Trina, one of my daycare moms is taking her two toddlers on a flight during spring break next month. She's got the travel vest for her 16mo, but the 2 1/2yo will have his own seat. She doesn't want to take carseats on the plane (her sister has them for when they get where they're going). I had thought there was a booster vest out there, but I can't find it online. Have they taken it off the market? I don't remember if it was approved for airline travel anyway. The mom is concerned her ds won't stay in the seat very well (I seriously doubt he will!). She said she planned on just taking rubber bands to put around the seatbelt so he couldn't get it off. Do you have any recomendations? She really doesn't want to have to carry carseats through the airports (I've btdt and it really is a pain, but I did it anyway--can't say I blame her for not wanting to, though). What do you suggest? TIA

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 11:51 am:

Actually, I don't believe travel vests are allowed on aircraft. She should call the airline before hand to make sure. Even though it is a PITB to bring car seats, I highly recommend it. The kids will be safest that way and will be easier to manage while restrained in their seats.

More info:
FAA - Flying With Children

"While booster seats and harness vests enhance safety in vehicles, FAA prohibits passengers from bringing these types of devices on airplanes for use during taxi, take-off and landing. These devices should be checked as baggage. Also, supplemental lap restraints or "belly belts" are not approved for use in both airplanes and vehicles in the United States.

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CPSafety.org - Airline Travel and Child Safety
What about those "vests" that fasten to the parent's seat belt?:

- As mentioned above, any child on your lap has the potential to become a human air bag for their parent. A vest offers no more protection than holding the child on your lap. There is generally enough slack in the "tether" that attaches the vest to the seat belt to allow the child to be flung towards seats, the ceiling, and the sides of the aircraft, as well as other passengers. Most airlines state that they DO NOT allow any of these types of vests. One popular model states that it is "tested to meet or exceed FAA stress levels", but currently, there is NO certification or FAA standards for this type of product. The FAA has banned the use of these "belly belts" and vests; they are not permitted during take-off, landing or any movement on the surface (taxi). Many parents trying to use these products have found that the airline WILL NOT ALLOW their use, despite the fact that the product package reassures them they can.

By Cat on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 12:25 pm:

Thanx, Trina. Like I said, she doesn't want to carry two kids, two carseats and everything else. Unfortunately, there's not much more I can do than make suggestions to her and pray nothing happens. With her 2yo, though, I'D certainly want something to strap him into! lol He's my "challenging" child here (besides my own lol). Thanx again.