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EVEC
We will be flying to Texas and I wanted to know if we are required to take a car seat?
Answer
It is never required to use a carseat. That is up to the parents for all ages. Airline seatbelts are not designed for little children and don't hold them very well.
I'm a former Flight Attendant and spent 10 years seeing and helping other parents fly with their kids before I had my own. Little did I realize that I'd be travelling with mine between Europe and California twice a year, plus shorter flights inbetween, virturally all alone. I've been doing this since my 8 year old was 4 months old. Almost all flights were with them in carseats. The only time I haven't was when I was prevented from doing so by foreign carriers.
I assume you're already in the U.S. and you'll be flying an American carrier. That wont happen to you. Since your 2 year old has a seat, you have the right to use a FAA approved carseat.
Check the one you already have for a FAA "sticker" which now is usually simply on the side information bar. Usually there's a little airplane and it says "...has been approved for use on aircraft..." etc. Most U.S. carseats are FAA approved. If it's not, which is unlikely, consider borrowing (trading?) or simply buy another. Good ones go for as little as $40.
I recommend this option over using a CARES harness, which isn't as secure and can only be used inflight. At $75, it seems steep for such a one-purpose gizmo but it's your money to spend as you wish!
Having the carseat onboard guarentees that the it wont be damaged or lost in baggage and you can use it right away when you leave the airport in Texas, assuming you'll be doing so by car. I had a bad experience with a car company rental seat and most Carseat techs don't recommend you use them (wish I had that bit of advice!)
Here's a link for you which shows the FAA approval writing and, if you scroll down, a picture of the CARES harness.
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/
To get it through the airport, you have several options. There are carseat bags which you can wear like a backpack. These didn't appeal to me, since I usually fly alone with my three. There is also the pricey GogoKidz cart;
http://www.go-baby.com/Products/gogokidz.html
It doesn't fit all carseats and is expensive at $80-90.
I simply put my carseat on a all-metal luggage cart (a souvenir of the first airline I worked for) and strapped my rather heavy Radian on with extra bungee cords. Worked great and didn't cost anything, since I found the bungee cord but they certainly don't set you back much if you need to buy one.
I have to say that at work, I heard fewer complaints about children who were in carseats than those traveling without them. It does seem to keep children calmer, since it's the right size and familar. It also keeps their feet above the annoying soft zone in airline seats, that kids seem to instinctively kick...(Put your hands on either side of the bottom of your airline seatback and you'll feel what I mean).
Meanwhile, since I get a lot of questions on this subject, I wrote up an article for the local expat community on flying with children. It's entirely non-commerical and I put it on a blog so that I could add to it and edit it more easily (the latter being my weakness). I can also share it better. Instead of cluttering this post up with information you didn't specifically ask for, visit;
http://flyingwithchildren. blogspot. com
Have a good trip!
It is never required to use a carseat. That is up to the parents for all ages. Airline seatbelts are not designed for little children and don't hold them very well.
I'm a former Flight Attendant and spent 10 years seeing and helping other parents fly with their kids before I had my own. Little did I realize that I'd be travelling with mine between Europe and California twice a year, plus shorter flights inbetween, virturally all alone. I've been doing this since my 8 year old was 4 months old. Almost all flights were with them in carseats. The only time I haven't was when I was prevented from doing so by foreign carriers.
I assume you're already in the U.S. and you'll be flying an American carrier. That wont happen to you. Since your 2 year old has a seat, you have the right to use a FAA approved carseat.
Check the one you already have for a FAA "sticker" which now is usually simply on the side information bar. Usually there's a little airplane and it says "...has been approved for use on aircraft..." etc. Most U.S. carseats are FAA approved. If it's not, which is unlikely, consider borrowing (trading?) or simply buy another. Good ones go for as little as $40.
I recommend this option over using a CARES harness, which isn't as secure and can only be used inflight. At $75, it seems steep for such a one-purpose gizmo but it's your money to spend as you wish!
Having the carseat onboard guarentees that the it wont be damaged or lost in baggage and you can use it right away when you leave the airport in Texas, assuming you'll be doing so by car. I had a bad experience with a car company rental seat and most Carseat techs don't recommend you use them (wish I had that bit of advice!)
Here's a link for you which shows the FAA approval writing and, if you scroll down, a picture of the CARES harness.
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/
To get it through the airport, you have several options. There are carseat bags which you can wear like a backpack. These didn't appeal to me, since I usually fly alone with my three. There is also the pricey GogoKidz cart;
http://www.go-baby.com/Products/gogokidz.html
It doesn't fit all carseats and is expensive at $80-90.
I simply put my carseat on a all-metal luggage cart (a souvenir of the first airline I worked for) and strapped my rather heavy Radian on with extra bungee cords. Worked great and didn't cost anything, since I found the bungee cord but they certainly don't set you back much if you need to buy one.
I have to say that at work, I heard fewer complaints about children who were in carseats than those traveling without them. It does seem to keep children calmer, since it's the right size and familar. It also keeps their feet above the annoying soft zone in airline seats, that kids seem to instinctively kick...(Put your hands on either side of the bottom of your airline seatback and you'll feel what I mean).
Meanwhile, since I get a lot of questions on this subject, I wrote up an article for the local expat community on flying with children. It's entirely non-commerical and I put it on a blog so that I could add to it and edit it more easily (the latter being my weakness). I can also share it better. Instead of cluttering this post up with information you didn't specifically ask for, visit;
http://flyingwithchildren. blogspot. com
Have a good trip!
What is the best carrier/case for air travel with my Doxie?
lem9052
I am traveling with my DOXIE from NJ to FL, via JetBlue. I need help finding the best dog carrier for this trip. She has to remain in the carrier and under the seat for the flight duration. If anyone knows, or has experience with this, please help me get the best carrier so my doxie is comfortable and calm. THANKS!!!!
Answer
Sherpa makes a very nice soft-sided carrier; it was actually designed by a flight attendant! Can be a little costly. I would try to find a local store rather than just purchasing one online, due to the unique shape of a dachsie!
I say this because the first one I got for my dachshund was plenty tall but not long enough! We had a bit of a skinned nose after the initial trial fitting! We ended up getting a medium "original" sherpa bag for a 14# dachsie.
Be sure the airline knows in advance that you BOTH are coming as there are limits to the number of pets allowed in cabin on each flight. Arrive at the airport even earlier than if you were flying solo. You will probably have to take her out and carry her through the metal detector, while the carrier goes through the x-ray machine; have a leash handy. My dogs wear a harness rather than a collar when we travel - more secure. They have also been "wanded" on occasion so don't be surprised if that happens either! I make an extra copy of health records; one goes in the outer pocket of the bag and the other in my backpack or purse. It's a good idea to limit food and water prior to travel in case your pet is (unbeknownst to you) prone to motion sickness. Baby wipes (unscented) are handy for clean-ups and also you might put a piddle pad in the carrier "just in case".
Benadryl is not only good for motion sickness & ear-popping takeoffs but also makes them a little drowsy; check with your vet for dosages. Dogs can take a surprisingly large amount (for their size, in comparison with ours) because their gut is shorter and stuff passes through more quickly.
Happy travels!
Sherpa makes a very nice soft-sided carrier; it was actually designed by a flight attendant! Can be a little costly. I would try to find a local store rather than just purchasing one online, due to the unique shape of a dachsie!
I say this because the first one I got for my dachshund was plenty tall but not long enough! We had a bit of a skinned nose after the initial trial fitting! We ended up getting a medium "original" sherpa bag for a 14# dachsie.
Be sure the airline knows in advance that you BOTH are coming as there are limits to the number of pets allowed in cabin on each flight. Arrive at the airport even earlier than if you were flying solo. You will probably have to take her out and carry her through the metal detector, while the carrier goes through the x-ray machine; have a leash handy. My dogs wear a harness rather than a collar when we travel - more secure. They have also been "wanded" on occasion so don't be surprised if that happens either! I make an extra copy of health records; one goes in the outer pocket of the bag and the other in my backpack or purse. It's a good idea to limit food and water prior to travel in case your pet is (unbeknownst to you) prone to motion sickness. Baby wipes (unscented) are handy for clean-ups and also you might put a piddle pad in the carrier "just in case".
Benadryl is not only good for motion sickness & ear-popping takeoffs but also makes them a little drowsy; check with your vet for dosages. Dogs can take a surprisingly large amount (for their size, in comparison with ours) because their gut is shorter and stuff passes through more quickly.
Happy travels!
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Title Post: Do I need a car seat for my 2yr old to be used in an airplane?
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Rating: 96% based on 987 ratings. 4,7 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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