Booster seats (x3), gate check or luggage check?

[BWVDenise]

2 backless, 1 high back.
I've gate checked a stroller before, but used a car seat on the plane. These will all be boosters that can't be used on the plane but we'll need for the rental car. I'm afraid if I luggage-check them, the arm rests might come off or get broken, or they will be filthy when we arrive.
How does everyone else do this?

 

[Del]

when we went in Nov. we rented our booster seat . It was $5/day from Budget. Hope that helps

Del

 

[jultomzach]

Just did booster seats X3 in October 03. We put them in mesh laundry bags but were told by USAIR that they would put them into bags for free per our request. Take off any cup holders or anything lose (manual, etc). We curb check them, would not want to lug them through airport, especially security. We rent cars from National and have no problems from luggage pick-up to car rental area. I travel often ( 3 - 4x a year with boosters) and have not had any problems. (put your name, address and phone number on them) Good Luck!

 

[CarolA]

I would not gate check them. That will slow down your whole boarding process and the risk of them being damaged or dirty is not dramatically decreased. (They all go down to the same place and are dealt with by the same personnel!)

 

[BWVDenise]

Thanks for the advice! I'm glad to know that they will put them in bags! And we will be on USAir, so I'll be sure to ask. Do you know if I can I ask at the curb if they have curbside baggage check then? (depending on security procedures at the time).
Thanks a bunch!

 

[jultomzach]

Where are you flying out of ? We flew out of Philly, they expanded their curbside checklanes last Fall (added 6 - 8 lanes). I always curbside check in Philly. Make sure you have seat assignments. The skycaps can assign seats at curb but not if the plane is overbooked and there are some seats which can only be assigned at the counter 2 hours before the flight. If skycabs can not assign your seat, you can not curb check your luggage. Also, USAIR policy regarding boarding passes is one member of a family can collect for all members as long as they have the same last name. All adults checking luggage will have to show photo ID when checking. We pull up, son gets out of seat, I hand the seat to my husband and he stands in line ( if there is one) while I stand beside car. Skycaps have been great about coming to the car to check my ID as long as they see their tip. This has been an easy system for us...as a matter of fact, I then go into airport with my son and wait for my husband to park car and bring the carry-ons. If you are on same intenary, you must go through security together. I don't know how old your children are but I still used an umbrella stroller with my 4 year old in the airport (and at Disney) and gate checked it. That worked out very well also. BY the way if you have problems getting seat assignments, email me.... I had lots of experience with this last flight and lots of good advice from the DIS boards.

 

[BWVDenise]

jultomzach,
Thanks so much for all the info. Yes, we are going out of PHL. I booked online and have seat assignments. We'll be dropped off curbside by my dfil so won't have to split up or anything. It looks like we can even get our boarding passes online before we leave for the airport.
Did you have them put your booster seat in a bag also?
Thanks for the help!

 

[jultomzach]

Online boarding passes are a beautiful thing - my favorite way to go! No, I did not have USAir put booster seats in an additional bag... the laundry bags were great and made for easier carrying to the rental car.