My husband has a family reunion in Baltimore in mid August. I cannot go because of work...urghhhh, but he is going to take our son since he is the only nephew/cousin..etc and some members of the family have not seen my son at all. (I have no idea how I am going to handle 5 days and nights with out my son...that’s another story).
My question is:
Is my son going to have a seat of his own on the plane? Does that mean we have to take his car seat to put on this chair? What proof of identification will be required, other than his BC and SSN? We have flown with him before but he was an considered as an infant and sat on my lap.
I would really appreciate your advice,
thank you
My 8 year old son flies frequently and never needs any kind of ID at all...
DO take the car seat... he'll want it (need it)...children at this age are MUCH more comfortable and less squirmy b/c they KNOW when they're in a carseat that they have to stay in it.. if you try to just "lap" them at this age... they'll be trying to wiggle underneat the seat belt, crawl under the seats.. it's maddening!
I watched a show the other day that changed my view on this entirely. If a child is not in a purchased seat of their own, the emergency procedures are to put the child in the floor board in front of you. I had no idea this was the case and I will now tell everyone I know that it should be MANDATORY for EVERY child to purchase a ticket and ride in a car seat if possible. At least if they have a purchased ticket (even without the car seat), they would be more protected in case of an emergency. There is an airline stewardess lobbying right now trying to get this rule in effect.
A.,
What a small world I am originally from Maryland. Born and raised in Bowie/Upper Marlboro; now only remaining family I have there is my mom and she lives in Annapolis. Sorry you can't make the trip, and I completely understand your fears about missing your son. Is there anyway your hubbie could come back early - I couldn't imagine being away from my 2 year old -- so I can totally relate and sympathsize with your situation.
For a 2 year old you will need to purchase a ticket for him -- every airline requires that a ticket be purchased after they hit the age of 2 -- and I don't think anyone is giving discounts on those tickets any longer. American used to give you 50% discounted tickets for toddlers that are 2, but now they require full-fair price - they just changed that rule a couple of months ago. You will not need to show any identification for him (NO birth certificiate or ssn), just tell the clerk his age and that will trust you with such information. We just flew with our 2 year old this weekend - and he is has been on many trips back to Maryland so you can trust the information that I am giving you.
Let me know if you have any other questions, I might be able to help you with. Take care, and try not to worry - -as hard as I know that it will be to be without your son. I pray that the time will go by quickly. perhaps even as 2nd option, even though you can't get off for work - could you maybe fly up on the weekend to join them? Or as I suggested early, talk to your dh, and explain the situation, and maybe he would be willing to come back sooner than 5 days.
K.
Since you have purchased a ticket for your son since he is 2, you will not need any identification. If you were trying to prove that he was under 2 as a lap baby, that is when you would need proof that he was under 2. As for the car seat, we flew last year on Air Tran back to the northeast and we were told that a car/booster seat was not allowed. We had to store it overhead. If you are needing the car seat for the car once your husband reaches his destination, I would check the car seat to meet him there. Your best bet would be to ask the airlines directly. I was surprised to see others respond that car seats were allowed, maybe it was just Air Tran. Enjoy your time to yourself, I know you will miss your baby, but use it as relaxation time and pamper yourself. :-)
Hello, you've already gotten at least one good response. I wanted to answer your question about taking his car seat... You are not required to take the seat on the airplane, but, of course, your son will need it when he gets to Baltimore for any car rides. You can check the car seat along with the rest of the luggage or you can take it on the plane, so he can ride in it. There's a great thing called the gogo kidz cart- it's wheels and a handle, so you can wheel around his car seat like a stroller and attach it to the airplane seat with the wheels on. Check it out at gogobabyz.com. We've had ours for about a year and a half and have used it many times and love it. If you do get it, just make sure to ask the flight attendant for a "seatbelt extender" before you sit down on the plane because you will need this to buckle the carseat down.
