Going to Austin - need car seat advice

mamatobe2012 · March 2013

Ladies, me, DH and DS are flying to Austin in April for my birthday. DH's parents are driving and meeting us there as well as DH's best friend and his wife and 2 year old son.

Here is my ? I really don't want to take my car seat on the plane - it just seems kind of cray cray to install and lug around. We were thinking should we send a cheaper (under $100) car seat to the in laws and have them install it in their car. They can pick us up from the airport and we can cruise with them all weekend. They are leaving Sunday morning and our flight is Monday morning so we can have them drop us off at a car rental place before they leave and we could rent a car with a car seat for like $50 for a day.

Thoughts? Maybe I'm over thinking this. Any insights would be appreciated.

LoveBeingMama · March 2013

Personally, I wouldn't fly without the seat. It is much safer, and in our experience, my kids are used to their car seats and preferred being in their seat. I assume you haven't bought a seat for your LO, but if there is an empty seat on the flight, they will often let you have the extra seat. We have done that. Just ask if it is a full flight at check in. If the flight is full, you can check your seat at the gate and not lug it on the plane. My kids often sleep through flights because they are comfy in heir seats. But, I don't think your idea is crazy either. It just isn't what I would do.

Favority · March 2013

I would definitely not use a car seat from a car rental facility. You have no way of knowing whether or not the seat has been in any accident or been handled in a way to make it unsafe. If you are going to take the seat with you on the trip, it is not recommended that you check it with your baggage. The car seat warranty can be voided or serious damage can occur if it is placed in the back with the rest of the cargo. When we traveled we took our car seat through security and checked it when we got on the plane. That is what our car seat manufacturer recommended on its website. You can also order a Cosco seat for $40 at Walmart or Target and have it shipped directly to your IL's. Good luck.

suitern · March 2013

I agree with Ainslie325! I won't be buying Landon a seat until he is two. I had a nightmare of trying to rent a carseat from a rental car company, despite them telling me they had a seat that was safe. When we arrived, I had to go to Walmart and buy a seat. I donated it to the rental car company in hopes some other poor family could use it and not be subject to the nightmare seat they initially tried to give us.

My parents bought an inexpensive seat that we use whenever we go to Colorado to visit. They just take it in and out of their car when needed. It has worked really well so we don't have to fly with our seat!

Good luck!

frasey · March 2013

We're going on vacay tomorrow, and here's what we did:

we ordered the $40 Cosco carseat from walmart.com and had it shipped to MIL's place. We're using her car down there. I didnt want to lug ours down, and DD is a lap child. We're renting a car for 2 days at the end of thie trip, and will use the car seat then. This was the cheapest and safest IMO because it was going to be more than $40 to rent a car seat with the car, and I question the safety of those.

HTH.

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