DH and I are flying with our 3.5 yo DD1 (approx 40", 32 lbs) and 1 yo (turns 1 tomorrow!) DD2 (approx 30.5", 19.5 lbs) from Charlotte to Colorado on United (one standard flight, one short puddle jumper flight) in two weeks. DD2 does not have a ticket, unfortunately, but I am willing to carry her car seat and hope they have a seat (we'll be traveling on a Tuesday). Here are our options for car seats:
DD1's FR85
Boulevard70
Boulevard Classic
Diplomat Classic (I'm not sure, but the knob adjustment might be broken)
DD2's Graco MR65
DD2's Graco Snugride22 (however, her head is right now at 1" below the shell, if I am understanding what is meant by that- not the absolute top, but where the top forms a sort of ridge under the padding? She's short torso'ed despite being very tall)
I have a few questions. Last time I flew with DD1 and the Diplomat, I remember it being difficult to install with a belt FF bc the buckle fell at an inconvenient spot for tightening, and I ended up having to remove the seat cushion of the plane's seat to get it off. I think using a belt extender helped a little bit the next flight, but it was still a bit of an issue. Any tips for this? Is one of our car seats better for traveling than another for this issue?
If I don't bring DD1's Snugride and thus use a convertible, will it install RF in the ridiculously small space they give on planes now? I haven't traveled United in a long time, but US Airways has some flights where I couldn't install the SR in a standard (non-puddle-jumper) flight except at the bulkhead. Any tips for RF installation of a convertible? I'd hate to FF DD2 even if she is 20 lbs by August. She's so little and has a long, thin neck.
If I am not able to get DD2 a seat, is there any safety advantage to wearing her in a carrier (Ergo) vs. holding her in my lap? I would prefer to wear her because she is more comfortable and likely to sleep, but the last time I flew, they told me I had to hold her rather than wear her.
What about the puddle jumper flight? I kinda doubt I'll get a seat for DD2 on that flight because it is so small, but you never know. The planes are so small, how well do car seats fit on those anyway?
I think I had more questions but I can't think of them right now. Thank you all for being such a good resource for questions like these.
Adele
DD1's FR85
Boulevard70
Boulevard Classic
Diplomat Classic (I'm not sure, but the knob adjustment might be broken)
DD2's Graco MR65
DD2's Graco Snugride22 (however, her head is right now at 1" below the shell, if I am understanding what is meant by that- not the absolute top, but where the top forms a sort of ridge under the padding? She's short torso'ed despite being very tall)
I have a few questions. Last time I flew with DD1 and the Diplomat, I remember it being difficult to install with a belt FF bc the buckle fell at an inconvenient spot for tightening, and I ended up having to remove the seat cushion of the plane's seat to get it off. I think using a belt extender helped a little bit the next flight, but it was still a bit of an issue. Any tips for this? Is one of our car seats better for traveling than another for this issue?
If I don't bring DD1's Snugride and thus use a convertible, will it install RF in the ridiculously small space they give on planes now? I haven't traveled United in a long time, but US Airways has some flights where I couldn't install the SR in a standard (non-puddle-jumper) flight except at the bulkhead. Any tips for RF installation of a convertible? I'd hate to FF DD2 even if she is 20 lbs by August. She's so little and has a long, thin neck.
If I am not able to get DD2 a seat, is there any safety advantage to wearing her in a carrier (Ergo) vs. holding her in my lap? I would prefer to wear her because she is more comfortable and likely to sleep, but the last time I flew, they told me I had to hold her rather than wear her.
What about the puddle jumper flight? I kinda doubt I'll get a seat for DD2 on that flight because it is so small, but you never know. The planes are so small, how well do car seats fit on those anyway?
I think I had more questions but I can't think of them right now. Thank you all for being such a good resource for questions like these.
Adele