Which Toddler Car Seat To Travel With? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Which Toddler Car Seat To Travel With?

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 April 2016 - 07:54
we have always flown with the car seat -- usually the people onboard dont even know their own rules and regulations for carseat usage-- if your car seat is FAA approved then it can be brought on board and used on board. we've always studied the rules, especially for the airlines we're flying (mostly emirates and US domestic airlines) so that we can quote it to them if/when they give us any lip service about it not being allowed. know your rights! your child's safety is first. the first 8 months of my son's life we traveled with his infant bucket seat, after that when he outgrew it and was moved into the booster seat, we started traveling with our diono- which is heavy and massive and huge BUT folds!!!! and can be carried in a bag with shoulder straps!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 21:29
I'm going back a couple of years so I don't think the airline approved thing existed then. It's great that they do it now! Shame it's not advertised more - the amount of people that don't bother with car seats when on holiday and lap ride because it's only a 'short journey' is shocking. Nothing annoys me more than ignorance on the road ?
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EW GURU
Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 21:25
Wow, really? I've never been questioned apart from the cabin crew wanting to see the 'airline approved' sticker on the bottom. I've used virgin Atlantic and Emirates frequently but maybe other airlines have different policy. Best to check in their website. It's usually detailed in the 'travelling with children' section
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 20:54
Get yourself a Britax Eclipse car seat. It's airline approved and I sit my son in it on the flight (he's 18 months old). Works a charm plus he's safely strapped in for the flight. It's relatively light weight at 7kg and slimline. I bought it in the UK for £60, therefore much cheaper than renting one from the car hire company I was never allowed to strap my son in for the flight before 2 years old - always had to be on my lap even if I'd paid for his own seat. They wouldn't let me have him in his seat on the plane either when he was over 2; they said booster seats and car seats were not permitted due to health and safety?! Surely they're safer in a car seat! I think therefore it depends on the airline so best to check first if they allow it. The britax one sounds ideal if you are allowed and so light too.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 20:31
Get yourself a Britax Eclipse car seat. It's airline approved and I sit my son in it on the flight (he's 18 months old). Works a charm plus he's safely strapped in for the flight. It's relatively light weight at 7kg and slimline. I bought it in the UK for £60, therefore much cheaper than renting one from the car hire company
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 18:48
Very true AEW, we don't know how the car seat is treated in the airport and only a few airlines let you take it on as hand luggage but I think that's only business class and above. Great idea re renting one as long as they can deliver to the airport - seems like the perfect solution. ?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 18:09
I just had a thought :-) In Australia for example there are a lot of Baby/Toddler equipment hire companies so perhaps check out online for the country you are going to. In Australia the equipment we have hired - car seats, cots, strollers etc have been amazing quality either new or very well cared for so that is another option! AEW xx
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 17:29
Sad to read about Nobbles experiences. We have hired cars in Australia (quite a number of times), Spain and France and had maybe one issue with a dirty seat which the company changed. When booking I always state age and weight of child and type of seat required. There is always the chance it could have been in an accident and again you need to make the decision but the concern I have is your own car seat being damaged or lost in transit. Also if you take your own seat you have to make sure the vehicle tie down points are the same in the country you bought your seat from and your destination. AEW xx
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 16:32
I wouldn't trust the hire car companies - in the US they gave me a rear facing car seat as a front facing one and prior to that tried to give me a front facing car seat for a baby! The car seats are also filthy and ancient. I am not sure on whether they throw them away if they've been involved in an accident (even in a minor prang, a car seat should be disposed of). Other than that, I think for your peace of mind, I think just take the car seat with you. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 15:05
I am pretty sure all car hire companies will hire seats with the car. As you said your little one needs a proper seat so I guess you have weigh up the price of hiring one compared to the pain in the behind of lugging your own around is and the possibility of it getting damaged/lost in transit.... Best of luck!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 15:05
I am pretty sure all car hire companies will hire seats with the car. As you said your little one needs a proper seat so I guess you have weigh up the price of hiring one compared to the pain in the behind of lugging your own around is and the possibility of it getting damaged/lost in transit.... Best of luck!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 13:04
Thanks Nobbles, that does look great! DS is under 4 though so needs a proper seat.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 12:57
Have you tried a trunkie boostapak? http://boostapak.com/home.html
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 12:45
Hi Ladies, Do any of you take your toddler's car seat on your travels (flight and car hire), and if so, which one do you use? The one we currently use at home is rather cumbersome so would not be practical to travel with. TIA
 
 

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