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Thursday, December 13, 2012

Car Seat Safety Series -- Airplane safety

I am excited to kick off a series on car seat safety, written by Megan Arce, CPST (Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician) and mother to 2 little princesses. My daughter, Bethany, introduced us and I was thrilled when she agreed to write this series for me. So, for the next few weeks, make sure you check back in on Thursdays for more important information all parents, and grandparents and other caregivers, need to know to keep our precious little ones safe!



Airplane Travel for Infants
When A Free Ride is Not Worth The Risk!

Image by Peter Griffin

With the holidays rapidly approaching and travel plans being finalized, many families are on the lookout for bargains.  While the idea of “Infants Under Age 2 Fly Free” sounds very appealing, this is one bargain to pass on, as it might end up costing baby his life!  

Babies don’t ride on our laps in cars, so why is it okay on a plane? It’s not! The laws of physics do not change in the air.  Lap riding infants can (and do!) easily become flying projectiles in even a tiny pocket of air turbulence, generally resulting in head injuries from the overhead bins (or other passengers!).  In an otherwise survivable crash landing, gravitational forces would prohibit even the strongest of parent’s from restraining their own child- it is not humanly possible- and since airplanes are equipped with only a lap belt for adults, the parent would likely fold over on top of the child they have somehow managed to hang onto to, and crush the baby to death.

Child Restraints (aka car seats) incur great injuries from the “free” ride too.  Like luggage, car seats are often mishandled and damaged by airline baggage employees. They must be visually inspected, in detail, prior to use. This goes for all types of car seats, all ages of children.  If any damage is apparent, the seat should not be used. If checking the seat is the only option, it should be packed in a cardboard box to absorb the energy of the blows, not the seat- (great reason to hold onto the original box).

I know I have put terrible images into your head, and for good reason- to keep babies safe.  My job as a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician is to think of the worse case scenarios so I can help parents avoid them.  I, too, travelled with a lap riding infant, not once, but 6 different times, back before I knew better.

ALL children belong in their car seat, safely installed in their own airline seat, exactly like it is in their car. Bottom line. It is safest for everybody on the plane, most importantly the infants and children.  This is not an area to skimp and to save, not where the safety of the baby is concerned.  Pretend, if you must, that lap riding was never an option, because hopefully someday soon it won’t be!

"When you know better, you do better!" 














9 comments:

  1. When we flew we were told to take the car seat on the plane for my 1 year old to sit in, but the airline wouldn't let us take it on the plane. They said they had a seat for us, but it was far inferior to our 5-way car seat.

    I traveled with a 6 month old once and all that was provided was a box that we put under the seat with no way to fasten her in.

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    1. Back in 1985, I flew by myself with a 2-year-old and an 8-mo-old. Neither had any kind of restraints. I held the baby and the toddler sat in a regular seat!

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    2. No airline should deny you your right to keep your child safe on the airplane. Most car seats on the market conform to airline standards and will have a sticker on the side saying so. Did your seat perhaps not meet the criteria? Or was the staff just not properly informed? Either way, next time you travel, I am happy to point you in the direction of forms with infant seat regulations to prevent to the airline crew. It is your right to protect your child- don't them tell you can't!!

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  2. I am coming home for a visit right after Christmas. I am bringing Ryan with me. I was just going to bring his booster seat with me on the plane. Should I check with the airline to see if that causes a problem? OR do you know what the protocol is for 45 lbs?

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    1. Wow. I don't know, Bobbie. Let me check with Megan.

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  3. Actually, booster seats do not really do much in an airplane. The sole purpose of a booster seat is to "boost" the child up in order to properly fit into an adult sized lap/shoulder belt in a vehicle, so would serve no purpose with an airline seat. Boosters seats should never be used with a lap belt only, which is all you will find on the airplane. This rule holds true for vehicles too- lap belt only is a giant no no with booster seats.
    Depending on the size of the booster seat, you could possibly bring it on board with you and stow it in the overhead compartment, or many booster seats can fit into your actual luggage and your clothing can be used as protective padding for it when checked. There is also a portable, blow up booster seat on the market (Bubble Bum) that could easily travel with you deflated and be blown up for vehicle use when you arrive at your destination.
    Hope that helps!!

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  4. airlines do not allow booster seats...it has to be a car seat or they just sit in the regular seat...

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  5. So I am assuming that if you insist on using a carseat on an airplane that the ride is no longer free, no matter the baby's age, is that correct? And I'm assuming this would go for other public transport, like a Greyhound bus, or an Amtrak train?

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    1. Unfortunately, that is correct. I wouldn't be as concerned on Amtrak, however, because there is minimal risk of a crash, and there is no turbulence to worry about.

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