FYI: recently I flew with my then 18 month old. I had bought a seat for him and he was in his car seat. Well, he got scared and didn't want to be in his car seat, so he started screaming (this was all before the plane took off). I tried frantically to calm him down but he wouldn't stop screaming. Just before take-off, the FA came over and politely suggested that I take him out and hold him! I know that a screaming kid can be annoying on a plane, but is it so bad that it's worth putting his life in jeopardy??? I admit that I've occasionally flown with my kids on my lap, but I didn't feel good about it anymore, which is why I had bought him a seat.

I agree that the airlines need to take a stance one way or the other. And if it's "NOT safe" to hold them on your lap, why not make those seats affordable for the parents? The 10% or whatever discount doesn't help a whole lot.

carib traveler, the airlines don't mandate this the FAA mandates this.

The reason they won't demand you buy a seat for your child is because flying is still safer than driving and the FAA is afraid if they demand you buy a seat, you will not fly and will drive.

It is the FAA not the airline. As a parent, you may want to look into this. Maybe even try change the legislation?

If you read my first post, you will see all accredited associations (Medical, pediatrics, pilots, FAs etc) highly recommend you purchase a seat for your child and use a carrier.

GoTravel: I know that. The airlines can chose to do it, but they don't because FAA doesn't force them to do it. And I know it's about money. It was a rhetorical point on my part, and not really a question.

We used to fly Southwest frequently with little ones, once they started getting around 2 years old, we carried the birth certificate and had to use it on several occasions. Unless they've recently changed their policy, Southwest will allow you to take a car seat on the plane, even if you don't have a ticket for your child. AS LONG AS THERE IS SPACE AVAILABLE, you can use your car seat without paying for a separate ticket. However, if the flight is full, they will gate-check the car seat and the child will be on your lap. So if you truly can't afford another ticket, there is still a possibility that you can get your youngster on a plane, in a seat, without paying for a ticket.