American Airlines question

[klcason]

We are flying American with an Eagle flight as one leg. I was wondering if anyone knows about gate checking for American. We are taking a stroller and want to gate check it and the booster seats for the rental car.

Thanks,

Kayla

 

[safetymom]

That won't be a problem. The planes have small overheads so most people check their bags at the plane. Just get a tag from the gate agent, they will take it from you at the plane. It will be waiting for you when you get off the plane. There is usually someone standing there to take them.

 

[Nebsky]

Hi!!

I work for Eagle and Im very good friends with our manager at Shreveport. We do "valet" bag service. Most big bags will need to be checked at the counter as safetymom said the overhead bins are small.. Backpacks, laptop cases, diaper bags, etc fit in fine, but when people try to put a "roll-a-board" bag up top it just doesnt work.

Regarding your stroller/booster seat....No Problem at all if its an "umbrella stroller"...Booster seat is no problem either...One of those big strollers you will need to do the following...

You can carry it through security and take it with you to the gate. Make sure you have everything out of there that you need as it will be put in the normal luggage hold at the rear of the aircraft and you wont be able to access it.

Heres where there might be some differences...

Some airports when you give the agent your ticket will go ahead and put the red tag on your bag and ask you to leave it at the bottom of the jetbridge close to the entry way of the aircraft. Some airports will have agent take your ticket and let you go, then you get down to the aircraft and another agent will take your bag.

Keep your tag...Agents will take all the "gate check" bags and load them in the most accessible place in the luggage hold.
Go ahead and board...Once you arrive at your location, the inbound agents meeting the aircraft will retrieve all the gate check bags first and have them at the jetbridge for you.
We do our best to get your bags to you at the right time.

I hope you enjoy your flight with American Eagle and will use us often.

If you have any other Eagle questions, please feel free to ask..

 

[klcason]

Thanks so much Nebsky, it is always nice to have first hand info!! It is a large stroller a double jogger. I would check it with the luggage but I really don't want to risk things being stacked on top of it.

So they will check it for me at the gate or at the ticket counter at the gate. Our airport has been completely remodelled since the last time we flew so I am a bit nervous about the whole thing. We have never flown with the kids either.

One other question, since you said I could ask !!! We have a dvd player in a bag with earphones. Would it be ok to take it for the kids? Certainly not a necessity but it would help I think.

So do you suggest that we just carry on the booster seats? Or will they put them somewhere for us?

Thanks again!!

Kayla

 

[Nebsky]

No problem. Happy to help out...
TSA should let you carry that stroller through security. It will fit through the "scanner/xray" right? If not, they may ask you to check it at the counter. When/if you check it, ask them not to put anything on it.

Regarding the booster seats yes carry them with you. We used one with our son. If you choose not to use them they will gate check them for you.

About the DVD, I never leave home without mine now. I take it on planes and no one ever says a thing. The only drag is that you cant watch it until after they give the " all clear". Usually about 5 mins after take off that happens. Then about 10 mins prior to landing, they will ask you to turn it off again. DVD's players are a great thing. Friend just said he came back on a flight and walked to the restroom and on the way back, he saw about 10 people with them.

Have a great trip....

ps...Ill be driving through your fine city about about 35 days....

 

[klcason]

Jeff,

Thanks for all the info. I am just a little concerned about the dvd as it is fairly large. It is a dvd/vcr combo in a bag, no larger than a diaper bag though. Are there outlets on the seats?

I do not envy you in driving. Why, why, why aren't you flying???? We drove in Sept. with my then 4 and 2 year olds. Not again if I can help it!! And you have about 4 hours further than we did right?

Well thanks again and have a very safe trip.

Kayla

 

[Nebsky]

Hmmmm...I was thinking you had a "laptop" style DVD player.
If its a DVD/VCR combo, that might be a bit big....Give me the demensions and Ill do some checking for you.

You will need a converter for a seat outlet. Kinda like the ones used in the car for a radar detectors. If it requires a normal plug your not going to be able to use it.

We are driving because we cant get on any flights. They are all oversold. Have been that way since early Dec. Its due to Spring Break. Nonrevs (airline employees) know that getting to Florida, Mexico, etc during spring break times its not going to work. We would be left at the gate.

I have actually been on the plane and have been yanked off due to some stragglers...A co-worker of mine has actually had the plane turn around on the ground to pick up passengers and they kicked her off. I dont feel safe until the plane is up in the air.

SHV is about 3.5 hrs away. We arent too worried about the drive. I grew up flying and always liked doing road trips.
course, I might be saying something else after we get back....

BTW, which way did you drive. Did you take I49 to Lafayette then I10, I12, I10 to I75 in FL? Using Yahoo maps it says to go to Jackson MS then due sout to connect to I10 about an hour east of BTR.

 

[klcason]

Jeff,

You definately want to take the I-49 route. The roads through Mississippi are not near as good. We drove straight through in Sept and stopped about every 2 hours. It took us right at 15 hours to get there. My software said to take the Jackson route too but we figured we would rather chance it taking a bit longer and have better roads. The 49 route it is a big interstate all the way to Orlando.

This is a travel DVD/VCR Combo. It is no larger than a standard carry-on and has an adaptor for use in the car. It has a carry bag that it all fits in. It really isn't any bigger that a large diaper bag.

What do we need for ID purposes for the kids, they will be 5 and almost 3. They are ok to use just the airplane seat right?

Thanks so much!!

Kayla

 

[Nebsky]

Kayla,

You wont need anything for ID purposes for the kiddos. As long as they are with you will be ok.

The DVD/VCR player should fit with no problem on the AA flight.
The Eagle Flight it might be kind of cramped and might not fit in the overhead. You might be able to get it under the seat though.
Eagle flights do not have a powerport on them, so make sure batteries are charged up.

How are you going to watch it though? Lay it on the tray tables?

Thanks for the info on the drive.
The info I printed off going through Jackson MS has us going on a Interstate to get to I10. We will probably just cut down I49. On the way home, I know we are going that way because I want to eat some crawfish...YUMMY!!! From my house to SHV usually takes about 3.5 hrs....So if you made it to WDW in 15 hours, we should do it in no more than 19. Of course we will be stopping overnight. Probably at Lake City, FL where I10 and I75 cross.. Is it a pretty nice drive or is a long boring drive?

 

[klcason]

Jeff,

The drive is terribly boring!! I mean really really boring. Wish I had better news for you! Have you eaten at Mulate's. We used to stop there all the time when I travelled with my parents. My daddy loves cajun food. It is a really cool place for dinner. There is one in Opoleusus (?sp). And maybe one in Baton Rouge. Not sure about the BR one though.

Actually the dvd has a fold up screen and one that is detachable so you can watch a dvd and a vcr at the same time. It will support itself or I guess I could hold it??? I don't know dh thinks it will be more trouble than it is worth but I think it will help pass the time on that 2.5 hour flight from DFW.

Kayla

 

[Nebsky]

Calculating the days till your there using your countdown, I came up with Sep 25, 2004.

I looked at all the DFW-MCO flights and each of them is a B757. Seat configuration is 3 and 3 meaning 3 seats, then the aisle then 3 more seats. Whats more is B757's have TV Monitors on the plane. You may not want to bring it, however, they rarely put "kid programming" on the show. If your player can fit under the seat in front of you, Id stowe it down there then unhook the screens and put those on the tray tables for the kids.
It does come with Headphones right?

I was hoping you would say that it was a fantastic drive full of scenery and stuff like that. Ive only been to Louisianna one time. We flew to BTR with some friends then went down to New Orleans. Had a good time, but one question always remained...
Why did it smell like an open sewer in the French Quarter..Uggh..

 

[klcason]

Jeff,

I have not yet changed my countdown clock. That was a hassle before and I am not real wild about going through it again. We are leaving on Sept. 4th and returning on the 10th. I switched my ressie from OKW to the VWL this morning. I can't wait.

I can tell you from my experience of living in Arlington that LA is more attractive only if you like water and trees. All that concrete in the Dallas/FW area nearly drove me nuts. The drive was really awful.

I hate New Orleans, we only go if my dh has a conference or something. Realize that Northwest Louisiana is nothing like the South! We really don't care for New Orleans much. Just our humble opinion.

Yes, the dvd comes with headphones and 2 detachable screens. It should fit without a prob under the seat. We probably won't mess with it for the short flight to dfw.

Thanks so much for all of your input!!

Kayla

 

[Nebsky]

All the flights from DFW to MCO to DFW during those times are sked for a 757. Youll be fine. Hopefully those seats have the powerports on them...You should be ok though...

I like scenery so if there are trees and water that should be ok with me.

Thank you too for your input. If you ever need anything let me know. Ill do some checking and see what I can arrange.