First timer at PHL flying SW

[nicpries]

I have only flown once about 7 years ago with my family. I am now flying by myself with my boyfriend (1st time flyer) and a 9 month old.

We are flying out of PHL to Ft. Myers to meet family. When we leave we are flying MCO to PHL.

I need so guidance on what to expect at PHL and MCO and if any of you have info on Ft. Myers I will gladly take it.

We are bring 3 suitcases, a stroller (in a gate check bag), and a car seat with its base. I own a Graco set. I have no clue what to expect for the gate check and what I should do with the car seat. Should I get a gate check bag also for that?

Any additional info you have to offer will be appreciated!!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

just remember to check carseat for damage when you arrive and get home. if possible and renting car, i would look at rental car carseat. same with stroller, rent one down there,offsite not at parks. seen too many strollers and carseats damaged by airlines. i would take dated picture of carseat and stroller at each airport, just in case.

 

[helenk]

I've never flown out of Ft Meyers but have flown from Phila and MCO.
Give yourself plenty of time at the airport, get to Phila and MCO at least 2 hours before your flight time. You are going to have your hands full and the less stress you have the better off you will be.
Southwest has curbside check in for your luggage and I would recommend checking your luggage curbside as the line is usually shorter. Tip the handlers $1 per bag.
Remember that when you are going through security the baby can not stay in the stroller or carrier. One adult must go through the screener and then the other adult must hand the baby through and then go through themselves.
The stroller and/or carrier must go on the conveyor so be prepared to do that.
If you go in the line for families, if my memory serves me correctly that conveyor was wider to accomodate strollers, car seats etc.
In MCO they have a nice food court, and plenty of shops and sit down restaurants to chose from. So you can shop or get something to eat before
going through security. You can also get something to eat at your gate.
In Phila the food court is okay, but again plenty of places to grab a bite to eat, or shop before heading through security. There are also places to eat in the gates, but the selection is not that great.
Make sure that you check in at the 24 hour mark for your boarding passes with SW to try and get an A boarding pass. If you get a B boarding pass you will be able to board after the A's but before the B's since you are travelling with a young child. But if I were you I'd try for an A just so you can get on board and settled in. Did you buy a ticket for the baby? If so I would head towards the back of the plane so that you room and time to get the baby's car seat strapped into the plane seat. If the baby is a lap baby, just get into your seat and settled.

 

[nicpries]

Thanks so much.

Any suggestions on the gate check bags and stuff like that. Also would it be better for me to check the stroller and car seat along with my luggage or should I bring it to the gate. I plan on bringing my sling, but not sure if it's just a better idea to pack the sling in my suitcase and use the stroller and car seat in the airport or visa versa.

 

[disneymayz]

I've never flown out of Ft Meyers but have flown from Phila and MCO.
Give yourself plenty of time at the airport, get to Phila and MCO at least 2 hours before your flight time. You are going to have your hands full and the less stress you have the better off you will be.
Southwest has curbside check in for your luggage and I would recommend checking your luggage curbside as the line is usually shorter. Tip the handlers $1 per bag.
Remember that when you are going through security the baby can not stay in the stroller or carrier. One adult must go through the screener and then the other adult must hand the baby through and then go through themselves.
The stroller and/or carrier must go on the conveyor so be prepared to do that.
If you go in the line for families, if my memory serves me correctly that conveyor was wider to accomodate strollers, car seats etc.
In MCO they have a nice food court, and plenty of shops and sit down restaurants to chose from. So you can shop or get something to eat before
going through security. You can also get something to eat at your gate.
In Phila the food court is okay, but again plenty of places to grab a bite to eat, or shop before heading through security. There are also places to eat in the gates, but the selection is not that great.
Make sure that you check in at the 24 hour mark for your boarding passes with SW to try and get an A boarding pass. If you get a B boarding pass you will be able to board after the A's but before the B's since you are travelling with a young child. But if I were you I'd try for an A just so you can get on board and settled in. Did you buy a ticket for the baby? If so I would head towards the back of the plane so that you room and time to get the baby's car seat strapped into the plane seat. If the baby is a lap baby, just get into your seat and settled.

Majority of the food is after security. Mainly since you can not take drinks through security they put it all after security.

Gate Check - We always take the stroller and gate check it. Maybe we are lucky but we have not had any damage to it. You will get it back as soon as you land. As PP said.. IF you bought a seat for your little one then use the car seat (if it is FAA approved) rather than gate checking it. IF not then it is up to you if you want to take it through the airport. If you plan to get to the airport early then take. Don't rush through security. You will be probably be placed in a family line and most families are slower than the experienced single flyers so it will be understood by most of the other families.

In a nut shell....... take it to the gate and gate check it. IF it is going to be damaged then it will be damaged if you gate check it or if you check it normal. I have seen some of the car rental seats and I would not put my child in one if i could help it. And for the price you come close to buying a new one. LOL

 

[nicpries]

Majority of the food is after security. Mainly since you can not take drinks through security they put it all after security.

Gate Check - We always take the stroller and gate check it. Maybe we are lucky but we have not had any damage to it. You will get it back as soon as you land. As PP said.. IF you bought a seat for your little one then use the car seat (if it is FAA approved) rather than gate checking it. IF not then it is up to you if you want to take it through the airport. If you plan to get to the airport early then take. Don't rush through security. You will be probably be placed in a family line and most families are slower than the experienced single flyers so it will be understood by most of the other families.

In a nut shell....... take it to the gate and gate check it. IF it is going to be damaged then it will be damaged if you gate check it or if you check it normal. I have seen some of the car rental seats and I would not put my child in one if i could help it. And for the price you come close to buying a new one. LOL

Sounds good to me!! I didn't purchase her a seat so her carseat will have to be checked.
Would you put the car seat in a gate check bag?

 

[CPT Tripss]

Since you do not plan to use the carseat on the plane, why not just check it with your other luggage? One less thing to carry through security . . . baby, stroller, baby bag plus your own carryon will be more than enough.

 

[tanker]

Sounds good to me!! I didn't purchase her a seat so her carseat will have to be checked.
Would you put the car seat in a gate check bag?

If the flight is not full the F/As will normally let you use the carseat for the infant. If the flight is full they will check it at the gate for you. Just an option to think about.

 

[disneymayz]

If the flight is not full the F/As will normally let you use the carseat for the infant. If the flight is full they will check it at the gate for you. Just an option to think about.

I agree with this. When you get to the gate ask the person there if the plane is full. If they say no then ask if you can use a seat of the little one. I'm not sure how much the bags cost. If they are cheap then sure go ahead if not you can just put it in a large plastic bag if it fits to try and keep it clean.

 

[nicpries]

I agree with this. When you get to the gate ask the person there if the plane is full. If they say no then ask if you can use a seat of the little one. I'm not sure how much the bags cost. If they are cheap then sure go ahead if not you can just put it in a large plastic bag if it fits to try and keep it clean.

Thank you. I know that our return flight is full, but not our arrival flight. Thanks for the info!

 

[jake1100]

You may want to consider the off airport check in facility at the lake buena vista factory stores if you are not staying at disney. I would not want to be dragging the bags and the kids if I had another option.

 

[nicpries]

You may want to consider the off airport check in facility at the lake buena vista factory stores if you are not staying at disney. I would not want to be dragging the bags and the kids if I had another option.

Well here what we're doing. We're flying for Ft. Myers for 5 days, then driving to Disney World for 5 days. My aunt and uncle are leaving after 3 days so we need to use the ME to get to the airport. Luckily my DD fits in her carseat and it attaches to my stroller.

 

[JenSop]

Make sure you do the 24 hour advance online checkin if you haven't paid the extra for being in the first seating group.

I had always flown USAir, but SW had the better deal last summer so we booked through them. (Roundtrip PHL to MCO.)

I learned alot about SW from this board. By doing the check in at exactly 24 hours, we were in the first boarding group.

 

[nicpries]

Make sure you do the 24 hour advance online checkin if you haven't paid the extra for being in the first seating group.

I had always flown USAir, but SW had the better deal last summer so we booked through them. (Roundtrip PHL to MCO.)

I learned alot about SW from this board. By doing the check in at exactly 24 hours, we were in the first boarding group.

Thank you thats also what I was planning for! I can't imagine having to sit apart. I've also heard that they sometimes allow families to board early. Just in case I don't get a early boarding, but believe me I will be on my phone at 10:10 AM the morning prior!

 

[deegack]

I have to give my carseat spiel - please reconsider buying your child her own seat. It is the safest and most comfortable way for them to travel.

That said - gate check the car seat and stroller. Much less chance of them being damaged and you may need the stroller in the airport. We used a bag for our stroller because we felt it was a bit more secure. Do not use a rental car seat. You have no idea how they were stored or handled or even if they were in an accident. I have heard horror stores about the condition of such seats.

SW usually allows families to board together between group A and B. So if you don't have an A boarding pass make sure to watch out for that.

Make sure you have a bottle or nurse for take off and landing. You will be allowed to bring a reasonable amount of formula or breastmilk through security, however they may have to open the container to check it.

Relax, and try to enjoy the trip. You are flying to Orlando so its very likely that the flight will be filled with other families who can relate to you