4) can not sit on the high back booster on the plane. It is one of those that the back detaches from the bottom. We did not get ds (1) a seat on the plane. We will need to check his car seat as well. I know they make a bag for his car seat, but I am trying not to buy it...lol. What about her seat? Can I check that as well with no bag? It is kind of flimsy where the back and base attach. Any suggestions? obviously we will buy the bag for ds seat if we have to, but dd's seat may be too high to fit in one of those bags. Thanks!

 

[staci]

Can your dd still safely sit in your ds's seat? If she is under 40 lbs and 40 inches, she could ride in his seat on the plane, thus eliminating the checking of that seat?? And if she is 40 lbs, you could always leave the back of the booster at home and just use the booster part on the trip? And yes, they cannot use their boosters on the plane. Main reason, I believe, is that the boosters are designed to be used only with a lap/shoulder belt combo, and the planes do not have those.

ETA I know people have said on here that if they just take the bottom part of the booster it is small enough to be a carryon so you dont have to worry about damage - just store it in the overhead bin.

 

[hammie59]

Ok, let me start by saying that I haven't actually flown with my children YET. I was going to do the same thing as you when we were planning on renting a car, so I did extensive research on this board.Now that we're not renting anymore my problem is solved, but let me share what I know.

First of all, I was advised strongly NOT to check my car seat or booster with luggage. Only gate check. That way they won't be thrown around and damaged by the baggage handlers. Also, you won't risk them getting lost like luggage.

Secondly, I found a Graco carseat bag at Marshall's for $16. Try TJMax or any other discount store like that first if you really need one. One poster mentioned they just put theirs in a heavy duty black garbage bag and gate checked it.

You are correct in that the booster can't go in a seat on a plane. Any carseat that does must be FAA approved and should have a sticker on it saying so. Have a great trip.

PS-I wouldn't leave the back of the booster at home. As you may already know, there's an age/height/weight limit for using it without the back. I would have to imagine at 4 your kiddo is too young to just use the bottom.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

Oohh Marshalls, good idea. I was also thinking ebay. DD is 42 inches and 44 lbs, so she can't sit in his seat. That is a good idea though! We have gate checked a stroller before, we needed it to get to the plane with all our stuff. Will they let me gate check the seats for sure? Thanks guys! Anyone else have experiences?

 

[staci]

Oohh Marshalls, good idea. I was also thinking ebay. DD is 42 inches and 44 lbs, so she can't sit in his seat. That is a good idea though! We have gate checked a stroller before, we needed it to get to the plane with all our stuff. Will they let me gate check the seats for sure? Thanks guys! Anyone else have experiences?

If they have an extra seat when you get to the gate, they will let you use his seat on the plane too, so hope for an empty plane!

 

[hammie59]

This is off of Northwest's website in regards to additional carry on type things:


Personal Items
In addition to your carry-on bag, customers may carry on a purse or briefcase or laptop computer or small backpack. Dimensions of the additional item must not exceed 15"x11"x6". At least one carry-on item should go beneath the seat in front of you.

Additional Items that may be brought on board and do not count towards your allowance:


Overcoat or wrap
Fully collapsible umbrella-style stroller*

Camera and/or pair of binoculars
Cane

Umbrella
Medical assistive devices

Two-wheeled baggage cart
Infant diaper bags

Child Car Seats*
Collapsible wheelchair

Reasonable amount of reading material for the flight
Pair of braces or other prosthetic device (provided you are dependent upon the device)


*For international travel, these items will count towards the free carry on allowance.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

If they have an extra seat when you get to the gate, they will let you use his seat on the plane too, so hope for an empty plane!

You know I just read that somewhere and got hopeful! But there are alot of spring breaks going on around here..don't know if there is any chance of an extra seat...and we are traveling with family and they have a one year old too! We would have to fight it out for the seat! lol

 

[Nicoleclaw]

This is off of Northwest's website in regards to additional carry on type things:


Personal Items
In addition to your carry-on bag, customers may carry on a purse or briefcase or laptop computer or small backpack. Dimensions of the additional item must not exceed 15"x11"x6". At least one carry-on item should go beneath the seat in front of you.

Additional Items that may be brought on board and do not count towards your allowance:


Overcoat or wrap
Fully collapsible umbrella-style stroller*

Camera and/or pair of binoculars
Cane

Umbrella
Medical assistive devices

Two-wheeled baggage cart
Infant diaper bags

Child Car Seats*
Collapsible wheelchair

Reasonable amount of reading material for the flight
Pair of braces or other prosthetic device (provided you are dependent upon the device)


*For international travel, these items will count towards the free carry on allowance.

We are traveling air tran. I was just checking out their website too. I did not see anything about any items not counting towards a carry on. We have alot to bring too! When we gate check the stroller, that doesn't count towards anything, right? I hope???

 

[Nicoleclaw]

PS-I wouldn't leave the back of the booster at home. As you may already know, there's an age/height/weight limit for using it without the back. I would have to imagine at 4 your kiddo is too young to just use the bottom.

You know, I was considering that, so I checked out Florida's laws and it appears that you only need a SEAT BELT for a child 4 and up but boosters are recommended. I could be wrong, but I swear that is what it said. Sounds crazy. But even with it not being a law, I don't think I would be comfortable with that decision. Weight wise, to use the seat correctly, I believe she still needs the back like you said.

 

[staci]

You know, I was considering that, so I checked out Florida's laws and it appears that you only need a SEAT BELT for a child 4 and up but boosters are recommended. I could be wrong, but I swear that is what it said. Sounds crazy. But even with it not being a law, I don't think I would be comfortable with that decision. Weight wise, to use the seat correctly, I believe she still needs the back like you said.

Actually if it is a turbobooster 30-40 lbs needs the back, and 40lbs on up she doesnt 'need' the back according to them, although that is of course a personal decision.

 

[hammie59]

You know, I was considering that, so I checked out Florida's laws and it appears that you only need a SEAT BELT for a child 4 and up but boosters are recommended. I could be wrong, but I swear that is what it said. Sounds crazy. But even with it not being a law, I don't think I would be comfortable with that decision. Weight wise, to use the seat correctly, I believe she still needs the back like you said.

Wow! I can't believe how different state laws are. None the less, I would do the safest thing possible for your daughter. To me, that would be taking the back with you. I was all prepared to take a ginormous carseat (britax) and a ginormous booster with a back that didn't detatch for my two kids. Thank goodness we aren't renting a car now, although I'm still taking the carseat since dd has a seat on the plane. But at least I won't have to lug the booster. That thing is HUGE. Just be sure to get one of those luggage cart things at the airport so you can transport all you stuff easier.