Why you should never fly with a child in your lap

[Grumpy]

saw this in the USA Today and thought it was a decent article. Least it makes you think about it.

From USAToday.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/colum...children_N.htm

Why you should never fly with a child in your lap

"Usually I consider it bad form to criticize another publication's advice, but when the issue at hand literally concerns life and death, then attention must be paid. For years now it's become apparent that many adults traveling with babies have no idea how dangerous it is to allow infants and toddlers to fly on commercial airline flights as "lap children." And two recent reports indicate some journalists don't get it either "

And a second excerpt


"Cruel laws of physics

I know what you may be thinking. You're the child's caregiver. You love that little one more than anything in the world. You'd stand in front of an onrushing locomotive or walk through fire for that child. So of course you would hold on for dear life in an airborne emergency.

Well, unless you're from the planet Krypton, the simple fact is you can't.


The NTSB stated as much in its 2004 analysis: "Both laboratory testing and real-world accidents have proven that under high load force events when restraint is most important, arm strength is not sufficient to protect even a small child." That's because commercial aircraft are designed to withstand tremendous g-forces, but humans are not. And therefore a 25-pound baby could easily weigh three or four times that amount when you're struggling to hold onto it during an emergency, let alone dealing with impact, smoke or fire. You wouldn't climb the side of a sheer mountain with your baby in one arm and a pick ax in the other, yet the G-forces in that situation are many times less than in a pressurized airplane moving at .82 mach, or four-fifths the speed of sound. In addition, a baby strapped inside your own seat belt can easily be crushed by your weight during an emergency.

Unfortunately, these laws of physics have been proven time and again, in the most heartbreaking of circumstances. In several cases, lap children have been seriously injured and killed in accidents that were survivable. There also are documented cases—including a flight near Puerto Rico in 1990—in which lap children were the only serious injuries when a commercial aircraft encountered severe turbulence. These are sobering findings that can make any parent's chest constrict. But the stakes couldn't be higher, so it's critical that all those who are traveling with small children understand the gravity of their decisions."



The article goes on to provide details on exactly WHY this is allowed and exactly WHY you can't hold on to the child.

[T-Rex]

I was completely against holding my daughter and then everyone around me said I was nuts. "just hold her in your lap. It's a waist of money." "she'll do one of two things 1 she'll want to be held and sleep or 2 she'll want to be walked up and down the isle." So I booked as Child on Lap and now I feel horrible. My ex is a pilot and I know the dangers of turbulence. Maybe, I should have gone with my gut.

[LuvDisney]

Awww, don't feel bad Statia, what's done is done and your DD is fine. Water under the bridge.

We flew twice when DD was young enough to be a lap child, but always purchased a seat for her. She seemed very comfortable and familiar with being in her carseat so it was good. It was nice whan airlines used to offer discounted fares for children under 2. It's a shame they don't do that anymore to try to keep the kids safe. It's that almighty dollar.

[Grumpy]

Statia
Relax. She and u will be fine. Brian will never be just because he is a little unstable like me. (as u know )

[T-Rex]

Gail, thanks for the confidence!
Tom, yes I do know!

[TravelinGal]

We booked Ethan as a lap child on his first flight (DEN-LAS) and we lucked out and the flight wasn't full, so he got his own seat in his car seat/carrier. I did the same thing on a flight to Cancun and didn't luck out that time. (Thank God nothing bad happened!) After that we always have booked him his own seat. And he always rides in his car seat. Even though it will be a real challenge traveling with it (DH isn't going on this trip), I will take it and use it on the plane.

Statia - have you already traveled? If not, you could look at getting another seat - if you feel strongly about it. Chances are slim that anything bad will happen, but... It's your call.

I've tried to share posts like this before and people get all nasty about how they hate people questioning their parenting skills. That wasn't the point, but people take it that way far to often. I'm glad nobody is taking offense here.

[PolyBride'03]

The last time Ava was a lap child was 14 mths...she is a big kid..and we knew she needed her own seat, for our comfort!!! lol
I did purchase one of those CARES seat belts...brand new...used 2x....if anyone here cared to borrow it, my pleasure!!

If you aren't familiar, you can check their site
www.kidsflysafe.com