Gate checking the double jogging stroller and a car seat

[AngieWin]

We leave on Friday !!! So excited! We are staying offsite and taking the double jogging stroller. What do I need to do before gate checking it at Kansas City? (and then returning at Orlando). There are no removable parts, besides the nap bar and the rain cover(will be stuffed in the front of a suitcase). I will collapse it at the gate and secure it shut.

Should I secure the front wheel? (we use it swivel) I didnt get the travel bag.

What about the car seat? DS1 is on our laps, so we will probably be gate checking his seat and no travel bag for that either. Should I get one or should I not worry about it? Gate check or check with baggage? And if DS1 is on our laps, should I gate check ds4's car seat too? Or install that one? There is a small chance we could use both seats on the plane, but only if it is not sold out and I am not counting on that chance.

 

[janets]

If you can secure the wheel, do it. You simply walk the stroller to the gate and when you're about to enter the plane, you'll see a bunch of strollers laying at the door to the outside. The gate attendant will give you a tag for the stroller as well.

As for carseats, once we didn't need it on the plane, we checked it with baggage. The bag checkers can get you a large plastic bag to go around the seat if you want it; otherwise, they will tag the seat and send it through. We do this a lot. If you have a seat purchased for your older child and want them in the carseat, then bring it on the plane. If not, check them both. Why worry about carrying anything extra to the gate with you when you have 2 kids and a stroller already (along with your carry on bags that no doubt include the diaper bag for the baby and snacks, toys, etc.)?

Most flights to Orlando have plenty of kids and the gate attendants are skilled in taking care of the situation. I happen to have a stroller bag for my stroller (Maclaren) and after only 1 or 2 trips, the bag is ripped at the end so they take a lot of abuse. I have to get some black electrical tape and see if I can tape the split up for our trip in August. But it's better than worrying about the stroller being damaged or dirtied under the plane.

 

[dougsmom98]

I agree with checking the car seats. Car seats are the biggest pain to carry through the airport. We never have bags for our car seats and they end up just fine, but we don't have super expensive car seats to worry about either.

 

[AngieWin]

I think that definitely makes up my mind to leave the britax at home and take the graco car seats! Thanks everyone!

 

[mytwotinks]

We fly out of Kansas City (usually Southwest) and they are great about the strollers. When you get off of the plane in Orlando it will be waiting for you. You can put your kid in it and roll them right off of the plane!

 

[thepeach80]

Hello fellow MDC mom! I personally would try my hardest to get the seats on the plane. 1) it's safer for the kids if they ride in seats and 2) you know they're being taken care of as opposed to being tossed around by the handlers. If I couldn't get it on the plane, I'd gate check it as the 2nd best option. There's less of a chance it'll be lost then too.