Experiance with Gate checking stroller on Delta

[Simbee3]

I know thing in the airline world are changing rapidly because of fuel charges. But, I need to gate check a carseat for my 2 year old with a connecting flight. I was told by a representive this morning that I wouldn't get until we got to Orlando. I thought that i would get it when we reached Atlanta especially with a 2 hour lay over. I have never done connecting flights before and I don't even know what there is for the kids to do while we are waiting. Please help.

 

[SueM in MN]

IBut, I need to gate check a carseat for my 2 year old with a connecting flight. I was told by a representive this morning that I wouldn't get until we got to Orlando.

Do you mean car seat or stroller?
If you asked the Delta rep about a car seat, you probably wouldn't get that until you get to Orlando since you would not need it until you are there.
If stroller, you should be able to choose whether to get it back at your connecting city or your final destination as far as I know.

 

[Simbee3]

Do you mean car seat or stroller?
If you asked the Delta rep about a car seat, you probably wouldn't get that until you get to Orlando since you would not need it until you are there.
If stroller, you should be able to choose whether to get it back at your connecting city or your final destination as far as I know.

No I meant the stroller. Because she is two I was told I was required to bring her carseat on board and put her in it. But, then I would have to take it off the plane and lug it around until we board the next plane.

And is there anything to do while you're in the Atlanta airport? Or should I just bring sandwiches along and let the boys play the PSP's?

 

[all4fun]

We have flown Delta numerous times, through Atlanta, and always had or gate checked stroller brought out for us to use between connecting flights. I do remember once the gate agent at our home airport asked us if we wanted it to go straight through to our destination and we said yes because we had a short layover and didn't want to have to wait for the stroller to come out. Then they brought it out and put it on the jetway (in Atlanta) anyway so it's a good thing it was already sitting there when we walked off the plane otherwise, we would have left it behind!

When you go to get on your first flight, you should request a gate check tag for the stroller and have them put Atlanta and Orlando airport codes on the tag. It should be brought up on to the jetway in Atlanta for you and you won't have to retag it for the last part of your trip. It has always worked this way for us and we have taken 10 trips to WDW with ds now so we have quite a bit of experience with this.

Oh and definitely use the car seat on board the plane. You don't know how it would be treated in the cargo hold and the airlines will most likely not reimburse you if it's damaged because they classify them as "fragile" so you check it at your own risk. Here are some tips I found helpful when using ours on the plane:

• carry the seat upside down with the seat resting on your forearm. This puts the widest part of the seat on top which makes it easier to get down the narrow plane aisle.
• When installing a fwd facing car seat, recline the airplane seat all the way first, thread the seatbelt through the fwd facing belt path, buckle and tighten. If the buckle latch is facing the plastic shell of the car seat, then flip it over so it's facing the airplane seat, which will make it easier to undo when you go to get it off the plane. After tightening the lap belt, put the airplane seat fully upright and it will snug up the install.
• reclining the seat also helps with uninstalling the car seat.

hth!

oh and Atlanta is huge. Most often we end up having to take the subway system there to get from one flight to the next. So if you have to do that, it's possible you'll burn up about 15 minutes at least just getting from one plane to the next. Your boys should be fine playing their PSP's.
this is from the airport website:
Delta Air Lines (DL) Concourse(s): A, B, D, T& E
Phone: 1-800-325-1999
Phone: 1-800-221-1212 (INT'L)
Paging: 404-714-7250
Shops and Restaurant info

 

[lpberg]

It depends upon *how* you're checking the car seat and stroller. I would agree with the PP - you won't *need* the car seat until you get to Orlando. In my experience, it was easiest to check my kids' car seats when I checked in and checked my bags - if you ask the Delta agent nicely, they may even have a large, clear, sealable plastic bag that they can put the car seat in. Make sure that you see them put a bag tag on it and get your "receipt" from them in case it gets lost.

That said, when my children were in the 6 month to 2 year old age range, I oftentimes brought the car seat on board to put them. My DS was not a good flyer - it was easier to strap him in and give him things to do. Granted, you don't have as much room, and you lose easy access to the tray table and front seat pocket. Additionally, you'll need to carry it through Atlanta (ATL) until you get on the next plane - we ended up using the stroller for that, and carrying our child(ren). That's a personal decision.

As far as a stroller goes, I've always gate checked mine. You need to do this as soon as you get to the gate (or as soon as a gate agent is at the desk) - don't wait until they start boarding (just makes more of a hassle for everyone involved). They will put a tag, usually pink, on your stroller.

IF YOU WANT THE STROLLER IN ATL, tell your home airport gate agent so that they can mark the tag appropriately. The ramp agents will bring the stroller up for you to the jetway so that you will have it when you literally walk off the plane. You will then need to get another gate check at the next gate for your next flight. IF YOU'RE NOT CHANGING PLANES, you can essentially gate check the stroller all the way through to Orlando. Again, when you get to Orlando, it will be in the jetway waiting for you. Double check with the gate agent that's doing the tag at your home airport to confirm where it's been gate checked through to - Atlanta (ATL), or Orlando (MCO).

When my kids were small, it was always good to have the stroller readily available to walk through the airport, especially ATL. A 2 hour layover will go fairly quickly - between getting off the plane, determining where your next departure gate is (do I have to change concourses or walk pretty far to the next gate), walking to that next gate, taking a potty break, getting food (depending upon the time of day you're flying), etc. Some concourses/areas of ATL also have a small play area for the kids (think: Little Tikes small climber).

Good luck on your trip! And enjoy your time at Disney!

Lynne

 

[lpberg]

I haven't had a 2 year old in 2 years (!) so it may be a new regulation, but....I 've never been *told* that I *had* to bring a car seat on board for a 2 year old. My DD was a great flyer so we never used a car seat for her - just when she was an infant.

There's nothing on delta's website that indicates that you HAVE to bring a car seat on board for your 2 year old. Personal decision.

Another good idea for carrying the car seat through the airport - we used to buckle the chest clip, and then slide the car seat (upside down) onto the handle of the stroller, or flip it upside down and "balance" it on the back/top of the stroller.

I've also NEVER had a problem gate checking my car seats - no damage, lost once. Biggest thing is to get that clear plastic bag, or bring a large black garbage bag and put it in that when you get to the airport. OH! Also put your name, address and cell phone number on the black plastic bag or on the car seat (clear plastic bag) so that a) they can easily get a hold of you if it gets lost, and b) so you can determine quickly if it's yours at baggage claim (many look alike!). They also often bring the car seats up at the bag office, not right on the baggage carousel - every airport is different.

Lynne

 

[all4fun]

Yes, it's true that you don't *have* to bring a car seat on board the plane for any child however the FAA does highly recommend it, up until the child is at least 40lbs.

http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

FAA strongly urges parents and guardians to secure children in an appropriate restraint based on weight and size. Keeping a child in a CRS or device during the flight is the smart and right thing to do.

 

[mamaLori05]

No I meant the stroller. Because she is two I was told I was required to bring her carseat on board and put her in it. But, then I would have to take it off the plane and lug it around until we board the next plane.

And is there anything to do while you're in the Atlanta airport? Or should I just bring sandwiches along and let the boys play the PSP's?

That's not true, at least it wasn't for Midwest. We recently flew with our then two year old, now three year old, and she wasn't required to have a car seat. I think the only time you are required to have a car seat is if you are flying with an infant (under 1 yr) , and you choose to buy a seat for him/her. I'd call back again on that one. Maybe the rep thought you were flying with an infant???

 

[mamaLori05]

Oh, and I forgot to add, if you choose to check your car seat, I would definatly buy a padded car seat bag for it. We got one from (two initials, but can't remember what they are right now) Childress, and it works great. It is like a huge backpack with two backpack straps on the back of it and you can wear the carseat on your back, freeing up your arms for other luggage. We have a Britax Marathon and it fits great in the bag and keeps it nice and protected from bumps, tears, dirt, rain, you name it!!

 

[Simbee3]

Thanks for all the wonder full information and tips. She will have her own seat and we're bringing it anyway for for our land portion of our trip. And as for the stroller goes, I know I defiently have to put it in a bag when it's checked. Last year when they brought our stroller to us it was filthy and I had wished that I had taken the advice given to me from this board and put the stroller in a bag.