Flying question with toddlers

DCs will be nearing 3 when we fly next summer. Do we take our big car seats on the plane?

Can you rent a car with car seats alread in them?

TIA....traveling with a toddler is a whole new experience....I am thinking that driving to Florida would be easier.

Re: Flying question with toddlers

When I flew with DD she was almost 2 and I did not bring my carseat on the plane with me. I checked it to have when we got there.

For me, I didn't see the necessity to have her in a car seat while on the plane. She sat great watching her dvd's the whole time.

At the time, I didn't have to pay for her seat, so she was technically still a "lap child".

In the future when we fly, I won't be bringing the carseat on the plane either.

A lot of other moms do though. So it's really your personal preference.

ETA - Car rental places do have them, but after a post we did here, we decided to bring our own for use when we got there. Sometimes the condition of the seat is less than desireable and sometimes they might not even have any available. Better to be safe than sorry IMO.

Message edited 7/11/2009 7:55:58 AM.

Re: Flying question with toddlers

Re: Flying question with toddlers

I have always brought DD's carseat on. For us, it's just easier and I'm not sure DD would sit still in the regular airplane seat. I am pretty sure she'd want to be up walking around the whole flight. Personally, I would not rent a carseat. I've heard that they are not always in the best shape and that the car rental places may not give you instructions on how to install it. They won't install it for you either.

Re: Flying question with toddlers

Re: Flying question with toddlers

We are flying in two weeks with DS and this is the first time we need to buy him a seat. Even so, we are checking our carseat. We put it in a laundry bag with our name written across it and it works perfectly.

I wouldn't rent seats in a car, my SIL had a bad experience, but also, it is stupid expensive to do

Re: Flying question with toddlers

I agree with the others, I rented a carseat once and will never do that again. It was old and I have no idea what brand it was.

Last week when we were away we brought an extra carseat that we had and checked it on the plane. That is considered a special piece of luggage so you don't have to pay for it.

Jack has been under 2 the last 5 times we have flown so he was on our lap - but I'm not sure if I would bring the carseat on the plane in the future.

They do sell a carseat/stroller combo that I have borrowed from my cousin. It's great and very convenient. Let me see if I can find a pic. You can always bring that on the plane and kill two birds with one stone!

Sit and Stroll from One Step Ahead

Message edited 7/11/2009 11:04:30 AM.

Re: Flying question with toddlers

When we flew with DC's to Hawaii last year (22 hours one way door to door ) we took our own seats.

Then again over the course of 11 days we were on 5 flights and rented two different vans.

Florida is still the same time zone so you won't have to contend with that.

I did write a post on multiples last year with tips/tricks etc. IMO, I would fly. After last year, I swear I can now handle any trip... I could probably be the tour director for a major rock band

Re: Flying question with toddlers

When we fly we always bring our seat on and use it in the rental car. We're usually going to CA and we fly during nap time so having her own car seat makes it easier to nap. The lasy few times though she'll sit in it for abit then want nothing to do with it. But I still think for us she sits better with it. She's 2.5 by the way.

Re: Flying question with toddlers

We've traveled with the seat and without it. We've also rented one. In the future we will travel with our seat and use it on the plane.

When we rented we were lucky enough to get the last one. We had reserved it and so did the 2 families behind us. I have no idea what they did. It was a no frills (Cosco I think) yet clean and safe seat, the installation and fitting instructions were attached. I just prefer not to risk a seat not being available (even when reserved) and would prefer to keep DD in the car seat I chose. I also feel she is safer on the plane strapped in her seat and now, especially at 22 months we'd have a hard time with her on our laps and soon she won't fly free anyway.

I bought this strap to make it easy to carry the seat. DD hasn't sat in it this way yet but it's certainly on there well enough for her to sit there. We travel with a stroller so sitting like that is unnecessary.





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