How to take toddler to airport without car seat

[Anonymous]

Never flew with my kid who will be 2 during the trip. We only have about 10-15 minute ride to IAD (from Dulles), and will not be bringing a car seat (family already has a car seat for us at our destination). How do I get a ride to the airport? Am I allowed to sit her on my lap for taxi rides?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never flew with my kid who will be 2 during the trip. We only have about 10-15 minute ride to IAD (from Dulles), and will not be bringing a car seat (family already has a car seat for us at our destination). How do I get a ride to the airport? Am I allowed to sit her on my lap for taxi rides?

Sorry, meant to say from Herndon.

[Anonymous]

Last week a totally innocent person died in the hov lanes on 95 in Va. There is no legal or safe way to do what you are asking. Get someone local to drop you off at the airport and have your kid in a car seat. Car seat tech.

[Anonymous]

In many places, including DC, cabs are considered public transit and you don’t need a car seat. Confirm that’s the case in VA, then I’d just take the kid in a cab without the car seat. You do need to make sure it’s a cab though NOT an Uber/Lyft.

Also, it’s safer to buckle them into their own seat belt, rather than put them on your lap.

[Anonymous]

Uber has a carseat option-driver provides the carseat and it costs a bit more and takes longer for a ride to arrive.
Is there a bus? That is safer without a seatbelt than a car. Yes, a taxi is allowed to have you hold your child but agree it's a terrible idea if you're taking a freeway. Dangerous on regular city roads but I have done it, more than once.

[Anonymous]

^^sorry I meant to say buckle the child, not hold

[Anonymous]

Drive and park?

[Anonymous]

The FAA recommends that all small children be buckled into a car seat in the airplane seat. They have a much greater chance of survivor even if ejected from the plane. We always did this while traveling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In many places, including DC, cabs are considered public transit and you don’t need a car seat. Confirm that’s the case in VA, then I’d just take the kid in a cab without the car seat. You do need to make sure it’s a cab though NOT an Uber/Lyft.

Also, it’s safer to buckle them into their own seat belt, rather than put them on your lap.

But it's also a terrible idea.

-Spouse of ER doc

[Anonymous]

Why would you risk this? Figure out a better way.

[Anonymous]

Just freaking drive yourself to the airport.

[Anonymous]

You don’t have a friend that could give you a ride?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never flew with my kid who will be 2 during the trip. We only have about 10-15 minute ride to IAD (from Dulles), and will not be bringing a car seat (family already has a car seat for us at our destination). How do I get a ride to the airport? Am I allowed to sit her on my lap for taxi rides?

It depends. Do you actually care about your child?

Why not bring the seat, and have them sit in it on the plane? Especially since kid is 2 and you're buying a ticket anyway.

[Anonymous]

Uber with carseat is the best way. You can schedule it ahead so the longer wait won't matter. It's pricier but not by much.

Or ask a friend with a carseat for a lift.

I would not ride on the freeway without a child that age in a proper carseat. A quick trip on city streets going no more than 25 I could deal with, but that's too much.

[Anonymous]

You don’t. You pay to park or put a car seat in the cab. We have the ImmiGo for planes, travel and grandparent cars.