What Happens When the Plane goes Bump
                               by the Paranoid Sisters

When Susan Barr’s 18 month old daughter fell off her lap during
unexpected turbulence, she swore she would always use a safety seat 
when flying from that day forward. Fortunately, Susan’s daughter was
unharmed, however, that is not always the case. For her it is well
worth the few extra hundred dollars to be sure her children are
protected.
Even though we are paranoid, we have used air travel several times with
our kids on our laps. We don’t believe that parents are necessarily
giving more thought to money than safety, it’s the “It won’t happen to
me,” thought process.
The following article is reprinted with permission from
http://www.airsafe.com and contains some interesting and helpful
information to consider when making the decision about air travel and
child restraint systems.

Although it is legal to carry children under two on your lap, the FAA
strongly recommends that all children who fly, regardless of their age,
be protected by an approved child restraint system (CRS) that is
appropriate to the child's size and weight. Proper use of an approved
child restraint system enhances child safety in the event of an
accident. A CRS also provides protection for a child during turbulence.
Banned Child Restraint Systems
The FAA on June 4, 1996 issued a rule to ban the use of booster seats 
as well as harness and vest-type child restraint systems aboard all 
U.S. air carriers. Previously, the use of supplemental lap restraints 
(belly belts) was banned from use in aircraft. 
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
which is responsible for approving child restraint systems for 
automobiles and aircraft issued a companion rule that would label 
approved child restraint systems as certified for use in motor 
vehicles and aircraft. Based on test performed by the FAA's Civil 
Aeromedical Institute, the FAA recommends that: Children under 20 
pounds (9.1 kilos) should be restrained in an approved
rear facing CRS. Children weighing 20 to 40 pounds (9.1 to 18.1 kilos)
should be restrained in an approved forward facing CRS.
Children weighing over 40 pounds (18.1 kilos) should use the standard
lap belt that is attached to all airline seats.
For a complete list of safety recommendations for air travel with
children, please call the agency's consumer information hotline at
1-80O-FAA-SURE (1-800-322-7873).
Here are some other tips to make traveling with children easier:
Before you fly check with the airline to find out their busiest days 
and times. By avoiding these times you are more likely to be on a 
flight with an empty seat next to a parent. In many cases airlines will 
allow you to seat your child under two years of age in a child 
restraint in the empty seat at no extra charge. Ask your airline for 
its policy regarding an empty seat. Ask the airline if they offer a 
discounted fare for a child traveling in a CRS. When you buy a ticket 
(discounted or full fare) for your child, you are guaranteed that they 
will have a seat and that you will be able to use the CRS.
If you purchase a ticket for your child, reserve adjoining seats. A 
CRS should be placed in a window seat so it will not block the escape 
path in an emergency. A CRS may not be placed in an exit row.
Check the width of your CRS. While child seats vary in width, a CRS no
wider than 16 inches (40.6 cm) should fit in most coach seats. A CRS
wider than 16 inches (40.6 cm) is unlikely to fit. Even if the armrests
are moved out of the way, a wide CRS will not fit properly into the
frame of the aircraft seat.
If you need to change planes to make a connecting flight, request that
the airline arrange for assistance in your connecting city.

Honestly, we’d have to say that Susan, with her two children contained
in their safety seats looked much more relaxed than we ever did with 
our kids.

Sources: Fly Smart Air Traveler's Checklist, Federal Aviation
Administration