anyone check a stroller on airplane?

[charity]

We are going for our first trip in May with my DS3. Has anyone checked a stroller in on the plane? How easy is it to take our stroller with us on the plane? and to get it checked in... it counts as his luggage right??
Thanks for any help!

 

[snugglepeas]

what you do is use it all the way up to the gate then you tell them you would like to gate check it(do this before they start boarding) they will give you a tag to stick on your stroller, then when they start to board take it down to the end of the jetway, just before you get on the plane collapse it down and they will place it under the plane, and when you get off the plane it will be waiting for you on the jetway.

 

[charity]

what you do is use it all the way up to the gate then you tell them you would like to gate check it(do this before they start boarding) they will give you a tag to stick on your stroller, then when they start to board take it down to the end of the jetway, just before you get on the plane collapse it down and they will place it under the plane, and when you get off the plane it will be waiting for you on the jetway.

Thanks! i had no idea how to do this! Will it count as luggage?

 

[momsoftwins]

i dont thinkit counts as luggage
hello charity fellow ohioian
and this is my 100th post

 

[mcqueengroupie]

no, it doesn't count as luggage!! Thank goodness. It is a very easy process to do. Don't worry about it at all, when you go down to the gate, ask for a tag for the stroller, and that is it. You leave it by the plane when you board, and it will be there when you get off the plane. Enjoy!!

 

[charity]

i dont thinkit counts as luggage
hello charity fellow ohioian
and this is my 100th post

Hi momoftwins!
I will be so glad to get out of this cold Ohio weather to warm Florida!!!

 

[Honeymooner04]

Just wanted to confirm what the other posters are saying. We gate checked ours just this past weekend on a trip. It's easy and no worries! Have a great trip!

 

[Disneyolic]

We have done this multiple times and love the convenience of it. You do have to collapse the stroller during security check also. Take your time getting off the plane as it can take a couple of minutes for the handlers to bring the stroller up the stairs. I would have my family go on ahead and I would wait for the stroller in the jetway (is that what it is called?). Especially on connecting flights, the stroller was wonderful to have.

I would ask for a stroller tag as soon as possible so all the right information is placed on the tag.

Once we brought our Graco Duo-Glider and at MCO they waved us on and breezed us through security. Let me tell you, that line was LONG and we were all glad that security attendants saw that stroller and waved us ahead. It almost makes me want to bring it back just for that purpose!

 

[NotUrsula]

Don't leave the stroller open at the end of the jetway. YOU are responsible for folding it and securing it so that it stays folded. (I recommend a bungee cord.) The ramp workers do not have time learn the intricacies of how to fold the zillions of stroller designs out there, and they will either toss it into the hold open, or will just attempt to cram it shut any old way -- either possibility carries a high likelihood of causing damage.

Also, remove all items from the basket and remove all toy attachments before folding it for gate-check; these things WILL break off in transit. (Best to put them in your checked luggage before you leave home, actually.)

 

[Tigger&Aidan]

Yeah, it was pain to get thru the security but otherwise, it was great! I was glad it didn't count as luggage either! Enjoy your trip!

 

[Tinkabella]

I would call the airline just to confirm. I flew on Air France a coulple of years ago and was shocked when they would not allow me to gate check my tiny umbrella strollers. I had never had a problem before. I tried to explain to the girl at the counter that when I arrived in Paris it would be 2:00 am for my kids (DS 1 and DD3) and how was I supposed to change terminal with no stroller ???? "Thats your problem" she said !!!! We have and will NEVER fly Air France again.

I know most north american airlines are more child friendly...but I would just call ahead and confirm.

 

[auroraarielella]

There was an important tip just quickly mentioned here, and that is that at airport security, you will have to remove the child, fold the stroller up, and send it through the machine (at least at PHL you do), then carry the child through with you. And re-set up the stroller and collect your carry-ons and restrap the baby and re-fill pockets, put on shoes or whatever else they made you do. Not a major deal for the family with the stroller - just, as a kindness to the persons behind you - be prepared to pull the child out and fold the stroller so you do not slow the whole security process more than it is already.
Gate checking once you get through security is a breeze.

 

[Disneyolic]

II know most north american airlines are more child friendly...but I would just call ahead and confirm.

We have gate checked our stroller on the following airlines:

JetBlue & Delta

and we plan on stroller gate checking on USAir.

 

[charity]

Thanks for All the great info, I knew this would be the place to get great ideas and help!!

 

[hannah03]

Yes... this was great for me too!! Thanks for posting

 

[nelljay1973]

As I have done this a few times now..a word of warning...our last trip home, the airline got a bit sarcastic when we turned up with our tandem stroller. Said it had to be fully collapsible (which it is)..but they mean an UMBRELLA stroller. Also don't take your finest stroller buy one just for travelling. I'm grateful we did because they really don't treat them the best. I've now used three different strollers travelling on airplanes and ALL of them got damaged to some extent.

 

[design_mom]

I would call the airline just to confirm. I flew on Air France a coulple of years ago and was shocked when they would not allow me to gate check my tiny umbrella strollers. I had never had a problem before. I tried to explain to the girl at the counter that when I arrived in Paris it would be 2:00 am for my kids (DS 1 and DD3) and how was I supposed to change terminal with no stroller ???? "Thats your problem" she said !!!! We have and will NEVER fly Air France again.

I know most north american airlines are more child friendly...but I would just call ahead and confirm.

Weird -- I gate checked an umbrella stroller on an AirFrance flight (September, 2005.) without any problems. They even put it in a closet on the plane instead of in the cargo hold.

Of course, I would avoid CDG if at all possible if you're traveling with a child... but that's another story.

By the way, I agree with NellJay about not taking your best stroller. We traveled once with our Combi. It went through fine but the other girl who gate checked a stroller ended up with a mangled mess (missing wheels, bent bars, etc.) Since then I've traveled with an inexpensive umbrella stroller.