Gate check stroller

[brinkley07]

I traveled the first time with an umbrella stroller and gait checked in a bag without any trouble. This last trip I decided I wanted the regular stroller and took it. I assumed I would have to check it as baggage due to the weight being over 20lbs (it's 22 lbs), and they did make me check it going to MCO. Leaving MCO they let me take it to the gait and I checked it there. I didn't have damage either way, but do look at what your airline rules are to see if there is a weight restriction on strollers for gait checking. I was on American and their rule is anything over 20lbs needs to be checked as baggage, so it's a little bit of a gamble.

 

[Babydreamz]

Same for us.

Another family on our flight had one of their stroller wheels literally sheared in half. A clean cut through--have no idea how that could have happened. Needless to say, the stroller was unable to "stroll" at all!

Wow how does that even happen?!? Crazy!

We've flown at least twice a year (so thats 4+ flights) with our Chicco liteway for 4 years and most recently an umbrella double stroller. Never had any problems.

Eta that we always gate check it. Its nice to have at the airport depending on the age of your kids. If they're old enough to walk, then its great for holding carry ons.

 

[Burgermom]

Can anyone recommend how to "prepare and package" a stroller for gate check? We have an umbrella stroller (baby cargo 50) and I don't know what to do to prevent it from breaking during the flight. I purchased one of those red gate check bags that are red with "gate check" printed on them but don't know if this will prevent breakage. Should I wrap the stroller in a blanket first? Remove the wheels and put them in a carry on bag (quite awkward given the wheels' size?) Just want to make sure I have an intact stroller upon reaching my destination!
Any recommendations/suggestions?

 

[roseaster]

I've gate checked 4 different strollers, single, double, and jogger. There's never been any damage.

We just folded it and left it at the end of the jetway.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Can anyone recommend how to "prepare and package" a stroller for gate check? We have an umbrella stroller (baby cargo 50) and I don't know what to do to prevent it from breaking during the flight. I purchased one of those red gate check bags that are red with "gate check" printed on them but don't know if this will prevent breakage. Should I wrap the stroller in a blanket first? Remove the wheels and put them in a carry on bag (quite awkward given the wheels' size?) Just want to make sure I have an intact stroller upon reaching my destination!
Any recommendations/suggestions?

Just put the stroller in the bag for gate check and try not to worry. The best advice is not to travel with an expensive stroller!

 

[Burgermom]

Just put the stroller in the bag for gate check and try not to worry. The best advice is not to travel with an expensive stroller!

Ours is definitely a cheapo. So at least there is that!

 

[JillianLeigh]

Yes. Flight to Salt Lake City, UT and gate checked our stroller. One wheel completely broken off. Customer service would not do anything saying they are not liable for damage to strollers.

 

[Burgermom]

Yes. Flight to Salt Lake City, UT and gate checked our stroller. One wheel completely broken off. Customer service would not do anything saying they are not liable for damage to strollers.

That's my concern. I would just hate to be without a stroller on my trip. Just not sure how to prevent damage from happening.

 

[englishteacha]

We have a gate check bag we plan on using. It's bright red. I wonder if you could toss the stroller in a heavy-duty garbage bag if you didn't have an official "gate check" bag.

 

[MrPTato]

Southwest makes you sign the lines on the back that they don't cover damage, just loss. Never had issues with ours and it has flown about 12 times.

 

[texasroni75]

Two brand new jeep umbrella strollers were damaged via gate-check during one memorable trip to WDW (sunshade canopies completely snapped off - they were removeable but the airline worker somehow managed to break the part that snaps onto the stroller - BOTH strollers!). So, no shades for the kids for the entire trip. Found out the hard way that the little tag you put your name on for gate-checking basically has tiny print saying they aren't responsible whatsoever for damage or loss. I was able to get replacements from the manufacturer, but obviously not until we returned from our trip.

Since then, I take whatever parts look most breakable or likely to be lost - such as the canopy/shade and cupholders, etc. - and pack them into our carry-on. Haven't had any problems since.

 

[Burgermom]

Two brand new jeep umbrella strollers were damaged via gate-check during one memorable trip to WDW (sunshade canopies completely snapped off - they were removeable but the airline worker somehow managed to break the part that snaps onto the stroller - BOTH strollers!). So, no shades for the kids for the entire trip. Found out the hard way that the little tag you put your name on for gate-checking basically has tiny print saying they aren't responsible whatsoever for damage or loss. I was able to get replacements from the manufacturer, but obviously not until we returned from our trip.

Since then, I take whatever parts look most breakable or likely to be lost - such as the canopy/shade and cupholders, etc. - and pack them into our carry-on. Haven't had any problems since.

Yes, I'm thinking that I will pack the sunshade in our checked baggage (surrounded by clothing for protection) and put the wheels in my carry on bag.
I have a red gate check bag so I'm thinking I might try wrapping the stroller in a blanket and then putting it in the bag...we will see how it works out...

 

[Jing]

We decided to get a checked bag carrier for our BOB SE since we baby wear in the airport and don't really need to stroll him. They tagged it "fragile" and it worked out great.

 

[MommyBryn]

Oh my goodness. That's crazy!

I've seen people use the gate check stroller bags too. Not sure if those help or not.

We have a gate check bag we plan on using. It's bright red. I wonder if you could toss the stroller in a heavy-duty garbage bag if you didn't have an official "gate check" bag.

We use the inexpensive red "GATE CHECK" bag for our MacLaren Twin Techno, I cut open the bottom so the wheels are out one end and the handles out the other (so it can be rolled while in the bag). We only ever fly if we are going to Disney, and it's been every 2-3 years since my first was born, so only a handful of times. We've never had any noticeable damage to the stroller, but I do bag it because of the stories I've read about broken parts or getting wet. I'm not all that concerned about damage affecting the value or anything, I just want a working stroller for the airports (it is one heck of a valuable piece of equipment in those places!!!) and the vacation, so we are a lot more relaxed about it on the way home, honestly!

 

[Lupeix]

On our last trip to WDW the snack tray got broken. But that was the first time in over 10 trips gate checking that anything happened to our stroller. In general the worse part of checking your stroller is how filthy they end up. I think one of those gate check bags are worth the investment, even if they last very little.

 

[JWigs]

Now I'm nervous. We just bought a new baby jogger city mini. The last think we need is for it to get wrecked before we even get to use it. Should we check it at the ticket counter instead?

We have a City Mini and we were worried about the gate checks as well. What has worked for us is the bag that you can get for it. Yes it's more $ but it folds flat and comes apart (wheels) and so it's not likely to get dirty or anything torn off it when it's folded and all in one bag. No issues in the last 3 flights we've taken.

 

[Minnie's House]

We have a City Mini and we were worried about the gate checks as well. What has worked for us is the bag that you can get for it. Yes it's more $ but it folds flat and comes apart (wheels) and so it's not likely to get dirty or anything torn off it when it's folded and all in one bag. No issues in the last 3 flights we've taken.

Where do you get the gate check bags?

 

[JWigs]

We bought the bag from City Mini but through amazon. There is a bag that's designed just for it so once it folds flat plus you remove the wheel (they pop right off) it fits perfectly. It may get tossed but it won't lose parts or get torn or dirty.
I think the bag was maybe $30 or less. Totally worth to protect your $200+ stroller though.

 

[Minnie's House]

We bought the bag from City Mini but through amazon. There is a bag that's designed just for it so once it folds flat plus you remove the wheel (they pop right off) it fits perfectly. It may get tossed but it won't lose parts or get torn or dirty.
I think the bag was maybe $30 or less. Totally worth to protect your $200+ stroller though.

Was it the red one or the black city mini bag?

 

[isabellea]

Did it twice with our Combi umbrella stroller without any issue. Both times with Allegiant.