gate check vs. luggage check for carseat?

[tarahsolazy]

We haven't traveled with the kids by air for three years, and I'm feeling rusty about our upcoming trip this weekend. Its a direct flight, about 2.5 hours, likely on a small regional jet, so two seats each side or three on one, two on the other. The planes are so small that you can't bring on roller suitcases, you gate check everything. I fly on these jets and do this leg for work several times a year, so I have a good idea of the plane, gates, airports, etc involved.

My kids are 7 and 4, but the 4 year old is small, 35 inches tall and 35 pounds or so. I will bring either a full HBB for the 7 year old, or a backless, and a MA for the 4 year old, since that's the smallest convertible we have. We need the seats at the other end.

I don't really think the MA will fit on the tiny plane seat, and at 4, DD can sit just fine in the seatbelt. Should I luggage check the seats, or carry them to the gate and gate check them? If gate checking, should I put them in some sort of bag? We could get clear garbage bags, or DH could sew something up for them. I don't want to buy expensive bags to check them in, because flying is going to be an every 2-4 year event in our family, so its not worth it.

[stillplayswithbarbies]

I've used an MA on a plane like that before.

I would probably trust gate checking over checking with luggage. But bringing it on the plane is the only sure way to have it when you get to the other end. :)

If you bring a backless for the other kid, you can carry it on too and stow it in the overhead.

[AnnieW625]

By the time DD1 was 3 and out of our Evenflo Triumph 5 (similar in size to the original Britax Roundabout) we just let her sit in the seat by herself; we talked about the rules and she sat fine with little movement, just to go pee and to adjust the tray.

I would just check the Marathon at the ticket counter or the gate. I have only checked at the counter and they've just given me a bag and it's done fine; they tape it up. A Marathon is not going to fit in an overhead bin.