mrosehughes
New member
So, I've traveled a lot with DS and his radian, but now that he's getting bigger (and he is a *big* kid -- 42" and 40+ lbs at not quite 3.5 years old) with the frequency we travel I'm wondering if we shouldn't try to get a RSTV for our next two trips (a week in early March, then another week in early May). So a few questions for those of you who have used them and/or flown without a harness:
1) Would flying without a harnessed seat be a huge PITA while we're on the plane? As I mentioned, DS is 40lbs and 42", which I think is close to the weight most of you have said the belt fit starts to be acceptable. Obviously there is the benefit of not lugging the carseat on the plane, but if he won't sit still (because he's not restrained) on the flight it won't be worth it. Most kids are a bit older than 3.5 by the time they reach 40lbs and 42"
2) How easy/hard is the RSTV to use?
3) Any thoughts on the safety of the RSTV compared with that of a FFing harnessed seat? He *might* still fit RFing in the radian by the time we travel, but it's not definite. If he is, however, and we decide against the RSTV, we will bring his radian and RF in any cars we're in. RFing will obviously be safer, I suppose.
ETA : I have thought about CARES, but thought it wouldn't be worth it for us because DS is already approaching the weight limit... Am I wrong about that?
ETA2: DH brought up a point when I discussed this with him: what happens if DS falls asleep in the RSTV? We'll be doing a lot of driving during our first trip.
1) Would flying without a harnessed seat be a huge PITA while we're on the plane? As I mentioned, DS is 40lbs and 42", which I think is close to the weight most of you have said the belt fit starts to be acceptable. Obviously there is the benefit of not lugging the carseat on the plane, but if he won't sit still (because he's not restrained) on the flight it won't be worth it. Most kids are a bit older than 3.5 by the time they reach 40lbs and 42"
2) How easy/hard is the RSTV to use?
3) Any thoughts on the safety of the RSTV compared with that of a FFing harnessed seat? He *might* still fit RFing in the radian by the time we travel, but it's not definite. If he is, however, and we decide against the RSTV, we will bring his radian and RF in any cars we're in. RFing will obviously be safer, I suppose.
ETA : I have thought about CARES, but thought it wouldn't be worth it for us because DS is already approaching the weight limit... Am I wrong about that?
ETA2: DH brought up a point when I discussed this with him: what happens if DS falls asleep in the RSTV? We'll be doing a lot of driving during our first trip.
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