FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - No belt for infant on lap at takeoff, is this legal?
Old Mar 20, 2013 | 12:18 pm
  #24  
CBear
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,731
Originally Posted by kmcbrid2
If the OP assumed a lap belt would have been provided then they could have checked the car seat since airlines do show you the option to fly with a lap child.

If you travel a lot with a lap child then invest in a baby Bjorn or travel baby seat belt. These will secure your baby better than a lap belt. We use the Bjorn to travel and don't use the lap belts. I just think it is a waste of money to purchase a seat for a lap baby.

Here's a good example of why it is not a "waste of money" to buy an infant a seat.

I flew into SEA this weekend. I had my child restrained in a FAA approved car seat. In front of me was a couple with a very squirmy baby. They had their hands full the entire flight. I gave my boy some toys and a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse dvd and he was happy as a clam. Flight was smooth except for landing. Seems like we hit some turbulence on landing and we were tossed around pretty good. Bad enough that I had to hold on to the car seat to steady myself. I noticed the couple in front of me had a very hard time holding on to their squirmy baby and dad grabbed the baby just in time a hair's breadth to spare between the window and baby's head.

I don't consider peace of mind in a situation like that a "waste of money" and I STRONGLY urge you to read the FAA's recommendation on lap infants. Buy them a seat and strap them into a car seat.

http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/
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