Gate Checking Stroller

[pschro1]

So I will be traveling with my 1 year old son in August and we will need a stroller in the airport. We have a larger Chicco travel system stroller and a Britax umbrella stroller and we are still deciding which to bring. My wife is a little concerned after reading some of the posts about how the airlines have damaged some peoples strollers that were gate checked. Does anyone do anything to help protect their strollers when they are gate checked? Do you use those red bags? Do you find that the umbrella stroller are handled better because they are easier to maneuver? Just so you know we are flying Southwest.

 

[KT0191]

While I have never flown SW (yet), I have gate checked my son's Britax B Agile stroller many, many times. I've never gotent it back with any damage and I've never put it in any bag or anything like that.
ETA: Like many others have said below, make sure it is folded up.

 

[NotUrsula]

The key to preventing damage is to to fold it yourself, and it's not a bad idea to add a bungee or similar to keep it folded. Also, some Scotch-Gard will help prevent grease stains.

When my kids were little we traveled a lot internationally, and I asked ramp workers what the issues with strollers were from their POV. Their answer was that they did not have the time to figure out how to fold all the different kinds, so if they were not folded, or if they happened to grab the release when they picked it up, then it was either going in opened and was likely to get bent, or might get broken from trying to cram it closed in a hurry. I was also told that if I used a bag, don't cover up the wheels, because that was what they look for when unloading to jetway; no wheels showing meant that it would probably end up on the baggage tractor headed for the carousel.

One thing is certain: plastic parts tend to crack under stress on trips that have vast temperature variations. For that reason, it's not a bad idea to remove the hood and any removable plastic trays, toys, etc. before you go to the airport; pack those in your checked bag and put them back on when you arrive.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

.....
One thing is certain: plastic parts tend to crack under stress on trips that have vast temperature variations. For that reason, it's not a bad idea to remove the hood and any removable plastic trays, toys, etc. before you go to the airport; pack those in your checked bag and put them back on when you arrive.

This is unnecessary; baggage compartments are temperature controlled. If there were temperature extremes, you'd see a lot of broken hard sided suitcases in baggage claim.

 

[henry72]

When the kids were younger we often flew with our Maclaren Volo. We always gate checked it. Yes, fold it up when you get to the drop off point (at the end of the ramp before you get on plane.) It was always out and unfolded by the time we got off the plane. Never any problems or damage. And this was all Southwest.

 

[betterbutter]

This is unnecessary; baggage compartments are temperature controlled. If there were temperature extremes, you'd see a lot of broken hard sided suitcases in baggage claim.

Not quite. On most planes one compartment is controlled, the other is not. Animals and perishables (food, flowers, etc.) go into the temp controlled hold, everything else is a crapshoot.

 

[Gracie09]

I have gate checked an Uppa Baby Vista, a City elite double (the big brother of the City mini double) and a MacClaren double umbrella. All have come through fine. However, we do us a stroller bag (for the last two just the big red gate check bag babies r us has) and I think we took the wheels off the uppa baby and city double so they didn't get caught on anything.

 

[ktate82]

I have gate checked our Combi umbrella stroller many times with no problems. We didn't use a bag and I always fold it up before leaving it and then find it still folded up when we get off the plane. A tip would be to have your child and all bags out of the stroller before heading down the gangplank. I always see parents fighting stuff out of their strollers while people are waiting to board because they waited till the last moment to get everything out.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

I've checked Single and Double strollers with SWA multiple times. When selecting a stroller to bring, I make my choice based on what stroller I want to use in the park. In the span of a week long trip, the majority of stroller use is at the parks, not the airport. I travel with Britax B-Agile singles or doubles.

My preference has been to have the red gate-check bags for baby gear. The single B-Agile fit great in a car seat red gate check bag. I didn't have a bag for our double--the stroller was way too big and I didn't want to shell out big bucks for something that would fit. Luckily, none of our strollers have been damaged by the airline.

For a one year old, I personally like to bring a stroller with an excellent sun shade that also reclines for in-park naps. My one year old napped great in the stroller and it was nice just to tour the park, or relax on a bench during her nap, rather than leave the park.

 

[jayhawk74]

If you are flying on Southwest both cargo bins are pressurized and have the same temperature as the cabin.