Checking a carseat

[WDWEric]

We leave on Sat and we are checking my sons car seat. we are not bringing it on the plane because my son is sitting on my wifes lap. how do we go about checking our carseat so it doesn't get damaged? I was thinking about putting it in a garbage bag and checking it that way, will it work Thanks in advance!

 

[tigsmom]

I have seen people check it both covered and uncovered and they are treated the same. :lookaroun If you want to keep it clean then use a clear garbage bag and check it with the luggage.

Just a word of advice (or caution)...I have seen many people travel with small ones on their laps and its a struggle the entire way, they end the flight with a very cranky child and 2 stressed out parents. Most say they will buy a seat next time to avoid the hassle.

Best of luck and enjoy your vacation. Tell Mickey I said "hi!" :wave:

 

[wdwfan30]

they sell car seat bags for the airplanes at babies r us. we used to do that all the time and never had a problem. now that our daughter is 3 we bought a booster seat and it fits perfectly in the suitcase and doesn't take up much space.you can even put stuff on top of it.

 

[honeymooner05]

We took our son's carseat with us in February on a trip...On our way to our loacation, instead of checking it with our luggage we took it thru security and gate checked it with our stoller when we boarded the plane. I carried my son thru the airport and put the carseat in his stroller so it wasn't too bad. On the way home we checked it with our luggage in a large bag and when we got it back it was slightly damaged. Next time I definitely go thru the slight hassle of gate checking it instead of the main luggage check.

 

[ErickainPA]

I would get the carseat bag or maybe even a big suitcase that is softsided that can hold it. Or if you chose just gate check it, some prefer that because if there is a seat on the flight that is open, you can usually bring your seat on. (At least with Southwest it's usually easier to have a seat next to you open)

I never had an issue with holding my son during out flight, it was DH and I and since I am pregnant would pass off to DH when I needed a chance to rest. It was not a hassle at all to hold him.

 

[Cole'sMom]

We gate checked our son's car seat when he was 10 weeks old. It was uncovered and came back in mint condition. I'm sure you will hear different replies from everyone. He slept the whole way down and back. This time he will be 10 1/2 months and we are having him sit in our lap-I think we are making a mistake as each day ticks by, but my husband won't pay for a seat for him. I told him that it was fine, and when Cole gets cranky and wants to jump up and down and dance the whole trip, he can entertain him. My way would have been easier. Anyways, have a great trip!

 

[mgraef]

I have been terrified of the concept of our lap children every time, and only once has this been difficult, we even had a whole row to ourselves, but our son was restless that day. DD is not a big napper and she slept both ways on our last trip (1 1/2 yo). Just depends on the kid.

As for checking the seat, only do this if you are renting a car. If so we have checked seats numerous times, usually at the counter they have a bag that keeps the seat from getting too dirty.

mg

 

[coltow]

I have a car seat bag from Babies R Us and have used it a few times. It has wheels so it makes it easy to get through the airport. I would never check it uncovered. Not only could it get damaged but it could get extremely dirty from being under the plane. I even used my bag the last time we traveled when DS had a seat on the plane just to get from the car to the gate was less of a hassle when you can wheel it and not carry it.

 

[joelleharbert]

If you happen to be flying Southwest, they will put it in a bag for you and then have you take it to TSA and they'll check it. At least that's what they did in Pittsburgh both in Sept. and February. Both times, the carseat came back without a scratch (and that includes switching planes in Feb). I don't know about other airlines, but I would assume they do something similar.