Worrying about Flying with a "lap child"

[all4fun]

Well I really don't want to stir the pot more here, but having been in the situation before where the airline changed our seating assignments leaving us to beg fellow passengers to switch seats with us more than once (and most often they did *not*), I sincerely hope that people rethink their strategy of getting a free seat for their lap baby *if there is any possibility* that it could make it difficult for other passengers. I mean traveling by air is stressful enough for a lot of people, why make it worse? Trust me, it's not fun when you arranged to be able to sit next to your three year old and then in order to do so you have to rely on the kindness of others. I know this is not exactly the situation being discussed but I just feel for anyone who has to deal with that because I've btdt. But as far as booking an aisle and window seat so the middle is still open - I see no issue with that because the airlines sanction it, however you're still taking your chances because they could still book someone sitting there and if its a full flight you will still end up flying with a lap baby. Personally we always booked our ds a seat but our first flight was at 13mos and w/a 6+hr flight I could see us getting very tired holding him the whole time. He always slept great in his car seat too so we never regretted it.

 

[PistonsFan]

In response to the OP's question. I have flown with my son as a lap baby three times - when he was 6 mos. old, one year old and 23 months old. I think it would be easier if he had his own seat, and I agree that it is safer, but you have to weigh the costs with the inconvenience and level of risk that your willing to put up with. Last year, we had enough frequent flier miles for dh and I, but an extra ticket for my ds would have been $800. At that cost, we decided to just fly with him as a lap baby. It was a horrible two hour trip - I took a bunch of dollar store toys, but they mostly all ended up on the floor and he wanted to get down constantly. But - we made it and had a great vacation. The way home was much better and I found the best thing was to buy brand new books that he had never seen and pull them out on the plane (I had a Wiggles sticker book that was brand new and that occupied him very well).
This topic always raises a lot of controversy - make the decision that makes sense for you.

 

[NemoMOm]

for one I dont know why I am so involved in this post probably the rainy weather and nothing else to do. But anyway the question was no longer to buy or not to buy. It was to offer tips for a lap child! Secondly most airplane crashes are not on take off or landing but in midair and when the plane goes down im sorry to say but a carseat isnt gonna matter. I dont mean to sound cold and yes my child sits in a carseat in the car, but that is the law. Disney rides can be unsafe and bumpy as well. What about the rides there people have gotten hurt so should you not take your child on the rides. Anyway the OP wanted help on entertainment and problems that could arrise with solutions. Not buy a ticket. Like i said before I have never experienced any major disasters with a lap child. In a carseat or in the lap anything over 30 mins is gonna be tough with a child! You have to deal with it the best you can.

I could not have said it better! All these women have flown wih lap children and no one has run into any injuries. DS has flown 1000's of miles on my lap w/o evena scratch. His tushy never leaves my lap and we have hit some turbulence flying across country. I think since the FAA has not made it a regulations for under 2 to be strapped in speaks for itself. People compare it to a car but there is no comparison, I too have to be wearing my seatbelt in the car it's the law but not so on the plane. In fact I can get up roam, potty and have beverages served to me.

As far as lap children making other passengers miserable they would have done so even in a car seat! I must bring about a million things for DS to do for only a 2.5 hr flight. You have to keep them entertained no matter where there are sitting. As far as bumping other passenger it is so much worse in a car seat. We bought a small car seat for our trip from NY to Seattle 2 mos ago and his feet were actually resting against the seat in fron of him, I could not even lower the tray as laid on his legs and squashed him.

Also, please keep in mind that the op asked for advice on flying with a lap child not critism on her marriage. I would be hurt by some of the remarks made, this is the Disney board people. We come here to help each other and bond by our mutual love of WDW. Every marriage is different and op your marriage sounds like it works for you and communicate w/your DH more power to you!

 

[katerkat]

As far as lap children making other passengers miserable they would have done so even in a car seat! I must bring about a million things for DS to do for only a 2.5 hr flight. You have to keep them entertained no matter where there are sitting. As far as bumping other passenger it is so much worse in a car seat. We bought a small car seat for our trip from NY to Seattle 2 mos ago and his feet were actually resting against the seat in fron of him, I could not even lower the tray as laid on his legs and squashed him.

I agree. Russ's first flight was when he was 7 weeks old, a lap baby, and he slept or nursed the whole time. We did a good dozen or so flights after that as a lap baby, with the occasional free seat. He was an angel, sleeping lots and generally being a joy.

Then he became a toddler.

I start buying seats when he was 16 months old because I couldn't hold him down anymore. The seat didn't do much better. I got a black eye once when he kicked me in the face when I was reaching down to get yet another toy he had tossed on the floor. Suddenly, he went on much fewer flights. It wasn't a matter of new toys or whatever for him, he just could not sit still that long. His last flight was shortly after his second birthday and I didn't take the carseat - he just sat in his own seat, because the carseat just made him angrier about the whole process.

I'm sure there were plenty of people on the flight that the flight attendant ASKED me to take him out of the carseat that weren't fond of Russ as a carseat or a lap baby.

Oh, and if you want to talk safety... My husband plays football in the back of his plane.

 

[rrobin3051]

I agree. Russ's first flight was when he was 7 weeks old, a lap baby, and he slept or nursed the whole time. We did a good dozen or so flights after that as a lap baby, with the occasional free seat. He was an angel, sleeping lots and generally being a joy.

Then he became a toddler.

I start buying seats when he was 16 months old because I couldn't hold him down anymore. The seat didn't do much better. I got a black eye once when he kicked me in the face when I was reaching down to get yet another toy he had tossed on the floor. Suddenly, he went on much fewer flights. It wasn't a matter of new toys or whatever for him, he just could not sit still that long. His last flight was shortly after his second birthday and I didn't take the carseat - he just sat in his own seat, because the carseat just made him angrier about the whole process.

I'm sure there were plenty of people on the flight that the flight attendant ASKED me to take him out of the carseat that weren't fond of Russ as a carseat or a lap baby.

Oh, and if you want to talk safety... hisMy husband plays football in the back of plane.

now that sounds like my kind of plane...football playing...on a sidenote when you say "his" plane...what does that mean...im jealous...lol

 

[Minniemouse07]

I could not have said it better! All these women have flown wih lap children and no one has run into any injuries. DS has flown 1000's of miles on my lap w/o evena scratch. His tushy never leaves my lap and we have hit some turbulence flying across country. I think since the FAA has not made it a regulations for under 2 to be strapped in speaks for itself. People compare it to a car but there is no comparison, I too have to be wearing my seatbelt in the car it's the law but not so on the plane. In fact I can get up roam, potty and have beverages served to me.

The reason that the FAA has not mandated that children under 2yo be secured in their own seats, in car seats...is NOT because it isn't safer...it is and they state this in multiple places...but because they did some kind of study where they surmise that if a family is "forced" to purchase a seat for their infant they would opt to drive instead of fly... and traveling in a car is statistically less safe than traveling in a plane. So they are saving lives...

And if you don't think that children aren't hurt or killed in survivable plane emergencies....watch this!

 

[fun4disney]

What was your experience in flying with a child on your lap?

I purchased tickets for the 3 adults in our party at the 90 day mark. We are now about 50 days from our trip. Although I gently pushed DH several times to buy a seat for our 17 month old, when he heard she could travel for free if she sits in our lap he refused.
I just started reading a website www.jetwithkidsclub.com and read the free chapter from her book. I have to say I am nervous. I didn't know if you hit turbulance they tell you to put your baby on the floor and hold them (yeah cause I can really double completely over and have strength to hold a child)Or that the FAA says you should not travel with a child in your lap. I wish they just had a law you had to buy a seat, then there wouldn't be a discussion with DH- he would just have to suck it up and pay for it.

[B]I was concerned in the beginning because she is a active child who doesn't like sitting on people's laps.[/B] She likes people watching, but typically likes to get down and walk around- obviously not possible on a plane. DHs rational is that everything will be fine, that she would want to get down regardless of if she is in a seat or on our lap. I feel like a seat could have secured her- I also just saw that you can purchase a special FAA approved seat belt harness that is like a car seat. Not sure if she would just whine constantly at being restrained. There are 3 of us to hold her. I have purchased lots of new activities/books, stamps and such to occupy her, probably have the laptop to play DVDs on.

The flight is 2hrs and 45min.

I paid $259 the price for a ticket for her now would be $395

DH didn't want to pay the $259, I dont know that I can do much to convince him to pay almost $400.


Should I be worried?? I know thousands of flights happen everyday with no incidents. Have I done what the article said, not protected the family member who is most defensless?

Read Eyore4ever149's original post. She IS asking us to coment on her husbands behavior and how he is putting a price on her childs safety and comfort. She says so in her post. (see the bold). She wanted to know how to get her husband to buy the seat.

I don't see how giving her advice, which is what she asked for, is rude or how it would warrent the "moderators" to get involved. If she didn't want people like me to give their advice, (and yes, sorry, I ALWAYS do the right thing for my DS - wether he or DH likes it or not), then don't ask. Also, if you feel as though people are attacking the husband, they are. She shouldn't have put it out there that he isn't listening to her and that he is being cheap on his childs safety is she didn't want people to comment on that as well.

I don't see why the number of posts that I have posted should give you the right to attack me. Just so you know, I've been to Disney more times than I can even count, I worked for Disney for 13 1/2 years, I've been a travel agent for 15 years, a mother for 8 years, and aunt for 26 years a wife for 10
years, a single income home for 9 years and I have 2 brothers in the Marines (for the one who said I don't understand!)My husband works 24 hours at a time as a firefighter, so he's often not home. I live and die for my son, and YES, I always do whats best for him. So don't tell me that because I haven't posted HERE enough, I don't know what I am talking about!

I never said any parent is "better" or "worse" than any other parent for buying or not buying a seat on the airline. I said that I couldn't understand for the life of me why anyone would do this. If we take safety out of the whole thing (I just think it IS safer) let's just go back to Eyore4ever149's comment about comfort. Why doesn't that child's comfort count? Just because it's a baby? And why not try to think about someone other than your families comfort? Everyone has gotten the hairy eye ball from everyone around them when you are traveling with a child (in a seat, not in a seat, 1 month old or 12 years old) no one wants to sit there, but I would still like to think that I would do everything in my power to make the trip as pleasant as possible for them, even though I don't know them. Like another poster said, just because you don't HAVE to buy a seat, doesn't mean you SHOULDN'T!

I'm sorry, but somebody needs to speak for this poor child. It doesn't get a say. I believe it takes a village to raise a child, and I needed to point out that this isn't fair, no matter how harsh I said it.

And to the people who said that they don't buy a seat for their child because I knowthere will be an empty seat, you don't knowthat. You shouldn't count on having that seat if you didn't pay for it. Yes, if there are empty seats for ALL lap babies, then use it, it worked out good for you this time. But if there are 4 lap babies and only 1 seat, why would you feel like it's fair for YOU to have it?

On Southwest, if it's important for your family to sit together on the plane, then arrive early. I've flown Southwest (and will again on Sunday) and even now that my DS is 8, I'll get there hours in advace as well as print off "A" boarding passes the day before because it is important for me to be next to my DS! Do I like to go to the airport early. NO! not at all. Do I do it, yes, because it's important to me.

Yes, this board is supposed to be here to help fellow Disney lovers, but if you ask for advice and then you don't like it, don't go and tell the "Board Police" about it. That is what isn't fair!

Now, I want to wish you all a Fun and SAFE Disney vacation, no matter how you get there.

 

[katerkat]

now that sounds like my kind of plane...football playing...on a sidenote when you say "his" plane...what does that mean...im jealous...lol

No jealousy, he's an Air Force pilot and "his" plane is 50 years old.

 

[rrobin3051]

[/B]

Read Eyore4ever149's original post. She IS asking us to coment on her husbands behavior and how he is putting a price on her childs safety and comfort. She says so in her post. (see the bold). She wanted to know how to get her husband to buy the seat.

I don't see how giving her advice, which is what she asked for, is rude or how it would warrent the "moderators" to get involved. If she didn't want people like me to give their advice, (and yes, sorry, I ALWAYS do the right thing for my DS - wether he or DH likes it or not), then don't ask. Also, if you feel as though people are attacking the husband, they are. She shouldn't have put it out there that he isn't listening to her and that he is being cheap on his childs safety is she didn't want people to comment on that as well.

I don't see why the number of posts that I have posted should give you the right to attack me. Just so you know, I've been to Disney more times than I can even count, I worked for Disney for 13 1/2 years, I've been a travel agent for 15 years, a mother for 8 years, and aunt for 26 years a wife for 10
years, a single income home for 9 years and I have 2 brothers in the Marines (for the one who said I don't understand!)My husband works 24 hours at a time as a firefighter, so he's often not home. I live and die for my son, and YES, I always do whats best for him. So don't tell me that because I haven't posted HERE enough, I don't know what I am talking about!

I never said any parent is "better" or "worse" than any other parent for buying or not buying a seat on the airline. I said that I couldn't understand for the life of me why anyone would do this. If we take safety out of the whole thing (I just think it IS safer) let's just go back to Eyore4ever149's comment about comfort. Why doesn't that child's comfort count? Just because it's a baby? And why not try to think about someone other than your families comfort? Everyone has gotten the hairy eye ball from everyone around them when you are traveling with a child (in a seat, not in a seat, 1 month old or 12 years old) no one wants to sit there, but I would still like to think that I would do everything in my power to make the trip as pleasant as possible for them, even though I don't know them. Like another poster said, just because you don't HAVE to buy a seat, doesn't mean you SHOULDN'T!

I'm sorry, but somebody needs to speak for this poor child. It doesn't get a say. I believe it takes a village to raise a child, and I needed to point out that this isn't fair, no matter how harsh I said it.

And to the people who said that they don't buy a seat for their child because I knowthere will be an empty seat, you don't knowthat. You shouldn't count on having that seat if you didn't pay for it. Yes, if there are empty seats for ALL lap babies, then use it, it worked out good for you this time. But if there are 4 lap babies and only 1 seat, why would you feel like it's fair for YOU to have it?

On Southwest, if it's important for your family to sit together on the plane, then arrive early. I've flown Southwest (and will again on Sunday) and even now that my DS is 8, I'll get there hours in advace as well as print off "A" boarding passes the day before because it is important for me to be next to my DS! Do I like to go to the airport early. NO! not at all. Do I do it, yes, because it's important to me.

Yes, this board is supposed to be here to help fellow Disney lovers, but if you ask for advice and then you don't like it, don't go and tell the "Board Police" about it. That is what isn't fair!

Now, I want to wish you all a Fun and SAFE Disney vacation, no matter how you get there.

Hey I feel the same way about the board police...I didnt go to the board police but someone did about a righteous comment...

 

[jodifla]

The reason that the FAA has not mandated that children under 2yo be secured in their own seats, in car seats...is NOT because it isn't safer...it is and they state this in multiple places...but because they did some kind of study where they surmise that if a family is "forced" to purchase a seat for their infant they would opt to drive instead of fly... and traveling in a car is statistically less safe than traveling in a plane. So they are saving lives...

And if you don't think that children aren't hurt or killed in survivable plane emergencies....watch this!

Not the Sioux City thing. How many years ago was that? That was a plane crash. And there were lap children on that flight who lived, as well.

 

[jodifla]

[/B]

Read Eyore4ever149's original post. She IS asking us to coment on her husbands behavior and how he is putting a price on her childs safety and comfort. She says so in her post. (see the bold). She wanted to know how to get her husband to buy the seat.

I don't see how giving her advice, which is what she asked for, is rude or how it would warrent the "moderators" to get involved. If she didn't want people like me to give their advice, (and yes, sorry, I ALWAYS do the right thing for my DS - wether he or DH likes it or not), then don't ask. Also, if you feel as though people are attacking the husband, they are. She shouldn't have put it out there that he isn't listening to her and that he is being cheap on his childs safety is she didn't want people to comment on that as well.

I don't see why the number of posts that I have posted should give you the right to attack me. Just so you know, I've been to Disney more times than I can even count, I worked for Disney for 13 1/2 years, I've been a travel agent for 15 years, a mother for 8 years, and aunt for 26 years a wife for 10
years, a single income home for 9 years and I have 2 brothers in the Marines (for the one who said I don't understand!)My husband works 24 hours at a time as a firefighter, so he's often not home. I live and die for my son, and YES, I always do whats best for him. So don't tell me that because I haven't posted HERE enough, I don't know what I am talking about!

I never said any parent is "better" or "worse" than any other parent for buying or not buying a seat on the airline. I said that I couldn't understand for the life of me why anyone would do this. If we take safety out of the whole thing (I just think it IS safer) let's just go back to Eyore4ever149's comment about comfort. Why doesn't that child's comfort count? Just because it's a baby? And why not try to think about someone other than your families comfort? Everyone has gotten the hairy eye ball from everyone around them when you are traveling with a child (in a seat, not in a seat, 1 month old or 12 years old) no one wants to sit there, but I would still like to think that I would do everything in my power to make the trip as pleasant as possible for them, even though I don't know them. Like another poster said, just because you don't HAVE to buy a seat, doesn't mean you SHOULDN'T!

I'm sorry, but somebody needs to speak for this poor child. It doesn't get a say. I believe it takes a village to raise a child, and I needed to point out that this isn't fair, no matter how harsh I said it.

And to the people who said that they don't buy a seat for their child because I knowthere will be an empty seat, you don't knowthat. You shouldn't count on having that seat if you didn't pay for it. Yes, if there are empty seats for ALL lap babies, then use it, it worked out good for you this time. But if there are 4 lap babies and only 1 seat, why would you feel like it's fair for YOU to have it?

On Southwest, if it's important for your family to sit together on the plane, then arrive early. I've flown Southwest (and will again on Sunday) and even now that my DS is 8, I'll get there hours in advace as well as print off "A" boarding passes the day before because it is important for me to be next to my DS! Do I like to go to the airport early. NO! not at all. Do I do it, yes, because it's important to me.

Yes, this board is supposed to be here to help fellow Disney lovers, but if you ask for advice and then you don't like it, don't go and tell the "Board Police" about it. That is what isn't fair!

Now, I want to wish you all a Fun and SAFE Disney vacation, no matter how you get there.

Here's the thing: The "poor child" will be fine without a seat. Really. Many of us have had lap children, many, many, many, many, many times.

Tell you what. I'll agree that everyone should buy a seat for their kid, if you'll agree everyone should fill in their swimming pools. Because THAT's a top killer of children, not flying as a lap child.

 

[talulabelle]

Was that really necessary?

TJ

No, I guess is wasn't. Sorry. Just that, I sort of get riled when I feel I'm being told by someone who has zero authority over something what I should or shouldn't do. My original post was MY advice to the OP. If you have different advice that is great too. But your post was mainly to tell everyone on the board (and me) not to do what I advised. Unless you are in a position of authority with the FAA, Southwest, or a legal guardian of my child, I am going to continue to do what I do as it has always been AOK with the gate agents and FA on every flight I have taken. Every near full flight has the last minute shuffle of a few passangers for many reasons.

I will just continue to do what I feel is best for my child, I'm not going to board a plane with my family and say "oh, honey, even though there is an empty seat on this plane, we can't put the baby in it because an anonymous person on the DIS says that he/she doesn't want me to. "

Anyway, I just reread my post and I am afraid it comes off nastier than I mean, just saying, you do what works for you, I'll do what works for me as long as I am not breaking any rules or hurting anyone. (I have never had my baby in an empty seat on a plane that had a child separated from his mother btw) He is over 2 now and I have to buy him a ticket, but hte last flight I was on with him a child was separated from his mom and I couldn't help as I needed to be with my child as well, but I just couldn't believe that neither of the 2 people seated on either side of the child was willing to give up their window or aisle seat and switch places with the momma. I don't know if they were just selfish, or not really thinking about how they were in a position to help. The flight attendent never directly asked either one of them to do this, so maybe it didn't cross their mind? I don't think the FA is allowed to approach a specific person and ask them to switch as it may ruffle some feathers, but she did ask over the PA for 2 people seated together to give up their seats and switch with the mother and child and out of well over 100 people on the plane, no one offered I guess I feel your cause would be better served by a post reminding people that if they are in a position to help to please do so rather than worrying about lap babies who would only free a single seat and not 2 together.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Not the Sioux City thing. How many years ago was that? That was a plane crash. And there were lap children on that flight who lived, as well.

Yes the Sioux City thing... and yes it was in the early 90's... and yes there were lap children that survived. But personally, I would rather not retreive my child from an overhead storage compartment.

AND... the children that died did so not from the landing but from the smoke from the ensuing fire. BECAUSE they weren't secured in seats, they slid/flew all over the plane and they couldn't be found before succumbing to the smoke.

None of those parents expected this to happen on this flight, and yes it is VERY rare for something like this to occur, but it can happen and for me if I was a parent on that flight that KNEW that being in a car seat was safer...didn't use one and then lost my child. I wouldn't be able to survive the guilt.

I really feel for the parents of those lost children because the information we have now about how much safer it is for children to be secured in car seats on airplanes just wasn't as well known as it is today. I've read quotes from parents on the flight where they state that if the FAA had shared how much safer it is...they would have purchased a seat for their child.

The reason I posted about the Sioux City incident is because everyone keeps saying that it is perfectly safe and noone has had any problems... well these parents had problems. Yes it was a long time ago, but things haven't really changed all that much... coffee pots are still better secured on airplanes than our children are, and that is pretty sad.

 

[tjmw2727]

No, I guess is wasn't. Sorry. Just that, I sort of get riled when I feel I'm being told by someone who has zero authority over something what I should or shouldn't do. My original post was MY advice to the OP. If you have different advice that is great too. But your post was mainly to tell everyone on the board (and me) not to do what I advised. Unless you are in a position of authority with the FAA, Southwest, or a legal guardian of my child, I am going to continue to do what I do as it has always been AOK with the gate agents and FA on every flight I have taken. Every near full flight has the last minute shuffle of a few passangers for many reasons.
snip
.

Ok I never told anyone what to do or not to do. I "asked" that folks not do this and explained my reasoning and my experience and I tried to do it in a non confrontational manner. Of course some people are going to continue to do this but others reading the thread may think twice or ask the FA first.

Why is my point of view and experience less valuable than yours? If you don't like my advice please just move on and refrain from caling me names, making sarcastic remarkis and commenting on how I should post.

The OP and others have every right to fly with a lap baby, I never said otherwise.

TJ

 

[LuvTinkBell]

We are flying Southwest next week, and when I contacted the airline to advise that we were flying with our 18 month old twins as lapchildren, I was told that we would not be able to sit in the same row, even though only two of us required seats. The Southwest customer service rep said that this was because there are three seats in a row, and therefore three oxygen masks. Should we need the oxygen masks, there wouldn’t be enough for all four of us in one row. Based on this explanation, I would think that the airline has to leave an empty seat for a lapchild in the event the flight is full. Does this make sense?

There are 4 oxygen masks, the extra is for one lap child. So if there are 3 people already in the seats, only one lap child can be on a lap in that row as there are only 4 masks. And the rep was wrong, I am a flight attendant so believe me I know I am right.

 

[LuvTinkBell]

What I object to is the rule that infant carriers must go in a window seat because they could slow down a passenger in a window seat. I'm not leaving without the baby, so all that does is make it so one of us parents has to get the baby out instead of both of us having a chance to get her out. Well, she's 7 now but that was my thinking for a couple of years.


This did not necessicarily have 2 parents in mind, but the safety of other passengers not with you. Also why your seat back and tray table must be up, so it does not hinder one in an evacuation.

 

[annie1995]

This is a question for those who use car seats on the plane. When I get to Disney, what do I do with my seat till we get in our room?? I am a little concerned about turning it in to the baggage handlers at our resort, and having them drop it or something. Because I know with car seats, you have to be careful with them.

 

[annie1995]

And if you don't think that children aren't hurt or killed in survivable plane emergencies....watch this!

OMGosh, that is terrible . I was gonna have a lap baby until tonight, when I by chance decided to look at the airlines web site, and our tickets were much cheaper. I have really been dreading holding my squirmy 14 month old for the entire flight, So I called them and they gave me a 180.00 refund for a future flight.. So I booked my lap baby his own seat for a whoppin 24.80 after the adjustment was applied to it!!!! I feel so much better now, for my own sanity, and his safety!!!

 

[thepeach80]

does anyone know if there is a requirement to have a car seat? When we fly it my girls will be 3 and 5.

The FAA reccomends that all cgildren under 40# be secured in a harnessed carseat. I'm not sure my 43# 4yo will be in his, but my other 2 will be.

 

[fun4disney]

This is a question for those who use car seats on the plane. When I get to Disney, what do I do with my seat till we get in our room?? I am a little concerned about turning it in to the baggage handlers at our resort, and having them drop it or something. Because I know with car seats, you have to be careful with them.

I'm glad you were able to find a good deal and get you son his own seat. That will definatly make your flight a little easier.

If your room isn't ready when you arrive, you can just walk your car seats over to bell service. They are right there in the lobby and if you tell them that you don't want the car seats on a shelf and just to put them on the floor I'm sure they will accomidate you. Then if you want to, when your room is ready, you can go back to bell services and pick the car seats up yourself so you don't have to worry about them moving them at all.