Putting Toddler in Carseat on Airplane?

Hey girl-
I know nothing about this, but I heard on the radio the other day that the pilot wouldn't let this guy's car seat on the plane because it didn't fit the standards of the plane for some reason...so he brought it all that way and then couldn't use it...just fyi...I had never heard that before...

I am a flight attendant for SWA, I know that it sounds hard to put keep your child in a car seat, and let me tell you it is... because of all of the other people around. When he is in a car seat in your car he has no other people to look at... so it is a little bit harder but WELL worth it. I've been a flight attendant for 14 years and I have seen many accidents that should not have happened. Some mom's do let their children run around but they shouldn't. My daughter is 21/2 but she has always been in a car seat on the plane just because I know what can happen (any hoo) when she got older we bought a miniature dvd player, but now they have a gadget out called Video Now Jr. It is made for children our size. It's kind of pricey but well worth it. They can hold it themselves the whole time and it plays any video you buy. It really comes in handy. If you have ANY questions about flying with a 2 year old PLEASE don't hesitate to email me back. I have learned many "tricks of the trade".

H.,
I find that it is easier if I have my child in their own seat on the plane. Since my son was one I have purchased him his own seat. This way my arms don't get tired from holding a "wiggly" toddler. He can sit in his car seat and eat a snack, or color, or even nap. At the time my son had the Britax Roundabout. I would'nt fly any other way.... I hope this helps!
K.

When we flew to Atlanta, we put our toddler in a car seat and had no problems. The flight attendants can help you strap the seat in if you need help. If your child's ears are bothered by changes in pressure, it helps to have a cup with a straw or spout. The sucking action helps their ears feel better. We brought lots of books to read also.

H.,

I've traveled on fairly long flights 2-4 hours with my son and have always had him a seat. I just make it the rule that he has to set in the seat during take-off and landing and be buckled in just like mommy and daddy. He as been pretty good about staying in the seat and looking at his books, playing with his magna-doodle, or other toys. He will also sleep if it is nap time or have a snack. If he wants out after we are up in the air, then I will unbuckle him for awhile and let him set on my lap. I've also found it to be a good idea to either bring a new toy or something he hasn't played with in awhile. It seems to keep their interest more. Before our last flight, I bought him the travel size magna-doodle and didn't show it to him until we were on the plane. He loved it and played with it the whole flight.

H.

H. - I have always put my toddler in the carseat. We have a Britax Roundabout and it is really easy to get into the seat. Not only does he stay in one place, but you don't risk any turbulence issues. Given the unexpected turbulence in airplanes, I have seen multiple toddlers fall out of seats or be jumbled about. If you are already buying a seat, I would HIGHLY recomment bringing the carseat aboard. (Plus you don't risk problems with your carseat being thrown in with regular luggage). Feel free to email me directly at ____@____.com if you want any more thoughts.

I have flown many times with my daughter who is 2-1/2 and have never put her in the car seat. First, it is a pain to get on and strapped into the plane (I often travel with her by herself). Second, I would rather her to put able to play (color, etc.) which would be difficult to do from a car seat. We have flown as far as 4 hours without any problems so far.

Good luck!
C.

I recently flew southwest with my 11 month old daughter using a car seat. The only problem was getting around the airport with the seat. On the plane I strapped the car in easily and my daugher was fine. She slept when we left town, and was awake on our return flight. I was able to play with her and we had no problems. I think the seat made her feel like she was in the car so she wasn't as squirmy as she is in my lap.
Also They will let you take a stroller to the door of the plane check it in and when you arrive at your destination they will have it waiting for you. It was wonderful. Good luck on your trip.

Hi H.,

In my experience a lot has to do with how the parents deal with it. Both our kids have always sat in a car seat and stayed sitting in a car seat during flights. I would definitely use a car seat, since the airplane seats are not sized right for them, and it looks mighty uncomfortable for the kids to sit in them. I would recommend you just keep telling them that those are the rules, and they're not allowed to get out. It may even help if you get one of the flight attendants to tell him he needs to stay there. In any case, it's a short flight.

M.

Hello H.,

My daughter is only 14 months old but she is as big as a two year old. We have two car seats..a Britax Marathon (in my car) and a Roundabout that the nanny uses. In June, we went all the way to North Carolina...had to change planes in Atlanta etc but we took the Roundabout (b/c it's smaller)and it worked out ok. They seem to always put you in the back of the plane when you have little ones and so it was difficult to lug all the way down the aisle (I can't imagine how it would be with the bigger Marathon). It wasn't easy to strap it in either..with no LATCH you actually have to stick/squeeze your hand behind to buckle it and my hand got pretty sore!

But for that long of a ride we were glad she was in her seat and she did great. We got a mini DVD player and played Baby Einstein so that may have be the better reason and if you have one I would bring it along...that was the lifesaver.

I never knew that NOT having the child seat was an option so we just did it because we needed it at the next location anyway!

Let me know if you have any questions..I guess bottom line it's a pain but a necessary evil as far as we were concerned!

J. Milligan

We just returned from Kiev last night with our 2 year old and 7 month old. Fun fun! Since you are just going to Lubbock, I think carseat or no carseat will be just fine. The flight will be short enough that he shouldn't get too restless provided you have things for him to do. The big seat is quite awkward for little bodies, though . . . my daughter wasn't very comfortable most of the time, although she was out of the seat a lot. We did not use a car seat. Well, hope this helps.

H.,

I would place your toddler in the carseat for take-offs and landings.If the seatbelt sign is off for you, I would think it would be okay to let your toddler out of it for the time in-between. Have a nice trip!

Hi H., Its been awhile since my kids were that little but we traveled a lot with them and used the car seat. Its a great way to keep them from visiting everyone on the plane and driving your fellow passengers from parachuting out! The kids really liked it when they were that age too because they could "see" better and didn't feel so cooped up. It was also great to have right away after getting off the plane so we could "load" them up while one of us got the luggage. Good Luck...its always fun traveling with little ones...just don't forget snacks!!!!!:.) A.

The last time I flew with my first son he was just over two years. We brought his Britax Roundabout Car seat and strapped him in. Even at 3 years I would probably do the same because it made him less mobile, I felt he was safer, and I think it kept him in his seat as apposed to just the airplane belt. He did great this way!!

We brought a portable DVD player with earphones so that he could watch his shows. This worked great, but I do suggest you try the earphones before the trip so that he can get used to them!!

Oh yeah, I also suggest that you bring plenty of his favorite snacks. This was also a lifesaver, especially during those times you couldn't have the DVD playing!!

Good luck!!