Heads Up on gate checking large strollers.

[Lucille1963]

Probably even higher than it is now. We've seen strollers damaged very badly that were gate-checked; can't imagine what they would have looked like if they had been sent through with the regular stuff. Although, the airlines don't compensate you for damaged strollers/car seats that are gate checked, anyway. Part of the tag you get when you gate check it states that they are not responsible for any loss or damage, and they really mean it. When they ruined our car seat (that was not FAA approved, so it had to be checked), they refused to pay for any damages because we checked it at our own risk.

I had my stroller damaged from gate checking. Thankfully, it was on the way home from our trip and I knew I could replace the part for $25. I can't imagine how you'd have to pack a stroller to have it safely arrive through regular luggage handling.

Our medical reason for bringing our stroller is the necessity to have it functioning when it arrives.

Like I said above, we have crossed the hump where its a big deal for us, but I feel bad for others. Perhaps one should save the original stroller packaging and gate check it in that?

 

[tlbwriter]

i would think that there would be exceptions for disabled/ medical reasons.

But what would you have to do to qualify for those exemptions? Is the gate agent likely to believe you if you say (for example) "This stroller is a medical necessity because my child has autism?"

 

[LaurenLC]

The other issue that bothers me is now the strollers will be treated like regular luggage, thrown around, traveling on conveyer belts, heavy bags piled on top, etc. I wonder what the damage rate will be?

They aren't treated that great when you gate check them either. We had our stroller damaged so badly that it couldn't be repaired. That was when we gate checked it AND had it in a carry bag!

 

[jmartinez1895]

But what would you have to do to qualify for those exemptions? Is the gate agent likely to believe you if you say (for example) "This stroller is a medical necessity because my child has autism?"

I called AA and asked them and they said when making your reservations, just tell the agent on the phone that you have a child with special needs that will be using a special needs stroller and they will note it on your reservation. They then said that it would be treated like a wheelchair and would be gate checked regardless of size.

 

[Schmeck]

I called AA and asked them and they said when making your reservations, just tell the agent on the phone that you have a child with special needs that will be using a special needs stroller and they will note it on your reservation. They then said that it would be treated like a wheelchair and would be gate checked regardless of size.

Get that in writing - seriously. Airlines are one of the few exemptions for ADA.

 

[twinboysmom]

DBIL has 20 month old tiwns who are finally starting to walk their stroller which is a Graco Duo Gilder is 39 Lbs, it's the only stroller they have and can't afford to buy a lighter stroller. I hope the 20 lb limit is flexible as far as multiples go since there aren't many strollers for multiples that are affordable and lighter. I don't know much about strollers but other then for multiples the 20lb weight limit seems perfectly reasonable though. If I have to pay for my luggage I don't see why someone who has a 50lb+ stroller shouldn't have to pay to check it. But since DH and I don't have a kid yet I guess my views are a little different.

Don't count on American being any flexible towards those with multiples. We flew them last August and we had an issue with our seats (which they assigned to us). This happened twice and the flight attendants told us it was our responsibility to ask others to change since we were unable to be seated as we were assigned. A very inexpensive option for your bil is to buy two of the cheapest umbrella strollers available and buy the plastic connectors (around $10). I detest umbrella strollers but it was manageable. We'll be doing it again in August except flying southwest.

 

[dhardawa]

I had my stroller lost when I gate checked it. We had been on a cruise and I was just thankful it was on the way home and not heading out because I would have had an 18 month old and no stroller for a week. They eventually found it, but it took a few days.

 

[SueM in MN]

Get that in writing - seriously. Airlines are one of the few exemptions for ADA.

It is true that airlines are not covered by the ADA, but that is because most of the ADA does not fit. For example, things like bathroom size, access aisles in stores, restaurants, etc.

Airlines are covered instead by the Air Carrier Access Act. This is a link to a summary of the ACAA.

Special needs strollers that are used for mobility for a child with a disability would be covered by the ACAA.

There is more information and links to information about air travel with people with disabilities in the disABILITIES FAQS thread (link in my signature).

 

[shaylyn]

I'm glad we are flying Southwest, hope they don't change too. Our Graco double stroller (for our twins) weighs 39lbs!

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

See we had a great experience with Jet Blue. No damage at all.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

My son is 3 and is on the autism spectrum and we travel with our baby jogger. We have only flown AA twice but now I will never use them. I do not see the need to buy another stroller.

We travel with our Liberty by Advance Mobility. It is huge and heavy. I no longer need to gate check but it goes in our regular luggage with no fee because it is a medical stroller. I also use the AM bag for the stroller because I would hate for the stroller to get damaged.

When DS was little we use to gate check his Maclaren for free and when we went into the new stroller it was gate checked for a year. As your DS gets older and you need a larger stroller, I can't say enough about this product. It has a sun shield. Our DS pulls it down to cut out the sights and sounds. It keeps DS safe from running, helps with Sensory and we get all kinds of nice comments about it being a stroller on steroids.

Sorry for going way OT on this. Again, a stroller that is used for sensory needs, elopement risks, etc for those with autism is a medical device. DS wanted the dancing heads

 

[daniele_ut]

I'm glad we're flying Delta this summer. Last summer we used our Phil and Ted's more as a luggage cart to get through the airport, but we are at a point where we could check it with luggage if we absolutely had to. I prefer not to because I feel like it's slightly safer gate checked. I think AA's maximum weight is a bit arbitrary, honestly.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I'm planning on buying a stroller bag and just checking our double stroller (no fee on Delta for any type of stroller) and using an umbrella stroller in the airport for our 1 year old and gate checking that. Our 5 year old can handle a walk through the airport, but if she was younger, I'd probably just buy a second cheap umbrella stroller and use that for the airport. If two adults are traveling, you could easily use two small strollers in the airport and be well under the 20 pound limit.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

I saw this and have been thinking of getting a newer, less bulky stroller anyway, because the baby isn't a baby anymore!

It is just another reason to keep looking at new strollers! I think I've got it narrowed down to a few I've seen online... Want to keep my budget under $100!

 

[Theosus]

That seems to be a reasonable policy to me.

I'm glad to hear it. Make them check those darn things as baggage. It's bad enough having to wait on all the people trying to stuff bags in the overhead bins, then pull them out at the end, without having to deal with someone and a damn stroller. I wish the airline would make you check everything but laptop bags or backpacks.

 

[tartemis]

Well, I'm officially never flying AA anymore.

I used to be an exclusive AA flyer -- but they have seriously gone down hill the last couple of years. I actually cancelled my AA credit card a few months ago because I was becoming so annoyed with their flights (I fly frequently for work).

I don't know if there has been a managemnet shift or what, but I know that a lot of my fellow business travelers feel the same way.

 

[LaurenLC]

I'm glad to hear it. Make them check those darn things as baggage. It's bad enough having to wait on all the people trying to stuff bags in the overhead bins, then pull them out at the end, without having to deal with someone and a damn stroller. I wish the airline would make you check everything but laptop bags or backpacks.

Please explain to me how you have been inconvenienced by someone gate checking a stroller.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I do believe that a lot of airlines will not follow suit with this one because I think the backlash will be huge.

I don't agree. I think other airlines will follow suit and the backlash will be very small, if non-existent. I don't understand the need to gate check one of those enormous strollers. This has been discussed on other online travel boards and from what I have read, the majority opinion is that this is not a problem for people.

Please explain to me how you have been inconvenienced by someone gate checking a stroller.

I have to agree that this really doesn't affect other passengers unless you are blocking the jetway trying to fold up one of these monstrosities. I don't understand why people don't travel with lightweight strollers in the first place.

 

[Sheepdog23]

I have never been able to gate check my stroller because it is not allowed at most European airports. I bought a quinny zapp that fits into a travel bag and now carry it as a carry on, but make sure it is hidden before we get to the gate. If they see it, they check it. I have traveled alone with my 2 kids without being able to gate check and having a layover, so you can do it.

 

[Schmeck]

The only time the strollers are a true hazard is when they are lined up after the plane lands, and you have to get by the families that stop right outside of the plane to put the kid in the stroller. It makes for a very tight squeeze past 2+ families doing this. If they just would grab the stroller and put the kid in after they get off the ramp, then there wouldn't be a problem, IMO.

Between the overstuffed carryons and jumbo strollers, it's a miracle that anyone can even move. What would happen if there was an emergency during boarding and people couldn't get past?