Any advice on how to lug 3 car seats around?
My family and I are flying from Omaha, NE to San Antonio, TX on American Airlines with an 1 1/2 hr. layover in Dallas. We have three children (all weighing under 40lbs. so they have to have car seats). We've looked at the CARES and those are a little more than we can afford so we'll have to take our own. We're really overwhelmed at how we are to carry all these car seats, carry on luggage and deal with our children at the same time...I'm so worried we'll miss our connection flight in Dallas. We've spoken to the airline and they DO NOT provide car seats. Any help or advice would be much appreciated! We are also on a very tight budget. Please help!!
Air Travel - 4 Answers
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1 :
Find a luggage cart.
2 :
in an airport i would put the small children that can walk on a child leash and depends on how many people you have with you to help. each person carry one car seat and one child (on leash) and a baggage. if not take a stroller with you and carry a carseat on the handles of the stroller and child in stroller. don't know if this helps but so you don't lose your kids keep them on a leash (can find at walmart for less than $5.00 child safety harness) this will get you funny looks but BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY!!!!
3 :
If you are renting a car you should be able to rent them from the rental car company. I don't know the cost, but it would save you from the hassle of lugging three seats around. Also, limit your carry on luggage to items that only your children might need.
4 :
Here are a couple of options: Wheels that strap onto to car seat turning it into a wheelable seat. Not cheap ($90) but very useful: http://www.theportablebaby.com/gogokidz.html Cheapest option I've seen ($15): This device straps the car seat on to your trolley carry on and away you go. Only problem is that you have to have a trolley with you to use them. http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-Attach-Rolling-Carry/dp/B000JHN3AS/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-1815974-2569653?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1181141728&sr=8-2 You don't say how old your children are. If one of them is in an infant seat than you may be able to pop the car seat in and out of a stroller making moving around the airport much easier. Also while I overwhelming urge parents traveling with kids to have their own seats with a CRS, a car seat is not required for a child over 2 years old even if the child is under 40 pounds -- a front facing care seat is merely recommended. If none of the above options work for you, you may consider having your largest child merely buckled with the regular seatbelt when you travel. Check out the FAA site (and your airline) for guidelines: http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/ Lastly, airlines are very helpful with families trying to travel. Get to the airport early, check-in early and let the agent know that you need help getting to the gate and changing planes. They should put someone at your disposal to transport you to and from your flights. (This may take some time however so that is why it is best to be there extra early). You should also let them know that you will be traveling with three car seats and you cannot put a car seat in just any seat on a plane (for example it can't be on an aisle that blocks a window seat) and so they will have make sure your seats are assigned properly. Hope this helps. Let me know if you need more advice on traveling with children. Have a good trip!
