First time Airplane ride with 5 year old

[maluhia]

I was planning on taking his Wizard with us. Should I put it through luggage? I would feel better taking it with me, but the dang thing is so huge, and where would they keep it? Also, if I put it through with the luggage, do I need a carseat cover??

I really need advice and help cause I've never done this before! LOL!
Not only that, but we have the denim cover and there is a nice worn out denim hole in it, I would haved like to get a new cover before the trip. sigh*

Any offerings of hlep would be great.
Thanks!!
P.S. Are they closing out the Wizard? And I cannot find a Wizard carseat cover for sale anywhere!! If you know of any please let me know!

[Joolsplus2]

You could use it on the plane... you won't be able to use the tray table in front of it, from what I hear...but it's no different than being in a car, really.
If you check it with luggage, they treat it like luggage... throw, land, crash, bang... you know... :P. (they put it in a plastic bag if you don't buy a cover for it, which keeps it clean...I would only worry about the bottom layer of the base getting cracked, which is a common cosmetic issue with those big Britaxes....)
You could carry it through the airport and gate check it...then they at least kind of carry it down to cargo and hand it back to you when you walk off the plane (or sometimes accidentally send it through with the regular luggage at the carousel...).

I think if you want to guarantee is safe passage, then taking it on the plane is the best choice (plenty of folks with 5 yo's do this, it really isn't THAT hard, if you travel light otherwise :) )


Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[maluhia]

Thanks Julie,
If I bring it on the plane, does my son have to sit in it? Or would they be able to stow it somewhere? I dont think he's going to want to sit in his carseat for the plane ride.

[Joolsplus2]

If you bring it on, he WILL have to sit in it, unless there are empty seats all over the place (and it needs to be in the window seat so it doesn't block you getting out in an emergency).
Maybe you could stick it in this http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000789TK/qid%3D1123766802/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/104-6776239-6266348 wheel it through the airport, and gate check it? (I know this one fits the Marathon, it *should* fit the wizard...it's hard to find seat covers that FIT these mondo-seats, lol).
Or scrap the whole plan and splurge on a RideSafer Travel Vest from www.elitecarseats.com? THAT's easy to travel with! (can't be used on the plane, but the middle position of a car with a lapbelt and tether or lap/shoulderbelt is awesome)

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx