Gate Pass?

[Red_Rider]

Hi All....

So we're flying to Disney in a couple of weeks. It's going to be me, my wife (who is 23 weeks pregnant), our two small kids (1yr and 4yr); going through the checkpoint we are going to have two car seats, a carry-on, diaper bag, double stroller. What are the odds that Jetblue will let us get a gate pass for my mother-in-law to help us get to the gate? Any info would be great!

Thanks!!

 

[andymattmom]

Why not call the airlines and explain the situation and see what they say. They are the only ones who will be able to give you the correct answer. This is not directed only at you but to so many who post questions that are better answered by picking up the phone and calling the airline, rental car agency (for returning the car a day early on a weekly rental), etc. Some people will probably say yes, some no. You will not get a correct answer unless you take the time and call the airline (and it could vary from airline to airline) and ask. Then I would make sure if they say yes, you document CSR name, etc. so if there is an issue you can say I spoke with XXXX on this date and was told I could.

 

[tjmw2727]

It depends - definately call but even then the answer you get on the phone may differ from the actual policy at the gate. Then its up to the TSA if they are going to honor the gate pass.

I needed an escort pass for an UM last week and the polcy was different on the inbound than it was a week later for the outbound.

I would plan for no extra help - and then if its granted its a bonus. FWIW I have traveled alone with 2 kids and its crazy but doable

I would use the double stroller to transport the carseats or invest in a carseat bag - some have wheels. One parent can carry the baby in a front carrier/sling and the older child can walk or ride in one of the stroller seats. Use backpacks instead of traditional diaper bags and use rolling carryons.

I would consider checking through the 4yo's carseat rather than using on the plane, one less thing to carry and most 4yos are fine on aircraft with the seatbelt. I found that by the late 3's my kids were too close to the seat in front with a carseat.

You can check the stroller at the gate so its waiting when you deplane.

Good luck

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If you get a gate pass for your MIL to help you when you leave, who is going to help you when you arrive at your destination? You're carrying far too much with two young children. Check at least one of the car seats.

 

[azdizzymom]

Hi All....

So we're flying to Disney in a couple of weeks. It's going to be me, my wife (who is 23 weeks pregnant), our two small kids (1yr and 4yr); going through the checkpoint we are going to have two car seats, a carry-on, diaper bag, double stroller. What are the odds that Jetblue will let us get a gate pass for my mother-in-law to help us get to the gate? Any info would be great!

Thanks!!

Hook the diaper bag onto the stroller handle. Put the kids in the stroller- have wife push the stroller. I assume you purchased 2 seats for the children since you are taking the car seats. You can carry the car seats if you purchased them- if not check at counter since you can't take on plane if you didn't purchase seat for the 1 year old. Is there a way to combine the carry-on and the diaper bag into one? If the carry-on has stuff for the 4 year old to keep busy what about getting him/her a small fun backpack to carry with his/her stuff to be a 'help' to mom and dad? As a PP mentioned there will be no one at your destination to help you and there will be no one at the airport on your return flight to help you either. Just allow plenty of extra time to get through security and down to your gate. I can't imagine in your case they would give a gate pass since there is no physical disability nor one person traveling with two small children. Please post what happens and what the airline said as that is where you will get your final answer... Have a fun trip~

 

[Red_Rider]

Thanks for the info, I re-looked at all of the stuff this morning and I think that I may be able to consolidate some of the stuff. I also got rolling carriers for the car seats, so that should be a help as well. I agree, I'm going to leave us plenty of time to get through the checkpoint and everything. I'll let you know what I find out.

Thanks!!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Some airlines will not give gate passes for anyone who isn't accompanying an unaccompanied minor or a disabled individual. Totally their call. Be prepared to haul your own stuff! How do you expect to haul your things once you reach your destination?

 

[TaraPA]

Gate passes are getting extremely difficult to get anymore. We needed to get one for assistance with a disabled passenger in our group & had to jump through hoops for one. In the end it wasn't worth the hassle & we just figured it out on our own how to handle it. I highly doubt they'd issue a gate pass just for convenience in handling your own children & baggage.

 

[chamonix]

If you plan to use the car seats on the plane (meaning you bought the youngest a seat) you will need to carry the seats onto the plane after you gate check the stroller......You could just check the stroller when you check your other bags and have one less thing to deal with after security. Strollers dont count as one of your checked bags so are usually free, Kids can walk, be held or worn in a backpack or sling. Diaperbag could ride on or under stroller or be worn as a shoulderbag or use a backpack bag. It's actually a good idea to tire them out a little with walking through the terminal so they are ready to settle down and sit when they get on the plane. Of course as mentioned before the stroller could be handy for carrying the carseats and diaperbag though!

If all else fails, grandma could buy a completely refundable ticket for a flight after yours which would allow her through security with her boarding pass. Make sure she cancels it after she gets you to your flight but before her ticketed flight takes off. Expensive, but only temporarily. I think you can handle it (as mentioned before you'll have to handle your own stuff eventually on the other end anyway so might as well be prepared)

It sounds like a lot of stuff and hassle but people do it every day, you will be fine. Unless wife has a high risk pregnancy she should be able to push a stroller or carry a baby or diaper bag. If she has complications that warrant it, you could request the airline provide her with a wheelchair, that's also an option that might help. I really think you will be fine though. Good practice because soon you will have three kids, lol.

 

[Deesknee]

I don't know anything about gate passes. But I just wanted to rest your mind a bit. It's doable. We did it with 3 toddlers. 3 car seats 2 umbrella strollers, plus all the carry ons, etc. We were/are by no means world travelers. I asked many questions on these boards & else where. Glad to hear you got the cart for the car seats. Let the 4 year old use a small wheely carry on, believe it or not her doing her own will take longer, but you & she will appreciate her helping. THE biggest advice I could give is to plan the amount of time you think you need, then add atleast 1/2 hr. children walk very slow in airports. Ther is so much for them to see. Also, we have found spending the $9-$16 to park at Logan (I'm assuming your traveling there since I see your from Boston) on a Sunday prior to your trip, bring your kids into the airport, show them around. I think as adults we may take it for granted, but kids may be scared of the hussle and bussel, or excited, or at the very least curious. All which will slow you down, and could cause your vacation to start with you being aggreviated. Why start it that way. My family now considers it a part of the vacation, not just a way to get to our vacation. Have fun. I wish you a magical trip, from start to finish. And, btw, congratulations on the expected addition!

 

[mamapajama]

That's a lot of things to carry! If you're not renting a car, I would leave the carseat for the 4 year old home. Mine definitely did not need a car seat on the plane at that age. If you are renting, you can maybe check the seat if you are not renting (not sure how this works in terms of baggage). That would give you one less thing to carry. Your wife can push both kids in the stroller with the diaper bag and you can wheel the carry-on & the car seat behind you. Getting on the plane is going to be a challenge! There's going to be a lot of bustle at the door to the plane while you wrangle the kids and fold your stroller to gate check but you're not going to be the only ones with kids and the stuff they require. Good luck!

 

[At World's End]

Getting on the plane is going to be a challenge! There's going to be a lot of bustle at the door to the plane while you wrangle the kids and fold your stroller to gate check but you're not going to be the only ones with kids and the stuff they require. Good luck!

Getting through security will be an even bigger challenge. I have flown with carseats and strollers, but never two carseats and a double stroller. I cringe at the thought of keeping track of all that stuff at the security checkpoint. I would seriously scale down what you are bringing. Split the stuff from the rolling luggage and diaper bag among three backpacks. That way your hands are free. Load the 1 year old in the stroller next to a carseat, have one adult carry the other carseat, and the 4 year old wear a backpack. Definitely preboard, or at least have one of you preboard with the carseats and gate check the stroller (if the 2 carseats will fit in/on the stroller). Get the carseats installed and have the other adult board with the kids later.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I cringe at the thought of keeping track of all that stuff at the security checkpoint.

I cringe at the thought of getting stuck behind a family with all this stuff at security (no insult intended to the OP).

 

[maxiesmom]

Why are you bringing 2 car seats? Unless you plan on renting a car, I would not use one for your 4yr old. That will make their seat space really small, and they will most likely end up kicking the seat in front of them.

 

[DoctorK]

In a situation like yours, I would spend the $10-$20 for a sky cap to help me with the luggage. A small price to pay for a huge load off your shoulders.

 

[tjmw2727]

In a situation like yours, I would spend the $10-$20 for a sky cap to help me with the luggage. A small price to pay for a huge load off your shoulders.

Sorry but a sky cap isn't going to help the OP get to the security checkpoint, through the checkpoint, to the gate and on the aircraft.

Scale it down to manageable, having traveled alone with 2 toddlers, knowing one adult can do it so two adults even when one is pregnant should be fine.

As I said earlier, if you are using DME leave the 4yo's carseat at home, if you need it at the destination check it through with the bags most airlines won't charge. Use the stroller for the other carseat, the baby and a diaper bag. Have the 4yo walk with mom while she pushes the stroller. Dad carries a backpack and a small roll aboard.

At security be ready to fold the stroller and have the baskets empty. Everyone wears slip on easy shoes, mom goes first, kids follow and dad brings up the rear making sure everyone gets through and collecting the stuff.

 

[andymattmom]

Please...when you arrive at your destination wait until everyone is OFF the plane before trying to get off. It will be much easier for you and more considerate to those who are around you. It is so frustrating to see so many pre-board with small children, those with disabilities, etc (mainly those needing extra time to board)...then you arrive and they are the first ones jumping in the aisle to get off the plan. Trying to find where the carry-on bags got put, get toys, diaper bags, etc together, get car seat unstrapped, etc. and then walk slowly down the jet-way. We would pre-board when kids were younger and then wait till everyone off plane to get off. That way you can take all the time you need to gather kids, items carried on plane. When you get off plane the gate-checked items will be right there and you won't hold people up even longer by strapping kiddies in the stroller to push down jet-way.

 

[DoctorK]

Sorry but a sky cap isn't going to help the OP get to the security checkpoint, through the checkpoint, to the gate and on the aircraft.

Wow, I don't know what airport you frequent, but I've seen and used them at the Buffalo, NY airport, so I figured most airports had the same service. You would have to take your things through the X-Ray machine yourself, but up to and on the other side the skycaps were quite helpful.

 

[tjmw2727]

Wow, I don't know what airport you frequent, but I've seen and used them at the Buffalo, NY airport, so I figured most airports had the same service. You would have to take your things through the X-Ray machine yourself, but up to and on the other side the skycaps were quite helpful.

I fly almost monthly and have never ever seen a skycap help a guest to security never mind after security to the gate.

I have seen airport personnel escort wheel chairs or others needing special assistance but never sky caps helping able bodied persons traveling with kids.

In fact I have never seen a sky cap assist a guest further than from the curb to the check in counter or from baggage claim to the parking area.

Since you asked, among others I frequent, philly, baltimore, boston, michigan, orlando, tampa and a few others.........

 

[Tara]

Wow, I don't know what airport you frequent, but I've seen and used them at the Buffalo, NY airport, so I figured most airports had the same service. You would have to take your things through the X-Ray machine yourself, but up to and on the other side the skycaps were quite helpful.

I agree with tjmw272 - I have never seen a skycap assist a passenger beyond the security checkpoint. I've seen airport personnel assist people using wheelchairs, but that is it.

And the airports I frequent are ALB, MCO, PHL, BWI, IAD, DCA, DTW, ORD, JFK, EWR (and lately, LHR).

From my home airport's webpage:

SKYCAPS
To help make your trip even easier, Skycaps are posted at the key entrances to the terminal. Skycaps can assist individuals with their luggage or packages. Skycaps also provide curbside check-in that helps passengers avoid ticket lines. Skycaps are also available to transport disabled individuals by wheelchair to and from aircraft gates.