Guide 65 Airplane Issue

GSD'sNkids · Feb 28, 2014

We recently got the Guide 65 as recommended on this site as a travel carseat. However, after attempting to install it on an airplane I'm a little flummoxed because no one had mentioned this issue.

When installing the carseat in either front or rear facing positions on the plane, the large buckle ends up almost right in the middle of the carseat causing a big, hard lump in the middle of where the child sits (either on the seat portion -- rear facing, or the back rest portion -- forward facing).

Since I've not seen this issue mentioned in any other threads I've seen this carseat discussed on planes, I'm convinced we were doing something wrong....but have no idea what? It seems like a pretty straightforward installation. I didn't think it was very usable with the buckle in the middle of the foot and backrest as it was quite an obvious lump even just looking at it.

Pixels · Feb 28, 2014

There isn't really anything you can do to change the positioning. Did your child complain? Rear facing, the buckle would be under the knees, not under the bum, so there would not be much weight on it.

I don't have a Guide but I have flown with other seats with open belt paths. The only time I had a child complain was when there was a potty accident and I removed the cover entirely. This was forward facing. Child complained, I wrapped a burp rag around the buckle, child napped happily.

1mommy · Feb 28, 2014

It's unfortunately a common complaint with car seats on planes, but for a plane ride (but not car rides) you can wrap a burp cloth around the buckle like Pixels suggested or bring another blanket to fold up and place over the buckle area to make the child more comfortable.