Christmas travel

jjshreve

I'm flying on Christmas Eve...I know we're crazy. (MIL bought tickets) How does security work with LO and the stroller? Is it a real PITA to go thru? And do we check the car seat base or carry that? Oh soo many questions.
I'd love to hear about your experiences! And advice!!

golfingdarwinfish

Cantisa said:

I'm mobile but there's a recent thread Tips for flying with LO

But where's the instant gratification!?!?!?!?

2goingon3

You shouldn't need to travel with the base, your rear facing bucket-style car seat should be able to be installed safely without it. It's more a convenience thing.
You can gate check the stroller.

victoria+james

SSFC2014 said:

theresat858 said:

SSFC2014 said:

Do not gate check the carseat. Once it has been checked it has an unknown history as many people loading the luggage on the plane just throw stuff around. You should use the seat on the plane, assuming baby has their own seat, and carry the base on. Really lap babies aren't safe because they can be injured if there is turbulence or a runway accident.

Yeah, or there is a 100% likelihood of my baby screaming the entire flight. The risk of those things is minimal. And if baby has a seat, you risk eardrum rupture bc you won't be able to nurse/bottle feed on landing.

I'd rather have an eardrum rupture than risk injuring my child by holding them on my lap. The FAA doesn't even recommend lap babies. If the seatbelt light is on baby should be buckled into their seat.

I guess if baby takes a pacifier and likes the seat then the seat would be the way to go, but I know I'd BF during take off and landing since M doesn't take the paci almost ever. He'd also likely be in arms most of the time because he also hates his seat. I'm glad I'm not flying any time soon...

NavyFlyer

Spend the $ on a seat. I obviously fly for a living and have experienced plenty of random, what we call "clear air turbulance". Ive seen a grown man hit the ceiling. Wouldnt take much for a baby. Your ears can get uncomfortable but shouldnt rupture unless you are flying with congestion (which you NEVER should!!) To me, I would no sooner fly without a carseat than drive without one. If I can't afford the seat Im not going.

victoria+james

NavyFlyer said:

Spend the $ on a seat. I obviously fly for a living and have experienced plenty of random, what we call "clear air turbulance". Ive seen a grown man hit the ceiling. Wouldnt take much for a baby. Your ears can get uncomfortable but shouldnt rupture unless you are flying with congestion (which you NEVER should!!) To me, I would no sooner fly without a carseat than drive without one. If I can't afford the seat Im not going.

All The Wisdom

jjshreve

Unfortunately we don't have an extra seat so we'll just have to hope all goes well. It's a 2 hour flight and at this time the weather is fine. No storms. My main question is the car seat base. Do I carry that on or check it? I know the stroller and car seat itself are gate checked.

ss265

jjshreve said:

Unfortunately we don't have an extra seat so we'll just have to hope all goes well. It's a 2 hour flight and at this time the weather is fine. No storms. My main question is the car seat base. Do I carry that on or check it? I know the stroller and car seat itself are gate checked.

Would it fit in your check in baggage? I would pack it and cushion it with clothes - that way you have one less thing to lug around in the airport and on the plane. You take the risk of it getting damaged if baggage handlers throw your bags around though. 

NavyFlyer

Do you have to take the base? Im pretty sure most carseats have little notches for a seatbelt so you can use it without the base.