Gate checking a stroller

[MissionWDW]

We are flying out in a week and I will be gate checking our double stroller. I have a few questions...

Where would be a good place to find a cheap bag for the stroller...does it have to be a special stroller bag or will anything work? Seriously, at this point I'd put it in a huge contractor bag...lol

Should I just mark it like a piece of luggage...like with a luggage tag??

TIA

[aidtrismommy]

I think Babies R us sells cheapo stroller bags (well, I know they do , but not sure about a double) They are bright red and say gate check on them. Whatever you do, put on a luggage tag too. I bought a $50 Maclaren bag for my Maclaren only because it is so expensive. The bag has been damaged a little due to being thrown around and such so definately get some type of bag. I think even a garbage bag is better than nothing.

[Spart02]

We actually did use contractor bags and they worked great! We taped them up real well and they protected the stroller from dirt and wetness quite nicely. Really, any cheap bag isn't going to protect it from being broken, so if all that you want is protection from weather and dirt, the contractor bag was a great way to go. We left the handle to the stroller open so we could attach a luggage tag.

[Hannathy]

Are you talking about gate checking or regular checking with baggage? Because at gate check you better have a bag that you can pop it into fast or PLEASE stand aside while you are futzing with putting it into a bag and taping it. Gate checking takes place on the walkway and if you don't step far to the side can really tie up and back up the loading of the whole plane.

Regular checking I used a bag, gate checking I never did because you need to drop it off at the door and keep moving onto the plane.

[mickeysmyboy]

Originally Posted by Hannathy

Are you talking about gate checking or regular checking with baggage? Because at gate check you better have a bag that you can pop it into fast or PLEASE stand aside while you are futzing with putting it into a bag and taping it. Gate checking takes place on the walkway and if you don't step far to the side can really tie up and back up the loading of the whole plane.

Regular checking I used a bag, gate checking I never did because you need to drop it off at the door and keep moving onto the plane.

That's kinda what I was thinking.

We've gated checked strollers a number of times and never used a bag. Never had a problem with the stroller getting dirty, wet or damaged.

I just bought a brand new baby jogger city micro stroller though and would be really upset if something happened to it! It's the best stroller ever for a bigger kid. Maybe I should look into something to protect it

[MissionWDW]

Thanks for the suggestions! I did find a cheapy red gate check bag at Babies R Us (well they said they have it in the store). Depending on if I get a chance to get there, then I will get that. If not, contractor bag it is. I think I will leave the handles out (to put the luggage tag on) and bubble wrap the foam part. The stroller isn't super expensive...$190 Graco, but I bought it especially for Disney and there is just no way I want to blow over $30/day on a stroller rental.

[wmharley]

the bags aren't cheap for a double... you could probably find a cheap one online, but then shipping $ and time might be an issue.

You COULD do the contractor bag.. regardles what PP's say, you could bag it up PRIOR to entering the ramp, so you have as much space as you need in the gate waiting area. Then you just lug it down the ramp and give it to the rep there.

That would be your best option, IMO.

However, we went with a double stroller (sit and stand actually) and I never bagged it up. It came out fine. Now I DID bag our carseat, and put the trays and such inside that bag. It was easiest for us to do that as I could carry all the carseats (2) and some carryons on top of the stroller all the way to the plane, at which point, I promptly gave a carseat to the rep, folded the SnS and took the carryons in.

Upon arriving, I unfolded the stroller, loaded the items back on, and walked with everything back to the luggage area.

the ONLY hassle was in TSA area... that was fun...

[DominicaAnne]

I am flying with the JR Childress red gate check bag next week for the first time (Southwest). I plan on putting the stroller in the bag before we get in line to board the plane. I have a Chicco Trevi and it fits in this bag. The bag was only $12.99 from Amazon and it folds into its own zippered pouch and has a ring to attach it to other luggage or the stroller itself with a caribiner clip. I'm hoping that with the stroller in the bag, the stroller won't get caught on things and damaged that way, but crushing damage won't be avoided by using the bag. This trip is a test to see if we will take this stroller to Disney in November, or rent a stroller from Orlando Stroller Rentals.

ETA: I just realized that you have a double stroller. I have no experience with doubles, sorry! Maybe my post will help someone reading this that has a single stroller though.

[MissionWDW]

Originally Posted by DominicaAnne

I am flying with the JR Childress red gate check bag next week for the first time (Southwest). I plan on putting the stroller in the bag before we get in line to board the plane. I have a Chicco Trevi and it fits in this bag. The bag was only $12.99 from Amazon and it folds into its own zippered pouch and has a ring to attach it to other luggage or the stroller itself with a caribiner clip. I'm hoping that with the stroller in the bag, the stroller won't get caught on things and damaged that way, but crushing damage won't be avoided by using the bag. This trip is a test to see if we will take this stroller to Disney in November, or rent a stroller from Orlando Stroller Rentals.

I believe that is the one I found online at Babies R Us...it says it is available in stores. I have 6 days before we leave for the hotel airport...then we fly out early on the 22nd. The closest BRU is kind of out of the way...so we will see if I get around to it. I don't plan on wrapping the stroller up on the walkway. I will have it folded and ready to hand over. I have four kids...the 2 and 3 year old use the stroller, but they will be fine to hang out until boarding. It's just the getting to and from with four kids and carry ons. I plan on loading up the strollers to make it easier to navigate through the airport.

[wmharley]

Originally Posted by DominicaAnne

I am flying with the JR Childress red gate check bag next week for the first time (Southwest). I plan on putting the stroller in the bag before we get in line to board the plane. I have a Chicco Trevi and it fits in this bag. The bag was only $12.99 from Amazon and it folds into its own zippered pouch and has a ring to attach it to other luggage or the stroller itself with a caribiner clip. I'm hoping that with the stroller in the bag, the stroller won't get caught on things and damaged that way, but crushing damage won't be avoided by using the bag. This trip is a test to see if we will take this stroller to Disney in November, or rent a stroller from Orlando Stroller Rentals.

ETA: I just realized that you have a double stroller. I have no experience with doubles, sorry! Maybe my post will help someone reading this that has a single stroller though.

Originally Posted by MissionWDW

I believe that is the one I found online at Babies R Us...it says it is available in stores. I have 6 days before we leave for the hotel airport...then we fly out early on the 22nd. The closest BRU is kind of out of the way...so we will see if I get around to it. I don't plan on wrapping the stroller up on the walkway. I will have it folded and ready to hand over. I have four kids...the 2 and 3 year old use the stroller, but they will be fine to hang out until boarding. It's just the getting to and from with four kids and carry ons. I plan on loading up the strollers to make it easier to navigate through the airport.

you will have a hard time finding in stock a double stroller bag locally. We looked and didn't see any. Only things were online.

you can get this one for $50 shipped overnight ($40- 2day, $37- 3day)
http://www.strollers.com/J.L.-Childr...K-JLC1005.html

or this one:
http://www.surfsidebaby.com/Merchant...roduct_Count=3

its $25 but has express shipping for $35 or Priority for $10

[MommyBryn]

Not sure what kind of double stroller you have, but I just made a bag for mine out of an underbed zipper storage bag. I'm cheap. We don't fly often so it wasn't worth it to spend money on one (especially money that I COULD be spending in WDW!!).

[aidtrismommy]

When I first gate checked my stroller a couple years ago, the Southwest person said where is the stroller? I told her it was in a stroller bag (I didn't know I had to have it with me at the desk) She said something like "then why are you gate checking it, your kid is supposed to be in it?" I was pretty shocked. I told her it is a $300 stroller and my kid did use it and will use it when we get off the plane. I couldn't believe she didn't encounter anyone else using a stroller bag before. I agree, it probably won't stop physical damage to the stroller, but it does protect it from dirt, wet, and whatever else is on the floor of that plane. So just bag up your stroller when you get to the gate while waiting to board. Easy Peasy.

[bdiddy]

I never even thought about putting it in a stroller bag. We recently sold the kids two other expensive strollers on Craigslist and I bought a cheap double umbrella stroller specifically for this trip and am not really worried about it getting messed up so I don't think I'll be getting a bag. I can't imagine it getting that damaged - don't they just take it and throw it under the plane? I could see it maybe getting a little dirt on it but won't it be going where the other luggage is?

[Vility]

I can't help you with the bag, but i was so suprised how easy it was to gate check a stroller!
plus since your going to disney i am sure there are another dozen families at the least that will be doing the same.

take anything off that could fall off.
i lost my cup holder that way.
(stupid me)

[jenseib]

I don't think I have ever seen someone gate check a stroller with a bag. I guess it kind of makes sense. But we pop it open the minute we get it when we geto ff the plane and put DD in it and throw carryons on it too. I'm gonna miss the days when she's too big for the stroller. I think she's getting close, but if we go in the next year or two I'm still bringing it! One t me our tray did come off, but it was sitting next to the stroller when we cam out. I think the airline might make a difference in care too. I found Spirit to be much more rougher on al lour luggage in general. I got a tear in my suitcase and it's just not useable anymore. Wel lI could, but it's close to being to the point of falling apart, and one rough handling could doom it, and I would hate to have to buy a new suicase on vacation. We've flown Allegiant twice and they seem to handle with better care. Also had roomier seats. LOL!