Travelling with a backless booster seat

[loveswdw]

I'd suggest carrying on (or gate checking) a booster seat if there is any way you can. Lost luggage is one thing. A lost booster seat would be another. I can't imagine the hassle of finding somewhere to buy a booster for my child while my DH waited with him in the airport.

Even gate checking is no guarantee it won't get lost. We always gate check our booster, car seat & stroller. Last trip, we rented a car seat for DS2 at MCO so we wouldn't have to lug his heavy car seat around the airport. We gate checked DS6 booster. The booster was in a car seat bag and was left at the end of the walkway at the entrance to the plane with all the other strollers, etc.

When we landed in Louisville, we got our stroller but no booster. So, the crew looked all around the plane, the walkway, etc. and couldn't figure out what had happened to it. We filed a lost baggage claim and luckily, Southwest baggage had an extra booster just exactly like our son's--just a lot dirtier and banged up. But it was fine to get him back to our home.

They brought out his booster the next day. It had flown to Baltimore for some reason. We never could figure out why it wasn't stowed on the plane with the rest of the gate checked stuff. Who knows? But at least we got it back.

 

[Tara]

And a booster seat can't ever be used in conjunction with an airplane seat; an FAA-approved carseat can be. Since the booster seat can't be used in flight, why SHOULDN'T it count as luggage?

A stroller can't be used in flight, but it doesn't count as luggage...I don't think ability to be used in flight is the determining factor here.

 

[kaytieeldr]

But it's used to and from the plane, given the size of airports. The booster seat is ONLY for a motor vehicle - not in conjunction with a flight in any way. There's no reason for the airlines to not consider it luggage. I'm not saying they do or don't; just that in relation to the airplane/airport, there's no application for a booster seat.

 

[Tara]

But it's used to and from the plane, given the size of airports. The booster seat is ONLY for a motor vehicle - not in conjunction with a flight in any way. There's no reason for the airlines to not consider it luggage. I'm not saying they do or don't; just that in relation to the airplane/airport, there's no application for a booster seat.

It isn't used to get to and from the plane if you check it at the counter. You can check a carseat at the counter if you aren't planning on using it, too. I have even checked a stroller, packed in a box, at the counter when I planned on giving it to my sister. I did not have a baby with me (a 6yo who was clearly not using a stroller) and they did not charge me to check the stroller.

I am with you on the fact that you just can't use it on the plane. I just think the idea that it can't be used on the plane isn't why most (some?) airlines charge to check it.

I think the stated policies on charging are actually vague - Delta's, for instance, just states that a child "seat restraint" does not count toward baggage allowance. This would include a booster, no?

 

[brenda1966]

I believe the airlines are not charging for child restraints because they don't want to get a bunch of ugly press when someone doesn't bring their carseat because they don't want to pay $50 to check it both ways and then subsequently gets into an accident and their child is injured or killed because they didn't have their car seat with them. I think that most people who have a car seat to check for "free" will also have at least one or two bags they are paying to check so the airline is getting the money it wants.

I have to wonder it the rental car companies are not hoping they will start charging to check a seat so the rental car companies can rent us their seats at overinflated prices! LOL!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I believe the airlines are not charging for child restraints because they don't want to get a bunch of ugly press when someone doesn't bring their carseat because they don't want to pay $50 to check it both ways and then subsequently gets into an accident and their child is injured or killed because they didn't have their car seat with them.

Now, I certainly see your point! It just stinks that an airline would have to fear the bad publicity due to a parent unwilling to pay a mere $50 to protect their child in a motor vehicle on the ground.

 

[brenda1966]

Or a parent could assume they could get one at the rental car counter, get there, find they've all been checked out and they can't get one, and be in a bind.

I think, like medical equipment, the airlines should allow the car seats for free since they are safety equipment. It's a "good will" kind of thing.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ah, but I'm not talking about car seats - many of which can be used ON the plane. I'm referring solely to booster seats, which can't be.

 

[brenda1966]

People can't use a wheel chair on an airplane, yet the airlines let their chair ride for free, don't they? It's a neccessary peice of equipment. By law in some states your child may need to sit in a booster in a vehicle, so a necessary piece of equipment. Like I said, I see it as a "good will" kind of thing and am thankful that the airlines have a bit of good will left in them as they try to nickel and dime us for everything else.

 

[kaytieeldr]

A person who uses a wheelchair entirely likely needs it to get to and from the plane. A person (child) with a car seat - especially one WITH a seat purchased - can and likely will use the car seat in conjunction with the plane seat. A stroller is entirely likely used to transport a child inside the airport from the door to the plane and back. A booster seat, on the other hand, isn't needed in the airport and CAN'T be used on the plane. Good will aside, there isn't a valid reason to not count it toward someone's luggage allowance - whether it's as checked luggage, or carry-on luggage, or the ticketed passenger's personal/under-seat item.

 

[Tara]

Now, I certainly see your point! It just stinks that an airline would have to fear the bad publicity due to a parent unwilling to pay a mere $50 to protect their child in a motor vehicle on the ground.

I guess my point is that if a stroller is allowed to be checked for free, why wouldn't a booster seat be allowed? It isn't a matter of not wanting to pay to protect my child's safety.

By the same token, I have had airlines try to charge me for checking a car seat plenty of times, so I don't think they are afraid of publicity - I think it's a matter of poor training and counter agents simply not paying attention.

And a booster seat IS a safety device - just because it can't be used on a plane doesn't mean it isn't just as important for a child's safety.

 

[frkymcky]

I used my DD backless booster on our Continental flight last year from EWR to MCO (May 2010). She was allowed on our flight to MCO to use it the entire way, on our return flight she was not allowed to use it for take off but was allowed while in flight to use it. Was it necessary, no, it made DD more comfortable in it so we used it. Also, when we were at check in we were told we would not be charged for it if we wanted to check it with our luggage.

Just wanted to share my experience with everyone, didn't want someone to get stuck on the "can't"......

 

[alaska8]

backless boosters are not approved for use inflight. Extensive testing has been carried out by the FAA and it was determined these are not safe to be used inflight.