I see a new trend of travelers recommending that parents bring their carseat on the plane with them, and I’m here to tell you with all sincerity: I can’t imagine a faster way to make you never want to travel with your kids again until they are at least 8…maybe 12.
We unload our carseats from the car, load them onto the luggage cart, and count the seconds until the ticket agent takes them. It’s the longest 100 feet of most trips. Setting the carseat on the luggage scale gives me the same relief as taking my bra off at the end of the day….ahhhhh.
I hear the pros. But I don’t agree.
Pro Argument #1: The carseat will get damaged.
First off, let’s set the scene with a reality check: it is a carseat, not a fine piece of china. Have you seen the seat of your carseat lately? A sigh-inducing blend of cracker crumbs, orange peels, toy parts and what I can only hope is a petrified blueberry. Or is that just my kids? The carseat is not headed to a museum after you get done with it – it expires in five yours and will be headed to a landfill (or to Target, to get your discount 🙂 ). So if the upholstery gets torn a bit, what of it?
Fact: In 50,000+ air miles in the past 2 1/2 years, only one of our carseats has ever had any damage, and it really was ‘just a scratch,’ smaller than my fingertip.
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Mind you, I custom-sewed my own carseat bags, knowing they would get a lot of mileage. If you are good at sewing, buy the thickest fabric your store offers and sew a bag for yourself. If you aren’t handy with a sewing machine, these are the ones I recommend:
1. BALLISTIC IRON Heavy Duty Car Seat Travel Bag
2. Padded Car Seat Travel Backpack Bag
Steer clear of the thin vinyl ones (anything under $20); I’ve seen dozens of them torn to shreds on the luggage carousel.
Pro Argument #2: Your child will be more comfortable.
Hmmm…perhaps at brief intervals, but for the whole flight? No. Again, perhaps just my kids (they are special 😉 ), but…have you seen them sleep in a carseat? This is what mine typically look like:
His neck isn’t going to be happy when he wakes up. And this is one of the ‘not so bad’ photos.
The most comfortable place a child wants to be? In your arms. In your lap. Between your knees bongoing out a song on your thighs. Remember this key: this phase will pass in an instant. In two years, they will want their own space and their own time. But for now, they want to share yours. Let them. Enjoy their dependence. It is fleeting.
Pro Argument #3: You can have your own space & freedom
If you enjoy being free to relax on a flight, with a cocktail in one hand and a good read in the other, please leave the kids home with grandma. Otherwise, you will be disappointed.
You should expect to have moments of freedom, but not 10 hours of a 12 hour flight. Always travel with a ‘plus 1’ because one of you can watch the kid(s) while the other goes to the loo, walks around the cabin or stretches out a bit (or all 3 – go wild! 🙂 ).
Space also means cost if your kids are under 2. The twins could pay for a semester of college with the money we didn’t spend on their airplane seats. Plus, it’s free to check a carseat, and I’m a sucker for anything free!
Pro Argument #4: The plane seat is not made for them/is too big
Are you serious? Have you ever been a child?? Couldn’t you just not wait to grow up and do ‘big people’ stuff? My kids, granted, have flown more than most of their peers, but they LOVE being on planes. Sophie tells me at least once a week “I buckle my belt when I get on the plane.” And Luka asks multiple times every day “go on a plane?” We recently took a trip to the Bay Area of California (a 6-hour drive from us), and as we pulled into the driveway of our Airbnb, Luka got a terrible look on his face and asked me “we’re going to the plane?” When I said, “No, honey. This is just a driving trip.” he began crying inconsolably. Thankfully we have a “plane trip” coming soon so he doesn’t have long to wait. He also bought a toy plane during our trip. This kid is either gonna be either a commercial pilot or join the Air Force 🙂
They LOVE flying. They get their own seats, now that they’re “big kids” (over 2). They get to choose their own in-flight entertainment. They get to order their own drink (we don’t do juice at home, so it’s a huge luxury during trips). They get a big person belt and get to put it on all by themselves (mommy just tightens it a tiny bit). Tell them the seat isn’t their size.
My Point #1: Do you even need a carseat?
Consider before traveling:
A. Are we doing any driving at our destination?
B. Most Uber/Taxi drivers will take kids without carseats & some drivers have carseats in their vehicles.
C. Car rentals also rent carseats – just be sure that the cost of renting it isn’t more expensive than buying a new seat entirely
D. You will never need one if you’re riding any type of public transit
E. Is there a relative/friend at your destination that might have one? OR is there a relative/friend that is part of her local moms’ club? Those are awesome resources to borrow a seat for free.
F. Baby equipment rentals exist, even abroad – but they are my last resort, as they are usually the most expensive option
My Point #2: You may drag your carseat all the way through the airport and still not be able to use it.
Some carseats aren’t allowed on planes. Some airlines don’t allow certain carseats. And sometimes flight attendants have grouchy days and don’t want to bother with your freakin’ carseat today! In short, even after you’ve taken the time (at security) and energy to roll your suitcase all the way through the airport and up to the entrance of the plane, you may still have to check it.
My Point #3: Airplanes are not known for their spacious accommodations.
The seat is not large in the first place. The legroom is minimal. Add a carseat, and now my kid’s legs are set up perfectly for kicking the seat in front of him, unless I sit him straight up (in which case, sleeping is completely uncomfortable). No, thanks. Plus, as a larger woman, I enjoy the extra 2-3″ that my derrière can spread out onto my son’s seat. If I put a carseat there, my butt is going to have to run into it. And 10 hours of that is definitely going to leave a mark – literally.
Is there ever a good reason??
Only one:
If you are traveling alone with multiple children who are not yet sitting up on their own
In the case of ‘pre-situp’ kids, you want a 1:1 ratio or better (ex: twin mom and dad will be fine by themselves, but triplet mom and dad should bring 1 carseat or bring a third adult/older child. I have traveled alone with my pre-walking twins (11-months-old), and I survived. That’s not the right word – I did survive, but I also had fun and felt like a bonafide super hero as I arrived home.
Have you taken your carseat on a plane? Or have you checked your carseat, or even left it home? Twin moms, I especially want to hear from you: how did you feel dealing with two? I’d love to hear your experience! Or if you have any questions, I’d love to hear them. Drop your comment in the comment box below.
Happy travels!
Kristie
