question about gate checking

[Octoberbabiesrus]

we are flying southwest next thursday. Can my husband gate check a stroller, and I can check a carseat? I originally wasnt gonna bring a carseat as we have no use for it, but we are using a car service to the airport and back. the girl said they count as one piece of luggage. I dont know if I want to check both. I will kinda NEED the stroller

 

[all4fun]

How old is you LO? why not use the car seat on the plane?

 

[Perditamarie]

Here is the info:

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/infants.html

If I am understanding it correctly, the stroller doesn't count as a piece of luggage, but the car seat does.

Also, if baby is a lap baby, don't forget the birth certificate!

 

[natnelliesmom]

Yes. You gate check your stroller. That way you use it right up to the plane and they take it at the door into the plane. When you deplane- just wait by the door and someone will bring it up to you. You will see many others doing this.
Just check the carseat with your luggage. I do recommend purchasing a quality cover for it though- they are not gentle. I would almost be worried about it loosening up or not working properly after being banged around the baggage check.
Why don't you just rent a seat with your car and not even worry about it??
-Sarah

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

After renting a carseat once, I can see why someone wouldn't consider that option. The seat we received was older and looked very worn. Also, the folks at the rental company had no clue how to put it in (we only use Hertz, Avis and National, so it wasn't some run of the mill company).

It really is nice to have your own seat - it smells like your child and is actually a comfort to them in a strange local - kind of like a wubby or blankie.

I recommend a cover that has wheels on the bottom and backpack-like straps. We got one of those off Target.com and have found it great!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Why don't you just rent a seat with your car and not even worry about it??
-Sarah

Car seats can be requested with your car rental, but not guarenteed. (Could be damaged or not returned from the previous rental and you're out of luck.) I used to work customer service for a car rental company and had frequent complaints there was not a seat available (or that it was outdated/dirty/wrong size for the child...)

Please just bring your own! Kiddos are too precious to leave to the chance of what may/may not be in the storage shed at the rental company.

 

[all4fun]

OK, I'll admit I did not read your signature the first time I posted. If your 1yr old is traveling as a lap child, then you'll have to check the car seat. I would recommend gate checking it over baggage checking, for a couple of reasons. First, if something happens to cause your flight to be canceled after you've checked your bags (it's happened to us), you have your car seat with you and you don't have to worry about how and when it will be returned to you. Second, it's less likely to be damaged or lost, imo, if it's gate checked than if it's baggage checked. Especially important if you're taking a car service from the airport and will need the seat right away (no chance to run to walmart and buy a replacement). JMO of course. I also would never rent a car seat...too risky. Here is one moms blog that illustrates why it's not a good idea.

 

[Octoberbabiesrus]

How old is you LO? why not use the car seat on the plane?

He turned one yesterday, we did NOT purchase a seat for him. Might be cumbersome to use the seat on our lap...lol

 

[Octoberbabiesrus]

Here is the info:

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/infants.html

If I am understanding it correctly, the stroller doesn't count as a piece of luggage, but the car seat does.

Also, if baby is a lap baby, don't forget the birth certificate!

for a one year old?

 

[Octoberbabiesrus]

Yes. You gate check your stroller. That way you use it right up to the plane and they take it at the door into the plane. When you deplane- just wait by the door and someone will bring it up to you. You will see many others doing this.
Just check the carseat with your luggage. I do recommend purchasing a quality cover for it though- they are not gentle. I would almost be worried about it loosening up or not working properly after being banged around the baggage check.
Why don't you just rent a seat with your car and not even worry about it??
-Sarah

the car service we are using doesnt supply carseats.
I used them a couple weeks ago for a friend with a baby of the same age. She bought a cheap carseat to use and told them to use it or pitch it. They pitched it.

 

[lilyfrog73]

for a one year old?

Yes. They will verify the baby is young enough to be a lap baby and not old enough for you to buy him/her a ticket. If a child turns 2 the day of the flight, a ticket will be needed for them.

 

[Dizisfun]

You can use the stroller and not have to check it with your luggage. We took a 14 month old last year and the stroller came in handy in the airport. You will have it with you, as you load onto the airplane a stewardess will take it for you and tag it. When you get off the plane it will be right there as you exit the plane. They stow them in the front of the plane.

 

[tjmw2727]

for a one year old?

Absolutely with SWA you will need a BC for a lap child (under 2). Not to fly with the baby but to prove he qualifies to fly free. Most airlines check or spot check but SWA checks each and every child flying free on a parents lap by requiring a birth certificate.

Even though the baby isn't ticketed you still need a document to clear security, ticketed passengers need a boarding pass and the baby will need a "boarding verification document'. You can obtain this at the counter when you chek your luggage and they will require the BC.

If you can't prove he/she is eligible they will require you purchase a full fare ticket (if available) and then refund the price if/when you can provide the BC. If a ticket isn't available nobody is flying

I highly recommend you check SWA's webpage on flying with a lap child.

As for the carseat - I don't think there is a charge for gate checking anything. We have traveled with a stroller and carseat and checked both without issue.

TJ