Backless booster - ok for airline trip for big 6.5 yo?

[hokie98]

We will be flying next month with our 6.5 yo. She's pretty big...90/95 percentile for hgt/wgt. We probably won't check luggage; we will depart late Thurs and return on Sun, so she'll need the seat for 2-1/2 days in a rental car. For sake of convenience, would it be okay to just carry the backless portion of her TurboBooster? Or should we suck it up and carry the HBB?

 

[yetanotherjen]

*I* would have no problems with using a backless for a child that age who is properly booster trained as long as there will adequate head support in the vehicles.

 

[LISmama810]

I would and have done it, and I'd do it again.

 

[ketchupqueen]

Yep, our first opportunity to fly with a kid over that age was when my oldest was 7, but at that age, we brought the BubbleBum (and loved it) and I had no qualms. We weren't spending extensive time in the car on the other end (a few taxis- that's it) so it wasn't like she was going to be likely to sleep in it (actually she did fall asleep, but did fine.) In a rental car you'll have shoulder belts and headrests in all positions in the back, so I don't see a potential issue- you can stick the kid in the center if you want more protection from potential side impacts. Just make sure you bring the shoulder belt adjuster in case the belt needs to be pulled off the neck for comfort.

 

[hokie98]

Thanks all! The back of her TurboBooster comes off pretty easily, and I envisioned what a pain it would be to lug both pieces through the airport...I'd do it if necessary, but I think she'd be fine backless for a couple of days. The other alternative is her GN...and that's way to bulky & heavy to lug if we don't have to do so. Not to mention we'll also be carrying our 9mo's convertible!

By the way, ketchupqueen - you mentioned the shoulder belt adjuster...I've only used HBB, so I'm used to running the seat belt through the shoulder hook. What shoulder belt adjusters are you talking about? Should it have come with the seat?

 

[aeormsby]

The shoulder belt adjuster is a strap that comes up from the booster bottom and has a plastic thing for the shoulder belt to go through. The plastic part can slide up and down the strap so you can adjust it for the best shoulder belt placement. I don't own a turbo so I don't know if the high back boosters come with them. I know on our harmony NBB it's attached to the center/bottom of the seat (so you can use it on either side). And our GO came with one for use as a NBB.

ETA - this video shows how to use it [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHH1fSRaVSM&lr=1&user=gracobaby"]Graco TurboBooster Car Seat Backless Installation Video - YouTube[/ame]

 

[ketchupqueen]

Yes, it came with your seat, in the bag with the manual and screws. It's red with a black strap on the Turbo, IIRC.