Ring slings & carseats through security

[Anonymous]

Hi there,

New mom here. We are flying around Christmas to visit my family and dd will be 3 1/2 months old by then. We want to take the carseat and snap and go and check it at the gate on Continental at DCA. Any problems with that, since they are two separate pieces? Should we bring a bag to put them in to "protect" them?

Also, can you wear your baby in a ring sling through security? I have a Zolowear sling that she loves, but it has a zipper and the ring. I was hoping to wear her, but I don't know if the security people are okay with that.

Thanks!!!

[Anonymous]

You shouldn't have a problem checking both items. I've flown continental out of DCA and had no problems checking a stroller and a carseat. You can get a bag if you want. Everytime I've flown I've never used one, but I suppose it's personal preference. (Nothing has been damaged, knock on wood)

As for the ring sling, you can wear it up through the point you need to go through the metal detector, but I'm sure the ring and the zipper would set it off so you'll probably have to take baby out, take off the sling, put the sling through security, and then walk through with baby in your arms. You wouldn't have to take off something like an Ergo or a wrap (like Moby wrap) because those are all fabric, so you wouldn't have to disrupt your baby.

[Anonymous]

Regarding wearing the baby through security...you can not wear the baby. No matter what you have the baby in you must take the baby out and carry him/her in your arms through the security check point. It has nothing to do with the metal on the carrier and everything to do with you not hiding something else in the carrier with the baby. I know so sad that we have to live like that.

You will also have to take the baby out of the carrier for take off and landing if it is a lap baby. Some flight crews are much more viligent about this fact. When we flew Midwest express the flight attendant came to my seat and gave me my own saftey demonstration on what to do with the baby in the case of an emergency. Also, make sure you are sitting on the correct side of the plane for lap babies. Every plan is different but usually only one side has an extra oxygen mask. Hopefully you won't need it but I felt better knowing it was there.

[Anonymous]

In my experience, you will have to carry the baby in your arms through security. However, I have taken my DD on six flights with both AirTran and United and have never had to take her out of her sling during the flight, which was great for nursing and comfortable for her for sleeping as well. This may vary either by airline poicy, or by how much it is actually enforced.

[Anonymous]

Gotta say we love flying Continental out of DCA because the security lines have always been short. We check our carseat at the curb and I bought a carseat travel bag a BRU for about $20. You can fit the SafeSeat in there attached to the base with some doing. Having the bag with the handle was nice for transport to and from the curb/car and it also kept it from getting too dirty or wet. I've seen some airlines that package carseats and such in a heavy plastic bag but I don't think you should count on it being available. The other nice thing about the travel bag is that you can stuff it with extra things like diapers, coats and anything exceeding the bagage weight limit at the curb and because it's a carseat they are not supposed to charge you for it. I've not traveled with the seat since the new baggage charges so I'm not quite sure how the gate check folks at the Continental counter are about charging.

As for the sling - I'd just ask before you go through if you have to take her out. The LAST thing you want if to set off the buzzer and then have to be hand searched. That is a royal PITA with an infant.

Some unsoliticted advice, wear slip on shoes.

[Anonymous]

My experience differed from the PP who said you would not be able to wear the baby through security. 2 weeks ago, I carried my baby in her hotsling through the metal detector. The agent peeked inside, but I did not have to take her out.

[Anonymous]

Reagan let me take my baby in the Becco carrier (no metal to set it off is important) through security.