Flying with 2 strollers/carseats....

[bama-mom]

Well since we got Dinged for a great price on Southwest, we are now flying instead of making the 12 hour drive. While I am excited not to have to drive that long with a 3 year old and 7 month old, I dread the airport.

We will have luggage, 2 car seats, 2 Mac strollers, diaper bag etc.

For those of you who fly, how do you handle all this stuff in the airport and making your way to the rental car? I really want to bring my own(strollers and carseats) and not rent. Are we crazy for trying to juggle all this? I know I can gate check the strollers, but I don't want them getting dirty. Last time dd's brand new Mac got black marks all over it, should I get bags for them?

Also, since I really haven't flown much, should I bring a carry on with a change of clothes for all of us in case luggage is lost? We are staying off property and will have a car, so we will hit Wal-Mart or Publix for things when we get there, so I am not worried about diapers, formula, etc.
Sorry so many ???'s, we have 31 days and I am getting too excited to even sleep at night

 

[cincy]

We have 3 kids. On our last trip ds was 7, dd was 4 and ds was 2. We checked all our bags and the car seats. The only thing we take with us to the gate is the strollers and our small bags. You can give your stroller to the attendant at the gate as you get on. They will put it under the plane. When you get off the plane the stroller is right there at the gate waiting for you.

 

[all4fun]

I only have to travel with one small child but I'll tell you what we do.

I always use a back pack as a carry on, this way my hands are free.

On our last trip, I put the car seat on the stroller (Kidco stroller, very similar to Maclarens). DS (3-1/2yrs) walked for the most part. If he wanted to ride, I just carried the car seat on my arm. We don't have a huge airport here so it's not too bad.

When we get to baggage claim, we rent one of those smart carts. I think it's $3 now but it's worth the money! It sounds like you have 2 strollers, not one double? You could fold one and put it on top of your luggage and have your 3yr old walk, or carry your baby in a sling or front carrier and let the 3yr old ride in the stroller... I've never used Skycap svc on the way out of an airport but maybe that is an option as well (just a thought).

If you're worried about the strollers getting marked up, then I would definitely use a stroller bag. Our stroller has faired pretty well w/out any special precautions on numerous trips. I usually do take the canopy off and any other attachements like cupholders and put it in our checked bag.

hth!

 

[carissanboys]

A lot of times they require that you put your strollers/carseats in those plastic bags anyway.

I second renting a luggage cart at the airport. It's just impossible to get your bags, strollers, carseats and kids to the airport/rental car any other way. We lived in Australia for 3 years and when we moved there we had 2 kids ages 3 and 1. We had SIX large suitcases, a stroller, 2 carseats and 4 backpacks. It was quite a job manuevering ourselves through the airport with 2 luggage carts and pushing a stroller.

I've always packed a change of clothes in the carry on, but have never used them. Of course, the one time you woudn't pack them, you'd need them

I have flown numerous times with our children so if you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[all4fun]

Oh about the change of clothes....I always bring something for ds but don't worry about myself or dh. We fly cross country and so far, knock on wood, we've never had a need for it. You might just bring clean t-shirts and socks/undies for yourselves and a full change for kiddo's (as they are messier!). You should be fine!

After all, you are already planning a stop at Walmart so if God forbid somehow your luggage got lost, you'd be able to buy a few things there. Hopefully that doesn't happen though!

 

[wrighter]

Ditto the backpack. I've taken my two children (DS3 and DD1) on over a dozen trips, and it is the best travel tip I could give. To be able to walk on the plane and not hit every person in the head as you walk by will save you at least some of the glares from the childless crowd.

If you really want your strollers in the airport with you (and you don't want to check them at the main check-in counter,) then bring your own plastic bag. Right before you board the plane you can leave it for "gate check" but you know it won't come back out covered in Lord knows what. (That's happened to us, too.) Definitely check your car seats at the main check-in, but be certain that whoever takes them from you puts them in bags. We've arrived at our destination with a broken infant carrier when it wasn't bagged. Not fun.

If your flight isn't long and you don't have too many layovers, my vote is to carry on only what you will need for the flight itself. Which, with kids your age, adds up quickly!!! I have regretted this decision myself on a number of trips, but you just make do. It's a 50-50 chance, but hey, life's a gamble, right?

I have also flown with young children countless times and would be happy to share more insight if you'd like - PM me any time. Otherwise, good luck!!! Traveling with kids is a whole new adventure!