Vash the Stampede

We're planning to fly out on 14.10.09, but I'm having trouble finding a taxi service that is willing to provide a child car seat for the trip from Walsall to Heathrow. I know they're not compulsory in taxis, but it will be necessary for the distance we're travelling (not to mention the basic safety issue).

The irony is that we do have a car seat we could use, but my wife wants to know what would we do with it at the other end, and isn't happy with my suggestion that we just find a place to dump it.

Anyone else been in this predicament?

Kingseat

I think your only solution would be to dump it although probably not a good idea at the airport as it will cause a security alert! May be ask the taxi driver to get rid for you?

perksy

You could try being cheeky daft and asking a car hire company in your area if you could hire one and then return it to their Heathrow office.

craig_m67

err.. why not bring it and use it here ?
shouldn't add to the luggage limits (?)
.. and if it's ISOFIX you could auction it here for loads of money

irishbloo

Uk made car seats arent legal here as far as I know.

craig_m67

yep, i'm aware of that**, however they are highly prized and no doubt safer (in my opinion) - hence the auction comment


**indeed they are defo not legal without an Aust. ADR approval (now you know )

1968_karen

Are UK booster seats legal in Oz?

Vash the Stampede

As far as we've been able to learn, the answer is "No." I have yet to see any car seat with an international standard that is accepted by both countries.

coolerkingcooler

This any good for this end at least.

Cooler
http://www.goldbug.eu/product.asp?st...AT_ID=&P_ID=28

Vash the Stampede

Thanks for the recommendation. At this rate I reckon we'll just take our car seat in the taxi and slip the driver a fiver for taking it off our hands.

We've got an Aussie-approved pram and car seat waiting for us at the other end.

itigo

We got a car seat that was approved for air travel (cost about 45 quid from Halfords) and used that in the car to the airport and then on the aircraft. We also bought a handle and wheel thingy that we could attach it to and our son then sat in the car seat through the airport etc. Made it all very easy and we didn't need a buggy.

It is now sitting in our garage but it was money well spent in our case (when you consider how much the whole emigration cost!). The bonus was that our son slept for the night sectors and was very relaxed. He was too big at 7 months for a bassinet so we would have had to hold him - not a pleasant thought!

I know we probably won't use it again but as I said, a small price in the great scheme of things and made our trip go smoothly. At some points in the airport, my 4 year old sat in it and my son went in a sling so we knew exactly where they were and had our hands free to carry our bags, laptop bag, change bag etc.......

Dumping it at the airport will be your only choice otherwise.......

Vash the Stampede

We won't need it on the plane; they've booked a bassinet for us (she's less than 7 months).

I have a funny feeling that our car seat will be accidentally left behind in the child-changing facilities at Heathrow...

aussiedreamer

Hi There

When we travelled over we had threee Car Seats that we used from Dudley to Gatwick. At Gatwick we found the cleaners and they disposed of them for Us. This was at the height of secrity so sniffer dogs climbed all over them as well. Most prob sold on as all were in good nick but we didn't care what they did with them. If you go to information when you arrive they will point you in the right direction or even page them for you.


Jane

MartinLuther

Take the existing one the the airport.

Take it to Australia.

Use it for a trip to the UK you might do when you have some extra Stampedes.

Vash the Stampede

Brilliant, thanks!

We're trying to travel with as little as possible; we'll already have a pram and three pieces of cabin luggage, so I won't have a spare hand to carry an empty car seat!