Checking in a carseat on a plane...?

[Laundraholic]

Not too sure if this is the proper place to post this...

We're going next month on a 5 hour plane ride across the country. DS will still be under 2 then, so we won't be purchasing a seat on the plane for him (can't afford to), but are bringing his convertible carseat.

We'll have to check in the carseat as one of our allowed luggage, but my question is do we have to package it or wrap it up in any special way? How do we label the carseat with our name (like how you use name tags on regular checked-in luggage)?!?!

[stillplayswithbarbies]

Bring the seat with you to the gate and if there is an empty seat on the plane they will let you use it. Ask when you check in and they will block out a seat near you if there is one. In fact, call now and tell them you have a lap child and they will change your seats near an empty seat. The airlines would much rather have your baby in a car seat and will do everything they can to make that happen even though you did not buy a seat.

If the plane is totally full, you can gate check your car seat. It is far safer that way than in the cargo area with suitcases etc. It can be thrown around in there so hard that it can get damaged or no longer be safe. I would not check a car seat as luggage for any reason.