traveling with car seats??

[lionqueen]

I've traveled on airplanes before with my car seat but either gate checked or brought the seat on the airplane. I was thinking of checking the car seat at the ticket agent this next time as i will be traveling with my son by myself and the less i have to carry through the airport the better does anyone have any experience good or bad with doing this? any tips would be appreciated! thanks!!

 

[mom2brooke76]

I've flown with my dd's carseat in the past and checked it on Southwest. They put it in a big plastic bag and I had to sign something saying that I couldn't hold them liable for damage. The first few flights it was fine, but the on the last one, it came back with the seat cover and foam ripped. Fortunately it was the last time we were planning on using it anyway since she had pretty much outgrown it.

 

[2binak]

We've flown twice with DD's carseat as checked luggage. We bought a padded travel bag that you put on like a backpack and have never had any issues with the carseat being damaged. The padding is pretty significant!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/JL-Childress-Ultimate-Padded-Car-Seat-Travel-Bag/4698052

 

[dzorn]

Well just remember if you check it at the gate most of the luggage will be below it. If you check it at the counter most of the luggage will be above it.

Which do you think has less chance of invisible damage?

Densie in MI

 

[CarrieR]

I know it's a hassle, but I would take it on the plane with you. Carseats tend to get dropped, thrown, etc by rental agents. If I have a seat brought into a carseat check (I'm a tech) that has been checked on an airplane, I advise parents to treat it as they would a crashed seat/seat with unknown history and replace it.

I have a youtube video that shows this; I'll try to post it but not sure if it works. It's pretty dramatic and has convinced me solidly never to check a seat -- the pile to the left of the conveyor is carseats.

Checked carseats being thrown before loading onto plane

 

[1tufgt]

I know it's a hassle, but I would take it on the plane with you. Carseats tend to get dropped, thrown, etc by rental agents. If I have a seat brought into a carseat check (I'm a tech) that has been checked on an airplane, I advise parents to treat it as they would a crashed seat/seat with unknown history and replace it.

I have a youtube video that shows this; I'll try to post it but not sure if it works. It's pretty dramatic and has convinced me solidly never to check a seat -- the pile to the left of the conveyor is carseats.

Checked carseats being thrown before loading onto plane

So that's how they get broken...........I don't understand why they have to throw the luggage like they do.

 

[CarrieR]

I don't know why they throw the luggage. Guess it takes less time to stand in one spot and toss it than it does to walk it over and set it nicely down?

As far as them getting broken, remember that visible damage is actually a BEST case scenario, because parents know that they need to replace. Worst case scenario is that there is hidden or invisible damage, which reveals itself at the time of a crash, when the restraint fails to protect the child. I know it might be a bit neurotic, but I just never want to have that "if only" feeling, knowing I neglected to take a simple step that could have made a better crash outcome for my child.

 

[gmeh1]

Just my opinion here. I realize that you probably have a lot to carry through the airport, BUT.....if your child needs a car seat in a vehicle, then that child should be in the car seat on the plane. It is safer and they tend to travel better.

 

[CarrieR]

One other thought is to look at something like a Travelling Toddler -- there are products that allow you to attach the carseat to a piece of carry-on luggage, and then wheel the luggage through the airport with your child in the carseat, like a stroller. That will make your life much easier with just one set of hands!

 

[1tufgt]

We use this Traveling Toddler accessory where it turns your carry on luggage into a dolly for the car seat. Worked great when we used it last year.

http://www.overstock.com/Baby/Traveling-Toddler-Car-Seat-Travel-Accessory/4804207/product.html

 

[MrsNick]

We use the GoGo Kidz Travelmate. It turns your carseat into a stroller:

http://www.amazon.com/Go-Go-Babyz-GoGo-Kidz-Travelmate/dp/B002RXWZSS

I used this when I took my DD (22 months old at the time) to visit with my sister & her kids. I think I would have had a tough time without it since I was travelling by myself.

I love this thing. It's a little pricey, but sturdy and I have it anytime I need it. I actully didn't even need to bring a stroller since I had this (and had I really needed to us a stroller I could have borrowed one from my sister). Possibly the best money I spent on making something easy on myself. (I had previously used it on a trip to Disney and in the Orlando airport had a few people stop me to ask about it because it really is pretty nifty! lol)