Can anyone provide advice on car seat requirements when traveling OCONUS? We are heading to Sasebo soon and wondering if we should put the car seats with the Unaccompanied Baggage (which is scheduled to arrive right after we get there) or if we should check them in as part of the kids luggage. We have a 2 year old and 11 month old. From our understanding we will be taking a bus from the airport to the base. So I wasn't sure if we could use the car seats any way. We won't have a car for a bit, so not sure we will need the cars seats right away. Anyway, any info would greatly improve conditions in my stress-frenzied mind. Much thanks!

Oh - does anyone know how quickly we should receive the DEA from our gaining station? We haven't received ours yet and not sure who to start chasing. Apparently very important piece of paper...:vent

They can sit in their seat on the airplane with their car seat.

I'd personally check them with your baggage. Buses here in Japan are not equipped for safety seats. Once you get here, there's a rental locker that you can get car seats for free until your stuff arrives.

Good luck! Sasebo is quite cute. :)

I am going to be doing the same thing. You can put your children in the carseats on the plane as long as they are certified for airplanes. It should say on the bottom of the seat. Good luck!!

Our unaccopmanied baggage always took at least 3 weeks minimum to get there, I would take the carseats with you on the plane. The last time we flew from Japan to the states in 05 we were required to have the girls, then 2 and 6 months, in carseats on the plane. It is a hassle, I won't lie, but cabs on base if you take one require you to have your child in a carseat ( at least they did when we were there.)

We will most likely be headed back to Japan in 08 with 3 kiddos and will take their carseats on the plane with is.

Good luck, it's one heck of a flight with kids. :nutts

I don't know about Japan, but when we were stationed in the Bahamas, we had to have our daughter in a car seat on base (duh), but out in town we didn't. We always did anyway, but it wasn't required.

Good luck! That flight sounds horrid.

we took all 3 of our car seats on the plane when we came to japan.

I am not sure how it is there, but here in Germany they have to be in carseats at all times until the age of 12 or height of 4'11, we brought ours because we needed them when my husbands soldier picked us up at the airport.

Thanks everyone! I think I would feel better w/ them in their seats on the plane anyway. I can't imagine my littlest one having any type of tolerance to sit and have one little waist strap anyway - ha! Any additional advice? It just seems like it is so much to drag the kids through the airports (Indy to Chicago to Tokyo to Fukuoka) with the carry on's and two car seats and the stroller. Speaking of which...

For those of you who have done this before w/ little ones, did you take a stroller to get them through the airports too? On regular flights we've done that and checked it at the gate. We have a double stroller and planned to do the same. I guess I'm just searching for advice on how to do all of this.

Oh - is it easy to find the bus once we get there to take to Sasebo? Are their carts to get all of our luggage to push around too? What about Toyko airport - is it crazy?

Thanks everyone!

Thanks everyone! I think I would feel better w/ them in their seats on the plane anyway. I can't imagine my littlest one having any type of tolerance to sit and have one little waist strap anyway - ha! Any additional advice? It just seems like it is so much to drag the kids through the airports (Indy to Chicago to Tokyo to Fukuoka) with the carry on's and two car seats and the stroller. Speaking of which...

For those of you who have done this before w/ little ones, did you take a stroller to get them through the airports too? On regular flights we've done that and checked it at the gate. We have a double stroller and planned to do the same. I guess I'm just searching for advice on how to do all of this.

Oh - is it easy to find the bus once we get there to take to Sasebo? Are their carts to get all of our luggage to push around too? What about Toyko airport - is it crazy?

Thanks everyone!

Are you going through Narita? It's actually not too bad at all, the Japanese were ALWAYS more than helpful at the airports and literally let us go through customs first. I WOULD take the strollers because you will end up using them and being glad you had them, just don't be afraid to ask the employees for help, honestly they are more than willing! And yes you can check them at the gate! I am rooting for you everything goes smoothly, it's hard but you can do it!:D