Baby "supplies" while flying...

[MommyBryn]

These may be two incredibly dumb questions, but I've never traveled with my baby, so I'm new to the "traveling mom" stuff.

Anyway, a couple questions...

When flying with a stroller, you can gate check almost any type, right? I mean, we don't want to take the little umbrella stroller, so will they allow us to check our bigger, travel system stroller (minus the infant carrier)? And do I need to let them know ahead of time that I'll be gate checking a stroller?

If we rent a car, we'll probably have to fly our carseat down too. That'll count as part of my luggage, right? And this is going to sound stupid, but can I put it in a garbage sack or something so it doesn't get all scuffed and beat up? OR, can I gate check that, too? I mean, will they let me check BOTH the stroller and the carseat? (it's a convertible carseat)

 

[Mark P.]

Hi,
I'm not sure on whether or not there is a size requirement for stroller gate checking.
From our past experience in gate-checking our (medium sized) stroller, we only had to let the airline rep. at check-in.
I think they gave us a "gate-check" sticker or something at that time to put on it. Then we left it on the jetway right before entering the plane, and it was waiting for us when we got off

When we brought DS's car seat, the airline put it in a fairly thick & large plastic bag. I'm pretty sure it does count as luggage.
(Definitely put a luggage tag on it)

Hope this helps

 

[kstinw19]

When flying with a stroller, you can gate check almost any type, right? I mean, we don't want to take the little umbrella stroller, so will they allow us to check our bigger, travel system stroller (minus the infant carrier)? And do I need to let them know ahead of time that I'll be gate checking a stroller?

In our experience, you can check any size stroller that you need. We have flown with our double stroller/travel system before and had no problem checking it. One word of advice...if you aren't flying direct and have a layover, ask the person at the gate if you could have it brought back up at your layover stop. It is so nice to have it when you are stuck in the airport, and they are happy to do it.

If we rent a car, we'll probably have to fly our carseat down too. That'll count as part of my luggage, right? And this is going to sound stupid, but can I put it in a garbage sack or something so it doesn't get all scuffed and beat up? OR, can I gate check that, too? I mean, will they let me check BOTH the stroller and the carseat? (it's a convertible carseat)

You can rent a carseat at the car rental place. I have never done it, but know it can be done. And yes, it will count as part of your luggage, but it can count as a piece of your child's luggage, so you still have five other items to check in (based on travel w/ 1 child). And they do have pretty tough bags that they put it in...definitely heavier than a garbage bag. You could gate check the car seat as well, and that might be a good idea on certain airlines. We fly SW and I know that they let us bring the carseat on the plane if it's not full, even though we didn't buy the baby a seat. They are good like that.

Keep in mind that all the stuff you check in at the gate has to go on the security belt. That, IMO, is the hardest part of flying...my dh and I struggle to hold the baby, keep track of the 4 and 5 yo and try to pass the strollers, car seats, bags, shoes, jewelry, etc. thru the detectors...we look like a three ring circus!

Have fun