That's part of why I'd like to take it with me or at the very least gate check it. I feel like if it's gate checked it will be handled slightly better or at least mishandled for less time (shorter distance to go, right?).
Part of the problem is I was planning on doing a one way rental to get to the airport, so I can't get the little one to the airport without a car seat already.
Ugh driving the entire trip looks like the easier route but I have at least two other flights this year I have to take and paying full price for his ticket is not in the budget.