Gate checking stroller - do I need a bag?

[Saturn23]

I'm planning on gate checking my stroller for an upcoming trip. I'll be by myself with a baby so I wont be able to put the stroller in a bag. (Just can't physically do that much, folding it with one arm will be hard enough). I'm wondering how dirty things get when gate checked. Do they go in the same part of the plane as luggage or are they somewhere else? I'm asking because if there's a chance of the stroller getting really dirty I would rather just buy a cheaper one for the airport that I don't care about.

 

[brockash]

I've gate checked strollers more times than I can count, but honestly I have no idea where exactly they go. I just know I leave them at the door and they eventually magically appear at the end of the flight. As far as dirtyness; I had really never had a problem with them getting dirty until the last couple of times I flew. Both were with American and both times the stroller got pretty dirty. I don't know why, or what the difference is, but I'm sure I've flown before on American without the stroller getting dirty so I doubt it's the particular airline. Also, last time we went to Disney, our stroller came back SOAKING wet (that was with Southwest) Granted, it was raining, but the stroller was soaked, so they must have put it out on the runway, gotten everything out and then brought it up I've never used a stroller bag, if I had more patience ect. it'd probably be a good idea, but I'm not sure if that'll ever happen. I just wouldn't count on it not being dirty when you land. Like I said, I've gone plenty of times, and never noticed anything, but there have been times that it has gotten dirty.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

We travel often and have never bagged out strollers...and they don't come back to us any dirtier/torn up than when we handed them over at the plane door. No mess with a bag...just open it up and let the little ones climb in, then off we go to the next flight or baggage...or the ME counter!!!

 

[mom_2_K'Lynn]

I agree with the PP. We have gait checked strollers and carseats a few times and never had any problems. I was under the impression that they are stored on the plane just up front, not actually where the luggage is stored. I am not 100% on this, just what I thought. But our's have never gotten dirty and were waiting for us right when we stepped off the plane. Works like a charm!!!

 

[treehugnmama]

we have never bagged ours and nevr had a problem. my kids get them dirty eating icecream in them lol but not the handlers

 

[ilandrazdsw]

I agree with the PP. We have gait checked strollers and carseats a few times and never had any problems. I was under the impression that they are stored on the plane just up front, not actually where the luggage is stored. I am not 100% on this, just what I thought. But our's have never gotten dirty and were waiting for us right when we stepped off the plane. Works like a charm!!!

The strollers/ personal wheelchairs are stored under the plane with the luggage (on the flights we have taken). They are brought up to the door as soon as the plan is safely parked, usually before you even get off the plane.

 

[NotUrsula]

The difference is in the aircraft. Some types of planes have a separate smaller compartment under the nose where these items go, and others do not. If they don't, they go into the main hold, but they go on top of all the other cargo and near the door so that they come off first.

What I use on my stroller is a ripstop sleeve, and over the years it's gotten a lot of black grease on it that it has picked up en route. It protects against rain, though, and going to Florida in summer, that's important, IMO. The wheels and handles stick out of it, so I can pull it behind me down the jetway.

I've always made it a point to use a backpack diaper bag, and NO purse (my wallet is in the pocket of the diaper bag, and my license is in my pocket.) I put the baby down for a few minutes in the gate area, fold the stroller and cover it, and then when boarding is called, I carry the baby in one arm using a sling, and pull the stroller down the jetway with the other hand.

If I have a carseat and I'm alone, I throw myself on the mercy of the gate agent to please try to find an employee who will take the carseat on board and set it down in a window seat for me (not strap it in, they are normally not allowed to do that.)

A fabric sling makes transporting a baby through the airport a lot easier.

 

[Saturn23]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I guess it's just up to chance whether or not the stroller gets dirty. I would really rather not buy a second one if I don't have to, but the one I have now has to be hand washed if it gets dirty. I'm new at all of this so I'm still trying to keep stuff all clean and pretty. I'm sure after I've used it for a while and he gets food all over it I won't care much anymore!
The sleeve style bag that lets the handles and wheels stick out sounds like a good idea though since I could drag it to a seated area after getting off the plane.

Thanks everyone!