Flying with a pre-schooler

Lisichka · September 2012

We're going to Mexico next weekend, with both kids. DD gets her own seat. I'm contemplating getting one of those CARES harnesses for her, but wondering if I'm just being a little to paranoid (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012E4FV8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=A70BV4QJ36H77) DH thinks I'm crazy. I'm torn. On the one hand, she will sit fairly well for the duration of the flight I'm sure, but on the other, it just seems like an extra safety measure. What do you think? TIA!

Brewtowngrl · September 2012

We didn't with the kids last spring. DS1 watched movies for the whole flight. Only got up once to go potty. He is a hyper kid too.

Art Teacher · September 2012

DD just turned 3, and we've used the CARES harness for her on at least 4 flights now. We really like it and it makes me feel like she's a bit safer. It's not hard to use. I think it cost around $65? We got it at Buy Buy Baby.

LoCarb · September 2012

DD1, 3.5 yo has flown over a dozen times w/o any restraints and is perfectly happy w/ the iPad. We also try to schedule flights around nap time or red eyes. I bought a used CARES ($25) from a flt attendant on CL for DD2, 18mo, b/c we bought her own seat and she hates to be held. She hated the harness more. Gist-if you have a wiggler and it may be worth it but perhaps you can find a used one. I know you can rent one on ebay for a month for $20. Maybe try it first? Or if you know your LO is well occupied w/ a phone or tablet you can prob skip it.

Lisichka · September 2012

Ok, thanks, ladies. I think we'll skip it. DH thinks it's a waste of money. And we can just bring our portable DVD player and let her watch movies to occupy her.

Littlejen22 · September 2012

My 5yo has flown 6 times always with his own seat and 3yo flew 5 trips and 4 were in her own seat and I never was concerned.

penguingrrl · September 2012

If you're going to need carseats on the other end I would bring them on board and use them. Carseats often get damaged or lost when checked (or gate checked) so I wouldn't risk checking them. If you don't need seats on the other end I would just let them ride in the seat and not worry too much about it. The cares harness disables the person behind that seat's tray table, which is not something I would want to do to someone (coming from someone whose husband is a frequent business traveler and needs to be able to work on his laptop during his flight.

Lisichka · September 2012

penguingrrl:
If you're going to need carseats on the other end I would bring them on board and use them. Carseats often get damaged or lost when checked (or gate checked) so I wouldn't risk checking them. If you don't need seats on the other end I would just let them ride in the seat and not worry too much about it. The cares harness disables the person behind that seat's tray table, which is not something I would want to do to someone (coming from someone whose husband is a frequent business traveler and needs to be able to work on his laptop during his flight.

Oh, I didn't even realize this, but it does make sense! I think we won't be getting it.

sucredee · September 2012

penguingrrl:
The cares harness disables the person behind that seat's tray table, which is not something I would want to do to someone (coming from someone whose husband is a frequent business traveler and needs to be able to work on his laptop during his flight.

this is not true. I have been using the Cares harness since June for my DD (right after she turned 2) and we have been on 8 different flights. I have been able to install it without having the tray table disabled.

I probably wouldn't get it for a 4 y/o though. I did get one for DD because we fly a ton and mostly on crappy little planes so it is a pain to take the car seat on. It also leaves very little space once the car seat is in the seat. I always gate check our car seat and realize there is a bit of a risk with that but certainly much less than checking it at the counter. DD is little and so I like that she is a bit more confined but still has some room to move around and stretch when the seatbelt sign is off. The one time we had her in the car seat it wasn't all that great. It was on a flight back from Europe at 16 months and she was on my lap for most of it anyway. Try keeping a kid strapped in their car seat for 8 hours straight.

The philosophy that a lot of people have that their LOs are used to their car seat so they know they're expected to stay in there doesn't work for our DD. heck, it didn't even work for her when i had to sit next to her in the back seat on a trip. She wanted out and wanted mommy.

Anyway, long story short. I wouldn't get it for a 4 y/o but I do really like it for our 2 y/o.

sucredee · September 2012

penguingrrl:
The cares harness disables the person behind that seat's tray table, which is not something I would want to do to someone (coming from someone whose husband is a frequent business traveler and needs to be able to work on his laptop during his flight.

this is not true. I have been using the Cares harness since June for my DD (right after she turned 2) and we have been on 8 different flights. I have been able to install it without having the tray table disabled.

I probably wouldn't get it for a 4 y/o though. I did get one for DD because we fly a ton and mostly on crappy little planes so it is a pain to take the car seat on. It also leaves very little space once the car seat is in the seat. I always gate check our car seat and realize there is a bit of a risk with that but certainly much less than checking it at the counter. DD is little and so I like that she is a bit more confined but still has some room to move around and stretch when the seatbelt sign is off. The one time we had her in the car seat it wasn't all that great. It was on a flight back from Europe at 16 months and she was on my lap for most of it anyway. Try keeping a kid strapped in their car seat for 8 hours straight.

The philosophy that a lot of people have that their LOs are used to their car seat so they know they're expected to stay in there doesn't work for our DD. heck, it didn't even work for her when i had to sit next to her in the back seat on a trip. She wanted out and wanted mommy.

Anyway, long story short. I wouldn't get it for a 4 y/o but I do really like it for our 2 y/o.

Art Teacher · September 2012

penguingrrl:
The cares harness disables the person behind that seat's tray table, which is not something I would want to do to someone (coming from someone whose husband is a frequent business traveler and needs to be able to work on his laptop during his flight.

If you put it on correctly, it does not interfere with the person's tray table at all. It goes UNDER the tray not across it. Hasn't bothered anyone that has flown behind us and we've used it at least 6 times.

penguingrrl · September 2012

sucredee:
penguingrrl:
The cares harness disables the person behind that seat's tray table, which is not something I would want to do to someone (coming from someone whose husband is a frequent business traveler and needs to be able to work on his laptop during his flight.
this is not true. I have been using the Cares harness since June for my DD (right after she turned 2) and we have been on 8 different flights. I have been able to install it without having the tray table disabled.
I probably wouldn't get it for a 4 y/o though. I did get one for DD because we fly a ton and mostly on crappy little planes so it is a pain to take the car seat on. It also leaves very little space once the car seat is in the seat. I always gate check our car seat and realize there is a bit of a risk with that but certainly much less than checking it at the counter. DD is little and so I like that she is a bit more confined but still has some room to move around and stretch when the seatbelt sign is off. The one time we had her in the car seat it wasn't all that great. It was on a flight back from Europe at 16 months and she was on my lap for most of it anyway. Try keeping a kid strapped in their car seat for 8 hours straight.
The philosophy that a lot of people have that their LOs are used to their car seat so they know they're expected to stay in there doesn't work for our DD. heck, it didn't even work for her when i had to sit next to her in the back seat on a trip. She wanted out and wanted mommy.
Anyway, long story short. I wouldn't get it for a 4 y/o but I do really like it for our 2 y/o.

That's interesting. I know a few business travelers (DH included) who have had their tray table disabled by those and it created a huge problem for them.

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