ULPT: Don’t pay for the car seat add on if you’re renting a car from MCO
Posted by BonQuiQuiKingBurger@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 16 comments
We paid the $50 or whatever it was to get a car seat for our rental car. The car seats are on a huge shelf, not contained in any way. Just rent a car, take one and go - it appears like nobody would ever know.
Trick-Dingo4621@reddit
Airlines have to check car seats free of charge btw. Just buy a car seat travel bag and bring it with you, then you have your car seat that you know fits your child.
Various_Ad9010@reddit
Sounds so simple except when you’re traveling with multiple kids who all must be in convertible car seats and you have to somehow transport your luggage, car seats and the actual children from the car to the plane or visa versa. Highly recommend the vest that replaces a 5 point harness if your child is big enough for it. If not, you’ll just have to suffer.
practical_junket@reddit
Or you could just stay home?
thcheat@reddit
This.
But I just bought budget car seats instead of risk the car seats I own be damaged while transporting.
Akak3000@reddit
You have a child and you don't have a car seat. What is wrong with you?
SquidProBono@reddit
I worked for ERAC at a different airport location and my advice would be to NEVER rent a car seat from any car rental company. They were never washed, tossed around, and kept in a big pile in a storage room when not in use. When I worked there, I was a new parent and had taken a whole class on how to choose, install, and use a car seat properly. I was told by management that I wasn't allowed to install the seats for customers, or advise them on how to do it, even if they were doing it in an unsafe manner. I wouldn't trust those seats, at all.
Binders-Full@reddit
Just buy a car seat from Walmart and either return it while done as a ULPT or ethically donate it to a thrift store.
Live_fast_die_old@reddit
Thrift stores don’t sell car seats. The guy at goodwill told me they throw out “anything that can hold a baby” due to recall / safety liability.
QualityKatie@reddit
Now that shocks me. Goodwill even sells food from WIC and empty beer bottles.
stacytbt@reddit
They should be free anyways.
onetime4d@reddit
What’s the picture at LAX? Have a trip with kids coming up soon 🤔
ZeroSumHappiness@reddit
If your kids are the right age get a Bubble Bum inflatable booster seat. Very convenient. Obviously not as safe as a real one but we all make tradeoffs.
taxidave95@reddit
My kids hate this product. It isn't comfortable and it is a pain for them to buckle and get it right. For my older children, I've shifted over to seat belt adjuster so the strap isn't going around the neck. I still have to carry around a giant seat for my 2 year old.
KrisClem77@reddit
Can confirm. And when you pull up to the gate to go out they don’t ask if it’s one of theirs or if you brought your own.
ProteinProblems@reddit
Since there seems to be no ownership validation in place theoretically you could just take it with you when you turn the car back in. If they somehow realize they’re missing a car seat they could review camera footage but I really doubt they’ll put forth the time or effort considering they don’t even keep track of them to begin with.
Only issue is paying baggage fees when you go to take it home. But if you’re on Southwest (until they do away with free bags) or a rewards member on another airline you could check it for free.
A car seat that has been shared in rental cars is probably not the most sanitary used item to have but free is free. Maybe just bring it home and sell it on Facebook marketplace.
BigMikeInAustin@reddit
Yeah, but it's also a very basic, dirty, and worn car seat.