To car seat or not to care seat...

[olinecoach61]

Hi everyone,
Looking for some veteran advice. We are taking our 3 year old for her first trip in 9 days. We had planned on bringing her car seat onto the plane for her to fly in. After meeting with my sister today she suggested that we leave it at home. She said it was a hassle to put in and others on the plane would get irritated by having to wait for it to be installed. What do you think? Any Advice? We only need it for the plane, we will be using Disney transporation for everything else.
Thanks

 

[DisneyJoe]

First, don't worry about what others think, the safety of your daughter should be your top priority.

Is she big enough to be held in place safely by the seat belt? Turbulence can really toss a child around.

 

[jackson2005]

Hi everyone,
Looking for some veteran advice. We are taking our 3 year old for her first trip in 9 days. We had planned on bringing her car seat onto the plane for her to fly in. After meeting with my sister today she suggested that we leave it at home. She said it was a hassle to put in and others on the plane would get irritated by having to wait for it to be installed. What do you think? Any Advice? We only need it for the plane, we will be using Disney transporation for everything else.
Thanks

If you want a seat for her just take a booster carseat, they are smaller and easy to take with you.

 

[bethymouse]

Don't airplanes have special seat belts for little ones? I am not sure that you're allowed to bring a car/safety seat?

 

[MITCH 112198]

We have flown DD and DS for years at all ages, we never use the carseat in the plane. we do send it in checked luggage though we get a car for disney.

 

[olinecoach61]

First, don't worry about what others think, the safety of your daughter should be your top priority.

Is she big enough to be held in place safely by the seat belt? Turbulence can really toss a child around.

I think so, she's over 40 inches but thin. I'm leaning towards bringing the car seat.

 

[jlevis]

As a PP said, who cares what others think. They won't be there if your daughter gets hurt.

 

[bubbles1812]

People bring car seats on planes?? I've never seen anyone do that. Sorry, not judging, just saying I've never seen it. I would call up the airline you booked on regarding their policy and ask what accommodations they have regarding small children before you lug something large and most likely inconvenient on the plane. They might provide a booster seat for you or have a special seat belt type thing. If they don't, I'd echo another poster and say bring a booster seat. It might just be a little less bulky and inconvenient for you (plus, depending on how big it is, you might not be able to get through security that easily too...if it's too big for the scanners you are probably looking at special fun probing from your lovely TCA officer)

EDIT: Ok. I did a little research for you. Just in case you do decide to, you need to make sure your car seat is certified for automobiles as well as planes:

The label should read, "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft." Flight attendants are instructed to look for the label, and you may run into problems if it's missing.

Be sure to measure the car seat you're planning to travel with, too. To fit into a typical coach seat, the car seat should be no wider than 16 inches (though you can lift the airplane seat's armrest to accommodate slightly wider car seats).

Secondly, do you know if you have a window seat booked? It would appear they often require this because otherwise said car seat would cause a blockage in case of an emergency:

You'll want to book a window seat. That's where you'll need to put the car seat, to make sure it won't block the escape path in an emergency. You may not put a car seat in an aisle seat or exit row.
Here's what the FAA recommends for children riding on airplanes:

• Less than 20 pounds? Ride in a rear-facing car seat.
• 20 to 40 pounds? Ride in a forward-facing car seat.
• Over 40 pounds? Use the airplane seat belt.

It seems like your daughter is just on the edge of what the FAA recommends for when to start just riding with the seatbelt so the choice is up to you. I think you'd honestly be ok without it, but again, choice is up to you.

EDIT #2: Sorry, also find out if they will charge you. Airlines charge for everything these days and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they charged that as an extra carry on or something.

 

[littleroo]

Wow bubbles! You really did your research. That was cool!!!

I agree that it should be what you as a parent are most comfortable with. No regrets! I have boys and they are sturdy. I have never sweated it! If they were not, I would certainly bring a car seat! Enjoy your vacation!!

 

[olinecoach61]

People bring car seats on planes?? I've never seen anyone do that. Sorry, not judging, just saying I've never seen it. I would call up the airline you booked on regarding their policy and ask what accommodations they have regarding small children before you lug something large and most likely inconvenient on the plane. They might provide a booster seat for you or have a special seat belt type thing. If they don't, I'd echo another poster and say bring a booster seat. It might just be a little less bulky and inconvenient for you (plus, depending on how big it is, you might not be able to get through security that easily too...if it's too big for the scanners you are probably looking at special fun probing from your lovely TCA officer)

EDIT: Ok. I did a little research for you. Just in case you do decide to, you need to make sure your car seat is certified for automobiles as well as planes:

The label should read, "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft." Flight attendants are instructed to look for the label, and you may run into problems if it's missing.

Be sure to measure the car seat you're planning to travel with, too. To fit into a typical coach seat, the car seat should be no wider than 16 inches (though you can lift the airplane seat's armrest to accommodate slightly wider car seats).

Secondly, do you know if you have a window seat booked? It would appear they often require this because otherwise said car seat would cause a blockage in case of an emergency:

You'll want to book a window seat. That's where you'll need to put the car seat, to make sure it won't block the escape path in an emergency. You may not put a car seat in an aisle seat or exit row.
Here's what the FAA recommends for children riding on airplanes:

• Less than 20 pounds? Ride in a rear-facing car seat.
• 20 to 40 pounds? Ride in a forward-facing car seat.
• Over 40 pounds? Use the airplane seat belt.

It seems like your daughter is just on the edge of what the FAA recommends for when to start just riding with the seatbelt so the choice is up to you. I think you'd honestly be ok without it, but again, choice is up to you.

EDIT #2: Sorry, also find out if they will charge you. Airlines charge for everything these days and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they charged that as an extra carry on or something.

Thanks for all the info!

 

[Uncle Lupe]

Research the CARES harness for aircraft. It is what we used and was wonderful. Rented one off ebay. Check out our pics of her in it on the plane. She was 2.5 and I wanted the security of the harness.

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/fuzzy-memories-of-a-noobs-first-trip-report.836053

 

[buseegal]

one thing to remember if using a carseat in plane, child will most likely not be able to use traytable in front of that child. can not put drink or video player on. also child can kick seat in front of them. booster type seats, no belts, can not be used on planes as the only have lapbelts. if person seated in front of you reclines their seat your child legs can be hit by tray even in up position. just some more to think about.

 

[olinecoach61]

one thing to remember if using a carseat in plane, child will most likely not be able to use traytable in front of that child. can not put drink or video player on. also child can kick seat in front of them. booster type seats, no belts, can not be used on planes as the only have lapbelts. if person seated in front of you reclines their seat your child legs can be hit by tray even in up position. just some more to think about.

Thanks, I never even considered that.

 

[tracyandalex]

We used a car seat on the plane when DD was almost 3 and it was a pain! We had 1 stop and we had to haul that car seat through the airport along with everything else we had to carry on and we hated every minute of it. Also, it took a few minutes to strap it in and while DD's safety is far more important than the annoyed line of folks we held up, it was one more stress that we didn't need on our trip. If your daughter is big enough to not have it I wouldn't take it. The only reason we brought it we were going to be in cars a lot when we got to Phoenix and would of course need it for that. I would also like to echo what buseegal said about the tray tables and people reclining their seats and the leg room for your daughter.

 

[coltow]

Research the CARES harness for aircraft. It is what we used and was wonderful. Rented one off ebay. Check out our pics of her in it on the plane. She was 2.5 and I wanted the security of the harness.

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/fuzzy-memories-of-a-noobs-first-trip-report.836053

We actually got yelled at on US Airways using this with 2yo son because it could disturb the person behind him. Flight attendant asked us not to attached and that he would be fine with the regular seatbelt.

We had taken car seat with us the trip before when he was 18mo and said I'd never so it again. It was hard to travel with around airport. Once in the seat on the aircraft it left no room for me to move because it so hard and bulky on the sides.

Lastly, FYI a car seat HAS to be place in a window seat so it doesn't interfer with any one needing to exit the plane.

 

[LizC]

What if you have a very young child, under a year, does Disney transportation require a carseat?? I assume they do not becuase I have never seen one, but this seems so unsafe.


Edit: I realize this question may not belong here, but it came to mind as I was reading.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I know others have said it, but I'll say it too...to heck with other people if you're doing something to ensure the safety of your child.

There are pros and cons to the carseat on the plane. You might also talk to your pediatrician to see what they thing and recommend.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

What if you have a very young child, under a year, does Disney transportation require a carseat?? I assume they do not becuase I have never seen one, but this seems so unsafe.


Edit: I realize this question may not belong here, but it came to mind as I was reading.

Nope- no carseats. It's really the same though if you use bus service or train service in any city. i.e. if I'm in the middle of Manhattan, I'm not going to put a carseat on the bus. While it may seem unsafe, having them on there are also would present safety issues. Most people recommend wearing your baby in a snugli, baby bjorn, wrap, sling etc. if you're in that scenario. This way you can be hands free in an emergency and be able to brace yourself if the bus stops short...yet the baby remains snug to your body.

 

[LizC]

Nope- no carseats. It's really the same though if you use bus service or train service in any city. i.e. if I'm in the middle of Manhattan, I'm not going to put a carseat on the bus. While it may seem unsafe, having them on there are also would present safety issues. Most people recommend wearing your baby in a snugli, baby bjorn, wrap, sling etc. if you're in that scenario. This way you can be hands free in an emergency and be able to brace yourself if the bus stops short...yet the baby remains snug to your body.

Thank you. We had thought about taking our twins earlier in the year, after hearing this I am glad we chose not to. This seems too dangerous. But I suppose you are right about it being the same in any city, I live in a suburb of NYC and had not thought of it that way.

 

[Uncle Lupe]

We actually got yelled at on US Airways using this with 2yo son because it could disturb the person behind him. Flight attendant asked us not to attached and that he would be fine with the regular seatbelt.

We had taken car seat with us the trip before when he was 18mo and said I'd never so it again. It was hard to travel with around airport. Once in the seat on the aircraft it left no room for me to move because it so hard and bulky on the sides.

Lastly, FYI a car seat HAS to be place in a window seat so it doesn't interfer with any one needing to exit the plane.

We were on flight full of kids going to Disney with understanding parents behind us. I just put the seat tray behind us down. Put the belts in place and raised the tray again. No problems. I did have a flight attendant ask what it was. I explained and she seem confused but did not question anything. We flew Delta.