carseat & flying - what am I doing wrong?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have never checked a seat. We always used ours on the plane - it can easily get thrown/damaged and you'd never know. They are not responsible for replacing it.

That's the primary reason I don't check it although I'm really concerned with how much it gets thrown around. I'd hate to get to my destination and find out I'm SOL and have to figure out how to get my kid to where we're going.

[Anonymous]

Why in the world would you bother to lug it through the airport only to gate check it? It will still be handled the same (if not a worse rushed toss from the jet way in a hurry vs getting on the conveyor belt at check in). Eithe check it in when you check in or get a cosco scenera & hang it from the handles of an umbrella stroller to get through the airport. We only do this when its a long flight so our kids can sleep on the plane. Also, any sort of tossing around for a car seat is minimal compared to what they're designed for. I am sore TSA is annoyed that your using a bag designed for check in & slowing up the line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why in the world would you bother to lug it through the airport only to gate check it? It will still be handled the same (if not a worse rushed toss from the jet way in a hurry vs getting on the conveyor belt at check in). Eithe check it in when you check in or get a cosco scenera & hang it from the handles of an umbrella stroller to get through the airport. We only do this when its a long flight so our kids can sleep on the plane. Also, any sort of tossing around for a car seat is minimal compared to what they're designed for. I am sore TSA is annoyed that your using a bag designed for check in & slowing up the line.

So the Cosco fits through the X-ray machine?

Part of the reason I'm posting is because I did feel horrible holding up the security line while TSA figured what they're supposed to do. I can be pissed at TSA but that doesn't mean I'm oblivious to the people behind me. And I think you're nuts if your think that handing something off at the jetway is to same as handing it to a ticketing agent to be thrown on a belt which is then thrown on to a cart which is then driven to the plane which is then thrown on a belt which is then thrown in to the luggage compartment of the plane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why in the world would you bother to lug it through the airport only to gate check it? It will still be handled the same (if not a worse rushed toss from the jet way in a hurry vs getting on the conveyor belt at check in). Eithe check it in when you check in or get a cosco scenera & hang it from the handles of an umbrella stroller to get through the airport. We only do this when its a long flight so our kids can sleep on the plane. Also, any sort of tossing around for a car seat is minimal compared to what they're designed for. I am sore TSA is annoyed that your using a bag designed for check in & slowing up the line.

So the Cosco fits through the X-ray machine?

Part of the reason I'm posting is because I did feel horrible holding up the security line while TSA figured what they're supposed to do. I can be pissed at TSA but that doesn't mean I'm oblivious to the people behind me. And I think you're nuts if your think that handing something off at the jetway is to same as handing it to a ticketing agent to be thrown on a belt which is then thrown on to a cart which is then driven to the plane which is then thrown on a belt which is then thrown in to the luggage compartment of the plane.

You can ask for a hand check

[Anonymous]

And that's only what happens getting the carseat on to the plane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why in the world would you bother to lug it through the airport only to gate check it? It will still be handled the same (if not a worse rushed toss from the jet way in a hurry vs getting on the conveyor belt at check in). Eithe check it in when you check in or get a cosco scenera & hang it from the handles of an umbrella stroller to get through the airport. We only do this when its a long flight so our kids can sleep on the plane. Also, any sort of tossing around for a car seat is minimal compared to what they're designed for. I am sore TSA is annoyed that your using a bag designed for check in & slowing up the line.

So the Cosco fits through the X-ray machine?

Part of the reason I'm posting is because I did feel horrible holding up the security line while TSA figured what they're supposed to do. I can be pissed at TSA but that doesn't mean I'm oblivious to the people behind me. And I think you're nuts if your think that handing something off at the jetway is to same as handing it to a ticketing agent to be thrown on a belt which is then thrown on to a cart which is then driven to the plane which is then thrown on a belt which is then thrown in to the luggage compartment of the plane.

You can ask for a hand check

Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but I think that's what I've had to do in the past? The carseat (regardless of the bag it's in) is too large to fit through the X-ray machine, so TSA has to hand it off to hand inspect it. Thank you, though. So I think now I have to figure out a car seat that can fit through the X-ray machine? That's the biggest hurdle for me is getting through security.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why in the world would you bother to lug it through the airport only to gate check it? It will still be handled the same (if not a worse rushed toss from the jet way in a hurry vs getting on the conveyor belt at check in). Eithe check it in when you check in or get a cosco scenera & hang it from the handles of an umbrella stroller to get through the airport. We only do this when its a long flight so our kids can sleep on the plane. Also, any sort of tossing around for a car seat is minimal compared to what they're designed for. I am sore TSA is annoyed that your using a bag designed for check in & slowing up the line.

^^^This. You are way overthinking this issue and also seem to really want to complicate things for yourself. Relax.

I would have gone insane using the process even once that you're currently using, and there's no way I would have repeated it after the first time. Why do you make things so hard on yourself? It's also ok to buy baby food at the store sometimes, you aren't a bad mom if you don't make it yourself each and every time.

I'm a safety nut when it comes to car seats (rear facing until after 2 year old etc blah blah) and still I always check carseats with luggage. I've done it more times than I can count and I've never had a problem. I just throw caution to the wind and watch the guys toss it onto the belt, latch belts swinging in the wind, ready to be ripped off by...whatever. I always think there's no way the cover will make it, or the little padded inserts, or the shoulder covers etc... but so far they always have. And if any action of the baggage handlers were to crack the seat in any way... well, I'd assume that I'd bought the wrong car seat and thank god that I found out at that time instead of after a car wreck. I sure as hell wouldn't want my kid sitting in it in a car crash where forces are much greater than whatever force some hungover baggage guy created by throwing it into airplane storage and then tossing a guy's samsonite on top of it.

There's a chance that something could happen to the seat (lost, damaged irreparably) and I'd have to make other arrangements at the destination airport, but I'll take odds on that very slight chance in a heartbeat if it makes my airport travel with a child or children easier on me.

[Anonymous]

I have never brought the huge car seat with me on any trips. I have brought the infant seat (checked it and brought it on the plane on various trips) and the booster. But that huge toddler one? No freaking way. I either have one at my destination (parents or in-laws) or I rent one with the car I'm renting. Once I rented one through an agency that brought it to the hotel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why in the world would you bother to lug it through the airport only to gate check it? It will still be handled the same (if not a worse rushed toss from the jet way in a hurry vs getting on the conveyor belt at check in). Eithe check it in when you check in or get a cosco scenera & hang it from the handles of an umbrella stroller to get through the airport. We only do this when its a long flight so our kids can sleep on the plane. Also, any sort of tossing around for a car seat is minimal compared to what they're designed for. I am sore TSA is annoyed that your using a bag designed for check in & slowing up the line.

So the Cosco fits through the X-ray machine?

Part of the reason I'm posting is because I did feel horrible holding up the security line while TSA figured what they're supposed to do. I can be pissed at TSA but that doesn't mean I'm oblivious to the people behind me. And I think you're nuts if your think that handing something off at the jetway is to same as handing it to a ticketing agent to be thrown on a belt which is then thrown on to a cart which is then driven to the plane which is then thrown on a belt which is then thrown in to the luggage compartment of the plane.

They are one of the smaller lightweight seats. We had a corroco at that age but it is outgrown by around 3 or 3.5. We didn't fly for a while and now have the Safety First Go Hybrid. I would get a Cosco and that way if it gets damaged you don't feel bad about throwing it out. I would not worry about holding up the line. I would not care at all if I as behind you and would be thrilled to see you using a seat on the plane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why in the world would you bother to lug it through the airport only to gate check it? It will still be handled the same (if not a worse rushed toss from the jet way in a hurry vs getting on the conveyor belt at check in). Eithe check it in when you check in or get a cosco scenera & hang it from the handles of an umbrella stroller to get through the airport. We only do this when its a long flight so our kids can sleep on the plane. Also, any sort of tossing around for a car seat is minimal compared to what they're designed for. I am sore TSA is annoyed that your using a bag designed for check in & slowing up the line.

^^^This. You are way overthinking this issue and also seem to really want to complicate things for yourself. Relax.

I would have gone insane using the process even once that you're currently using, and there's no way I would have repeated it after the first time. Why do you make things so hard on yourself? It's also ok to buy baby food at the store sometimes, you aren't a bad mom if you don't make it yourself each and every time.

I'm a safety nut when it comes to car seats (rear facing until after 2 year old etc blah blah) and still I always check carseats with luggage. I've done it more times than I can count and I've never had a problem. I just throw caution to the wind and watch the guys toss it onto the belt, latch belts swinging in the wind, ready to be ripped off by...whatever. I always think there's no way the cover will make it, or the little padded inserts, or the shoulder covers etc... but so far they always have. And if any action of the baggage handlers were to crack the seat in any way... well, I'd assume that I'd bought the wrong car seat and thank god that I found out at that time instead of after a car wreck. I sure as hell wouldn't want my kid sitting in it in a car crash where forces are much greater than whatever force some hungover baggage guy created by throwing it into airplane storage and then tossing a guy's samsonite on top of it.

There's a chance that something could happen to the seat (lost, damaged irreparably) and I'd have to make other arrangements at the destination airport, but I'll take odds on that very slight chance in a heartbeat if it makes my airport travel with a child or children easier on me.

You are not a safety "nut" if you are checking your seat and only RF till 2 which is the normal minimum now...

[Anonymous]

OP, here is car-seat.orgs recommendations for seats for plane travel. Get one of these. Its good to have a spare seat just in case.

http://carseatblog.com/25408/recommended-carseats-for-airplane-travel/

[Anonymous]

We always check our car seat as luggage, and I found this statement from the Manufacturers Alliance for Child Passenger Safety issued for CPS Technicians/Instructors on the subject (from carseatblog.com/18895/flying-with-kids-carseats-the-checked-carseat-controversy/):

Car Seats Gate-Checked or Checked as Luggage
Car seats are designed to withstand most motor vehicle crash forces. In general, the MACPS does not consider a gate-checked car seat or a car seat that is checked as luggage to be one that has experienced forces equivalent to a motor vehicle crash. Once the destination is reached, it is recommended to inspect the car seat to make sure no visual damage has occurred and all aspects of the car seat function properly.

(August 2012)

[Anonymous]

Get yourself a lightweight car seat for flying/travel. Keep the original packaging. When it's time to travel, pack it in the manufacturers box and check it.

The car seat that you currently own is not safer because you paid more $$$ for it. It may be more comfortable, it may have a cup holder and padded seating and all kinds of bells and whistles, but all the car seats you can buy are safe.

[Anonymous]

Agree, check it with the luggage. Pay a little more for the nice covers that are padded for extra protection. I actually wrap mine in a single egg crate so it is very well padded. You could use a blanket or anything soft.

[Anonymous]

I'm definitely overthinking it. Thanks everyone for the suggestions and reassurances.