Flying With Two Car Seats

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chekhovgirl

New member

• Dec 10, 2011

• #1

Our family will be flying together for the first time next week. I've flown with both the boys without my husband and car seats waiting for us at the other end (yes, I did not have my kids in car seats on the plane, I know) but this time it will be all of us+two car seats+side by side double stroller+ as much carry on baggage as we can manage so we don't pay too many baggage fees.

So here are my questions- how do you get all this stuff through the airport??
And what do I need to know about having the car seats on the plane? Last time we brought a non-infant seat on a plane we had a rear facing Marathon, now we'll be bringing two Graco Nautilus seats. What if they don't fit? I don't think we have exact seating assignments yet. I'm just worried that they (and my husband) are going to tell us to check the seats and I don't want to do that. They are our secondary seats from Grandma's car.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

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kalamos23

New member

• Dec 10, 2011

• #2

Make the kids walk or wear them and pile the stroller with seats and bags. Gate check the stroller. Had to do cross country with 2 kids and 2 seats on my own it works well!

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Car-Seat.Org

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Dec 10, 2011

• #3

Can you deal with renting or buying or borrowing a double stroller at your destination? Get two Traveling Toddlers, strap the Nautiluses to your suitcases, and have your kids walk.

The Nautiluses will fit. If the seat is a bit narrow, just put the armrest up.

Also, buy what you need there. I'm going cross country next week (likely me and the girls, my husband may join us). For the three of us for four days in a hotel I'll take one suitcase. Piper may take her own suitcase as well (we're going for a hanukah party, that'll leave room to bring home gifts, otherwise I'll ship stuff back). I'll have a backpack. Then Laine's Coccoro on the Traveling Toddler. I'll probably have Piper's BubbleBum packed, just in case. I won't be checking anything. If it's the four of us then we'll probably take my suitcase and my husband's, and still have room enough to bring home gifts.

Wendy

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Dec 10, 2011

• #4

I'd do travelling toddlers but have either you or your husband drag both suitcases with nautiluses, while the other pushes the stroller. (I am reading right that you and your husband are both going, yes?)

 

LISmama810

Admin - CPS Technician

• Dec 10, 2011

• #5

Arm yourself with information, too. If you have purchased tickets for your kids, they can't make you check the seats: http://carseatblog.com/8037/guest-blog-flying-with-a-car-seat-know-your-rights/

 

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chekhovgirl

New member

• Dec 14, 2011

• #6

LISmama810 said:

Arm yourself with information, too. If you have purchased tickets for your kids, they can't make you check the seats: http://carseatblog.com/8037/guest-blog-flying-with-a-car-seat-know-your-rights/

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Thank you, I will! I think what we're going to do is check the stroller at the ticket counter (have a bag it will fit in) and then strap the GN's to our carry-ons. Any suggestions of how to do this? I've seen this:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-Seat-Travel-Accessory/dp/B000JHN3AS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323921474&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: Traveling Toddler Car Seat Travel Accessory: Baby[/ame]

And the review of it (by "Jessica") which explains how to "hack" it- does this work well? I think my kids are too big to ride in their seats on our suitcases, I just want to put the seats on there.

We thought about renting a stroller on the other end, but it was going to cost us upwards of $100 (outside stroller rental company at Disney) and then we are going to a relative's house after that and it would be nice to have the stroller if we need it.

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Dec 15, 2011

• #7

Not sure what the hack is, I'm on my phone and not clicking the link, but I love our Traveling Toddler. It's the easiest way I've ever transported a carseat.

Wendy

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Dec 15, 2011

• #8

We also have and love the Travelling Toddler.

 

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chekhovgirl

New member

• Dec 16, 2011

• #9

wendytthomas said:

Not sure what the hack is, I'm on my phone and not clicking the link, but I love our Traveling Toddler. It's the easiest way I've ever transported a carseat.

Wendy

Click to expand...

Many people in the reviews said they did what this one woman posted which was just to use a metal ring and thread the latch anchors behind the suitcase, basically eliminating the need for the Traveling Toddler. It seems like a good idea, but it also seems easy to rig up something of your own. I guess I'll try something like that now!

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Dec 16, 2011

• #10

Oh sure. If the LATCH straps reach that's fine.

 

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Eclipsepearl

New member

• Dec 18, 2011

• #11

The only risk is if your rolly bag is gate-checked. There are far too many used on aircraft these days (still get the F/A newsletters with all their seething over this issue). If they take your rolly bag because there's no room to stow it, then you are stuck carrying your car seat in your arms all the way off the aircraft... (Gate checked suitcases are usually sent to baggage claim).

So if they need to take it, besides making sure your computer is not in there, ask that it be returned to the jetway, not sent to baggage claim.

Easier to just use a metal, folding luggage cart, IMHO. Use extra bungees and stow the cart on the floor. Easier to use backpacks with children as carry-on's, rather than awkward rolly bags but do what works for you.

 

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jnamommy

New member

• Dec 20, 2011

• #12

How old are your kids? That may make a difference in what works best in terms of getting all the stuff on/off the plane.

 

Cath3114

New member

• Dec 20, 2011

• #13

I recently attached a Scenera to my rolling suitcase using the LATCH straps, a metal ring, and 3 carabiners (it was a tight squeeze, but it worked). DD rode in it through the airport. The worst part is taking it all apart for security. I was by myself and she's only 16 months, so it was stressful doing all that while trying to keep her from running off. But I didn't see the need for buying a $15 accessory when I could spend $3 on the clips.

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Dec 20, 2011

• #14

I can't roll a bag down the aisle with my car seat on anyway, so gate-checking isn't a huge risk for me...

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Dec 20, 2011

• #15

cathleencastle said:

I recently attached a Scenera to my rolling suitcase using the LATCH straps, a metal ring, and 3 carabiners (it was a tight squeeze, but it worked). DD rode in it through the airport. The worst part is taking it all apart for security. I was by myself and she's only 16 months, so it was stressful doing all that while trying to keep her from running off. But I didn't see the need for buying a $15 accessory when I could spend $3 on the clips.

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Yeah, but it takes me about 10 seconds to get the seat off at security, and about 30 seconds to get it back on. I'm all for DIY in this case, but when it comes to kids in the security line, whatever is easiest rocks.

ketchupqueen said:

I can't roll a bag down the aisle with my car seat on anyway, so gate-checking isn't a huge risk for me...

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I can, at least with a Coccoro. I have yet to find an aisle I can't, though turning into the aisle of our 767 this week was tough. I had to angle it, but then it fit.

Wendy