Two car seats vs CARES on plane

[DVCinderella]

Please help me decide…

We have 2 ½ year old twins, and the last time we flew with them (in May), we used the CARES harnesses. They were nice and compact, easy to install, and for the most part, I think the kids really felt like they were in their car seats. However, the one negative of the CARES design is that there is no crotch strap, so it doesn’t mimic a full 5-point harness like a car seat. So once the kids realized they had some wiggle room, they kept sliding down. I was in the aisle seat, DD in the middle, and DS at the window. DH had the luxury of being across the aisle…acting like he didn’t know us

Anyway, I constantly had to reposition the kids, pulling them up. It would’ve been easier for me to stand up to reposition them, but I didn’t want to keep undoing my seat buckle, because if they saw me do it enough, they would be unbuckling themselves. So instead I kept leaning over and pulling them up, which needless to say, the next day my back was very sore. Then, midway through the flight, they realized that if they slid down far enough, they could kick the seat in front of them. So it was a constant battle.

I’ve read on the Dis about parents bringing car seats on-board. We have two Britax Marathons. We always take them with us to WDW, because we rent a car. But I always check them curbside. I purchased two padded travel bags for them, so they don’t get banged up in-transit, and both travel bags have straps, if we needed to carry them on our backs.

So I’ve been wondering if I should bring the car seats on-board. Not to say that they weren’t comfortable in the CARES, but I think they would be even better in the car seats. Not to mention, less wiggle room. My biggest concerns are:

1) Will the car seats uplift them enough where they will be constantly kicking the seat in front of them?
2) For those of you who have brought two car seats on a plane, how did you do it? I can’t even imagine between the carry-on, diaper bag, not to mention the kids!
3) Also, can two Britax’s fit next to each other, or would we have to book two separate rows?
4) How do you secure the car seat to the plane seat? Do you just put the plane’s lap belt across?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We also have a double-stroller, which we usually gate check, but I’m thinking if we bring the car seats on the plane, we’ll have enough to lug through the airport, so maybe we should check the stroller curbside.

 

[mdurette]

Our last trip in May we just purchased our 1 1/2 year old a seat and she bopped between us and the seat. We had the front row so I got to chat with the crew alot. They all told me that parents who bring the car seat have the easiest time on the plane. Kids are use to being in the seat and know they can't go anywhere so they don't even try. OK - I'm sold - for our trip in a couple of weeks we are bringing her seat onto the plane.

You need to check with your airline to ensure they will let you bring the car seat onto the plane and if you have to have a paid seat - since your kids are over 2 I would assume they are requiring that anyway.

Make sure your seat says "approved for automobile and aircraft" Will be on one of the tags. If you seat can only be attached with the latch system - then you won't be able to use it on a plane.

You will use the lap belt to secure the seat.

Now getting around the airport is another story.....check this out....cut and paste into your browser. I am considering purchasing it - but not really sure cuz it is not the cheapest thing.
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog...Id=85184&categoryId=85218&subCategoryId=86218

Good Luck!!!!

 

[momsoftwins]

just one question ...are u renting a car at the airport? i might get flamed for these but myself and my hubby have bothed traveled alone with our twins and have never brought the car seats. i traveled alone this spring with twins to disney and i wasnt renting a car in orlando so i didnt bother with car seats in the plane. they liked it because it made them feel like "big girls" so maybe (your choice) dont bring them. just a thought and my 2 cents

 

[DVCinderella]

just one question ...are u renting a car at the airport? i might get flamed for these but myself and my hubby have bothed traveled alone with our twins and have never brought the car seats. i traveled alone this spring with twins to disney and i wasnt renting a car in orlando so i didnt bother with car seats in the plane. they liked it because it made them feel like "big girls" so maybe (your choice) dont bring them. just a thought and my 2 cents

We have flown 4 times with the twins. The first 2 times, they were in the infant carriers, which we used on the plane, and as car seats. The 3rd time, one was a lap baby, and one had a seat. Then, before our 4th trip, I heard about CARES, and I was totally sold. The crash-test video on their web site scared the heck out of me. For the 3rd and 4th trips, we checked the car seats. We always rent a car, but I've read bad things on the Dis about rental car seats...dirty, outdated, not comfortable. So I feel more secure bringing our own.

The 3rd trip, we rented at the airport, and what a struggle getting all that stuff across to the rental car. The 4th trip, we decided to use ME, and rent a car on Disney property. That worked out well, as far as the luggage was concerned, but I guess we're spoiled by usually renting at the airport and getting to Disney fast...ME took forever, and going back to the airport we had to leave so far in advance.

If I had to choose, I'd rather rent at the airport, and deal with dragging all the stuff...when you've got 2 year old twins that you have to entertain on a bus and in the airport, ME wasn't worth it IMHO.

 

[Nanu57v]

We have the Roundabout, and what we do is stick the carseat on the stroller and wheel it through the airport like that. Its easier to carry the toddler than the carseat. Then we gate check the stroller. The carseat is held to the plane seat just like if you had a car without latch. It just goes through the back. (Mine says "forward facing belt here.") And yes, it raises them to PERFECT kicking height, and they are too high to get good use out of the tray as well.

 

[tinkerbellmamma]

The Marathon does fit (at least on a Southwest plane) and the bad part is how cumbersome it is to carry - in the past, my dh has loosened the straps and carried it like a backpack but I just ordered that Travelmate (mentioned above) and we will see this time if it is easier (hope so!!)

 

[tanyaandallie]

A Marathon does fit on the airplane. Will 2 fit side by side? Maybe. We traveled in May with my dd (4) and my ds (2) and both of their seats. I bought a scenera for my ds as a travel seat and we used the scenera and a marathon on the plane side by side. They fit fine. Tight, but fine. It might be tough to get to Marathons side by side but it might be doable.

If you are renting a car and need the seats, I'd just take them onboard. If you wanted, you could get a light weight travel seat that takes up less room than the Marathon. The scenera is a great travel seat but since your kids are 2+ it might not be the best one for them. My 2 year old is tiny and has tons of room to grow in his.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

It is so much easier to have them safely in thier seats. and like most kids they know if they are buckled in there is no wiggle room. they in my experience with my twins will not alow two seats next to each other.I have always been asked to put one on the aisle and one on the window. with me in the midddle. my twins were great fliers at that age!! it is a pain in the butt to drag the seats thru but it makes the flight much more enjoyable!

 

[Trena]

Just a tip for using the CARES...put a little bit of rubber padding under the kids to keep them from slipping down. Like the no slip pad you put under a rug. You can cut that to a small size. I've even seen place mats (for the kitchen table) made out of that stuff. (keep it in the bag with the CARES so you'll always have it.)

I would think the car seat would make it easier for them to kick the seat in front of them.

If you do bring your car seats on the plane, have DH sit with one child and you sit with the other. I wouldn't want to put 2 seats next to each other.


Have fun no matter how you get there!

 

[Disney Ron]

We brought our Marathon in September, and that will be the last time. It was just to bulky. DH had trouble lifting it over the seat with a carry-on in tow, while I carried my DS and the diaper bag.

Nothing beats the Marathon for comfort, DS slept most of the flight. At the time DS was 9 months, his feet did not touch the seat in front once we had it in the complete upright position. I had the padded backpack carry case, but returned it.

For our upcoming trip we purchased a Cosco Senera 5 point convertible seat from Walmart. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5716972 It is so lightweight to carry and came with a cheap vinyl carrying case. I think this is going to work better for us. The reviews on this seat were great for the price.

Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[MaryKLady]

My DH is in the "airplane" business. His rule is if DD needs a carseat in the car, she needs one on the plane. Forget about how much of a pain it is to bring a seat on the plane, think safety. If you're having thoughts about it, bring it and have a safe flight.

 

[momtomari]

My DH is in the "airplane" business. His rule is if DD needs a carseat in the car, she needs one on the plane. Forget about how much of a pain it is to bring a seat on the plane, think safety. If you're having thoughts about it, bring it and have a safe flight.

i agree with you my dd4 is still in her 5 point harness and we will be using her carseat when we fly to florida in december. i always think of the safety aspect of it.

amanda

 

[RedAlfalfa]

and my 2 year old was in his Marathon. I'm not sure about 2 fitting side by side- but I do know that I was able to put the arm rest down after his seat was buckled in so I think they might. (We flew Jet Blue for what it's worth).
My little man doesn't stay still AT ALL so I knew I needed his seat. He kicked the poor guy in front of him the entire trip- but he was pretty rude so I don't mind anymore (I felt bad till 1/2 hr before we landed- the flight attendant complimented me on my son's behavior & I told her about the kicking. She offered to move the guys seat and he was snotty with her b/c she hadn't offered earlier. Um- she's not a mind reader....and the middle spot was open in front of me- so if it was that bad he could've moved himself).

Getting through the airport was tough. It was just me and my 2 kids (4 1/2 and the 2 year old.) I did manage though- I had a double umbrella stroller which I hooked the marathon up to by looping the arm belt part of the handle of 1 side of the stroller (tough to get though doors but worked otherwise). I gate checked the stroller. So if you have your DH to help out it is definatly doable.

Another idea- if you haven't booked the tickets yet and can select seats....try doing 2 and 2. Your hubby can take one child and you take the other this way if the seats don't fit side by side it isn't a big deal- and he has to help. =) You might also get lucky and have an extra seat open next to you during the flight.