First flight: carry on a booster?

We received our Graco Air Booster yesterday to use in taxis or the hotel shuttle on a trip. DC is 5 years old and 40-41 lbs. Thanks to everyone who helped us decide on which booster to go with.

In just 10 days we will be traveling. One parent and one child traveling alone with no assistance at any point in the trip. First in our car (Regent), then plane - short direct flight (plane seatbelt), then bus (nothing unless a AMSAFE CARES harness turns up), then taxi or shuttle (graco air booster).

It is easy to take the back off the booster and put it back on. I don't think I can take the headrest off the back - which makes it too large to fit in any of our already owned luggage.

We are hoping to carry everything on. I don't have a carry-on wheeled bag or cart, yet. I can get a cheapie wheeled bag for $17.99 from buy.com using $10 off with google check out. I don't know how well it would do with something strapped on to it.

Do you think Southwest will allow us to carry on one bag, the booster base, the booster back and a small purse type bag? For those new to this, boosters can only be used with lap/shoulder belt combinations and, therefore, cannot be used on planes.

If I can get the headrest off the back, I could check a big wheeled bag in containing just those parts (back and headrest) and simply carry on the booster base.

I was thinking that the bus may be a concern with the seat being damaged while stowed, also. I hadn't thought about that before.

The base and back make a pretty compact space when the back is placed in the base. I don't know if the airline will balk or not.

My sister may be able to find her old car seat bag she used for travel but I'm not sure if the booster will fit in that either.

Between the two ticketed passengers you have enough carry on space to carry everything on. The suitcase and booster base can count as the "big" one for each of you, then the purse and back as your personal items. Or something similar. I can't imagine they would hassle you too much, especially if the back is very flat and can simply lay over the top of your bag in the overhead compartment. I don't know the Air to know how flat or big it is.

Wendy

We just flew southwest and saw some pretty dubious sized carry on items, and no fuss made over any of them. We also arrived basically last in line (due to late disney bus) for a totally sold out flight and I'm a bit embarassed to say we jumped into the families with children 4 and under line (OK, DS did just turn 5 a week earlier, but he is a very big 5) and again no problems, they let us on first (phew - since DS 10 and DD 7 are VERY nervous fliers). As an added note, I was extremely impressed with southwest, DS dropped his crayons as we boarded, they fell to the ground below, and the stewardess had the pilot go down and get them and bring them to DS in his seat - very thoughtful!!

Awesome, I really do enjoy flying SW.

Perhaps on the bus, if there is an empty seat, I can strap the booster to an empty seat. Otherwise I may need to have it boxed or bubblewraped. The bus ride is 3.5 - 4 hours each way,

In the airport it may be nice to have the base straped to my back and the back straped to the carry on bag. I'll have to get creative.

Thanks for making me feel more confident about the flight!