How To Travel With A Child's Car Seat?

Answer 1

To safely travel by car, children require a car seat. Yet it is difficult enough to travel with a child, and bringing bulky safety equipment adds another level of complexity. Fortunately there are several ways that parents can do this without much difficulty.

First, parents should realize that airlines will transport child safety devices as checked luggage without charging any baggage fees. Therefore, parents remaining concern should be that their child seat arrives at its destination clean and undamaged. Child seats should never simply be tagged and handed to baggage personnel. While some airlines may provide a large plastic bag for holding car seats, the best idea is to use a large duffel bag.

Another option is carry the child seat into the airport. Some companies make devices that add wheels and turn child seats into strollers that allow parents to wheel their children and their seat through the terminal. While these devices can be useful, parents will still have to transport the seat on the airplane, which can be prohibited. The FAA forbids the use of child restraint devices that are not specifically approved for aircraft use. Unless your car seat has a sticker indicating FAA approval, your seat will have to be gate checked. Like a checked bag, the seat should be placed in a protective cover, however the seat will be delivered to the gate area when you de-board the aircraft.

Another method of traveling with a child is to obtain a car seat at the destination. Relatives can supply seats, a seat can be purchased, or a seat can be rented by an auto rental company. The downside is that parents will not have their own particular car seat that they have become familiar with.

By taking time to think through the logistics of traveling with a car seat, parents can transport their children at their destination with the same care they take at home.