How'd it go with the CARES system? I LOVE mine -most of the time. I non-rev as an airline spouse with my DS quite a bit and don't know what I'd do without it. I've found over the last two years, most FA's have not seen them in use but have vague knowledge. I did have one give me a hard time about it, but an older FA that was sitting near me had her pull out her manual and look it up. It was a great learning experience for all involved.
On the RJ's there is the problem of the recessed tray tables and I usually just put mine behind it not around it. Yup, I know it reduces the efficacy of the system but I'm using it mostly for restraint of my little guy throughout the flight. But, I also often wind up in the very back with no one behind me so I guess it's not always a problem.
DS is very slender and I wish it had a crotch strap because he always seems to slip down under the lap belt. I suggested to the inventor via the website that maybe one could run from the band around the seat, behind and under the child to the lap belt and she said they weren't able to do that safely. She just stated that I should be able to get the lapbelt tight enough to keep him back in the seat. Easier said than done unfortunately. I noticed on our last trip that this prob has gotten better, maybe he's grown a little.
I usually take the little pillows that wrap around car seat straps so that DS can fall asleep comfortably. Also, I've found the label on the strap that goes around the seat can rub DS's neck after awhile. So we either flip up his collar or put a blanket behind him.
Overall, I'd recommend this product. My carseat is HUGE -almost as big as a Britax and difficult to get onto the plane by myself with DS and a carryon. Now DS1 has a new brother for me to carry so I definately don't see me taking the seat on board. But, its so much less stressful knowing that DS is still strapped in with the CARES system. Less wiggling, standing, and overall irritability. Just like in the car, he's in with no arguements. But DON"T FORGET THE DVD PLAYER!!!!!!
However, as an aside, I have put the carseat on a folding luggage cart with the carryon strapped into the seat and gatechecked it. When I travel to visit my parents I have a choice between three different arrival airports so its always a good idea not to check the carseats as I might wind up going in somewhere else. I have to have the seats to drive to pick up my other bags/head to the house.
Hope that helps,
Jackie