Good/Bad experiences with checking stroller at airline gate?

[phillytwins]

We want to check our double stroller at the gate right before boarding the plane. How is this done? When you get in line to board, you give them the stroller at that time? And then when you get off the plane, they'll have the stroller waiting for you at the arrival gate? Sounds too good to be true. We're flying USAirways if that makes a difference.

Thanks.

 

[bavaria]

You'll need to get a gate tag from the gate agent, preferably before boarding begins.

Once you board, go down the jetway, pull off to the side at the airplane door so as to not block traffic, fold the stroller, and hand it to the ramp worker who will be next to the plane.

On deplaning, a ramp worker should be there with the stroller.

 

[phillytwins]

Thanks. Is there any need for a stroller bag? to prevent/ minimize damage?

 

[izzyBandlivismom]

We gate checked a double stroller with no problems. There was no damage what so ever. HOWEVER, we just bought it at a garage sale to take to Disney so I probably was not looking very deep for things were wrong!

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

Thanks. Is there any need for a stroller bag? to prevent/ minimize damage?

I always bag mine, I just bought the travel bag for the stroller we're taking next month. The bags come out looking like hell but the strollers have always been fine!

 

[jensen]

We bought a cheap fold-flat stroller to use for Disney. I've noticed that it has sustained some damage during flights. But, since I only use it for Disney trips, I'm not that concerned about it. If I was taking my "good" stroller, I would put it in a bag before I checked it at the gate.

 

[c.w.e.m.]

We've gate-checked our stroller(s) for 4 trips so far and never (knock on wood) have had any damage or problems. As others have said, take it to gate agent prior to boarding, they give you a claim ticket, and p/u when you de-plane.

 

[Tara]

FWIW, my son has flown on almost 30 trips now, and on all but a few we've taken one of our strollers. I have never had a problem with gate checking a stroller and I've never had any damage and I don't bag them. YMMV, of course.

 

[NJDad18]

You may or may not see a gateworker, so just fold the stroller up and lean it against the wall just before you board the plane. When you get off wait and the stroller will either already be there when you get off or it will arrive shortly.

If you have anything on your stroller that may fall off, remove it before gate checking it. We've never had a problem with gate checking at all and we don't use a bag.

 

[fofinia]

We've gate checked many times as well. Mostly no problems. Only two times. One time they removed my child snack tray. I was unaware that it needed to be removed. So when the crew was bringing up other strollers I asked if a tray was left behind. It was brought up for me. So definitely remove it if you can, because they will/might and it could get lost.

Second time: my tray is not removable. But somehow the carriage got jammed and scraped right on the tray. And it is broken. Not mutilated. But it is difficult to open the tray now. The section where the button release is, is where it got cracked and scraped.

I've also gate checked my stroller in a bag. I don't put it in the bag till just before boarding. So the only pain at that point is then you have to carry the bag, your child and any other bags you may have down the gangway. I did it alone with two kids 4 and 9 months and two other bags. So it's not impossible.

This time I'm going to check my stroller and regular bag and just bring an umbrella stroller to the gate. Hopefully will go smoother this time.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[katerkat]

I've gate-checked the strolled nine times now. The big Graco has gotten a little scraped up - not at all badly or beyond normal wear and tear - and the smaller Combi has had no damage. I've never used a bag. The only problem we ever had was in Chicago, they apparently forgot to check for strollers. And we preboarded, so the strollers were out there a while. (Two - ours and another family's.) They went out on the next flight and arrived at our house the next day. Luckily it wasn't a time were we desperately needed the stroller!

Some airlines will give you a tag at the gate counter before boarding, some prefer to do it during boarding. Before is easier, always ask!

 

[jekjones1558]

Once the airline lost our stroller, which we checked at the gate! They showed us a room of strollers and told us to take one as a replacement. It was on a Disney trip, so we were happy to get something to use.

 

[dsneygirl]

We've flown twice with our Mac and once with our Graco/car seat travel system, all gate checked and no problems.

 

[tomshortridge]

Gate Check is GREAT

Our DS is 10 and DD is 3. They are both frequent fliers.

We always take our own stroller. No Bag Necessary (seems like a hassle to me).

Get a claim tag from the gate agent EARLY - not when boarding.

Push that kid(s) right down the jetway, pull him/her out, FOLD the stroller for them (that can be tricky for non-parents) and leave it there by the exit door of the jetway where the ramp workers come in and out. No need to wait for a worker, they will get it.

When you arrive, it can take up to 15 minutes for them to get the strollers up there, so no need to rush off the plane.

We are going to WDW April 8 to 16 and taking a nice big stroller from home! One thing though,,,,,,,,you REALLY dont want a big stroller if you plan on using the Disney buses to get around. We have a rental car, so it is ok. I have tried the big stroller on the crowded disney buses and its a nightmare and people hate you.

Have a great Trip!