Spirit carry-on questions

[sahoenshell1218]

I have a couple of questions about carry-ons for Spirit Airlines that I am not finding clear answers to. Hoping someone here can help!

1) Do they allow strollers on the plane? Not large travel system type, but umbrella stroller type?

2) They say that infant diapers bags are free; I am assuming it would not be free if the diaper bag was for a 2 year old?

3) I've read that strollers are checked for free??

4) Also read that strollers can be checked at the gate (rather than at ticket counter) and will be waiting in jetway at arrival. Anyone have experience with this?

Thanks for any help! And if anyone has any other tips or advice, I will listen! lol, first time with Spirit and first time with a toddler.

 

[KelnRon]

I fly Spirit every year w/ 4 kids.

Yes, you can check in strollers at the gate. I've taken both full size & my Maclaren/Combi. I check in two each trip. I bought 2 red "Gate Check" strollers bags (ebay, walmart etc) for each one.

No the diaper bag for the 2 year old would be just fine! I took for my 3 year old.

Yes surprisingly no charge for the strollers. (Car seats, PNP also free)

As for checking at the gate they are waiting for you BUT aren't unloaded until all passengers are off. That probably is the most annoying especially if you are one of the 1st off and you have to wait until everyone is off.

 

[kaytieeldr]

But the solution to that is to not be among the first passengers off the plane.
When you know your gate-checked item will take some minutes to be retrieved and placed on the jetway, wait in the seats until most passengers debark. This eases congestion right at the plane exit, too.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You cannot actually take your stroller on the plane (as a carry-on).

 

[sahoenshell1218]

Thank you for the help!

We will be flying first class, so don't really want to wait around for the stroller, especially since we have to pick up our luggage as Spirit is not an official airline for Magical Express. So now I have to decide whether to wait around for stroller or risk stroller being damaged if checked with rest of luggage. (I guess we could have the rest of our party go wait on luggage while we wait on stroller?...there will be 9 of us).

And just to be sure, I can have the diaper bag as my one freebie carry-on and still have a (payed for) carry-on as well if needed? What exactly qualifies as a diaper bag? Can I have a backpack for this? Sorry for all the questions....just need to know what to expect as far as extra charges.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Okay, you really need to check the "what Participating Airline really means" thread.

It applies only on the return trip.

On arrival, every airline participates.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Thank you for the help!

We will be flying first class, so don't really want to wait around for the stroller.....

And just to be sure, I can have the diaper bag as my one freebie carry-on and still have a (payed for) [paid] carry-on as well if needed? What exactly qualifies as a diaper bag? Can I have a backpack for this? Sorry for all the questions....just need to know what to expect as far as extra charges.

If you're flying Spirit, you are NOT flying first class!



You really need to go to Spirit's website and read the rules for yourself. Their baggage policies are clearly explained.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

If you're flying Spirit, you are NOT flying first class!



You really need to go to Spirit's website and read the rules for yourself. Their baggage policies are clearly explained.

How true.

 

[Lewisc]

Thank you for the help!

We will be flying first class, so don't really want to wait around for the stroller, especially since we have to pick up our luggage as Spirit is not an official airline for Magical Express. So now I have to decide whether to wait around for stroller or risk stroller being damaged if checked with rest of luggage. (I guess we could have the rest of our party go wait on luggage while we wait on stroller?...there will be 9 of us).

And just to be sure, I can have the diaper bag as my one freebie carry-on and still have a (payed for) carry-on as well if needed? What exactly qualifies as a diaper bag? Can I have a backpack for this? Sorry for all the questions....just need to know what to expect as far as extra charges.

Even Spirit doesn't call it first class. Just a big seat in the front of the plane. A back pack with your clothing and diapers probably won't count as a diaper bag.

edited to add I see from lost's post the diaper bag is in addition to your personal item. I remember reading putting any non-camera item in a "camera bag" voids that exception. I suspect the same thing may apply to a diaper bag.

You get one personal item. I don't see anything on their website which suggests you can bring a diaper bag in addition to your personal item.

Your paying extra for a "big seat in the front of the plane". Just remain in your big seat until everyone else deplanes, pick up your stroller and walk over to the DME desk.

 

[schoen]

How true.

Don't be silly!!! This is exactly what these boards are for! Helping confused travelers! The OP clearly stated that she did read the website, but was looking for further clarification. If we knew and understood every single aspect of the travel process than there would be no reason for boards like this!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Don't be silly!!! This is exactly what these boards are for! Helping confused travelers! The OP clearly stated that she did read the website, but was looking for further clarification. If we knew and understood every single aspect of the travel process than there would be no reason for boards like this!

The poster was hardly being silly; directing her towards Spirit's website seems reasonable to me. It's obvious the OP has not really read much on Spirit's website, because the answers to her questions are clearly stated there. Not sure what's hard to understand; none of us could state what is posted there more clearly:

http://customersupport.spirit.com/e...-my-child-s-car-seat-and-or-stroller-onboard-

http://customersupport.spirit.com/entries/23405412-What-does-a-personal-item-consist-of-

http://customersupport.spirit.com/entries/21381838-How-much-does-Spirit-charge-for-bags-

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

And the real truth...

the advice on here is not always right. So what are you going to do? Stand at the counter and scream "THE DIS TOLD ME" It really is better to read the official information rather then strangers on the web.

 

[sahoenshell1218]

Okay, first I want to say thank you for those who have actually offered help. I HAVE read Spirit's website with all guidelines, etc. but after reading all the negative feedback on these boards about Spirit, I wanted to be absolutely clear on things before getting there and finding myself screwed on some issues. I thought it would be beneficial to hear from those with experience with this particular airline. Sorry for using this forum for what it is actually for! If you didn't find my questions worthy of answering, then don't answer!

 

[sahoenshell1218]

Okay, you really need to check the "what Participating Airline really means" thread.

It applies only on the return trip.

On arrival, every airline participates.

Thank you; I was told differently on another site.

 

[sahoenshell1218]

Even Spirit doesn't call it first class. Just a big seat in the front of the plane. A back pack with your clothing and diapers probably won't count as a diaper bag.

edited to add I see from lost's post the diaper bag is in addition to your personal item. I remember reading putting any non-camera item in a "camera bag" voids that exception. I suspect the same thing may apply to a diaper bag.

You get one personal item. I don't see anything on their website which suggests you can bring a diaper bag in addition to your personal item.

Your paying extra for a "big seat in the front of the plane". Just remain in your big seat until everyone else deplanes, pick up your stroller and walk over to the DME desk.

Thank you for explaining "first class". I knew it wasn't like first class on other airlines, but having never flown Spirit, did not know it was not seperated from rest of passengers. My sister is the one who booked the flights for our group so I didn't get any info pertaining to seats, etc.

 

[sahoenshell1218]

And the real truth...

the advice on here is not always right. So what are you going to do? Stand at the counter and scream "THE DIS TOLD ME" It really is better to read the official information rather then strangers on the web.

So why have this forum at all? No one in any of these threads is going to take someone's words as the official line. Rather, they are going to double check themselves that they have read things correctly with those that have already experienced it first hand.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

So why have this forum at all? No one in any of these threads is going to take someone's words as the official line. Rather, they are going to double check themselves that they have read things correctly with those that have already experienced it first hand.

You seriously believe this statement?? With the common sense of some people on these boards they will be the ones standing and yelling as other person saying XXXX on disboards told me I could!

 

[poison ivy]

We're flying spirit for the first time this Sept and I too have been scouring their website for the baggage policies.

I would call to clarify if the diaper bag will be counted as the 1 personal item for a specific member of your group - and can it be any type of bag as long as it is within the dimensions they specify on the site.

I don't believe you can bring it in addition to a personal item - but you never know. The website is not the best to navigate. We had a heck of a time figuring all this out especially when it came to transporting a scooter.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Based on the information in the linked sites in a post on the first page of this thread: the diaper bag will be the personal item for one paid passenger. If the child for whom the diaper bag is being brought has a paid seat, that child gets the personal item allowance. A lap child has no seat, therefore is entitled to no free luggage of any sort. The diaper bag would have to be the personal item of someone else in the party.

 

[Lewisc]

From the link posted by a PP

Additionally, the following carry-on items are not counted towards a customer's carry-on bag allowance and can be brought with you on all flights free of charge - umbrella, camera, infant diaper bag, assistive devices, outer garments (e.g. coats, hats, and wraps), reading material, and food for the flight.

I understand from threads regarding the camera bag exception once you put other items in the bag you lose the exemption. The diaper bag better only contain diapers, or maybe other stuff for the infant, or you might lose the exemption and be charged.