Originally Posted by mrken30

You'd be surprised how many people survive airline accidents, the most famous one recently was the Hudson landing. ....

Originally Posted by Teckelspass

Thanks for the info. When she was under 2, we opted to take her as a lap child, and it was still allowed. We considered the same concerns you outlined, but decided not to purchase a seat because (a) it is very expensive (b) she wouldn't sit in it for much of the flight and (c) during a catastrophic accident most people do not survive anyway. I completely understand that lots of people may decide differently, but suffice to say we thought long and hard about it and were not simply cavalier about it. Also, if you do get a seat with a bassinet, they are not allowed to be in the bassinet during takeoff and landing. I liked that the bassinet had straps that went over the top to prevent falling out during turbulence. It was also interesting that on the non-US airlines we flew, they provided seatbelt extensions that she had to wear during take off and landing sitting on our laps. Those were never provided or required on any US airlines we flew.

In any event, the whole point is now moot, bc she is way over 2 and legally needs her own seat now 😄

Originally Posted by mrken30

We bought the diono seat which is FAA approved and folds in half. The other advantage is that you can fit 3 seats across most cars.It fits children up to about age 12 ish. not all car seats are FAA approved. The other advantage of taking your own car seat is that you can use it in the rental car if you are getting one. You don't know the history of the ones you get from rental companies.

Originally Posted by Pulaski

I agree, ones that don't involve impact are eminently survivable these days, but assuming the plane goes out of control at a low enough altitude that decompression doesn't cause everyone to black out, then a dive from even 100ft could easily be fatal and/or cause a catastrophic fire. .... And if your head is down, "braced for impact" you will likely break your neck.

Originally Posted by Anian

Isn't the brace position just to stop your head from flinging forward and smashing into the seat in front?

Originally Posted by mrken30

Exactly that, so the the head is a relatively lower velocity when it hits the seat. ....

Originally Posted by Pulaski

I have long suspected that the "put your head down" brace maneuver for airline passengers is designed to ensure that everyone breaks their neck and dies quickly.

Originally Posted by markonline1

I heard it was help protect the teeth to aid identification if required. Probably not true. It is true that the vast majority of plane crashes are survivable though. I was present at the 777 crash at Heathrow 8 or so years ago. I don't have the pics anymore, but plenty online. Lost power about 500 feet, the plane dropped into the undershoot, one of the rear gear structures came up the through the floor into the cabin. The worst injury was a broken leg.

Back on topic, my 20 month old is picking up words now. Her latest, taught by my wife, is fartsen. Now when she lets go of a gust, she looks at you and goes I fartsen. That's my girl. Cracks me up overtime. Occasionally she tell you I poo poo, although generally, we don't need to be told to know LOL.

Originally Posted by Dorothy

I love when they first start talking.

Originally Posted by sir_eccles

There was a point when I was sitting around wondering when he was going to start talking. Now he won't shut up.

In other news, just discovered a daycare rule I wasn't aware of. Apparently if your child hits another child to the extent that they draw blood, they are sent home for the day.

Originally Posted by mrken30

Just one day, that's not too bad. What happens if they knock the other kid unconscious?