How Much Extra?

[davidsprincess]

For anybody that flies, do you know how much extra the airlines charge when you bring along a stroller or an umbrella stroller? Do you need to check it in with the rest of your luggage or can you do gate check? What about if you have to change planes? Thanks in advance. We are trying to figure out if we should bring one from home or just rent one each day.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

nothing extra.... gate check it, then if you change planes you'll have it between flights too... and your kiddo can sit in it while you go from gate to gate, and wait in it for the next flight...

If you bring one then you'll always have it, if you rent one, you can't use it for the long walk out the gates and back to your hotel... which at the end of the day seems even longer!

--Lisa

 

[davidsprincess]

nothing extra.... gate check it, then if you change planes you'll have it between flights too... and your kiddo can sit in it while you go from gate to gate, and wait in it for the next flight...

If you bring one then you'll always have it, if you rent one, you can't use it for the long walk out the gates and back to your hotel... which at the end of the day seems even longer!

--Lisa

I 'am a little slow on the draw, does that apply to a regular stroller as well? I would sooo much rather bring the munchkin's stroller over the umbrella stroller. More room, more storage for all of my junk and I can recline it for when she naps ( I hope she naps). Thanks guys!
Our flight leaves home at 6:30 am and we have to be at the airport at 4:30 It would just be so much easier to throw her in her stroller at some point while at one of the airports than carrying her. Or if she wants to walk then we can always throw our gear into it.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

They'll gate check practically anything... I once had to have my carryon gate checked because we were late to board and there was no more room in the overhead bins... plus I feel that the stuff that is gate checked is treated -a little- less roughly than the stuff you check in normally... so less of a chance to bung up your car seat or stroller...

--Lisa

 

[bumbershoot]

Check with your airline. Things are changing so much, and some people will call the airline and the airline will say that they count as "checked" luggage, than another person will find out they don't count as checked...it's all very confusing right now with the changes the airlines are making.

Add to that the fact that most airlines seem to want utter vagueness on their sites (Jet Blue and Southwest only mention *infant* carseats and strollers, but I know for a fact they gatechecked a non-infant carseat just in December, and everyone talks about gatchecking strollers even double jogging strollers! Our upcoming trip is our first with a stroller so I'm nervous too....

 

[dmked]

Yes, they will gate check any type of stroller or carseat. But be careful, the footrest on my stroller was broken off the last time I travelled (then the cupholders were broken off on our return flight) This was on Delta, maybe other airlines are more careful.

 

[bonita_babe232]

Thats not totally true, when i went last october on AA ( i think) they made me check my full size stroller here in Vancouver, they said you can only gate check umbrella strollers.... then in L.A they let my bring my stroller to gate check it but once it was time to board the front lady was PISSED cause they arn't allowed to be gate checked... I was like I don't know they just told me it was fine .... so she gate checked it but said they would be make sure EVERYONE (all the check-in attendents) know that you can't bring in full strollers anymore... I guess just check with the airline before.... cause it was a real hassel to have the little guy (he was alittle over 1) in the stupid airport buggies!!!! ......

Edit.... But if they do take it at the front with your bags it didn't get checked as luggage same as for carseats from what i hear....

 

[Rapunsel]

FYI....

In LAX be prepared to collapse the stroller and fit it through the x-ray machiene. I had to collapse the stroller and infant seat and put it through it. It was not an easy fit.... Also the same with carseats. they have to fit through also.

 

[Brady's Mom]

We gate checked a double jogging stroller and 2 booster seats in March on Delta. The hardest part is getting the stroller through security. One of the security people was kinda pissy about the stroller and really thoroughly checked it out - like I might hide something in it. Security can visually check car seats, especially if they won't fit through the machine.

I was really worried before we left about the stroller and car seats and called the customer service number several times and got different answers each time. I think the calls were routed to India!! None of the customer service people really knew what the policy was. So I gate checked! and it worked out great.

You go to the check-in gate where you will board and leave it with the attendant (for a stroller you fold it up), they put a special tag on it and when you get off the plane your stuff is waiting for you. Nice to have the stroller to go to baggage claim and to have somewhere to put your purse or diaper bag. The only "hard" part for us was carrying the booster seats and even that was doable.

HTHs
Shannon