Car Seats and Transfers

[PeoplemoverMisser]

We have never flown since our first son was born, and he's already 2. We're planning to go next year, and depending when we go our youngest will either be 11 or 16 months, and the oldest either 2-and-a-half or a fresh 3 - how do car seats work with the airlines? Do we unbuckle the one from our car as we pull into the airport? Do the airlines provide them? Do they sit directly on the seat (or in a lap). What are the age restrictions? Does it depend on the airline? (Alaska and Southwest are the most likely choices - Delta being an outside third place). I feel neglectful for not knowing these things.

Additionally, since we have no other destinations, we plan to stay either on property or directly across Harbor Blvd. We don't plan to rent a car, thus will need to take either the Super Shuttle or Airport bus - what are their restrictions/options?

We've also toyed with buying a cheap umbrella stroller at Target/Wal-Mart rather than either renting at the parks or lugging a big Graco through two airports. Any opinions on this?

Advice/experience greatly appreciated.

PS: I miss America Sings, too "Pop goes the weasel"

[hlbtimes2]

We have never used car seats on the plane. We just buckle the kids in, but I never flew with a one year old either. I know that there are some seats that state on them they are approved by the FAA. If they arent approved (booster seats are not), they can not be used on an airplane. If I were traveling with kids those ages, I would proably use one for the baby, but not the toddler. But, its all about your comfort level. The airline will not require you to use one, unlike car travel. The airline will not provide them, if you want to use them, you'll need to take the ones out of your car. That being said, we usually check ours with our lugage so we have it when we arrive at the other end.

You'll need one if you use super shuttle. If you use the airport bus you wont need them.

I found using the stroller at the airport, and checking it at the gate to be really helpful. That way you arent trying to carry small children, diaper bags, carry one, tickets, etc, from one gate to the next.

[PeoplemoverMisser]

I would proably use one for the baby, but not the toddler.

You'll need one if you use super shuttle. If you use the airport bus you wont need them.

I found using the stroller at the airport, and checking it at the gate to be really helpful. That way you arent trying to carry small children, diaper bags, carry one, tickets, etc, from one gate to the next.

The baby does great on laps, even for long times. The 2yo will definitely get his own seat.

Thank you for the airport bus info - good to know to avoid SuperShuttle unless I want to pack a car seat. Any experience with "Disneyland Resort Express"?

If I'm going to bother travelling with a stroller, I'm tempted to bring the double for when Big Brother gets tired and the hotel's "all the way over there".

[JeffG]

For children under 2, the airlines do allow you to forgo purchasing a ticket and hold the child on your lap. It is generally a bad idea, though, as it puts the child in danger of injury in the event of significant turbulance or other incidents (reportedly, flight crews sometimes refer to lap babies as "footballs"). I also would imagine that with many kids trying to hold them on your lap for the entire length of a flight could be difficult and/or uncomfortable. Our son has flown 8 times (4 round trips) prior to age 2 and we purchased a seat for him every time.

The airlines do generally offer discounts for tickets for children under 2 (unless the flight is already heavily discounted), which will guarantee you a seat for the child. If you do have a seat for the child (either through a purchased ticket or the luck of a relatively empty flight), you will need to bring your own FAA-approved carseat. The airlines do not provide them. Most carseats made in the last several years are FAA-approved, but you should check for a sticker on the seat affirming that. If you have any doubt, you can call the airline and they should be able to verify whether your carseat is on the approved list. Note that the booster seats used with older kids in cars are not approved for airline use, although a kid that is big enough for one of those will likely be fine strapped into the airline seat directly.

As I noted, you do have to purchase a ticket for any child over age 2. Whether you use a carseat or not at that age is pretty much at your own discretion. As far as I know, there are no specific rules requiring a child to be in a carseat on a flight up to a specific age.

-Jeff

[going2disneyAZ]

Regarding Stroller. I definately recommend you bring the double. You can generally stoller the kids down the jetway and at the door leaveit for a gate check. It will be waiting for you there when you land. Then stroller the kids back up the jetway. If you have to change planes this will be very helpful. The double will be good at the parks as I am sure both kids will be tired at the same time at least one point in your visit.

As far as car seat on the plane, that's a judment call. I don't do it for my 2YO. Seems like a lot to haul if you dont rent a car and use a bus for ground transport. IMO

[hlbtimes2]

Thank you for the airport bus info - good to know to avoid SuperShuttle unless I want to pack a car seat. Any experience with "Disneyland Resort Express"?

I believe that is the new name, but its pretty much the same bus service they've had. There might be some small changes, but probably not a lot. They are large busses, like grayhound busses with the smelly little bathroom in the back. They will get your where your going, but it does take time. Especially if you are one of the last hotels on the route. You have to make a stop at every hotel to drop people off.

We prefer super shuttle, because we've never had more then two extra stops. Super shuttle is also easier to get back to the airport. They'll set a time to pick you up. With the bus, you'll ride a transfer area, then they will have you change busses, to get to the airport you need. But, as you know, the SS drawback is that you must have car seats.

[adriennek]

Jeff gave you a lot of good information (and my soapbox!) about babies and airplane seats. (Footballs in turbulance, we know carseats are about plane crashes, they're for turbulance!) Some larger carseats that are booster seats SAY they're FAA approved but the airlines won't allow them on the planes.

I'm going to echo the bring your own double stroller deal. We travelled with my older son when he was 2. I can't imagine going with both of my older children at those ages without the stroller. As others have said, you can gate check it and have it in the airport to lug stuff AND kids around.

Yesterday we were at DL all day with my 18-month-old, 4-y/o and 7-y/o. The 4-y/o used the stroller a lot as the day wore on. By the end of the day when we were heading back to the car, the 7-y/o was trying to negociate how he could get in it, too. I can't imagine how we would've gotten to the car without it! We didn't have a very long day at the park, either. It was only open from 10 am to 8 pm. IMO, you'll definitely want the stroller for both children!

Plus, umbrella strollers don't hold the diaper bag and other goodies as well as a sturdier stroller will.

Adrienne

[PeoplemoverMisser]

My wife has heard good reports about a Baby B'air, which I've only been able to find at One Step Ahead. Basically the child wears it like a vest, but it's attached directly to the grown-up's lap belt. It's only for cruising, not take-offs and landings, but it looks like it would be easy enough to swap so one adult doesn't have to do all the holding.

She knows a couple of ladies who've used them, both gave good reviews.

But more importantly, the 2yo can distinguish between Mickey and "Mimmie" - it's so cute I don't want to correct him.

Okay, so it's not MORE important, but it is significant.

[Bolivar]

It doesn't sound like this will be a popular answer here, but I have never purchased a ticket for an under two-year-old and have not have a problem -- I guess some would say we were lucky. The armrests push up on airline seats, so I just push it up and the kid sits between us.

I alway take a car seat and check it. The kid rides to the airport in it, I take it out of the car and to baggage check, they put it in a big plasitc baggie and check it. The kid then rides in it from the airport at the other end.

[MommyTo3Boys1Girl]

Being a former flight attendant, and married to a commercial pilot, it is my recommendation that both your children be strapped in to their carseats, yes the ones you have in your vehicle, as long as they are airline approved, which most are. Sure they can sit in a seatbelt on the airplane, but would you allow them strapped just in their seatbelt in your car? And you figure, the plane is traveling 3-5 times what drive in your car. Even in light turbulence, a child not properly restrained can be injured. My oldest is 4yos and for the first time he flew sitting in the seat alone, 2 weeks ago. The only reason that I did that was because I was traveling alone and couldn't work out a good system to carry 2 carseats, a diaper bag and make sure I didn't lose a child in the airport. I wasn't comfortable but I had to do what worked. If you cannot afford tickets for the child under 2, then there is always the option of having them on your lap. But if cost is not an issue, then I highly recommend everyone not only has their own seat but also uses a carseat, for the children that is. Keep in mind that if the flight is not full, Southwest and America West/US Airways, will allow you to use your carseat for your lap child. This is not a written policy but is pretty common among flight attendants, and up to them. If they won't allow it, you can then gate check your seat.
As far as Super Shuttle goes, other than this last trip, the driver was very rude and told us we had to pay for my 2yo because we didn't have his birth certificate, I have since filed a complaint with Super Shuttle, who sent us vouchers for future travel and have told us the driver will take a customer service class, we have been happy with them. We have been lucky that we get right on when we arrive at the airport and they take us straight to the hotel. Maybe the screaming kids, and the 5 or 6 bags helps. hehe We have used them on numerous occasions and been satisfied.
Good luck and have fun on your trip.

[MermaidHair]

I am not sure how long your airline flight will be but we generally take our 2 year-old's car seat on the plane with us. I actually let the straps out all the way and wear the big bulky thing on my back like a backpack while walking through the airport - very effective! Then, on the plane, I feel my son is more comfortable sitting up high in his usual seat and he can (more) easily hunker down and fall asleep on the longer flights. Not that he does sleep all that often on planes. . .

[MommyTo3Boys1Girl]

I am not sure how long your airline flight will be but we generally take our 2 year-old's car seat on the plane with us. I actually let the straps out all the way and wear the big bulky thing on my back like a backpack while walking through the airport - very effective! Then, on the plane, I feel my son is more comfortable sitting up high in his usual seat and he can (more) easily hunker down and fall asleep on the longer flights. Not that he does sleep all that often on planes. . .

That is exactly what we do with our carseats! I have actually seen a strap you can purchase to make this happen. But hey, you can save money just doing it yourself.