Flying w/ the girls for 1st time

We're going to Disney in September and I know my IL's will be renting a car. So I was wondering what everyone does as far as taking car seats vs. renting them. Also, DH wants to get the kids safety restraints for the plane and I wanted to know if anyone had used them and had any opinions. So, what do you do when you fly with toddlers?

 

So far I've taken the Marathons on the plane and used those in the rental car. I specifically bought airline approved seats so it would be "easy" for me like that.
And personally I would never trust a rented car seat (or hotel crib). You don't really know how old they are, if they meet current safety standards, or if they've ever been in a wreck. What kind of seats do they have? Are they airline approved?

 

we went to florida for thanksgiving last year and we rented the seats. I don't know if i would do that again, but it was our first plane trip and we just couldn't face the added logistics of bringing the car seats. And we only had one extra seat (the kids weren't 2). If we were to fly again, we would consider taking the seats, but I'm just not sure.

Rosie has a good point - but I would think the car rental companies have to keep their seats up to date. I know one of the seats they gave us was bad so we exchanged it.

 

I have only flown twice with all three girls. We took carseats and checked them at the gate both times. I didn't use any type of car seat on the plane. P and P where able to sit in the seat with no problem, but Chloe didn't want her seat much...she just wanted to sit on my lap. There were no problems with the girls not in carseat on the plane for either flight (6hrs/2.5 hrs).

 

When we went to Florida we checked our carseats in. :good: I didn't want to use the rental ones. ardon: We didn't use the restraints on the plane, just the regular seatbelts, so no advice on that.

They are going to have a blast on the plane. :Clap:

 

I am not a fan of taking carseats on the plane. It is just bulky and takes up alot of space. Plus traveling through the airport is a big pain. The first few times we bubble wrapped their carseats supergood, suct taped them an dput a trash bag over them and checked it with our luggage. Now we have these... http://www.safeguardseat.com/go/index.htm and love them. They fold up compact and into a bag. Plus we still use them at age 6 as their everyday carseats with harnesses. Now we do not take carseats when we go since we just stay at Disney and use their transportation and do not need them.

 

I posted about this a few months ago (unfortunately I have no idea how to search for it so I can post the link). Anyway, on the advice of nearly everyone who responded and my own gut instinct, I didn't take carseats on the plane. At age 3 they are going to be a nightmare (the car seats, not the kids). The kids won't be able to stop kicking the seat in front of them, they won't be able to use the trays, and the car seats are a huge PITA to carry around. I would rent car seats.

We used the CARES harnesses and loved them. They're easy to carry, easy to install, and work just fine. I rented them from eBay -- just search on "rent CARES" and you'll find several people who rent them out. It's a lot cheaper than buying them -- well worth if it you don't fly with your kids a lot.

 

This is exactly what we were thinking about doing! DH found those to rent on ebay before I posted this and I thought I'd ask you lovely ladies first.


Thank you all. I think we'll check the seats and rent the harnesses. :good: I'm getting excited!!

 

We flew twice to Hawaii...the first time the girls were one and we brought our own car seats. The second time we borrowed some because we felt the girls would be too close to the seat in front.

If you rent, make sure you check the seats first. I have heard stories about the cleanliness of seats from certain companies being an issue. I looked into the Cares Straps but when I called Delta (at least 2 times) and they told me the harness would restrict the opening of the tray of the person in the back. So, you may want to check with your airline unless you are the one behind them and don't mind.

Sharon

 

We have flown 3 times this year. We always bring our car seats because I personally don't trust the rental companies for clean/reliable seats even if they are supposed to hold up to some standard. :blush: I bought car seat bags and those have been very worth it!!

Bring lots of snacks...maybe some new ones, or ones they get as a "treat". I also bring a small pad of paper and some stickers and crayons, along with a few other smaller toys and one stuffed animal. The flight attendants on every flight have been absoultely wonderful. Have FUN!!