speaking of travel - car seat rentals?

DansMom wrote: Because I'm traveling alone with Daniel in September, for one week, I decided to rent a safety seat along with the rental car. It's 8 dollars a day. I'm sort of concerned that the seat won't be a high quality seat or that they will hand it to me over the counter and I won't be able to install it properly (but my mom and her boyfriend will be there to help me if that's the scenario). Some friends of mine always rent a seat when they travel. They say it makes things a lot easier. Any thoughts out there?---has anyone rented a safety seat when traveling, and were you happy with the seat, etc.?

MommyToAshley replied: I've never rented a car seat, but I wonder if you could call them in advance and ask the brand and model of the car seat. Then, you can do a little research on the internet or somethign. I would think that they would be up to date with recalls for liability reasons, but I would be like you and want to make sure that it is a quality car seat.

amynicole21 replied: Yes, we rented one from Avis over Christmas. It was a dinky cheap little thing - don't expect a Britax or anything The guy there helped us put it in, but it took forever and I am not convinced he really knew what he was doing. The seat seemed secure enough though, and we didn't do too much driving so I felt ok about it. I agree with M2A though - maybe you can find out the model name and download the install instructions before the trip? I don't seem to remember them being available when we got ours.

Jamison'smama replied: I always bring mine along---they don't count it as luggage so I just feel a little better having my own---I am just concerned that the rental seats may have been in crashes etc--the same reason you are not supposed to buy used carseats from consignment shops etc. I agree--if you rent one (which would save some hassel) absolutely do the research ahead of time--make, year made etc.

paradisemommy replied: i agree with brenda..when we went to the mainland, we brought our own carseat and just packed it up really good. they make special carrying bags for them and i know i trust ours more than theirs cause who knows who's been in or what has happenned to it...????

DansMom replied: I'm starting to lean toward taking my own carseat based on what you all say. I have a Britax, and it's easy to install, and I would save 8 dollars a day. So the seat can be checked as baggage? Because I think I will have carrying help up to the luggage counter and when I arrive at my destination as well---my concern is trying to carry the seat and Daniel onto the plane. I'll look into the special travel bag too.

Thanks for the input everyone!

I haven't flown since before 9/11. Every year I have planned to take Daniel to see my family who can't come to see me (my grandmother's too old to travel, for example, and I have lots of cousins who can't afford to travel). Before 9/11 I was already afraid of flying due to plane malfunctions, and now I have other possibilities to add to my nervous imagination. But this will be good for me---I'll have Daniel to focus on, and I know that I can make it fun for him and that will keep my mind off fearful things.

Jamison'smama replied: If Daniel is getting his own seat, you'll want to take it onboard anyway--when I do that, I just stick it in my stroller and then carry or walk Jamison to the plane---you can gate check the stroller so it goes almost to the plane with you of you plan to bring it---there is nothing easy about traveling alone with a toddler but i am getting used to it--I will be doing it again in a couple of weeks. Is D in his own seat? ---I didn't buy one for Jama this time

ediep replied: we are renting a car in florida in spetember when our cruise stops at port canaveral. We are heading to disney that day. The cruise line offers transportation, but they do not require carseats on the shuttle bus. I decided not to take the bus and to reant a cr and a seat fo Jason. It will be about an hour each way. I hope the seat is a good one. Maybe I'll callt he car rental company and research the brand....good idea

Kaitlin'smom replied: I would take my own, I woudl be afraid of a rental one. You could do either if hehas his won seat then on the plane it goes, you will get to board earlier than others anyway so I am sure they will help you, if he will be in your lap then I would check it like luggage, I still have my origianl box in the attic, if I were to travel wit it I would put it in there, seal it and put a HUGE label on it.

Have fun on your trip!

DansMom replied: I'm foolhardy enough to have him in my lap for a two-hour trip (he doesn't have his own seat). I can just see everyone rolling their eyes when they see us board (like I used to before I had kids). I hope he has fun and that his ears don't hurt like mine do. I have a feeling it won't be at all easy for me... I wish DH were going with me!! We just couldn't afford for both of us to go, and since he is a stay at home dad it will be a much needed vacation for him---he's really looking forward to sleeping in and running down to the jazz festival whenever he wants over labor day weekend---and I will have more one on one time with Daniel. Hopefully we'll all survive!

Jamison'smama replied: I'll tell you what has worked best for us and I plan to do it on the 20th as well. I get to the airport as early as possible --sometimes I make a special trip there and then go back home---and ask for a seat change to the bulkhead row--that is the row in the very front without any seats in front of it--just a wall (they don't release those seats until the day of the flight) I usualy ask for the window seat and they block the middle seat--doesn't mean they won't sell it but it can be one of the last seats that get sold. Even if it is purchased, the bulkhead has more room and you can actually set Daniel down in front of you if you need to shift etc---in regular seats if you drop something --forget it, and you know that will happen-it is almost impossible to get anything out of your bag etc. In the bulkhead, you will have to store your stuff overhead or in the little closets in the front of the plane but they are right next to your seat so very convenient--that way, after take-off you can get the bag and actually have access to it. Anyway, that is my suggestion and it took me several flights to figure that one out---

Also there are changing tables in the bathrooms in the plane and can be a much needed break just taking him in there to play in the water for a minute.

DansMom replied: Thanks!!! I'm writing all of this down!

Kaitlin'smom replied:
thats a great idea....I had not thought of getting thoes seats...... your a smart one