Air travel with Britax Marathon?? - Page 3

[velochic]

Originally Posted by mamatoablessing

:



Just wanted to respond to a few things, as we've flow a lot over the last 2.5 years (DD took 22 flights by the time she was two).

*the airline wants you to check the carseat. Nope. Never had anyone with the airline tell me they wanted us to check the seat. In fact, we are always getting comments on how nice it is to see parents bringing the car seat on.
*the flight attendents are not happy to have to deal with you getting a bulky car seat to fit in the small airplane seats. Again, we've only ever had positive comments regarding the seat from airline employees. Flight attendants also go out of their way to assist us when necessary.
*ditto on any passengers who may be sitting near you - although in my experience, the car seat must be on the window so as not to restrict anyone getting out in case of emergency, but of course, you will be in the middle seat next to the car seat. However, the person in front of you cannot recline because the car seat and/or toddler's legs/feet are in the way. Nope. The seats always recline in front of us. Even in those little 50 person planes. If the seat were rear facing this may be an issue. Also, I always sit next to DD in the middle (as you said, they have to be in a window) so we've never been a bother to other passengers.
*actually getting you, the toddler, the carseat, the luggage, your carryons, etc. from your car to the airplane is a nightmare. If you have more than one adult, it isn't as bad - but I'd never take a car seat if I was the only adult. Been there, done that - ugh. I too did it when I was 38 weeks preggo with DD, so I can relate. Yep, it's a pain.
*almost no one takes car seats. Every time I've flown with kids, my kids are the only ones on the plane that have car seats. I have seen quite a few car seats on planes actually (I travel for business as well so tend to fly a bit). All of my IRL friends also travel w/ their car seats. I of course see as many lap babies.


Just my experience - I wanted to show the other side as well, for moms who may be on the fence about this issue. We've always had a very good experience with the car seats on planes. Granted, I usually fly with DH so that makes it easier. Alone is tough!

How many of your flights were international flights on not US carriers?

[mamatoablessing]

Originally Posted by velochic

How many of your flights were international flights on not US carriers?

None, so that is definitely an area where I lack experience. I was simply sharing our experience with airline personnel and the actual plane logisitcs. Not sure what we would do if we flew overseas.

[velochic]

Originally Posted by mamatoablessing

None, so that is definitely an area where I lack experience. I was simply sharing our experience with airline personnel and the actual plane logisitcs. Not sure what we would do if we flew overseas.

Believe me.... it is TOTALLY different on non US carriers. The OP was flying internationally.

[SiValleySteph]

Originally Posted by velochic

Believe me.... it is TOTALLY different on non US carriers. The OP was flying internationally.

Yes, but mamatoablessing was responding to Kirsten who herself said that she never flew internationally.

We're taking a US carrier next week, so I'm not anticipating any trouble flying with our carseat. I'll report back.

[velochic]

Originally Posted by SiValleySteph

Yes, but mamatoablessing was responding to Kirsten who herself said that she never flew internationally.

I thought she was responding to the OP. Sorry.

[Jwebbal]

Australian carriers also recommend car seats for childen during flight.

[PrennaMama]

: <-- see as "data" flying at me...

Wow! Thanks for all the numbers and such. Sincerely. It was really something to see OP's report on how her trip home went.

All the input has me back on the fence more so than before...
1st, I apologize to anyone who found my musings offensive, in my own pp.

K, with that said I'm hoping OP doesn't mind a minor hijacking; I don't know that yet another thread on this topic is nec, and hope to just get input from y'all here.

DD sleeps very well, now, in her car seat; if it's suggested that she try a car-nap she conks right out. I wasn't worried about the car-rental car-seat, but now I am. And OP's experience on her trip home made me think it might be best to just bring it... some other factors are that she'll be just over 2.5, it's a 45 min drive from home to the airport, this is DH's first time traveling further than 2 hours outta town, he does NOT deal with stress or hurrying well, nor fussy folk (be it me, dd, or flight attendants), and has a fear of flying, so will likely be medicated!... Departure is 8AM, arriving about 10-11, I think given the time change - Pacific NW to Hawaii, direct flight, but have to drive from airport to country side of the island Oahu, like 45 min, and we will be driving frequently while there for 5 days, in order to cook and clean for a friend who's due at that time.

To those of you who have no complaints about bringing the car seat, what kinda things did you do, or do you recommend to make it flow easier, etc?

For those of you for whom it's a pita not worth doing, what if it was easier to do? How did you deal with toddler-issues, did you experience turbulence, etc, with your toddler?

[Moochie Mamma]

Hi- don't mind hijaking at all. If I was you I would just take your seat. She's used to it, you know how to install it, you'll be assured it will make it there with you, etc. I'm going to buy a lightwt seat so I always have one with me when flying with DD until she's over 40lb.

[PrennaMama]

Originally Posted by Moochie Mamma

Hi- don't mind hijaking at all. If I was you I would just take your seat. She's used to it, you know how to install it, you'll be assured it will make it there with you, etc. I'm going to buy a lightwt seat so I always have one with me when flying with DD until she's over 40lb.

Hi moochie! Thanks! So interesting enough, dd just started complaining that her "back hurts" in her seat, and dh checked it tonight, and it seems to almost be coming apart, a plastic piece from underneath (flimsy, like a spacer or something) had come loose. (!?) And the styro-foam side under the upholstery had a break in it, so we're gonna be in the market for a new too... maybe you could point me in the right direction if you have already found one you like... or maybe I'll find one to point you to! Good luck! Looks like we're taking it!

[alegna]

Originally Posted by PrennaMama

To those of you who have no complaints about bringing the car seat, what kinda things did you do, or do you recommend to make it flow easier, etc?

We bring the stroller- carseat goes on stroller, dd goes on my back. We pre-board if possible and put the carseat in. Get a belt extender as you board. Makes installing and uninstalling the seat much easier.

good luck!

-Angela

[Jwebbal]

there is a trick with the seat belt as well, is to turn it so the latch to undo it is backwards, so you can reach it and it doesn't get stuck in the car seat. I always use bungee cords or the latch attachment to attach the car seat to my stroller. Put the kid on me (sling or ergo) or sometimes even in the seat (it worked when he was older), pre-board, ask for help if needed, if just asking someone to hold the baby while you put the seat in. I rear faced my kid on airplanes till me was 1, and if the flight attendant gives you a hard time about that (sometimes people complain about not being able to recline) have them look up their own regulations. Make sure you are not in an exit aisle as well.

Oh, and ask for a seat belt extender, makes it easier.

[SiValleySteph]

Originally Posted by PrennaMama

To those of you who have no complaints about bringing the car seat, what kinda things did you do, or do you recommend to make it flow easier, etc?

I posted earlier about the GoGoKidz attachment that we have for the carseat. DS likes to pull it around the airport while we hold the carryons. If he tires of pulling it, I just pile the carryons in the carseat.

Here is DS pulling his carseat at 20mo, I think, before a redeye flight (hence the PJs) from West Coast to East Coast. He slept the entire way, no problems. We didn't bother with the stroller on this trip.

I get the seatbelt extender as well from the flight attendent while boarding. Sometimes it takes them a while to get it, but it's worked out pretty well.

DH is in the process of rigging up a tray for DS for our 13 hour flight next week. You can't generally use the tray table with the carseat. He's using a wooden puzzle. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[PrennaMama]

Originally Posted by alegna

We bring the stroller- carseat goes on stroller, dd goes on my back. We pre-board if possible and put the carseat in. Get a belt extender as you board. Makes installing and uninstalling the seat much easier.

good luck!

-Angela

Thanks! So it looks like I will totally get a belt extender...!

Originally Posted by Jwebbal

there is a trick with the seat belt as well, is to turn it so the latch to undo it is backwards, so you can reach it and it doesn't get stuck in the car seat. I always use bungee cords or the latch attachment to attach the car seat to my stroller. Put the kid on me (sling or ergo) or sometimes even in the seat (it worked when he was older), pre-board, ask for help if needed, if just asking someone to hold the baby while you put the seat in. I rear faced my kid on airplanes till me was 1, and if the flight attendant gives you a hard time about that (sometimes people complain about not being able to recline) have them look up their own regulations. Make sure you are not in an exit aisle as well.

Oh, and ask for a seat belt extender, makes it easier.

Backpack/ergo, check! Belt extender, check, again!

Originally Posted by SiValleySteph

I posted earlier about the GoGoKidz attachment that we have for the carseat. DS likes to pull it around the airport while we hold the carryons. If he tires of pulling it, I just pile the carryons in the carseat.

Here is DS pulling his carseat at 20mo, I think, before a redeye flight (hence the PJs) from West Coast to East Coast. He slept the entire way, no problems. We didn't bother with the stroller on this trip.

I get the seatbelt extender as well from the flight attendent while boarding. Sometimes it takes them a while to get it, but it's worked out pretty well.

DH is in the process of rigging up a tray for DS for our 13 hour flight next week. You can't generally use the tray table with the carseat. He's using a wooden puzzle. I'll let you know how it turns out.

SIL is giong on a trip too, and we're looking at getting that GoGoKidz set-up to share; thanks, I'll check the link... totally cute pic!

Please do let me know about the tray situation as we're thinking of either trying to constrict one or buy something...

[SiValleySteph]

We're back! DS rode in his Roundabout for our int'l flights on United. No comments about the carseat either way from flight attendants. It worked well for us. On the "to" flight, DS slept only about 2 hours out of a 13 hour flight, but still sat in his carseat all except for about 30 min of walking around and bathroom trips. On the return, DS slept about 3 hours of a 10 hour flight. He did lay in my lap to nurse and to rest for about 30 min.

He's 2.5, by the way.

We also took some internal China flights. He had his own seat, but we didn't bring the carseat. He was sitting in his seat buckled in when we were about to descend on the first flight. The flight attendant asked me to hold him instead, I did. The 2nd flight I just held him the whole time.

We did make up a tray out of a wooden puzzle base. It worked reasonably well. It was just so cramped because the carseat doesn't recline and there isn't much room when the person in front reclines. DS was still able to use our makeshift tray for playdough, coloring, snacks, etc. By far, the thing he most wanted to do was watch DVDs on the portable DVD played (bought for this trip). He has quite limited TV at home, so this was a real treat for him.

I'm glad we used the carseat on this trip. I'm not sure how much longer we will keep using it, though, just because of the space issue. It was very cramped for him. We could barely get his legs between the carseat and the reclined seat in front. He didn't complain, though.

ETA - We did use a selt belt extender. Both times we were told to try it w/o it first. Umm... this isn't our first time travelling with the carseat.