Would you bring a car seat just for the airplane?

[golden1]

I know this sounds stupid but I was planning on doing this. My ds will be 2.5 and has a hard time sitting for very long and he will get really antsy on a three hour plane trip. He will sit in his car seat however because he is used to it. I was talking to a friend who thinks I should just skip it and just try to keep ds amused on the plane. I am tempted to take her advice because I really don't want to lug a car seat around the airport and hotel just for a three hour plane ride. We are doing ME and buses while at WDW and won't need the seat other than just the plane ride. Anyone have a similar antsy child and was able to get by without the seat? Thanks!

 

[mom_2_boys]

We are leaving for Disney in 12 days with ds2 and have a similar situation. We have never flown with the kids (also have ds4) and I thought might be easier to just take the car seat with us. We are in Ohio and our flight will be about 2 1/2 hours. However, I just can't bear the thought of dragging the seat with us just for the plane. I spoke to my pediatrician (a mom of four boys ) and she suggested skipping the car seat. She suggested taking a few things to keep them occupied but thought that they may be very excited by the adventure. I also plan on bringing our portable DVD player (they actually have some that you can rent right in the airport!) to keep them both entertained.

Hope that helps!

 

[all4fun]

I'm sure you could get by without it however you might find that is more of a hassle than just toting it through the airport and using it on the plane. You know your child best - I would go with your instincts. Plus, if you happen to need the car seat for some reason, you'll have it! hth.

 

[ribbot]

Maybe get some Jay Jay the Jet Plane DVD's to take on the plane to show the kids they're flying just like Jay Jay does!

I did that before our trip to get my son exciting about getting into the big airplane and it worked very well.

I probably wouldn't lug a car seat either---mostly because we usually go for more than just a week and there would be too much other luggage to be hauling with us. 3 hours will go fast if you keep them busy and occupied with things that they like.

 

[liamandcaili]

I know it is a big pain to drag the carseat through the airport. The things aren't really made for carrying, so they sometimes scrape your leg or your hand. However, at that age, I would have had the thing give me permanent scars before not bringing it. As you said, your child is used to sitting in it. He knows that in the car, he can not get up and run around. He needs to sit in his seat with the seatbelt fastened. If you don't bring it, you may be the parent chasing their toddler up and down the aisles of the airplane (seen it). My children were used to falling asleep in their carseats in the car, and when in their carseats on the plane, they did the same. It was the easiest entertainment device ever.

I guess you know my opinion now Good luck with whatever you decide and have a great trip!

 

[Phalene]

I will for my 2.5 year old. We're flying cross-country and I can't imagine not having her in it. I'm still debating on whether to bring the 5 year olds Britax Boulevard. It is FAA approved, and I prefer him in it, but it is so big and I'm not sure I want to have to carry 2 carseats through the airports (we have a plane change each way making it even more complicated)

 

[Schmeck]

Where are you staying at WDW? Will you rent a car or use WDW transportation?

If it's just for the flight, I'd leave it at home, go to the dollar store, buy a bunch of kid junk, and give him lots of attention on the plane.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We don't bring carseats. We never do. We bring some games, crayons, stickers, dvd player etc. Our kids are currently 4,2,10months. To be honest, they would never sit in the carseat without crying on a place because it doesn't feel like the plane is moving. If I am stopped too long in my car the baby cries. He likes the motion. You know your kid best but we have traveled a few times with the kids and they were fine without it.

 

[susykt4]

I took the carseat on the plane when DS was 2 1/2 (we needed it for car rental) and I HATED it!!!! He kept kicking and kicking the seat in front of us and I'm sure the person wanted to kill him. It was the most horrible and stressful few hours of my life! On the way home we checked it with the bags and it was sooooooo much more of a peaceful flight! I'm sure the carseat is technically safer than the seatbelt alone, but with such a big kid in a big carseat in a tiny space it's a disaster. If you're taking DME and Disney transportation, leave the carseat at home.

 

[brat5063]

I am in the same boat you are in. My son will be 2 1/2, 34lbs and 37 inches. I am 99.9% sure we are leaving the car seat in the car. Our flight is 2 hours and 5 min. I will be traveling with DH so am hoping we can keep him occupied. I feel the same way you do. We are taking ME to our hotel and then will be using Disney transportation our entire visit. I would go with your gut instinct. You know your child best. If you are really worried, they make bags you can put a car seat in so it is easier to carry and I think they make some sort of strap so you can carry the seat on your back. But with all the other luggage we are taking, I can't imagine having to worry about one more thing. I think our son will be fine.

 

[Nanu57v]

Our DD was younger, but we took the carseat and are doing it again in September and using Magical Express (I know you cant use the seat for this). To get it through the airport we carried the baby and used her stroller to carry the carseat.

I just felt like such a bad parent not using it. I really wish I could get past that so I could save some money.

 

[karenTX]

I plan on bringing ours. I think DD will just be easier to amuse there then being passed from DH's lap to mine. She's too much of a wiggleworm!! I bought a car seat bag to help lug it through the airport and to keep it clean when not in use on DME. Plus I have a good friend who is a flight attendant and the stories she's told about "lap babies aka footballs"...

 

[CEDmom]

We brought DD's carseat a few times when it was only needed on the plane. She's really small for her age and I felt she'd be more comfortable in her seat. She was in a carseat until kindergarten because of her size. We had a bag to carry it in and I'd throw her toys and stuff in with it so it wasn't that hard to manage.

 

[welovedisney7778]

We took our carseat (just for the plane) for our 7 month old, and are taking it again (just for the plane) in 2 weeks,(he'll be 14 months). We just wrapped it in a giant trash bag, which makes it easier for DH to carry, and it also keeps it clean on the bus and during our stay at the hotel. I read too many horror stories of parents having to put their kids on the floor between their feet during emergencies to even chance it happening to us. I'd love to save the $200, but in my mind its not worth the risk.

 

[Pokprincess]

This is just my experience & opinion:
We took the car seat with us one time to use on the plane (Jet Blue), all we fly. When you use a car seat, note that the child can only sit in the window seat... because of the fact that if something like an emergency were to happen, the person near the window ...cannot get out, if there is a car seat in the middle or end. And we felt our son did better without it... we checked it on the way home... because he was able to lean on me & fall asleep nicely.He did have his own seat by the way too...

It was just more of a hassle to get it in the seat & hook it up. You can also check it when you get on the airplane, if you have a car reservation. It does not get damaged, we have done that also.

But, do what you feel comfortable with. Just my thoughts....

 

[RCBA]

We have an antsy little one, who knows he must stay in his car seat. For our June cruise we had 4 flights...on one of them DH talked me into gate checking his carseat despite my warnings. He very quickly realized why it was a good idea to drag a carseat across the country

To cart it around the airport we turned it upside down and put the seat part over the top of our roll aboard and used a bungee to secure it in place. It worked out great.

 

[Hannathy]

I wouldn't take it. Never took one when I flew with little ones and never had any problems and was never told to put them on the floor! Even in heavy turbulence and a difficult landing. They are a royal pain to drag thru the airport especially if you are by yourself with the child. If you do take it PLEASE don't let them kick the seat in front of you! The seat puts them very close and I spent a very miserable flight getting kicked and all the mother would do was take the child's shoes off- didn't help. so please be considerate.

 

[jndmommy]

Dh and I were just having this debate tonight. We are not bringing a car seat for our dd (5). However, the question is with my ds (3 in Sept.) I am leaning towards taking just the base of his car seat. It would then look like a booster. I want something that reminds him of how he sits still in the car. I am afraid without it he may try to get up constantly. He is a very active boy and even though the flight is just under 3 hours, it may feel more like 10. We'll bring things to keep them occupied its just I want some type of reinforcement. It shouldn't be too much of a pain (for dh that is) to carry through the airport. With the DME all we have to lug around the airport is our carry ons. Anyway that's just my way of thinking. Enjoy your trip!

 

[aubriee]

Please don't take this wrong and believe me I have nothing against kids, in fact I love kids, but for the sake of the people around you PLEASE keep your child in a car seat. I've had two very bad flights this year with kids not in carseats. In May '05 I was traveling solo and the lady in the aisle seat had a 11 month old that cried the whole way to Florida trying to get in the aisle to run. I tried to help her keep him entertained and the little thing made a nosedive right into my lap. Excuse me, I love kids, but do not want to baby sit them on a plane. By the time we got to Florida both me and that mom were exhausted and the poor people in front of us had had their seats pulled on and kicked the whole way.

This past May there was a couple that had a little girl about four sitting in the window seat, while the mom had the center seat, and dad had an aisle seat. They were holding a little girl about two who was determined not to sit in either parent's lap. Both parents took turns walking that child up and down the aisle with her constantly crying and kicking the people in the aisle seats as they walked. People on the plane offered her suckers and flight attendants gave her juice, but nothing pacified that child and she threw everything anyone offered. As we prepared to land obviously the parents had to reseat themselves and this little girl continued to fight and scream at the top of her lungs. As we were landing she scooted out and just sat down in the aisle crying. Since the flight attendants were already buckled up in their seats I don't know how the pilot knew, but he came across saying that the aisle must be kept clear and to 'please pick up everything from the aisle, including small children'. As the mom reached for her and she let out a blood curdling scream, the mom sheepishly laughed and said 'do you think he meant us, since we are the only ones with a baby on this flight and she has screamed nonstop for two hours'. I think we all felt so sorry for them, but at the same time I believe everyone on the plane had a splitting headache. Those poor parents had to be exhausted. I didn't know a child could scream and fight for two hours and 20 minutes! Don't most of them finally cry themselves to sleep?

 

[kathi29]

Dh and I were just having this debate tonight. We are not bringing a car seat for our dd (5). However, the question is with my ds (3 in Sept.) I am leaning towards taking just the base of his car seat. It would then look like a booster. I want something that reminds him of how he sits still in the car. I am afraid without it he may try to get up constantly. He is a very active boy and even though the flight is just under 3 hours, it may feel more like 10. We'll bring things to keep them occupied its just I want some type of reinforcement. It shouldn't be too much of a pain (for dh that is) to carry through the airport. With the DME all we have to lug around the airport is our carry ons. Anyway that's just my way of thinking. Enjoy your trip!

You can't use a booster seat on the plane. Only harnessed child seats are allowable.