Tote-a-Tot: Has anyone used this?
Jul 26th, 2006, 09:52 AM
#1
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Tote-a-Tot: Has anyone used this?
http://www.familyonboard.com/tote_a_...t_carrier.html
Does it actually work?
I have to travel in October with my rather large infant. Has anyone else used anything that is helpful in getting around the airport and transporting all the "gear" that a baby requires?
Also, a somewhat silly question..but do I need any ID for my baby. [Obviously not a drivers license
] but do I need a birth certificate or anything for just traveling within the US?
Does it actually work?
I have to travel in October with my rather large infant. Has anyone else used anything that is helpful in getting around the airport and transporting all the "gear" that a baby requires?
Also, a somewhat silly question..but do I need any ID for my baby. [Obviously not a drivers license
] but do I need a birth certificate or anything for just traveling within the US?
Jul 26th, 2006, 10:45 AM
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I've seen them. My concern would be that the child would be at a height (in other words, low enough) to be hit (acidentally of course) by someone else's bags, etc. The child would be awfully close to the ground, closer than in a regular stroller. Also, the child would be behind you as you pulled it, and you would not see what was happening with the child.
I found an umbrella stroller and a shoulder bag work best for traveling with small children and infants.
I found an umbrella stroller and a shoulder bag work best for traveling with small children and infants.
Jul 26th, 2006, 11:55 AM
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Nifty idea, though I agree with the other comments re being pulled behind you. When our kids were that age, we took an umbrella stroller with the kid in it, had a diaper bag and/or backpack, and then to carry the car seat I took the strap off an extra duffle bag, ran it through the car seat, and could carry the car seat off my shoulder.
Any time we had time, we had the kids walk themselves, and put the car seat in the stroller - the more worn out they are before getting on the plane, the better!
Any time we had time, we had the kids walk themselves, and put the car seat in the stroller - the more worn out they are before getting on the plane, the better!
Jul 26th, 2006, 12:26 PM
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The only time we have been asked for a birth certificate for our son was when he was under 2 and flying for free. The lady wanted proof he was indeed under 2. We did nto have it with us because I have never been asked for cerification before with our other kids. The ramp agent said that sometimes they will charge you the amount of a ticket but refund the money once the certificate has been proven. So, if baby is under 2 but close to it where there may be a question (not if the baby is say 6 months, that hopefully would be obvious to the ticket agents) and you have not purchased a ticket then I would carry birth certificate with you.
yes, my friend has used this seats that strap onto the luggage and she LOVED them. She said she got plenty of stares from people, but her kids loved the ride and it made it easier for them to get around the airport.
yes, my friend has used this seats that strap onto the luggage and she LOVED them. She said she got plenty of stares from people, but her kids loved the ride and it made it easier for them to get around the airport.
Jul 26th, 2006, 01:05 PM
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I fly with my 2 year old daughter fairly frequently, and have never seen this. It looks like it could work well, but as with everything, you have to be very careful that he doesn't get bumped into by people who are not looking where they are going. For that price, it seems to be worth a shot.
As for ID for the baby, it's usually not necessary, but I always bring a copy of my daughter's birth certificate when I am flying with her. I've only been asked for it once, when she was almost 2 and I hadn't bought a seat for her - I suspect I would have been charged the walk-up price for a ticket for her if I hadn't had proof of her age. Our daughter also has a passport, but that is only necessary when we take her out of the country.
Have a great trip.
As for ID for the baby, it's usually not necessary, but I always bring a copy of my daughter's birth certificate when I am flying with her. I've only been asked for it once, when she was almost 2 and I hadn't bought a seat for her - I suspect I would have been charged the walk-up price for a ticket for her if I hadn't had proof of her age. Our daughter also has a passport, but that is only necessary when we take her out of the country.
Have a great trip.
Jul 26th, 2006, 02:39 PM
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I'd make sure that you had a good roller suitcase first - don't want it twisting sideways suddenly with your baby attached! But I would recommend the Baby Bair air turbulence vest advertised near the bottom of the page you link to. If the flight is of any length your child will want some lap time (or breast-feeding time) - and unexpected turbulence could be very dangerous. Fully gov't approved, etc, etc. We use it whenever we travel.
Jul 26th, 2006, 06:19 PM
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bgans - I thought I'd piggyback off this posting. Since you have a lot of air travel experience with a toddler, I wanted to ask you if you had any suggestions. I'll be traveling with my almost 2 yr old and not sure if I should buy the extra seat or not. What is your opinion? Also, is it best to check in the umbrella stroller and possible car seat at the actually gate? If you've been to the Caribbean, is a passport req'd for a 2 yr old and is a car seat necessary for a cab ride or shuttle ride? Would a carseat be required if we took a shuttle to the hotel from an airport in the US? If not, would you suggest bringing a carseat in case we were to rent a car for a day and check it in at the gate? Thanks so much!
Jul 26th, 2006, 06:54 PM
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Aruba-
Definitely get your child his own seat. Would you feel safe holding your child on your lap in your car? Also, an almost 2 year on your lap will be an uncomfortable experience for you, the child and the passengers around you (especially the one who sits in front of you because your child will inevitably kick the back of the seat in front of you- if he's sitting on your lap, where else can his legs go?).
As for the carseat on the plane, how well does your child do in a carseat? For some kids, it's easier to put them in their carseats on the plane because they know they need to stay in the seat; they're accustomed to napping in their seat, etc. Other kids do better with just the seatbelts (those kids who hate their carseats). If you don't use the carseat, then check it as a bag. Don't haul it to the gate to be gate checked. It's just one more item to lug through the airports. We always put our carseats in large plastic garbage bags (Hefty brand works well) and taped them shut. You can also buy a carseat bag or a large duffle for it.
Use an umbrella stroller in the airport and gate check it. Don't use more than a $20 umbrella stroller because baggage handlers are not likely to take as good of care of your $$$ stroller as you would.
Where are you going in the Caribbean? You might not need a passport for Puerto Rico or the USVI but your child will defintely need one for everywhere else.
Most counties (and states too) have exemptions to carseat laws for public carriers such as taxis and shuttle buses. However, you need to check the laws of your destination. Car rental companies often have carseats to rent but those seats are usually pretty worn and dirty.
Definitely get your child his own seat. Would you feel safe holding your child on your lap in your car? Also, an almost 2 year on your lap will be an uncomfortable experience for you, the child and the passengers around you (especially the one who sits in front of you because your child will inevitably kick the back of the seat in front of you- if he's sitting on your lap, where else can his legs go?).
As for the carseat on the plane, how well does your child do in a carseat? For some kids, it's easier to put them in their carseats on the plane because they know they need to stay in the seat; they're accustomed to napping in their seat, etc. Other kids do better with just the seatbelts (those kids who hate their carseats). If you don't use the carseat, then check it as a bag. Don't haul it to the gate to be gate checked. It's just one more item to lug through the airports. We always put our carseats in large plastic garbage bags (Hefty brand works well) and taped them shut. You can also buy a carseat bag or a large duffle for it.
Use an umbrella stroller in the airport and gate check it. Don't use more than a $20 umbrella stroller because baggage handlers are not likely to take as good of care of your $$$ stroller as you would.
Where are you going in the Caribbean? You might not need a passport for Puerto Rico or the USVI but your child will defintely need one for everywhere else.
Most counties (and states too) have exemptions to carseat laws for public carriers such as taxis and shuttle buses. However, you need to check the laws of your destination. Car rental companies often have carseats to rent but those seats are usually pretty worn and dirty.
Jul 26th, 2006, 07:06 PM
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padams - Thanks for the great information/advice. I like the plastic bag/duffle option. I never thought of that. The Fodorites on this site are so helpful! It looks like I have some more homework/checking into to do now: )
Jul 26th, 2006, 07:26 PM
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Aruba - Whenever possible, I try to get my daugher her own seat (the only times I did not were for 2 very short flights that were close to full and I hated every minute of it). It makes life so much easier for everyone involved and is much, much safer for your child.
Most of the time when we travel, I use a Sit n Stroll, it's a combination carseat/stroller. It's a decent car seat (but not one I'd want to use everyday - it's a pain to hook up everytime you use it). It's a lousy stroller and only useful in airports or for very short trips on perfectly flat surfaces. Before we had it, I'd gate check a cheap umbrella stroller and my daughter would sit in her car seat in her plane seat.
As for the Carribean, we've taken her to Barbados twice. Barbados has required passports for US visitors for a long time. The general rule is - if you need a passport, so does your child, no matter how young (out daughter got hers when she was 4 months old). No one there ever seemed to require a car seat, but since we always rent a car while we are there, and will not take her in a car without one, we always bring it.
Most of the time when we travel, I use a Sit n Stroll, it's a combination carseat/stroller. It's a decent car seat (but not one I'd want to use everyday - it's a pain to hook up everytime you use it). It's a lousy stroller and only useful in airports or for very short trips on perfectly flat surfaces. Before we had it, I'd gate check a cheap umbrella stroller and my daughter would sit in her car seat in her plane seat.
As for the Carribean, we've taken her to Barbados twice. Barbados has required passports for US visitors for a long time. The general rule is - if you need a passport, so does your child, no matter how young (out daughter got hers when she was 4 months old). No one there ever seemed to require a car seat, but since we always rent a car while we are there, and will not take her in a car without one, we always bring it.
