So when you gate check your stroller....

[maci]

We are planning on gate checking our stroller in a couple of weeks.

For those who have done this before, how beat up does it get?

I have a BIG, net type bad it will fit in, that I was thinking of putting it in, to try and protect it.

Do you think this is neccessary?

Thanks for any input!

 

[2tinksmom]

We've only done this once, but ours got pretty beat up. It was just an umbrella type and we ended up chunkin' it when we got home. We flew Continental and they put a big plastic bag on it goin' and it was ok. It was on the return flight where I think the gorillas used it as a baseball bat!!
Michele

 

[Tink]

I haven't had a problem gate checking my stroller. It comes back fine. I haven't checked a big one in a while, I have been bringing a Graco Lite type one.

I once checked the bihher stroller in one of those stroller bags, and it was fine, too.

 

[Mish]

I have gate checked a stroller everytime we fly. We have never had a problem and it was great to have it waiting for you when you got off the plane. We flew Delta and American Airlines hope this helps.

 

[paigevz]

We've gate checked twice now, with two different strollers (different kids) and it was set up and waiting for us when we got off. One did have a black mark on the back of the seat once but we hadn't bagged it, and it didn't bother us.

 

[DisneyPete]

We've done this several times and have never had an issue. Plus it's been a life saver for transporting kids in the airport.

 

[zurgswife]

I've done it twice a year for 7 years without incident...

 

[swilphil]

I've done it 3 times on Southwest and never had any problems. Just make sure you check at the gate and not with your baggage. It would definitely get beaten up if it went through the baggage claim carousel.

If the bag you have for it is just a net bag, then it probably won't help any.

 

[bjakmom]

I gate checked mine in the large, nylon zip up stroller bag I got at BabiesRUs. It folds with the seat completely on the outside and exposed, so I wanted to keep it clean and protected. They just set the bag outside of the plane door with the other strollers and we carried it to the end of the walkway before setting it up (we had plenty of hands for one little baby!).

 

[maci]

Thanks everyone! So I guess it is not so beat up as when you regular check stuff! Good to know!

 

[Chip126]

I have never checked a stroller, but I will be in December. I also need to bring my baby's car seat (this attaches to the stroller). He loves his car seat and spends a lot of time napping in this. Therefore, I would like to have this with us in case he has trouble sleeping in a different porta-crib. (He will be 3 months old).

Has anyone taken their infant car seat with them? I don't know how to do this and I am wondering if it will get damaged in baggage? I am assuming that this will count as a piece of luggage.

Can I gate check this with the stroller? The stroller will not fold up with the car seat attached.

Thanks,
Kim

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

Originally posted by Chip126
I have never checked a stroller, but I will be in December. I also need to bring my baby's car seat (this attaches to the stroller). He loves his car seat and spends a lot of time napping in this. Therefore, I would like to have this with us in case he has trouble sleeping in a different porta-crib. (He will be 3 months old).

Has anyone taken their infant car seat with them? I don't know how to do this and I am wondering if it will get damaged in baggage? I am assuming that this will count as a piece of luggage.

Can I gate check this with the stroller? The stroller will not fold up with the car seat attached.

Thanks,
Kim

I know you can gate check carseats. I've never done it, but my friend flies often for business and she usually takes her son with her. She mentioned to me that she sometimes gate checks the carseat. I'm debating whether or not to gate check my dd's carseat on Monday or check it with the luggage. I got a carseat travel bag from Babies R. Us. The thing is HUGE and since we're going to be at the airport early, I'm not sure I want to lug the carseat around for a few hours, lol.

 

[LibertyLover]

I've gate checked mine fon flights rom Guangzhou to Beijing, Beijing to LA and LA to Baltimore and it came through fine. I'll be doing it again in January from Baltimore to Orlando.zx

 

[Muffinish]

and gate checked our Combi Savvy Soho going and coming. I didn't notice any damage to the stroller, but when I picked it up today after our Orlando-Houston flight, it was wet! I had never heard of that particular problem, but it was raining when we left Orlando. You might check into a water-proof stroller bag (or even a large plastic dry cleaning or garbage bag) if rain is predicted.

 

[NotUrsula]

To minimize the possibility of incident, be sure to remove all accessories and toys and pack them. It's also advisable to send the napper bar and the hood in your checked baggage as well. Also, when you leave it on the jetway, be sure to set the brakes so that it doesn't roll all over the hold.

The most common way that damage happens to strollers is when they come open when the handlers grab them, as they don't have time to figure out the correct way to fold all those different types. If they come open the ramp workers will just cram them shut however possible, and things do get bent that way. Securing a bungee cord tightly around it after it is folded is always wise if you are not going to use some kind of cover or satchel.