toddler travel tips car image
Ezarale
I am wanting to take my 6 month old son on a plane trip, seated on my lap, but do not know how to bring a car seat. I would prefer to bring my own car seat than to rent one at our destination. Are car seats allowed as carry on baggage or are they only allowed as checked baggage?
Thank you so much for your help.
Answer
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot with my three kids and we always bring a car seat (when allowed).
First of all, check the rules of your company. They vary but if it's a U.S. company, and you bought your car seat in the U.S., it is probably fine to use on board. Most car seats sold there are approved to use in the cabin.
NEVER CHECK A CAR SEAT UNDER THE PLANE AS LUGGAGE. Airlines are infamous for abusing bags and it's unlikely that they'll make an exception for your seat. It risks being not only damaged but lost. What will happen if you arrive at your destination and your seat has gone somewhere else?
Gate-checking is better than checking it as luggage but it's no guarantee. You want to bring your car seat to the gate for two reasons. First, to use on board. This is not only the only way to fly safely with a baby but way more comfortable for both of you. Ask nicely at check-in if it's possible to have an empty seat next to you if the flight is not full. Make sure to have your car seat with you in case of a last minute empty seat, even if they weren't sure you'd get one.
The big difference is that gate-checked items, like strollers and wheelchairs, are loaded directly into the belly of the plane, rather than sent down the various belts under the airport. At your destination, they should be returned on the jetway, but be sure to ask. Some airlines send them to the baggage carousel.
To get your car seat through the airport, there are many ways. If you have an infant-bucket style seat that is part of a travel system, just use all that. Get gate-check tags for both the stroller and car seat. If you have a convertible (up to or past 40lbs) than you can try to attach it to your stroller. Use a couple of bungee cords and either attach it to the back or wedge it in the seat.
I used to simply check my stroller, put the baby in a baby carrier and pulled the car seat with a metal luggage cart. They actually sell expensive gadgets to do this (look up GogoKidz) but I found a simple metal cart works *just as well* if not better. Again, an extra bungee cord helps. My toddlers could ride in it.
Bravo for not using a car rental seat. They are dire. Relatives just visited and when I saw what their daughters were riding in... scary! A car seat is an important piece of safety equipment that could save your child's life so it deserves to be treated right!
Here are my totally non-commercial flying tips;
http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com
Good luck getting it on board. The slight inconvenience of carting through the airport is more than made up for in comfort on the flight and peace of mind of having your seat reach your destination safely.
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot with my three kids and we always bring a car seat (when allowed).
First of all, check the rules of your company. They vary but if it's a U.S. company, and you bought your car seat in the U.S., it is probably fine to use on board. Most car seats sold there are approved to use in the cabin.
NEVER CHECK A CAR SEAT UNDER THE PLANE AS LUGGAGE. Airlines are infamous for abusing bags and it's unlikely that they'll make an exception for your seat. It risks being not only damaged but lost. What will happen if you arrive at your destination and your seat has gone somewhere else?
Gate-checking is better than checking it as luggage but it's no guarantee. You want to bring your car seat to the gate for two reasons. First, to use on board. This is not only the only way to fly safely with a baby but way more comfortable for both of you. Ask nicely at check-in if it's possible to have an empty seat next to you if the flight is not full. Make sure to have your car seat with you in case of a last minute empty seat, even if they weren't sure you'd get one.
The big difference is that gate-checked items, like strollers and wheelchairs, are loaded directly into the belly of the plane, rather than sent down the various belts under the airport. At your destination, they should be returned on the jetway, but be sure to ask. Some airlines send them to the baggage carousel.
To get your car seat through the airport, there are many ways. If you have an infant-bucket style seat that is part of a travel system, just use all that. Get gate-check tags for both the stroller and car seat. If you have a convertible (up to or past 40lbs) than you can try to attach it to your stroller. Use a couple of bungee cords and either attach it to the back or wedge it in the seat.
I used to simply check my stroller, put the baby in a baby carrier and pulled the car seat with a metal luggage cart. They actually sell expensive gadgets to do this (look up GogoKidz) but I found a simple metal cart works *just as well* if not better. Again, an extra bungee cord helps. My toddlers could ride in it.
Bravo for not using a car rental seat. They are dire. Relatives just visited and when I saw what their daughters were riding in... scary! A car seat is an important piece of safety equipment that could save your child's life so it deserves to be treated right!
Here are my totally non-commercial flying tips;
http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com
Good luck getting it on board. The slight inconvenience of carting through the airport is more than made up for in comfort on the flight and peace of mind of having your seat reach your destination safely.
Would you take your cat in the car on a 22 hour trip?
Nina Lee
(22 hours one way)
We will be going to my in-laws in a couple of weeks and are having a hard time finding someone we trust to watch our kitten. He will be 6 months old next week and will be getting neutered just a few days prior to the trip. For that reason, and more, I'm hesitant to board him for 10 days. What would you do? (We will also be traveling w/ an infant, toddler, and dog.) Does anyone have any tips for traveling w/ a cat in the car?
Answer
Make sure you have a proper cat box to put him in so he can;t chew his way out. Make sure it's big enough for him to stretch and stand up. Give anti sickness tablet's and plenty of water as the heat in the car will be too warm.Do not put the cat in the boot. Just feed at normal time not too much food and get a cat lead from the pet shop so you can take him outside. If you are frightened of loosing him get a cardboard box and put your cat litter tray in it. The cat should go once it feels the cat litter under it's paw's..Keep beside cat in car and then there is no chance of him getting out. remember don't be leaving any window's open while the cat is out of the cat box.Wouldn't want puss to get killed on the road as they can spring very quickly on there back paws.
Make sure you have a proper cat box to put him in so he can;t chew his way out. Make sure it's big enough for him to stretch and stand up. Give anti sickness tablet's and plenty of water as the heat in the car will be too warm.Do not put the cat in the boot. Just feed at normal time not too much food and get a cat lead from the pet shop so you can take him outside. If you are frightened of loosing him get a cardboard box and put your cat litter tray in it. The cat should go once it feels the cat litter under it's paw's..Keep beside cat in car and then there is no chance of him getting out. remember don't be leaving any window's open while the cat is out of the cat box.Wouldn't want puss to get killed on the road as they can spring very quickly on there back paws.
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