Installing a Scenera on a plane - Forward Facing

[tjham]

A friend will be taking a 30 month old on a one hour flight on SW with a Scenera carseat. Any tips for how to quickly install it FF on the plane, especially with the new preboarding changes?

[thepeach80]

We didn't have any problems w/ it, we used it ffing and rfing. You might ask for a belt extender though and wait to be the last people on. This will give you guys more room (except for carrying it down the aisles) and then it means baby is spending less time in the seat.

[tjham]

That's interesting!
Most of what you hear is to get on as soon as possible.
There will be 6 in their party though so I think they will want to all sit together and may not be able to if they wait til too long.
Seat belt extender - check!

[UlrikeDG]

When I have traveled, I've preferred to preboard to install the seats while Hubby stays in the waiting area with the kids. Most of the time, however, the boarding process goes so quick that it doesn't matter. They just call our row, and we're settled in before the plane moves, but not with a whole lot of time to spare.

[crunchierthanthou]

That's interesting!
Most of what you hear is to get on as soon as possible.
There will be 6 in their party though so I think they will want to all sit together and may not be able to if they wait til too long.
Seat belt extender - check!

I would definitely board as soon as possible on SW. Otherwise, even a somewhat full flight means the family will likely spread out. I believe the new guidelines are that A group boards, then families, then B group...

If more than one parent is traveling, they can take the carseat on while the other parent waits for final call with the child if they want to reduce the amount of time the child is couped up in the cabin. The scenera will likely install very easily ff. If a seatbelt extender is unavailable, it works best if you flip the female end 180 degrees. It can be difficult to lift the latch enough to release the buckle when uninstalling if it's not flipped.

[tjham]

Good idea about not bringing the child on right away and flipping the buckle.
So you can "save" a seat for the other parent without problems?

[UlrikeDG]

We've always had pre-assigned seats, so it wasn't an issue. If you don't have seats assigned before you get there or when you check in, I wouldn't risk it. Frankly, boarding always seems to go so fast these days that I wouldn't worry about an extra minute or two on the plane. If there's a delay, you can let your child stand in the seat looking around until it's time to buckle.

[crunchierthanthou]

Good idea about not bringing the child on right away and flipping the buckle.
So you can "save" a seat for the other parent without problems?

well, you could always choose the window for the child seat and the aisle for the parent already aboard the plane. Who in their right mind would choose to sit between them? ;)

[tjham]

heeheehee :D

[joolsplus3]

I didn't flip the buckle when I put my Scenera in FF... It was SO easy...literally put the belt in the path and tighten... It was the baby that was the hard part to deal with :rolleyes:

[tjham]

Glad to hear it was easy! Since they have 5 adults to one kid, someone should be able to hold him while they get the seat buckled in. (Or were you referring to the whole trip? :D Hawaii is a looooong way! )

[joolsplus3]

LOL! Yeah, not having a second set of holding-arms was tough...at least Leah could sit in my seat or on her brother or sister while I put her seat in..the rest of the flight is blessedly leaving my memory...there was screaming...I'd rather forget it :D

[tjham]

That's probably for the best! ;)

I just went through my Scenera manual front to back (Why didn't I do that before I posted? I don't know...) and there is no mention of installing in a plane anywhere :confused: . Seems like that is something they should mention!