re: Kids on a plane...Safety D&D

<blockquote><b>Quoting Dr. Paradigm Shift:</b>" So, what, a narwhal's gonna leap out of the ocean, take a majestic flying leap, and spear an airplane with it's horn?"</blockquote>




Probably not, but my grandpa hit a Kodiak bear when it walked onto the runway when he was taking off.

Quoting khigh:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Dr. Paradigm Shift:</b>" So, what, a narwhal's gonna leap out ... [snip!] ... Probably not, but my grandpa hit a Kodiak bear when it walked onto the runway when he was taking off."

HA! wow! Where at?

Quoting L☮J:" Omfg.   I'm 100% for car seats on planes but this made me spit my drink out."

  I can only be serious for so long.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Dr. Paradigm Shift:</b>" HA! wow! Where at?"</blockquote>




He was a test pilot for the air force after Korea. He was testing aircraft in cold weather conditions in Alaska. He says that he was in WWII and Korea and the only plane he lost was to a bear!

Quoting khigh:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Dr. Paradigm Shift:</b>" HA! wow! Where at?"</blockquote> ... [snip!] ... aircraft in cold weather conditions in Alaska. He says that he was in WWII and Korea and the only plane he lost was to a bear!"

You have the craziest stories, dude. You need to write some weird kids' book.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Dr. Paradigm Shift:</b>" You have the craziest stories, dude. You need to write some weird kids' book. "</blockquote>




I would love to write a book of his stories, but he won't talk about the wars. All we know is he did something crazy enough to get a distinguished flying cross.

I'm probably going to do a childrens book about my experiences when I move to India.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Dr. Paradigm Shift:</b>" So, what, a narwhal's gonna leap out of the ocean, take a majestic flying leap, and spear an airplane with it's horn?"</blockquote>




That would be interesting, but no. I'd feel better if my kid was in a car seat, just because it gives me peace of mind. If we're going to crash on a plane, we will either A) Be screwed or B)Survive. I'd rather not be holding my child in the event of turbulence or a crash. Once again, my own personal preference. You held your kids on flights, you felt they were safe in your arms-awesome, I just don't believe my kid would be safe in mine. Am I criticizing OP or anyone else that does 'Lap Child'? Nope, everyone has their own way of doing things.

I always just did the lap child thing if it was a trip we were paying for, but used car seats when the military was paying for the extra seats. Since our flights were overnight, I thought it would be more comfortable for them to hopefully sleep or maybe see out the window. I think having the car seats was a bigger pain, since we had to lug them around everywhere, take the time to secure them into the seat, and then fight with exhausted LOs who preferred to be cuddled in our laps instead of sitting in their seats. *sigh*

Safety was never a huge concern, since I don't think a car seat would be much help during a plane crash. It might be a bit safer in other less violent incidents, but you never know.

So I was thinking about this thread while I was half asleep last night and it got me wondering...for those of you who used car seats did your kids do well in them? Were they wanting to move and get out the whole time or did they pretty much sit still as if they were in a car?

I'm thinking about my 2 1/2 year old now and thinking that he *might* do better on the plane in his car seat... We'll have two flights, both about 2 hours and I don't know how well he will sit still in his own seat and now I'm thinking a car seat might help...

How did your kid do in a seat?

I don't want to struggle lugging the car seat around, but if it helps him stay in his seat and I'm not fighting him kicking and screaming to stay buckled in the whole time, it might be worth it...

Quoting Mrs. Post-tato Head™:" So I was thinking about this thread while I was half asleep last night and it got me wondering...for ... [snip!] ... him stay in his seat and I'm not fighting him kicking and screaming to stay buckled in the whole time, it might be worth it..."

My kids were 3 1/2 and 18 mos old during a 20+ hour trip (spread out over 2 flights), and they did better NOT in their carseats. I don't know if it was a fluke or because of how tired they were and how long the flight was, but that was our experience. I ended up having to stand in the back of the plane, holding and swaying with my 18 month old for an hour or two because he was so upset and wouldn't quiet down for the other passengers to sleep.

I try to keep my kids in their carseats, because it is safer. However, we take military flights and unfortunately, the loudness of them bother my daughter so I keep her attatched to the boob most of the flight, in my lap. But she also generally hates carseats.

Quoting Dahling:" I always just did the lap child thing if it was a trip we were paying for, but used car seats when the ... [snip!] ... car seat would be much help during a plane crash. It might be a bit safer in other less violent incidents, but you never know."

Did you not see pictures of the plane crashes I posted that people survived? I really don't think if someone held their babies that those children would make it. Do you feel safer with your child in your arms in the car? What if you go on a long car trip and they don't want to be buckled up? It's the same thing.

Lap child til 2

Carseat in own seat til 5....just because he doesnt like sitting still and can see more boosted up in his Diono seat (if i had a diff brand of seat he wouldnt use it on the plane because the other brands are too wide and bulky to bother...diono was SUPER fast and easy. Stewardess asked for the brand to recommend because it was so fast!)

Quoting khigh:" Did you not see pictures of the plane crashes I posted that people survived? I really don't think if ... [snip!] ... child in your arms in the car? What if you go on a long car trip and they don't want to be buckled up? It's the same thing."

Would you also be complaining about a toddler screaming nonstop for 8 hours on an overnight flight you were on? Flights are way different than car trips, because there are a lot of other people to consider and we can't just stop and pull over if we need to stretch our legs or get some fresh air. Are you also against unbuckling and getting out of your seat if you need to use the bathroom on the plane? Because a crash could happen then too.

I have taken carseats on one or two plane trips, and in all my times of flying, I've NEVER seen anyone else with little ones bring a carseat on board. If it was really something so dangerous, the airlines would not allow lap children at all. Yes, there is always risk, but it's risky just being on an airplane, carseat or not. Life is full of risks on a daily basis, so we as parents are never going to be able to guarantee our children's safety in every circumstance.