Bring a stroller in the airport??

[china mom]

I don't have kids but fly every week and the process of TSA dealing with strollers kinda sucks for everyone. I'm pre-check and A+ preferred companion status, but seriously, I just see how this causes problems.

That said, sounds like you've got it under control after that and you'll have a blast!

It depends on how organized and prepared you are. For about a year, the kids and I were flying somewhere twice a month. Most of the time we were carry on only so just imagine the eye rolls we would get from all the businessmen....one parent, two kids, full sizes stroller, multiple bags.

We would beat most people through TSA most of the time. As we approach TSA, everything from our pockets is stashed on one of the carry ons. Shoes are off, no belt and each kid has an assignment about putting stuff on the belt.

Funny thing, when DH is with us (business traveler ) he hold us up while he empties his pockets, takes off his belt etc.

 

[amberpi]

It depends on how organized and prepared you are. For about a year, the kids and I were flying somewhere twice a month. Most of the time we were carry on only so just imagine the eye rolls we would get from all the businessmen....one parent, two kids, full sizes stroller, multiple bags.

We would beat most people through TSA most of the time. As we approach TSA, everything from our pockets is stashed on one of the carry ons. Shoes are off, no belt and each kid has an assignment about putting stuff on the belt.

Funny thing, when DH is with us (business traveler ) he hold us up while he empties his pockets, takes off his belt etc.

That's awesome!

 

[MomForFrozenAddicts]

While in Disneyland last week, there was a family who was searching for their missing kid by the bag check right after closing of California Adventure. It was dark and very crowded. Another mother made a comment about how she was glad her kid was in her stroller. I have to agree. In a crowded area, airport being one of them, kids in stroller are easiler to manage. Not to mention about the much shorter line at TSA, and advantage of pre-boarding.

 

[GillianP1301]

I wouldn't bother. Personally, I want to be lugging as little crap as possible through an airport. Having carry-on items has become such a huge pain, that I try to avoid it as much as possible. So to me having the umbrella stroller is just one more thing to worry about.

Now, if you think there is any chance your near 3 year old will not walk the entire time in the airport, then I would reconsider because lugging a 3 year old around, with their small roller bag, while you manouevre your own bag sounds way worse to me then pushing a stroller and having an extra item to check.

From my personal experience, we did not take a stroller through the airport, but my son was 4 the first time he flew and there is a big difference between 3 and 4 when it comes to ability to walk through a large airport unassisted.

 

[mousefan73]

I know this maybe belongs on the family board or something but we're leaving early tomorrow morning and DH and I don't see eye to eye on the stroller thing...

We have a large 2 year old (3 in June) and we're flying nonstop from here to Orlando (2 hour flight). No layover to deal with either coming or going which is nice. The last time we flew with DS he was 14 months and a stroller was essential since he had just started walking. He's a good walker now (not too horribly slow) and stays close to us in strange places. DH will have a roller bag, I'll have a bag over my shoulder and DS has a little roller backpack (let's be real, I'll probably end up with that one too).

We have rented a stroller from Kingdom Strollers. Do you think an umbrella stroller is essential for the airport?? DS does not sleep anywhere but in his crib or a quick catnap if it's a long car ride (I'm not kidding, we drove 11 hours when he was just 2 and he slept for 30 minutes). So it's not like I think he could just pass out in the stroller if he wanted. DH thinks the stroller will be more of a hindrance than anything but I'm always in the camp of "if there's a chance you'd want it- bring it."

Thoughts??

Heck I used my stroller back then more as a luggage cart for handluggage and loved it. Took ME a while to wean from it ( we fly a lot). I would toss backpacks, small rollers hang my purse, shopping bagd from it. Child would walk LOL!! But was good for child, they would hold onto one handle tonstay close. Why carry your carry on. Use a stroller!

 

[china mom]

Heck I used my stroller back then more as a luggage cart for handluggage and loved it. Took ME a while to wean from it ( we fly a lot). I would toss backpacks, small rollers hang my purse, shopping bagd from it. Child would walk LOL!! But was good for child, they would hold onto one handle tonstay close. Why carry your carry on. Use a stroller!

That's totally me. My daughter turned 11 on Nov and I still took a stroller on our Jan trip.... for ME. I used it as a luggage cart.

Last month was our first trip without a stroller and I missed it so much.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Well... we're back! Trip was so amazing and we went sans stroller in the airport. I appreciated all of the replies!! I was going back and forth until we left because you all made such good points. We let DS roll his own bag and he loved it and did so well! I was very impressed. Only during melt down mode after no nap at 4pm when we returned yesterday did things get a bit hairy. All in all it was a great move and a great trip!! I had few expectations for going with a 2 year old and it was amazing.