airport and carseats ?

Court0026 · October 2010

We are going to have one LO in a car seat on the plane and one LO on my lap. If you have flown with your LO and their carseat, how did you lug the carseat through the airport with you? I really don't want to buy an $80 rolling thing specifically for the car seat.

Also, were you concerned about checking one if you have done that? I would prefer to gate check the baby's seat, but there is no way we are hauling 2 around (she is already out of the infant seat and we aren't bringing the stroller). Thanks!

ncbelle · October 2010

I just carried mine - I was going to strap it to the top of my rolling carry-on but it was easier just to carry it. Kiddo was on my back.

I'm personally hesitant to check a car seat - if nothing else it might not make your destination. I'd gate check. If your DH is going too, it should be easy enough for you to each carry one.

KayLee77 · October 2010

i have a fabric bag for the car seat. its got a handle and wheels on it. it folds up really nice and easy as well for storing while in flight.

anna7602 · October 2010

We travel a lot (and I often do so by myself with just DD), so the $80 rolling thing was worth every penny. I use it for train travel, too. You could also consider skipping the car seat on the plane altogether and using a CARES harness (I forget the cost of these).

But, I've also checked the car seat at the counter in the past without incident. Just make sure you put some kind of bag over it.

kbankscrc · October 2010

When we flew last, we checked the carseat and used a travel bag as mentioned above and used the CARES system on the plane which we were pleasantly surprised with how well it worked. Definitely made getting throught he airport easier, as well as boarding and leaving the plane and the CARES thing fit right in the carryone.

Jaimers375 · October 2010

We just used a luggage cart, when we got to security we were allowed to pass the cart through the checkpoint in a separate lane and could use the luggage cart all the way to the gate.

andrea922 · October 2010

We also check the car seat (in a bag) and use the CARES harness. We have never had a problem checking the car seat with luggage but have had it broken when it was gate checked. If they lose it the airlines will give you a loaner one.

akayf · October 2010

When we flew with DS, we checked the car seat and used the CARES harness on the plane. We have 2 car seats for him and took the cheaper one that we got on clearance for 50 bucks rather than the good Britax(the good car seat is in my car and the other one is in DH's car since we use my car most of the time)

I rented the harness from this ebay seller. Great experience!!!!! https://tinyurl.com/274g75s

xosheenaox · October 2010

akayf:

When we flew with DS, we checked the car seat and used the CARES harness on the plane. We have 2 car seats for him and took the cheaper one that we got on clearance for 50 bucks rather than the good Britax(the good car seat is in my car and the other one is in DH's car since we use my car most of the time)

I rented the harness from this ebay seller. Great experience!!!!! https://tinyurl.com/274g75s

I just e-mailed that seller to see if they had our vacation dates available to rent one. Such a great idea! Thanks for posting this info it was very helpful!

Lex78 · October 2010

ok I have a lot to say on this subject! we took this fab all-inclusive trip to Hawaii with my infant and 8 year old. My hubbie and I decided we would take turns with the baby and check the car seat. When we got to the destination and picked up our luggage the car seat was in pieces! 3 pieces! The airline said it was our fault, we should have carried it on. Our tour operator said it wasn't his responsibility either. I can understand the tour operator saying that, but the airline should have admitted responsibility.

As it was, we were able to borrow a car seat in hawaii. But when we got home and did a review thingy for the trip booking company I mentioned the car seat incident and they sent us a voucher for Toys R Us! It wasn't enough for a replacement, but the gesture meant a lot! So ladies and gents, I recommend a) do NOT check your carseat, b) use Bookit.com All-Inclusive !!

andrea922 · October 2010

Lex78:
ok I have a lot to say on this subject! we took this fab all-inclusive trip to Hawaii with my infant and 8 year old. My hubbie and I decided we would take turns with the baby and check the car seat. When we got to the destination and picked up our luggage the car seat was in pieces! 3 pieces! The airline said it was our fault, we should have carried it on. Our tour operator said it wasn't his responsibility either. I can understand the tour operator saying that, but the airline should have admitted responsibility.
As it was, we were able to borrow a car seat in hawaii. But when we got home and did a review thingy for the trip booking company I mentioned the car seat incident and they sent us a voucher for Toys R Us! It wasn't enough for a replacement, but the gesture meant a lot! So ladies and gents, I recommend a) do NOT check your carseat, b) use Bookit.com All-Inclusive !!

I am sorry this happened to you, but this is not always going to happen. I have had a car seat lost once before and they certainly didn't say it was my fault and I should have carried it on. They gave us a loaner. We check our car seat ALL the time (we travel all the time) and have only had a problem with it being lost once. We have, however, had it broken when it was gate checked. It is not a fail proof system.

lismog · October 2010

I didn't want to spend the $80 either. I found on Amazon.com a strap, I think it's called travelling toddler for $14 which you use to strap the car seat to your carry on suitcase and "wheel" it through the airport like that. We just used ours going to Florida and it worked great. DD even sat in the car seat some of the time and we just pulled her along with the seat (since we checked our stroller). It was definately worth the $14

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