Is my stroller bag too big to gate check?

[camtheriot]

I just purchased a Maclaren Twin Triumph (which I already LOVE!!) and I had planned on gate checking it. I decided to get a Maclaren double stroller bag to put it in so it can be protected during the flight. I got it in yesterday - and it is HUGE!! It looks like I could fit a regular double stroller in it, not a compact Maclaren Twin umbrella stroller. Anyway, my question is, will I have a problem gate checking my stroller if it is in this huge bag?

Iv'e never flown with a stroller before, I'm not sure how things work.

Thanks

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Most people who gate check strollers don't put them in bags (although I totally understand why you would want to!!). I would suggest calling your airline and checking with them before you bring it all the way to the airport and can't gate check it.

 

[TJA]

There was a thread about this about a month or so ago (I have a hard time with the search feature here, so I can't find it....) where there was a discussion about this. It prompted me to buy a stroller bag too for check-in. Many people said they do it, but I do not know for which airlines. We plan to put the bag under the stroller in the basket for walking thru the airport, and then right before we board the airplane, hopefully it will go smoothly to put the stroller in the bag.

 

[2002Disneybride]

We flew Southwest with our huge double stroller. Our stroller bag was enormous but the people at SW thanked us for putting it in there b/c it was so bulky/awkward! Needless to say, we will be bringing our small umbrella strollers-that big one made it for 1 and only 1 trip!

 

[LoveKermit]

Been there, done that!

Our Maclaren bag (for one stroller) looks like golf clubs. We have had trouble getting them to give it back to us once we arrive (and EVERY airport is different, let me tell ya). One airport (NE Arkansas, don't ask) just asked that we write "STROLLER" on the back of the gate check tag. Of course, the tag has to be facing the right way for that to really work. But it made the gate/luggage guy more comfortable. I've started to do that every time since.

By advice on these boards and hearing how mangled strollers can get, we got the bag as part of our shower gifts. I hang it on the handles (no chance of fitting underneath). It makes us a little wide, but oh well. Pack it up about 5-10 minutes before boarding begins.

Be persistent. Don't leave the jetway without it (if you want the stroller for walking through the terminal). Otherwise, it will end up in baggage claim. Not the end of the world, but a pain nonetheless and why gate check? They have found ours on the luggage carts thinking it was clubs and they've had to go "rescue" it. But once you leave the jetway, it will get harder to fight for yourself because the gate attendants are too busy.

We took United once, but to a dinky airport so it didn't matter. And the rest of our flights were American (and hopefully always will be).

 

[o2bacelt]

I have a single Mac and always use a stroller bag, it did get sent to baggage claim the first time I was in Orlando with it but it hasn't happened since. It helps keep the stroller cleaner.

We've flown Air Tran (the time it was mistaken for golf clubs), Ted, and JetBlue. No one but Air Tran has mistaken it for golf clubs...

 

[tanyaandallie]

We gate checked our Baby Planet Unity Sport (double) no problem at all. It's bigger than our Mac Ralley Twin. I wouldn't worry at all and would use the bag if you have it!

 

[camtheriot]

Thanks everyone, I think I will use it. I also have a booster seat that I will be gate checking, and it fits in the bag with the stroller. That eliminates me having to purchase yet ANOTHER bag to carry! I hope it works out.