If the FAA and all airlines believe this way than they should require parents to pay for their child to have a seat no matter what.
With this I totally agree, but, the fact is they do believe this and for some obscure reason do not insist on it.
This is from SWA's site.
Traveling with precious cargo?
If you're traveling with an infant or small child, you should know that proper use of an approved child restraint device (CRD) enhances child safety on aircraft. For this reason, Southwest Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strongly recommend that infants and small children who weigh under 40 pounds be secured in an appropriate CRD when traveling by air.
Well when you pay $300 for an empty seat you might think differently. I agree however that if there would have been an empty seat in my row that we would have brought her car seat to try it out. Maybe if the FAA and airlines think it is safer than they could charge nothing for the seat but guarantee my child a seat. I understand that some airlines offer discounted rates for children under 2, however, each time I called US Air to inquire I was told there was no discount.
With all due respect, that has not happened nor would it have happened. No judgement here, just fact.
Airlines are a business, they are not going to allow a seat to be taken for free if there is a paying customer for it. I think that the airlines stretch a great deal in allowing a car seat to be used (at no charge) IF the seat is empty.
I do not know USAir's regulations, but, I would be far more upset with them for not having a discounted fare for children needing a car seat than I would the FAA. It is up to the airlines to impliment the recommedation.
I was not trying to "shoot" you for your opinion, I was pointing out that is not really very good advice to give out. You are we don't know anything about each other, but, I was not judging you, I was asking a question and offering an opinion. Not a whole lot different that what you were doing. The majority of posters here and on any other thread seem to agree a car seat is the safest for a child on a plane. You may disagree all you want, that is your right, but, if it were me, I would sit back, read and perhaps rethink my position on this issue. IMHO, there is NO price tag on safety.