Flying: Checking the car seat...did you use a car seat bag?

[pillsnberries]

We're flying next month to visit some friends. We've decided to check our convertible car seat and have DD sit on our lap. It's a red-eye, so it shouldn't be bad. Anyways, I'm concerned about checking our car seat. Should I get a car seat bag, or will it be OK in a trash bag?

TIA!

[mom2binsd]

Have you flown with her before, even if you don't have a seat for her, if there is an empty one I'd be tempted to bring your convertible on, not just for safety reasons but for your comfort and her ability to sleep, if she's still rearfacing she can even have the seat installed rearfacing which is wonderful for sleeping!...esp for a redeye!

If not, I'd get a large bag, maybe one designed for carseats and GATE check the seat, do not put it through as luggage...greater chance of not having any seat at your destination.

[pillsnberries]

I've never flown with her. We've selected seats in the back and hopefully have an extra seat between us. I supposed that when we check in I can find out if the seat between is still available. But I know on our connecting flight (which is only 40 minutes long), there isn't a seat between us.

[WatchingThemGrow]

We use the Ultimate bags by JL Childress. They are nicely padded. 15/16 times our seats have been there. It came 2 hours late one night, but they loaned us a brand new Scenera to get home. no biggie.

[pillsnberries]

we're connecting in Atlanta; should I be nervous that they will lose my car seat?

[DebbieJ]

yes, get a bag. Car seats can be checked for free and we were able to stuff some extra stuff in the bag and not have to pay for it.

[connor_mommy]

I suggest gate checking it rather than checking in the carseat. That way you'll have the carseat at the gate and know for sure that it has arrived at your destination. If it doesn't make it on to the plane after you check it in, then you won't have a carseat.

[vonfirmath]

DON'T use a trash bag -- you don't want your carseat to be mistaken for trash and the trash bags are not that sturdy.

[Fairy]

Originally Posted by connor_mommy

I suggest gate checking it rather than checking in the carseat. That way you'll have the carseat at the gate and know for sure that it has arrived at your destination. If it doesn't make it on to the plane after you check it in, then you won't have a carseat.

This is a good idea. However, if it were me, I'd do curbside checkin of the carseat, they are WAY better at customer service than the terminal or gate check. Tell them you want your carseat wrapped in a bag, and they'll take a big huge heavy duty clear bag they have just for this and other stuff like it, and they'll wrap it and even make a handle for you out of the top. Tip them NICELY in addition to their fee. That's why they're doin' it. That's my recommendation if you're really not going to have your DC sit in it on the plane. If you check at the terminal, they also have the bags, but you have to tell them to do it, and don't leave until you see them doing the wrapping. As for the gate, again, I like this idea, but honestly, I dunno if they have the bags there. And agreeing with von, NO TRASH BAGS.

[pantrygirl]

We gate check our car seat. We put it in a car seat bag as well.

Sometimes if the stewardess is nice and there is an empty seat, she'll allow us to use the seat on the plane.

Another tip is to get the GoGo Kidz attachment. It helps as it acts as a stroller. We use it in place of our stroller for short trips and it reduces the amount of cargo we shlep around.