Abstract
In our nation's skies Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) allow infants less than two years of age to be “lap held,” occupying the same seat as their adult traveling companion. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that people (over age 2), animals and objects be secured during ground movement, takeoff, landing and turbulence, yet it does not require this for infants under age two. Once over age two a child must occupy his own seat in a FAA approved Child Restraint Device (CRD). Since first allowing the use of CRDs in 1982, FAR part 121.311 has been changed numerous times to represent the FAA's policy over the years. In May 1996, 121.311 was changed to disallow previously approved restraint devices (e.g. belly belt, booster seats, and harness devices) on US air carriers segments of flight other than enroute. This paper investigates the current regulations, presenting data on the relative dangers of restrained and unrestrained infants in air and automotive incidents/accidents. Comparative analysis of these data show that leaving infants unrestrained poses a serious threat to the infants themselves and other occupants, and delineates the types and possibilities of these dangers in relation to incident types. In lieu of Federal Regulations, recommendations for airlines are suggested.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.