We use an Eddie Bauer booster seat for our 5 yr old in our car. We'd like to bring it with us when we fly to FL this week.

Should we (and *can* we) carry it on, or should we check it with our luggage? How should it be labeled or covered in either case?

Can you tell we don't fly much? ;)

I would bring it on and have one of your kids sit in it. Luggage gets so bumped around. One time I picked my friend up from the airport and her highback booster was SPLIT down the back right along the plastic. It had been abused much more than it would have in an accident and I know they recommend replacing after any accident, even little fender benders.
My advice is only based on that one experience but we were all amazed at how a flight from Maine to CA could result in a split car seat!!!
Good luck, Enjoy your trip:thumbsup:

Boosters are not approved for use on airplanes- there are only lapbelts in airplanes, and for a booster you need a lap/shoulder combo. I would check it with your luggage, or if you have a backless booster, it might even fit in your carry on, then you have much less risk of the airline screwing it up. If you don't have a backless booster, you can pick one up for $20 at target walmart kmart, really anywhere that sells car seats. You do have to make sure that the car seats have headrests or that the top of your child's ear do not go above the top of the seat- this is to prevent whiplash in an accident.

I'm not an expert, but I'm not sure you CAN use a booster seat on the plane. I'm pretty sure they aren't OKed. Of course, many airlines aren't going to realize that, and just think it's a normal carseat.

We have checked Anders's carseat several times--he's a lap baby still. No problems with it.

Originally posted by heythereheather
I'm not an expert, but I'm not sure you CAN use a booster seat on the plane. I'm pretty sure they aren't OKed. Of course, many airlines aren't going to realize that, and just think it's a normal carseat.

We have checked Anders's carseat several times--he's a lap baby still. No problems with it.

I'm pretty sure the flight attendants will know that it isn't allowed to be used in-flight, and would offer to gate check it if you were attempting to use it.

You have two choices if it isn't approved for airline use. You can check it with your luggage or you can gate check it. If you check it with your luggage, you won't have to tote it around the airport with you. I would highly recommend wrapping it in clear plastic. And of course, it will need to be labeled.

Or, you can gate check it. This is when they take it right before you get on the plane and put it directly under the plane. This way you know it made it with you on the plane at the very least. And, it won't be handled through luggage with tends to keep them more intact. Gate checking is what they do with stollers and such as well. I would recommend gate checking, I can't tell you how many expensive car seats I have seen damaged by the airlines or stolen...

Emily

If you have the box, you can put the booster back in the box and count the box as luggage. We've used boxes as luggage MANY times (we live in AZ, and all of our family is in NY, so we often have to bring boxes of Christmas presents back with us).

You aren't supposed to use a booster on an airplane. I did see someone fly with one and when I questioned her on it she was rather snipish, so I didn't press. This was flying back on New Year's Day, so I'm sure the flight attendants weren't looking too closely - they're were busy keeping track of the 12-15 unaccompanied minors flying with us. :eek:

~amey

The box idea is a great one but make sure you don't tape it up until after it has been searched. And, they might open it to search it anyhow. This is why I am a fan of heavy duty, clear plastic.

Originally posted by mommy2maya
Boosters are not approved for use on airplanes- there are only lapbelts in airplanes, and for a booster you need a lap/shoulder combo. I

Ours was allowed as long as we used the 5 point harness for flight?? i checked it out ahead of time with the seat company and the airline.

Using the 5pt harness makes it a carseat, not a booster, even if it is a combo seat. You can't use a belt positioning booster on an airplane.

thanks!

I am probably going to gate check it.

This is what the seat looks like: