In a couple of months I will be traveling with my two sons by plane (and then we will have a rental car), and I am trying to figure out my car seat options. My boys are 4 years/36"/31lbs and 5.5 years/42"/41lbs.
At home, they both travel in Frontier 90s, in the 5-pt harness. For various reasons, I do not want to bring the F90s with us (mainly weight + not airplane compatible). We also have two Cosco Sceneras from travels past, though of course my older son is too big for the Scenera now.
Anyhow, I'd like to figure out my best options for my boys, both for on the plane and once we arrive. I will have family in my final destination who could buy seats for us there, so we wouldn't have to necessarily carry them with us.
Does my older son even need a carseat on the plane? If so, what would be appropriate? Maybe a CARES harness (though I think he is technically too tall)? Or is that silly to consider, since he clearly wouldn't be able to use it again? And once we get there....then what? I read in another thread about the Harmony Folding Booster....we haven't done any booster training, but have plenty of time before the trip, so could. He never falls asleep in the car, so that's not an issue. He is small, though - is 42" tall enough for a booster? Is there another option for a kid who is over 40# but is used to being harnessed?
My younger son could ride in the Scenera, both on the plane and in the rental, but....is there another lightweight, low-cost option that won't make me want to tear my hair out during the installation? Or do I need to just suck it up? (And the FF has to be better than the RF install, right? I mean, it couldn't possibly be worse....)
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated, especially how to keep my older son as safe as possible on the plane. Thanks!
At home, they both travel in Frontier 90s, in the 5-pt harness. For various reasons, I do not want to bring the F90s with us (mainly weight + not airplane compatible). We also have two Cosco Sceneras from travels past, though of course my older son is too big for the Scenera now.
Anyhow, I'd like to figure out my best options for my boys, both for on the plane and once we arrive. I will have family in my final destination who could buy seats for us there, so we wouldn't have to necessarily carry them with us.
Does my older son even need a carseat on the plane? If so, what would be appropriate? Maybe a CARES harness (though I think he is technically too tall)? Or is that silly to consider, since he clearly wouldn't be able to use it again? And once we get there....then what? I read in another thread about the Harmony Folding Booster....we haven't done any booster training, but have plenty of time before the trip, so could. He never falls asleep in the car, so that's not an issue. He is small, though - is 42" tall enough for a booster? Is there another option for a kid who is over 40# but is used to being harnessed?
My younger son could ride in the Scenera, both on the plane and in the rental, but....is there another lightweight, low-cost option that won't make me want to tear my hair out during the installation? Or do I need to just suck it up? (And the FF has to be better than the RF install, right? I mean, it couldn't possibly be worse....)
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated, especially how to keep my older son as safe as possible on the plane. Thanks!