In 2007 the only survivor of a plane crash in British Columbia was a 3 year old girl who was found upside down in her car seat. In another situation, flight attendant Jan Lohr reported that turbulence hit suddenly and was very severe on one of her flights. The result of this turbulence was that eight children sitting on their 
parents laps flew over 8 rows of seats and were injured, some seriously.
The U.S. still allows airline companies to let parents hold their children under the age of two on their laps. Why is this?
Why do Airlines Allow Children to be Carried on their Parent’s laps?
It’s believed that the airlines feel that if parents were required to buy a seat for their toddlers, they would opt for car or train travel instead. Until the laws do change, the responsible thing to do is to put your little ones in a car seat or restraint. The airlines still allow parents to carry little ones on their laps until the age of two.
A baby under the age of 1 year or that weighs less than 22 pounds needs to be strapped and belted into a car seat in their own plane seat. There are very small, light car seats available that can be used as child carriers and will keep your baby safe while flying.
What about a child over a year old and at least 22 pounds? You can continue to use your car seat but there is another option.
The CARES Restraint System
CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) is a device that uses a belt and buckle along with the airplane seat belt to give your little one the same protection as a car seat. Not only does the CARES restraint give the same protection as a car seat, it’s also really convenient. It weighs one pound and will easily fit into a 6 inch bag!
The CARES is portable and you can use it on any seat on the plane except for the emergency rows. You can’t use CARES in a car so you’ll need to check your car seat into baggage. That sure beats lugging a car seat around the airport.
Studies showing deaths and injuries on airplanes could be prevented resulted in the American Academy of Pediatrics recommending that kids ride in child safety seats or restraints on airplanes. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) both said that children should sit in child safety seats or devices during air travel.
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CARES Information
Let’s talk about the CARES restraint system. It’s easy to install and kids find it very comfortable and most parents report that their children have no trouble sleeping.
To clean the CARES unit just wipe it with a wet cloth. CARES can be bought from Amazon now for $64.95 and shipping is free.
CARES is made by the main airplane seat belt manufacturer, AmSafe Aviation. They have a warranty of 1 year for certain parts and 3 years for others.
Great Owner Feedback
One of the owner reviews on Amazon caught my eye. Craig Weisz says, “This is a great product for kids who are too big to travel in a carseat but may be too small to be firmly held by a lap belt alone. This product is lightweight and portable, a pleasure after lugging carseats onto airplanes. It installs quickly and easily.
The airlines demand that carry on items be stowed away because in the event of an accident or turbulence, they could be a danger. Doesn’t it make sense to make sure your little ones are given the same restraint and regard so that they won’t be a casualty?
Jerry Patterson is the parent of two children and five grandchildren. He’s a retired teacher, child safety advocate and creator of the Car Seats Reviews site at http://www.carseats-reviews.com. He researches and writes reviews on the best car seats. He recently has written a review on the best convertible car seats.