Can I gate check a stroller AND a carseat?

[labdogs42]

We always gate check our stroller, but this time I'm wondering if I can gate check a carseat, too. DS is 4.5 and I think he can sit in the airplane seat without his carseat this time, but we do need it for our rental car after we arrive. So, I'm thinking of gate checking it (I'm hesitant to just check it as baggage), but I'm not sure if I can. Has anyone done this? I'll probably end up contacting the airline to confirm for sure, but I thought I'd ask here first!

[jlewisinsyr]

My nephew is almost three and he sat in his seat without a car seat in May, so you should be fine from that perspective.

In regards to checking both at the gate, I'm not sure they will allow it, I defer to someone with much more experience as when he traveled with us we just checked all of our luggage at the ticket counter (free luggage allowance - due to tickets purchased).

[cbrfan]

Is your carseat small enough that it could be used as a carryon? I can't say if they'd allow both to be gate-checked, but the spirit of the complimentary gate-check is to accomodate you while at the airport. If you don't want to check it, I'd just use it on the plane.

[DoctorK]

Not sure what airline you're on -- this is from AirTran's site:

You may bring a stroller to the gate for ease of travel through the airport. The stroller may be gate checked just before boarding the plane and will be returned to the aircraft jet way upon arrival at your destination. Car seats and strollers may be checked free of charge; any other items are subject to standard baggage fees (i.e., portable crib, high chair, etc.).

I take that to mean we should gate-check the stroller and formally check the carseat with the rest of the luggage. At least, that's what I'll be doing. If they tell me I need to gate check the carseat too then I'll do that.

[labdogs42]

We are flying with Allegiant. I found this on their site:
* Can I take a stroller and car seat in at the gate? Each fare-paying passenger is allowed to take a stroller or a car seat to the boarding area. The stroller or car seat can also be checked at the time of check-in. If the stroller or car seat is taken to the gate, it will be "Gate Checked". This means that it will be put stowed in the cargo hold of the aircraft and will be available upon reaching the aircraft's final destination. The stroller or car seat can then be picked up at gate side.


Therefore, I will gate check both items (we paid for three fares, so we're good there). I will make sure to print this from their site and take it with me, too! We'll see how it goes, but it seems easier to let the little guy sit in the airplane seat this time and not have to wrestle the carseat into the plane seat. We shall see!

[mommy*RN]

It seems you got lots of great replies! All I can say is I flew Midwest in 2006 and gate checked a stroller and a booster seat without any problems. I plan to gate check our stroller and two boosters our next trip and then use my youngests car seat on the plane.

[byrd328]

Hi
I too plan to gate check both, but has anyone had an experience with Airtran? Also when you gate check, do you need a bag. I heard of some airlines offering plastic bags, is this true?

[DisneyAndRedSox]

I have flown with DD on 20+ segments since she was 9 weeks old and have always gate checked a stroller and many times have gate checked a carseat/booster in addition. I always gate check instead of checking in at the counter, less chance of damage. I have flown on AA, Delta, Southwest, USAirways. I use the JL Childress Padded Umbrella Stroller Bag, big enough for an umbrella stroller and you can fit other things in it! On our cruise I had a swim vest, sand bucket, & shovel in the bag with a Maclaren Volo.

On our last 2 trips DD sat in the airplane seat w/o a carseat (3 and 3.2 yo), but we used the 'Cares Flight Harness'. Pricey but we felt it was worth it, plus I know when DD is too big for it (44 pound limit) I will have no problem selling it on ebay or Craigslist. Once a child is in a booster, I believe most of them are not FAA approved for use in an airplane seat.

As for the clear bags... I have seen them given at Delta for carseats at the ticket counter. I have not seen them at the gate. I used to bring my own large clear bag (like a construction trash bag you can buy at Home Depot), then I bought a car seat travel bag on wheels. DD has since outgrown her travel car seat and I now use the Cosco Highback Booster for travel which comes in it's own clear travel bag instead of a box. I have never traveled with DD's normal car seat/booster, I refuse to lug a Marathon or Nautilus though the airport plus the last thing I want to do when I return to my car is re-install a car seat in 30 degree Boston weather in a snowy parking lot. I have always used an inexpensive spare seat for travel, plus it is nice to have a spare seat hanging around the house in the event of an emergency.

[labdogs42]

We have a Radian 65 that we take on the plane. I think I can just fold it up and check it. Maybe I'll look for a bag for it. Good idea!