AirTran & Checking Strollers

[kristenrice]

We flew AirTran back in October. We have a padded bag that is used to carry our 2 umbrella-type (MacLaren) strollers. I had wanted to check the strollers with AirTran, but they said that the bag was oversized (by 1" ) and that I would have to pay the oversized baggage fee. I made the quick decision to gate check the strollers instead. That was free, but it just left me with another bag to schlep around the airport.

When I got back, I read on AirTran's website that strollers can be checked free of charge. Does this mean any stroller, or just ones that are below the overweight/oversize parameters? Now, we are going back in June. I will be gate checking the strollers for our inbound flight since I don't want to wait for DME to deliver them. For our return flight, we are again using AirTran. I have sent them an e-mail looking for clarification. Does anyone know...1) if the strollers are exempt from the fee and 2) if so, can you still check them at the RAC desk? I can't believe that there are that many strollers that are below the oversized threshold. I would think that when they say strollers can be checked for free that it means any stroller. Maybe they mean strollers without the bag, but that would be crazy. I can't imagine how easy it would be to damage an umbrella stroller that wasn't packed in a bag.

This is so confusing! I know that they can be gate checked at no charge, but it is just more convenient to check them so we don't have to haul that bag around the airport.

Does anyone have experience in checking strollers at the RAC desks? Are they accepted or do you have to check them at the airport?

 

[dudspizza]

We flew AirTran back in October. We have a padded bag that is used to carry our 2 umbrella-type (MacLaren) strollers. I had wanted to check the strollers with AirTran, but they said that the bag was oversized (by 1" ) and that I would have to pay the oversized baggage fee. I made the quick decision to gate check the strollers instead. That was free, but it just left me with another bag to schlep around the airport.

When I got back, I read on AirTran's website that strollers can be checked free of charge. Does this mean any stroller, or just ones that are below the overweight/oversize parameters? Now, we are going back in June. I will be gate checking the strollers for our inbound flight since I don't want to wait for DME to deliver them. For our return flight, we are again using AirTran. I have sent them an e-mail looking for clarification. Does anyone know...1) if the strollers are exempt from the fee and 2) if so, can you still check them at the RAC desk? I can't believe that there are that many strollers that are below the oversized threshold. I would think that when they say strollers can be checked for free that it means any stroller. Maybe they mean strollers without the bag, but that would be crazy. I can't imagine how easy it would be to damage an umbrella stroller that wasn't packed in a bag.

This is so confusing! I know that they can be gate checked at no charge, but it is just more convenient to check them so we don't have to haul that bag around the airport.

Does anyone have experience in checking strollers at the RAC desks? Are they accepted or do you have to check them at the airport?

The rules are the rules. If a bag is oversize, you pay extra, no matter what it is. RAC doesn't make the rules and they have to stick to them.

Best of luck.

Duds

 

[bavaria]

Are you certain that you are not confusing 'gate checking' with 'checked luggage'? There are several threads (I recommend www.google.com) which indicate that AirTran does consider a checked stroller as one piece of luggage.

You cannot 'gate check' with RAC.

 

[kristenrice]

From the AirTran CoC:

Exceptions to the First and Second Baggage Fee include:
(1) Military customers traveling with ID and official orders
(2) A+ Elite customers
(3) Business Class customers to include those upgrading on their first segment of travel
(4) Service items such as strollers and wheelchairs

So, after reading that, I am inclined to believe that the strollers would be exempt from the $15 first bag fee, but still subject to the $39 oversized fee. With that in mind, I am pretty sure that I will not be able to check them with RAC. I guess I'll be bringing them with me and checking them at the gate again. At least that way we can strap the kids in and they will have a place to sit at the gate.

I just think it is odd that they waive the first/second bag fee for a stroller or wheelchair, but then still charge for the oversize fee. There aren't too many strollers or wheelchairs that fall within the "standard" dimensions. BTW, I do not want to do the gate check to avoid the fee. I'll do it because I don't want to wait in the line to check my luggage at MCO when I can do it at my own resort with much less hassle. If I could pay the oversize fee and still use the RAC, I would gladly pay the $39 and check them. The fees are a necessary evil and the airlines depend on that income. I do not feel that it is unreasonable, I just want to make sure that I am not paying for something that I should be getting for free.

 

[cbrfan]

I believe AirTran waives the charge only for gate-checked strollers. Otherwise, they wouldn't be "service items", they would be baggage.

 

[kristenrice]

I believe AirTran waives the charge only for gate-checked strollers. Otherwise, they wouldn't be "service items", they would be baggage.

Oh, that makes complete sense! Thanks. I will definitely plan on gate checking them.

 

[SueM in MN]

I believe AirTran waives the charge only for gate-checked strollers. Otherwise, they wouldn't be "service items", they would be baggage.

and, they are not allowed to charge a fee for wheelchairs because people who are bringing them need them for mobility.