Sharon said: June 29th 2010 10:06 AM

Do you know if the cares harness goes under or over the tray tables on the jetstar planes (domestic flight) as I think their setup is a little different to Qantas planes

We flew Qantas with it last time and while we had to argue several times that it was safe to use as the hostesses had never seen them before we were finally fitted ok, lucky we took the letter from CASA with us!

Do you have any tips for getting the info on the booking and then not having to repeat yourself a thousand times at the airport and again on the plane

Many thanks

Donna @ Travel Toddler said: June 29th 2010 2:13 PM

Hi Sharon,

I haven’t had any problems installing the CARES on Jetstar (I regularly fly domestic to visit family). I’ve also listed the related Q&A, from the manufacturers website, at the end of this post. 

That’s great that you were able to use it on Qantas. I’m sorry you had to be persistent though, that can be tiring! I have been using it for 2 years+, mainly on Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jetstar. I would say I have had no problems. When boarding I explain I have a CARES harness & I carry the CASA letter with my boarding pass. If they look bewildered I explain that it is fully CASA/FAA approved & show them the letter. I suggest that I will install it and invite them back to have a look at it then. Once they see it they have been fine (even complimentary) about it.

I would say though that the recognition with the flight crew is certainly improving. I have been told the flight crew are trained on its use, but it depends on when they last did the training etc. Also, we’ve successfully worked with Qantas to update their website, which now specifically mentions CARES. This can be seen here under Child Restraint Devices; http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/travelling-with-children-infants/global/en. Your next Qantas flight should be easier!

With relation to Jetstar, we recently had a Little Gulliver customer phone us, after some frustrating Jetstar phone calls. She was wanting to get the CARES listed on her flight booking, as you have mentioned. So, we put it to the test and phoned ourselves (we have a Jetstar trip coming up). We explained it is CASA/FAA approved and TOLD them to add it to the booking as we WILL be using it. This may sound a bit harsh, but as it is fully approved I feel confident in doing this. So, I guess my tip is to sound confident, stress that it is fully approved, manufactured by Amsafe and that you will be using it. Please add it to the booking! Having said that, I’ve used it and never (until now) had it added to the booking. But I can see that it could make it easier.

There is a happy ending though. We canvas the airlines regularly about updating their policies and websites to get the information out there and make life easier for us all. Jetstar has been our main focus in previous months and there is some good news coming up!  Watch this space.

Finally though, I have generally been able to use CARES without flight crew barely giving it a second glance. Sometimes I think their main concern is doing their final check (before takeoff) and noting that the waist belt is done up and that our bags are stowed correctly! 

I’ve waffled a bit, but I hope it helps & let us know how you go. Comments from other users most welcome.

Regards,

Donna

Here’s a copy of a Q&A on the Kids Fly Safe website. It can be located at http://www.kidsflysafe.com/faqs;

Q. Does CARES affect the operation of the tray behind the child’s seat?

A. No. Ensuring that CARES did not adversely affect the functionality of the tray was an important FAA criteria for certifying CARES. The tray is lowered for only a minute while the red webbing loop is adjusted around the seat, and then is closed and locked in place, covering up the CARES loop. CARES does not affect the functioning or use of the tray.

In some older style seats found occasionally on small planes, the tray fits into a plastic cavity with recessed sides. In these the CARES red loop, when pulled taut, could prevent the tray from closing securely. In this case, the CARES loop should be installed around the seat and OVER the stowed tray for taxiing, turbulence, take off, and landing. (See FAA Advisory Circular 120-87A “Use of Child Restraints on Aircraft”, which can be found in the “In-flight Documents” section of this website.)

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Kylie said: June 28th 2010 8:37 AM

Hi

I am very interested in the CARES travel harness for my 2 yo. However it looks like the harness would effect the lowering of the tray for the passenger seated behind my daughter. Is this a possibility or has this been taken into account in the design?

Donna @ Travel Toddler said: June 28th 2010 2:42 PM

Hi Kylie,

Good question, it does look like it could effect the tray table & you’re not the first to ask! Actually, you do lower the tray table behind your child’s seat while installing, as you suggested. After the red strap is in place the tray table can then be closed again, over the strap. It actually doesn’t impede the use of the tray table at all and has been extensively tested by the manufacturer.

I’ve included a step by step installation guide below, with some photo’s. I’m hoping the photo’s make it easier to understand than my rambling! 

Also, you may be interested in a previous post which shows video of how it is installed. It can be viewed here http://traveltoddler.com.au/2010/05/installing-a-cares-video-2/. The installation part begins at around 1.40 minutes into the video.

Step One: Seat your child in the aeroplane seat they will occupy.

Step Two: Lower the tray table behind your child’s seat.

Step Three: Slide the RED LOOP of the CARES restraint over the seat back, adjust the height of the RED LOOP so it is just above your child’s shoulders and tighten it. Then close the tray table (covering the Red Loop).

Step Four: Place the BLACK SHOULDER STRAPS over your child’s shoulders. Slide both ends of the aeroplane seat belt through the loops at the bottom.

Step Five: Buckle the seat belt and pull it snugly across your child’s lap, as you normally would do. Then buckle the chest clip (adjust the height – so it fits comfortably over your child’s chest if necessary).

That’s it, the CARES is installed! CARES is recommended for kids in their own seat weighing between 10 – 20 kilos and up to a metre tall. It is certified for used during all phases of flight; taxiing, take off , cruising and landing.

Anything I’ve missed or any other comments are most welcome.

Regards,

Donna

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kate said:   May 9th, 2010 2:09 pm

we are travelling 12 hours on a plane overseas with our toddler who doesnt sleep and gets hyper. She has her own seat this time but we cannot decide whether to look into bringing her car seat or not . We are thinking of buying the wheels accessory to push her in the airport . But we cannot decide to go this route or buy a safety harness instead. Would love some feedback . I suppose we need to be sure both airlines accept car seats . thank you .

Donna @ Travel Toddler said:   May 9th, 2010 5:25 pm

Hello Kate,

CARES vs. car seats on planes: CARES is superior to a carseat when travelling with toddlers on planes* and I see it as the best alternative.

I dont like the idea of taking the seat out of the car, making sure its fitted back in correctly and then the potential of damage to the seat in transit. I like that CARES fits directly onto the aircraft seat and allows it to flex as intended, while supporting the childs upper torso. And, its light and fits in my carry-on luggage! This is why I created my business (Little Gulliver) and brought the CARES to Australia*.

Some people use a car seat believing their children will sleep better in them, as they do in a car. Others say they wont use car seats on planes again as the child has been uncomfortable. Many times the airline seat cant recline with the car seat in it, the tray table can’t lower over the childs legs, I’ve heard of angry fellow passengers as the child can kick the back of the seat in front! I guess the main problem is that once you have the car seat on board there isnt really an option to remove it if things go awry.

I’ve never had any problem with my children sleeping in a CARES, remembering that plane travel is never that pleasant for everyone anyway. We alway’s take the standard snacks, activities and soft toys from home and hope for the best. I think a good place to start is to see if your particular car seat is approved by your airlines, as you mentioned. Many makes and models are not, while Virgin Blue and Tiger Airways don’t allow car seats at all. Also, consider a travel stroller as an option if you do want wheels at the airport. There are some great travel strollers around (we use a Quicksmart) and Ive heard of people buying cheap umbrella strollers to use (strollers on planes though starts a whole new conversation)!

Thank you for your questions and feedback, I hope my comments help.

Happy Mothers Day to all!

Donna

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