I have seen the special bags to put your car seat in when you have to check it with the rest of your luggage. Is this bag really necessary? We did not use it before, but we were flying with a baby carrier type, and now we have a convertible one. What do you think?
The very first time I flew with my very first baby, guess what was lost when it was checked? That's right, the car seat. The car rental company did not have one, so I took my baby in my arms and went to see my dying grandmother. Scared to death. The next time, I got one from the car rental company. EEWW!! Never again. So I have always gate checked my car seat. Thank goodness for the carts in airports - well worth the expense.
The bags are nice to keep the car seats or strollers clean, but they do not protect against damage.
You cannot use a car seat on a plane unless it says it is FAA approved. Check the label on the seat to find out. If not you can gate check it, but then you have to lug it around the airport with you.
I prefer to use them. I think it keeps the car seat safer and cleaner. They're not very expensive and you can get one at Target or Babies R Us.
I used it... Wanna know a trick? Buy a bigger sized bag, and put some of your stuff in it. :) I was able to pack all of my clothes in with the car seat, so I didn't have to pay for checking it. :) (The airline I used doesn't charge to check carseats... only regular luggage. hee hee.) Everything else fit into my carry-on.
We used one for our convertible car seat. It helped protect it from dirt. Plan ahead and buy a mid-grade one on sale.
Most of the airlines we used put the car seat in a special holding area for more fragile items. I even had a bag for the umbrella stroller (cleaner and easy to find). I was happy that any damage was to the bag and not the seat or stroller - it was very minor, like it got dirty or very mildly scraped. We were not charged for a luggage cart and were able to get the bag where it needed to be on the cart or on our back (it had straps but no wheels since I heard they often break). I'd do it again. We also had to do some juggling to get the umbrella stroller through one part of our trip so we stuffed the duffel bag into the carseat bag for one part and then used that duffel later in our trip. We were not allowed to use our FAA approved seat on our international flights.
It is absolutely not necessary. We bought one and our Britax Boulevard BARELY fit in it. Then we had child #2 and flew and didn't buy another one and they put the car seat in a huge plastic bag and tied the top. It's just to keep it all together, tagged, and keep from losing parts of it.
If you get one get the kind that has back pack staps so you can put it on your back.
We use the Go Go Babyz car seat attachment and roll the car seat (and often a kiddo) to the gate. We then gate check the seat. Works like a charm.
The bags aren't NECESSARY but they are NICE to have for a couple of reasons.
1) Often they have small wheels on one edge and a shoulder strap or pull handle. This makes lugging that thing to the check in counter much easier (especially since you'll also have a small child and your other bags in tow).
2) While the bags are soft so don't protect it from getting thrown around... your child actually has to SIT on that thing, so keeping it insulated from the dirt, debris, water drips, etc. of the tarmac is a nice idea (not to mention the stuff that might spill from other peoples' bags).
Also, if you're purchasing a seat for your child (which seems like you are unless you just have a large baby), you may as well bring the seat along and let him/her ride in it on the plane. Beware though, when installed forward facing, my son could feel the buckle behind his seat and it caused him pain, so make sure you get the buckle outside of the seat.
HTH
T.
Not necessary but nice to have. Easier to carry the seat when not in use, and once when our bag was over the weight limit to avoid a $50 charge, I emptied some of the contents and threw it in the car seat bag with the car seat. Saved me $100 going and coming back. I now plan better on the weight. It also keeps the seat cleaner from going on the belt etc.
The airline always gave us a plastic bag for our carseats when we checked in.
I always use one b/c its easier....get the one with wheels (only about$30 at Target or BabiesRUs).....and like someone else said...ypu can pack stuff in because they dont weigh them or charge you for them. Granted its a hot mess putting the seat and clothes/shoes/etc...whatever doesnt fit into your checked bags in the airport, but I always liked having the bag. You spend enough money on a car seat....the airlines are rough with your luggage, so protect your carseat. The one I have can fit a baby carrier and the base or a convertible seat....have traveled with both of them and worked great. There are certain ways you have to fit them in....dont think it wont fit, you may have to play around with it. I travel by myself with my kids alot and would recommend the case to everyone traveling with a carseat. Not expensive and worth it.
