Airtran policy re: checked strollers

[lizardqueen]

Does anyone have the link to AirTrans policies regarding checking strollers or carseats? I can't find it anywhere on the website. Or, if anyone knows, do they charge for you to check those items? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I don't know about carseats but I'm absolutely sure they do not charge to check your stroller. They'll let you take the stroller to the area right before you physically get on the plane.

 

[jekjones1558]

We have gate-checked a carseat and stroller with AirTran at no charge. We have also checked a carseat at the check-in at no charge.

 

[n2mm]

With the new rules, they will consider a checked carseat your one checked item. You can however gate check both the stroller and carseat for free. We flew them in May and hopefully will fly them in August. We wrote and received a letter telling us about carseats being considered your one piece of luggage. So far, only jetblue and united will check your carseat complimentary and will not charge it as your one item. (I only know th rules for SW, UL, AT, JB)

 

[snickerboo]

I emailed them and was told this:

Car seats and strollers are not included in your free allowance for carry-on or checked luggage; however, any other items would be (meaning all other items are subject to excess luggage fees). Traveling with an infant, you are allowed more than the normal one carry-on item in order to travel with baby related items such as diapers, baby clothes, blanket, etc. We recommend that you carry on more than ample supplies of baby care items in the event that your flight is delayed. Security requirements prevent us from retrieving checked luggage from the cargo stowage.

 

[Inkmahm]

I emailed them and was told this:

So does that mean you're allowed a stroller AND a suitcase for free? That answer is clear as mud.

I'm taking my mom to WDW in December and she has a wheelchair. Now I'm wondering if I have to count her wheelchair as her item of luggage!

 

[n2mm]

This is from the email I received from them when I wrote in to them in May after the change was announced.

"Thank you for contacting AirTran Airways. In reference to your inquiry, if you use the items to the departure gate, and check them there, they are considered a mobility aid for your infant or child, and will not count against your free allowance of checked baggage.

If you check the items with the rest of your baggage, at the ticket counter, they will count against your free allowance and any excess baggage fees will apply."


I have no idea if their policy changed after I got this message from them less than 2 months ago. Their website is not very helpful.

 

[SueM in MN]

So does that mean you're allowed a stroller AND a suitcase for free? That answer is clear as mud.

I'm taking my mom to WDW in December and she has a wheelchair. Now I'm wondering if I have to count her wheelchair as her item of luggage!

They can't count a wheelchair against either your carry on or checked luggage allowance.
It is a mobility device and is exempt by law; they can't count or charge for it. (counting my DD's wheelchair would be like counting her legs, since she can't move without her wheelchair).

 

[kritter]

I just gate checked two umbrella strollers about a week ago w/ no problems!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Inkmahm]

They can't count a wheelchair against either your carry on or checked luggage allowance.
It is a mobility device and is exempt by law; they can't count or charge for it. (counting my DD's wheelchair would be like counting her legs, since she can't move without her wheelchair).

Thanks! My mom can walk with a cane or a walker, but not or any great distance. Without her wheelchair, I wouldn't be able to take her to WDW. We have such a tight time frame for our connection in Atlanta though (only 38 minutes between flights) that I'm considering checking the wheelchair in Orlando and letting Air Tran be responsible for hauling her to the gate and on our connection in Atlanta. I figure if they are responsible for her wheels, maybe there is a better chance of our making the connection.

 

[Scotch]

I'm a bit concerned about the new changes, and it is frustrating that I cannot find any information on the airtran.com site. In the past we have always been able to bring my older toddler's car seat and gate check it for free; we do not use it onboard but use it for rental car at the destination. Is that still allowed for free? It doesn't seem to fit into the "mobility aid" category as we do not *need* it to move about in the airport.

 

[mom2myprincess]

Hello!
I called Airtran about 2 weeks ago. My daughter is 5 and I will be gate checking her umbrella stroller and booster carseat. Airtran said that they would allow me to gatecheck these items without a charge.

Me: DH: DD(5)rincess:

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks! My mom can walk with a cane or a walker, but not or any great distance. Without her wheelchair, I wouldn't be able to take her to WDW. We have such a tight time frame for our connection in Atlanta though (only 38 minutes between flights) that I'm considering checking the wheelchair in Orlando and letting Air Tran be responsible for hauling her to the gate and on our connection in Atlanta. I figure if they are responsible for her wheels, maybe there is a better chance of our making the connection.

I would gate the wheelchair all the way thru.
38 minutes is not a very long time between flights, even without a wheelchair. Usually we don't get DD's wheelchair back when gate checking until the plane is pretty much empty.
You might also want to call AirTran and see if that is considered enough time for a connection in Atlanta.

 

[Inkmahm]

I would gate the wheelchair all the way thru.
38 minutes is not a very long time between flights, even without a wheelchair. Usually we don't get DD's wheelchair back when gate checking until the plane is pretty much empty.
You might also want to call AirTran and see if that is considered enough time for a connection in Atlanta.

I called them last week and they said they already had it listed as my mom needing to have wheelchair service provided by them. I didn't ask if we check her wheelchair through if that would mean that it counted as her piece of luggage though... I did mention that we had such a tight connection in Atlanta that I was worried about making it. I'm hoping the planes are actually quite near each other in the terminal.

 

[Siouxstone]

Thanks for posting the info everyone! I just searched the Airtran site, but found nothing on strollers. So, I thought I'd search and maybe post here. But it's great to see the info already out there.

 

[Scotch]

DIS members are so helpful -- way more helpful than the airline's own website! Thank you!

 

[SueM in MN]

I called them last week and they said they already had it listed as my mom needing to have wheelchair service provided by them. I didn't ask if we check her wheelchair through if that would mean that it counted as her piece of luggage though... I did mention that we had such a tight connection in Atlanta that I was worried about making it. I'm hoping the planes are actually quite near each other in the terminal.

They are not allowed to count it as a piece of luggage. The Air Carrier Accedd Act (similar to the ADA, but applied to air travel) does not allow them to charge extra to carry a mobility device needed by a passenger.