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NTSB Urges Use Of Child Safety Seats on Airplanes

For years, kids under two have flown free if they sit on their parents laps. It's the cheapest thing but it's not the safest thing. Three children have died in crashes from being thrown across the cabin. Whether or not any seat of any kind could protect a passenger in the event of a crash, the benefits of children strapped into car seats far outway the risk. First off, through experience in the car, kids know they can't go anywhere when they are in the car seat. This alone, would eliminate the annoying (to parents and nearby passengers) squirm factor children are so good at displaying when in flight. Second, when a parent is seated next to another passenger, that passneger suffers from the kid climbing all over them as well. Car seats in flight would eliminate this.

I have two kids and I've put them on planes before (in my lap as well as in their own seats) but my blood boils when I see kids coming down the aisle in their parent's arms. So much so that I sometimes wish I could get up and get on another plane. I know they're just kids but the both learned and physical restraint of a car seat will increase both the safety of the child and the mental stability of parents and fellow passengers. Of course another seat does costs money. Well, how much would you pay to increase the safety of your kid?

Though the agency has no power to enforce its will, USA Today reports the NTSB has voted unanimously to urge airlines to require children under two to sit in a car seat while in flight.

Steve Hall | August 4, 2004 | News | Permanent link
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