Stroller bag on airplane?

[Greenfield1984]

Hey guys,

We'll be flying Delta in November and will be bringing our city mini double, which we'll be gate checking. I was just wondering if most of you use a stroller bag when you gate check your stroller or not. It's pretty expensive for something that we'll use only a few times.
My only previous experience with gate checking a stroller we brought a cheap umbrella stroller so it wasn't an issue (and nothing happened to it).

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It's always better to use a stroller bag. You don't need to buy an expensive one; even trash bags are better than nothing.

 

[tjmw2727]

I have never used a stroller bag. Just make sure you take off any extra stuff - cup holders, toys etc and fold it securely. I used a bungee cord to make sure the stroller would not open by mistake while the luggage people were loading it.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

We had a Maclaren double stroller and used a stroller bag for each trip to WDW (4 times in 3 years). After seeing how they handle the strollers at gate check, I felt much more comfortable having it in the bag. At least that way, nothing was going to get snagged on something and broken.

That being said, we had a terrible time getting ours back once because they had unloaded it and sent it to the oversized luggage pick-up point, thinking it was golf clubs or something similar. Even with the gate check tag, they sent it away. We waited for what seemed like an eternity while they figured out what happened to it. Apparently, we may be in the minority in using the stroller bag.

 

[zuzu310]

We bought the stroller bag for our single City Mini. I have watched how they load this stuff and it gave me some peace of mind buying it. Besides I would flip if we got there and we had a broken stroller and a very heavy 17 month old to lug around until we could rent one.

 

[Greenfield1984]

I used a bungee cord to make sure the stroller would not open by mistake while the luggage people were loading it.

Good idea. Thanks!

 

[honeylove]

We always gate check our strollers with the stroller bag! We do it to avoid it getting scratched up and most importantly, the last time we didn't bag it, we lost the cup holder.

 

[ClaireW]

We had a bag for our lightweight strollers because we knew that they would remain securely folded and also to help prevent bumps and scratches. The bag also made it easy for us to 'grab and go' when the pile of strollers was loaded off the plane!
The other plus for us was that the stroller bag was large and one year we took two strollers we could use the same bag for both.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

This is what we have. Totally worth it because the bag is pretty marked up with grease or something and if that got on my stroller I'd probably have a cow.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003554H9M/ref=mp_s_a_3?pi=52x75&qid=1344516378&sr=8-3

 

[uscgmouse]

This is what we have. Totally worth it because the bag is pretty marked up with grease or something and if that got on my stroller I'd probably have a cow.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003554H9M/ref=mp_s_a_3?pi=52x75&qid=1344516378&sr=8-3

I bought the same bag a few years ago to put my single maclaren stroller in. I bought it at BRU I think. It was totally worth it. I gate checked the stroller - so I put it in the bag right as we got on the plane. When we got to our destination they brought me the bag and it was scuffed and marked up but the stroller was in great condition. I bought another bag just like it for my carseat when we travel.

 

[pooh4brains]

In my experience, the bag is necessary. We have had three stroller bags, and have had to throw each of them away when we get home because they were so damaged. I would lose my mind if my stroller had sustained that type of damage.

Another plus, you can stuff your coats or an extra package of diapers in the bag, too. Coming from Ottawa in Nov it will be nice to stuff you coats away, and not have to worry about them in the overhead bin.

 

[Claudine877]

I bought my stroller bag for my double stroller at overstock.com for 10 bucks. Worth the peace of mind!

 

[danceintherain]

I've flown with my stroller(s) several times and the only thing that's happened was the removable cup holder snapping off, which was my fault, because I didn't remove it before handing it off.
I do try to put my stroller in a bag, oftentimes a mesh laundry bag (which is also useful during my travels) but that's more to keep in from getting dirty than anything else.

I would like to have a bag for my stroller, but the model specific bags require online ordering, and most of the trips I've taken in the past 2 years have been at the last minute, and I don't think about it after my trips are over (at least not enough to argue with DH about spending the money). If you have time and money to acquire the bag, then it would probably be worth it. It certainly would be less expensive than replacing the stroller entirely.

They don't handle strollers well on airplanes, and many airlines make you sign a waiver when you check one. It's all "at your own risk," so a bag can make it less likely that something will happen.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

I'm having a hard time finding a bag that fits the city mini double. The bag made for it is very expensive and has bad reviews.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Thanks for this post. Even though we're coming near the end of the days when I 'll need our stroller for flying I decided to buy one from the link above. We flew to California last month and I was upset when we landed and the airline had broken my MacLaren. Their response was...we're not responsible. Yah, thanks!!

Thankfully my friend's hubby was able to fix it but it sure put a damper on the beginning of our trip when I had to drag a carry-on suitcase + car seat + broken stroller through the SF airport. SO thankful my DD was able to walk the long distance.

Lesson learned. Stroller bag purchased.