2 car seats on the same row-problems

M

MaggieCoty

Guest
I have traveled twice now alone with my two babies. Once on Southwest and once on America Airlines. I had an infant carrier and a regular FF car seat, both FAA approved. Both times the FA refused to let me put two car seats in the same row. This is terrible for many reasons, but among them, the seat purchase, was basically a waste of money, as I had to hold my child that was not allowed to use his car seat.

Both times I have tried to reason and explain the rules to the FA and gate agent, and both times they have interrupted saying that their rules were one car seat per row and if I didn't like it, I could get off the plane.

My aunt is a FA and she has confirmed that I can. The airlines over the phone and email have confirmed that I can. However, southwest says they are trained that you cannot. So you can imagine how frustrating it is when an airline employee won't let you.

I had corresponding emails from Southwest (through their southwest page) where they sent something for me to print out ad bring with me but AA won't send me anything.

Does anyone know what else I can do? The flights I take are a cross the country and my kids are now 14 months and 2.5 and restraining them is an absolute necessity.

Thanks for any help!
 
ADS

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
Do you have the relevant FAA advisory?

19. TRAVELING WITH MORE THAN ONE CHILD. In the event a parent/guardian is traveling with more than one child in a CRS or is traveling with several small children, only one of whom is occupying a CRS, good judgment should be used regarding placement of the CRSs As long as these conditions below are met, the CRS could be placed in a seat other than a window seat. At a minimum:
• The CRS should be placed so it does not block any passengers (including the parent/guardian) egress to the aisle used to evacuate the aircraft, and
• The CRS should be placed so the parent/guardian can reach the child in the CRS to release and evacuate with the child, should an emergency evacuation be necessary.

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/52b83b02fcc01375862577a60070fb65/$FILE/AC%20120-87B.pdf

Does that help?

Wendy
 
Wow, I'd call the airlines, even though you're a month out now, send them the FAA advisory and attempt to have them refund you for the seat purchase for that third seat.

They are supposed to let you install the seats side-by-side, window and center, with you sitting on the aisle.

I'd write them letters and continue to give them grief until they respond.
 

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