Best suggestions for gate-checking booster seats

[sorchamac]

I'm need to carry my two children's booster seats with us on the plane. I want to gate-check them. They are high back boosters. I know I could buy smaller ones but why waste that extra money when I don't have to.

I'd like to hear any advice about how to carry them to the gate. I'm thinking of using bungee cords to tie them together, and then finding a large duffel bag to put them in. Any other suggestions?

Thanks-

Sorcha

 

[alloyd1170]

Why gate check them and not put them through with the regular luggage? Ive never had a problem doing it that way. I got a car seat bag for our Graco Turbo booster (Babies R Us-Eddie Bauer bag ran about $20) and it had enough room to add a pack of diapers, wipes, jackets, stuffed animal, and more. It didnt count against our luggage limits and came through without any damage. Saved me from hauling it through the airport too, and just carrying it from the car to checkin was a real pain!

alison

 

[swilshire]

I don't think you'd want to gate-check the boosters. Just check them like regular luggage. I've never done this, but the duffle bag sounds like a good idea. I think the airlines would also furnish you a plastic bag to put them in. Or you could probably just use a heavy garbage bag.

Hopefully the seats will be sturdy enough to withstand any damage. If you're going to Orlando, however, I must say that I've had more damage to luggage flying into there than to all other destinations put together.

Gate checking is normally used for things you need at the airport where you change planes, such as strollers or wheelchairs. If you don't need the item until your destination, just check them the usual way.

Sheila

Oops .... looks like Alison types faster than me!

 

[NotUrsula]

I second the car-seat satchel; Target also sometimes carries them, and also Baby Depot, if you don't have a BRUS/TRUS nearby.

Actually, it *is* smarter to gate-check your carseats. For starters, gate-checking means that they are guaranteed NOT to end up under several tons of baggage in the hold, which is all too possible when you check them through the bag room. The other issue is that if your carseat gets misdirected and ends up on the wrong flight, you will not be able to leave your destination airport when you arrive. You can live without suitcases for a day or so, but if you are driving a rental, you can't take your kids to WDW from MCO without carseats. (Yes, you could rent a carseat for the time-being, but then you would have to go back to MCO to return it once yours arrived; major hassle.) Better to be absolutely sure that your carseat is on the same plane that you are.

 

[striker3636]

We have checked our 2 car seats with the luggage and had no problems. Each time we were directed to a special services area that looks after bulky items and other stuff once our main luggage was checked in. The car seats and our stroller we checked at the gate were never counted as part of the overall luggage count. Each time we were given a very heavy clear plastic bag and wire tie and assisted with securing the seats etc. Everything always was fine at the end - we were told that this stuff is treated a little differently with loading and not to worry about getting crushed etc. I don't know if that is really true, however we have never had problems or any delays of any kind checking in or getting out of the airport due to this extra step. We have done this on 3 different airlines from the big guys to the little regional ones and no complaints.

Annette

 

[summerrluvv]

If you put them in a huge duffle bag, you probably won't get past security since all carry on's have to be a certain size and they are enforcing it these days. I think gate check is really reserved for strollers, wheelchairs and other items that folks need for when they get off the plane.

 

[NotUrsula]

The TSA folks will not question the size of a carseat; they don't concern themselves with whether or not a given type of carseat is the right type or size to be used on board a plane. They leave that totally up to the airlines.

If a carseat does not fit through the carryon template on the x-ray machine, it will be hand-checked.