Stroller Bag??? (update)*got it today...LOVE it!*

[nisi]

OK, so just where did you find a durable fabric for less than $3 a yard?

That's a fair question It is definitely possible if you aren't picky about what it looks like. If you're near a Wal Mart that still has a fabric dept, try there. They always have a table of $1-2/yd fabrics, and often you can find heavier canvas, twill, or home dec facrics there. When I made my bag I found some weird, shiny, black denim for $1/yd. It was stiff and scratchy, but who cares if you're not wearing it? Since it was 60" wide, I could cut it out with the long part of the bag going across the width of the fabric, so I only needed 1yd to go "around" the stroller (hope that makes sense, I'm terrible at explaining it in words) If you don't have a WM w/ a fabric dept, try the remnant section of a facric store, especially the home decorator remnants. They tend to be very sturdy fabrics, usually 60" wide or more, and larger peices - 3-4+yds.


So, I spent $1 on fabric. The other supplies I needed were some cord for the draw string (free, found something suitable in my junk drawer), one of those little cord lock thingies (around 25 cents), and 2 small d-rings for attaching a strap (around $1, I had to buy a 4-pack). I cheated a little with the strap. Instead of buying webbing for a permanent carry strap, I attached the d-rings and borrowed a detachable strap from a duffle bag I wasn't using for the trip. Quicker, easier, cheaper, and more comfortable to carry So, my grand total for the project was less than $3.

 

[kileybeth]

hhhmmm, well I haven't ordered the "red bag" yet but it is tempting. Since I need two bags tho, it does seem like a good bit for something I won't use much. . .

and I have only flown out of BWI, PHL, and MSN (with a stroller that is) but have never been asked to fold up the stroller until right before we step onto the plane, in fact one time we were unloading the big double stroller to get it ready to gate check and the gate check employee (the one who checks your tickets before you go down the jetway and she said to us "oh, you don't need to fold that yet, just leave them in it until you get right up to the plane and the flight atendant will help you out!" ??? Now both my DH and I thought that was above and beyond what she was "required" to do but nearly everyone else had their kids rolling them down the jeyway too?

There is an area to pull over out of the way and leave your stroller so I was just wondering about trying to get it in a bag at that point?

Also more than once, the luggage handlers have been waiting by the steps down to cargo to take it right out of our hands?

Are these just unusual happenings?

Also the Maclarens are so incredibly lightweight and come with the carrying strap built into them . . .I just don't know!

They are both light colored tho, all my other strollers have been navy or black! oh my!

 

[TravelinGal]

kileybeth - With your strollers being a light color I'd certainly do something to protect them - if you want them to stay nice for a longer time. If you can sew, maybe you can try what nisi posted. I'd still be leary of the plastic bags simply because there is nothing for the luggage handlers to grab hold of. But it's better than nothing!

RE the jetway - I figure it's DS's last chance to really stretch his legs before sitting for hours so we put the stroller away when we get to the gate (or at least when it's getting close to boarding time) and let DS have some freedom before boarding. I also wouldn't want to deal with putting the stroller in a bag on the jetway or even deal with folding it up with people trying to get on the plane around me. We'll also wait to get into the gate area to take the stroller out and put DS in it. Don't want to hold other people up.

 

[Ally_DeVille]

Walmart sells a stroller bag that would hold both your strollers for around $15.

I am buying a double stroller from them and have ordered the bag; the stroller is a tandem and will fit inside it.

Yes, there should be a small spot to the right of the entryway onto the plane where you can fold the strollers and pop them into the bag.

And no, your experience isn't isolated, you probably won't have to unload and fold the strollers until you are at the end of the jetway and someone will be there to take them to the cargo hold.

If you are flying on an airline that allows pre-boarding for those traveling with small children (and they are rare!) you will have a few minutes to get things settled before the rest of the passengers head down the jetway.

The only time I've ever had to fold the stroller and leave it at the actual gate was on American Airlines and that was the time the new stroller was destroyed.

 

[kileybeth]

well maybe that's it then. We always fly the cheapy airlines and have never once had any complaint about baggage handling or otherwise!

and yes, we do preboard. often b/c of children under the age of 4 years and a few times b/c of medical issues ~we needed to talk to flight attendant about. (just a heads up so they would know if babies monitors went off and we needed to resusitate, we often found they had not been informed ahead or read over passanger list yet at boarding)

I had thought about the one bag for both option and that does seem reasonable to me. And so true about light colors. Also with these last two little ones they probably are a bit more active now that they are getting older and would enjoy the romp time at gate prior to boarding. Heaven help me if my DH reads that, he is the most deferential man I have ever met. We can never get in anyones way or we are in big trouble with Daddy! Poor man. he would be for bagging up the strollers and waiting until last to board I think if I let him! So no, we are not one of those families that's holds any one up boarding, I have to have it down to a science to make the DH stress levels go down. (he is used to flying alone for buisness and when he takes his family of 6 with him it is a little hard for him to understand that we take a bit longer than one man typically does)

Thanks for all the great tips. I'm going to go look at that link for the double bag.

 

[TravelinGal]

Ally - do you have a link for the stroller bag? The only dual one I see is almost $30 - so not any less expensive than ordering 2 of the red ones.

 

[cheerbop]

That is an idea, putting more than one stroller in a bigger bag, but what I have reservations with is that the strollers in the black bag would now be mistaken for normal checked luggage and therefore would not be at the gate when I got off the plane.

That is why the red "gate check" bag is what I am considering. I would *think* that it would not get put with the "other" luggage.
Anyone???

We want something done with our stroller(s) because the stroller we took last time had its hood ripped/torn right in the middle of it!!! I wasn't very happy

 

[jagafen]

I've been looking for something like this......but didn't want to pay $40 or more.....$15 fits right into the budget!! Thanks

 

[ehrn]

I've had the foam handles torn on 2 different strollers!!!!! I bought one of the red bags AND I'm bubble wrapping the handles!!!! Also got grease marks and scuffs on the canopy--grrrrrrr!

 

[Ally_DeVille]

Sorry TravelinGal it wasn't Walmart, it was Ebay! I got mixed up, as I have been hunting for the lowest price I could find. It's the stroller I found on Walmart for the lowest price. <insert Doh!>

http://cgi.ebay.com/Alphabetz-NEW-Single-Double-Stroller-Travel-Storage-Bag_W0QQitemZ180127779747QQihZ008QQcategoryZ117038QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



Alphabetz NEW Single Double Stroller Travel Storage Bag for $11.95

There are several ones listed.

cheerbop, gate checked items are kept in a different hold and will have a colored tag on them with your name, you will also have a copy of the gate check tag so it can get tracked down if it is misplaced.

 

[cheerbop]

cheerbop, gate checked items are kept in a different hold and will have a colored tag on them with your name, you will also have a copy of the gate check tag so it can get tracked down if it is misplaced.

That is what I thought but is not the case with at least some airlines. I myself and some friends and some people here on the boards have had their stroller sent to baggage claim instead of gate check area. That is and can be a huge pain with 3 kids in tow.

 

[TravelinGal]

That is what I thought but is not the case with at least some airlines. I myself and some friends and some people here on the boards have had their stroller sent to baggage claim instead of gate check area. That is and can be a huge pain with 3 kids in tow.

Having this happen to us also, I can honestly say it's a huge pain with just ONE kid in tow! That's why I like the bright red bag and the large GATE CHECK text on the bag. I would worry about a case that looks too generic. I think that's why our stroller went with checked luggage that one time. (It was gate checked and tagged appropriately - but it never showed up on the jetway)

 

[Ally_DeVille]

Wow, that is terrible TravelinGal and cheerbop that has never happened to me and I've gate checked many times with the car seat or stroller in a bag many times.

However, I now check the stroller through with the luggage, I have a Sit-n-Stroll car seat/stroller combo that makes traveling with a toddler much easier. I have to say it was the best money spent on baby gear and it wasn't cheap but is versitile.

Was this recent? I know that since the new security proceedures went into effect that lost luggage rates have tripled; could be the gate crews are just so overworked that they are not as careful as before.

 

[TravelinGal]

Ally - actually it (bag returning to luggage claim instead of gate check) happened to us when DS was 3 months old, so it would have been in Feb 2005.

 

[Jennygt]

i just ordered the bag for my quest. I will let you know how it works out.

 

[Ally_DeVille]

That's terrible! I know how I felt when American Airlines handed me my new Graco and it was completely unusable; I was livid and they wouldn't do anything about it.

I am a single mom so had to carry the carseat with baby and all of my carryons through the airport to the AA customer service while dragging the broken stroller behind me as only the front wheels worked. Luckily my family met me by the security checkpoint and was able to hand off a lot before I got to the counter.

They were so unhelpful and rude that I refuse to fly AA anymore and they were the only airline flying home that is a non-stop.

 

[Jennygt]

I just got the bag and a stroller fan that I ordered from wallmart.com and I had them shiped to the store, big mistake. It took me two trips and 4 long phonecalls just to locate the bag! I stood in the back of the store for about a 1/2 hr before anyone even came to help me, I would just pay the $5 and have it sent to my house next time! I still have to check how the bag fits!

 

[kileybeth]

well, I went ahead and ordered 2 seperate red gate check bags from walmart.
shipping and handling was only $5 so I had them sent to my house. they arrived in less than 48 hours. I considered having them sent free shipping to area store but wondered how store employees would handle it. I am so glad I spent the extra $5 now!

The bags are not very heavy duty at all though. I am hoping it is enough to protect the stroller. Just the fact that they have a carrying handle is a plus I guess. I am worried about dragging tho, no way these bags would hold up to that or the stroller inside I am afraid.

Thanks to all for your help in finding them tho. Now I just have accesorizing for the heat left! clip on fans from Five below I hear and I'm still undecided about the cup holder issue!

 

[carrie6466]

Now I am nervous, because I had mine sent to the store as well. I hope it comes in time for my trip!

Carrie

 

[TravelinGal]

Kileybeth - I think they will be fine for their purpose. The fabric isn't super thick, but I think it's a relatively durable nylon. I guess we'll see

Whoever travels with them first - come back and post!!! (I'm not going until Sept 22)