Do you rent car seats or just fly with your own?

We went to the lake region of NY earlier this month and rented car seats for the first time. They were pretty gross and I never felt like they were that safe.

We are flying to Boston this week and still undecided if we should rent or lug our own. I like to travel light and it is such a pain to fly with 2 car seats. I suggested buying a booster seat for 4yo DS but DH doesn't think that is safe.

Do you usually rent or fly with your own car seats?

Re: Do you rent car seats or just fly with your own?

We take our own. We have only gone to Florida and England, but all the times we have flown we checked DD's car seat.

Do you rent car seats or just fly with your own?

I have only rented. It was clean and a GRACO. Nto top of the line model but perfectly safe. it was so clean I thought it was new.

Re: Do you rent car seats or just fly with your own?

it seems like such a PITA but keep in mind that if you check your car seat, you cannot be sure that it was properly cared for while being handled. i've read many stories about them being tossed on the ground by baggage handlers thus compromising their safety. you'd need to carry them on.

Message edited 7/22/2013 1:32:19 PM.

Re: Do you rent car seats or just fly with your own?

Re: Do you rent car seats or just fly with your own?

Posted by Bridex100

Posted by cateyemm

it seems like such a PITA but keep in mind that if you check your car seat, you cannot be sure that it was properly cared for while being handled. i've read many stories about them being tossed on the ground by baggage handlers thus compromising their safety. you'd need to carry them on.

I think the part about travel DH hates most is lugging those car seats around. That is, after a screaming toddler on the plane.

Re: Do you rent car seats or just fly with your own?

Posted by cateyemm

Posted by Bridex100

Posted by cateyemm

it seems like such a PITA but keep in mind that if you check your car seat, you cannot be sure that it was properly cared for while being handled. i've read many stories about them being tossed on the ground by baggage handlers thus compromising their safety. you'd need to carry them on.

I think the part about travel DH hates most is lugging those car seats around. That is, after a screaming toddler on the plane.

this is why i stayed home this summer!

Do you rent car seats or just fly with your own?

travel with our own

Do you rent car seats or just fly with your own?

We will be traveling with our own and gate checking it.

Re: Do you rent car seats or just fly with your own?

We will be traveling with our own next week but taking it on the plane for DD to sit. I think it will be easier for her to stay calm if it's more like a car ride. Plus, I get motion sick and I am pregnant so it's easier for DH if she is secure since I will need to take care of myself, aka hold the paper bag. lol

Re: Do you rent car seats or just fly with your own?

I rented when we went on vacation, first time ever doing this and next time I will take my own. Even though we reserved a convertible car seat when I made my reservation online they mostly had boosters and infant seats and I needed a convertible car seat. I was livid that they didn't have any until the lady said let me check another area and she brought back two and they were flimsy and not so clean. I really had no choice at this moment. DH and I made sure it was installed very very tightly and just made the best of it. I would bring your own if you can.

Re: Do you rent car seats or just fly with your own?

We rented.. If they are gross again, ask for different ones.

Re: Do you rent car seats or just fly with your own?

I'd think twice before renting a car seat...you do not know the history of the seat and therefore you don't know if it's safe or not. You don't know whether it's been in an accident (most seats require that they be replaced if even in the most minor of accidents), you don't know how they cleaned the straps (you cannot submerge straps in water, and most need to be a cleaned a specific way according to the manufacturers guidelines), etc.

And if you bring your own seats, the car seat techs will tell you not to check it or even gate check it. They consider a checked seat a wrecked seat because as someone else stated, you do not know how they handled your seat. Going back to how most seats require replacement after even the most minor of accidents, the way these seats are handled (just youtube it, and you'll be disgusted), it is considered the same.

Re: Do you rent car seats or just fly with your own?

Carseat

Purchased these to travel with because they are SUPER light and easy to install quickly. When you hook the front facing anchor to the base it slips on the handle of a rolling suitcase. My husband is easily able to roll our two suitcases with a carseat on each while I push the twins in a stroller.