Stroller damage on airplane?

[slbeaute]

We were planning on taking our jogging stroller in June. I thought that gate checking it would mean that it was safe, and then read that the strollers go in with the rest of the luggage. I'm a bit worried about it. How many of you have had damage to a stroller on the plane? I would be sick if our stroller got broken, meaning we couldn't use it at WDW or back at home!

 

[staci]

we took our stroller and didnt have any problems. It wasnt new, so I am not guaranteeing that it didnt get some extra dust on it or anything, but we didnt notice anything different, and it certainly didnt have anything broken on it. Ours was a very lightweight travel stroller, I assume yours is much heavier, which probably makes it a little harder to load/unload for them, but I wouldnt think you should ahve any problems.

 

[texasthree]

We did have a damaged stroller on southwest. Its wasnt destoyed but all scratched up on top and the cover of the snack area was broken off and missing. They didnt care either. I was angry and said I would just stop flying southwest and the baggage guy said whatever you'll just never be on time again.

 

[fireman17]

Depending on the size of the stroller, you can always gate check it. We did it on both our trips and it's a lifesaver. You have your stroller when you get off the plane so little legs don't have to walk through the airport.

 

[nliedel]

On our last trip our largest piece of luggage was so badly damaged we can no longer use it. We reported it but the airline did nothing about it. Lots of phonce calls and lots of hassle so we dropped it. It's a risk you take sad to say.

 

[linda_loo]

Depending on the size of the stroller, you can always gate check it.

That's what we do, and have had no problems whatsoever.

 

[rhiannonwales]

When you gate check a stroller, they take it down and stow it in the cargo where all the other luggae goes.Ususally anyway.
I had a Combi travel stroller that was designed to fit in an overhead bin.Continental made us gate check it last trip to DW.When we got it back, it was partially unfolded, and now when you try to use it it doesnt "snap" into place correctly without some manuvering.On the return flight, it took a few minutes after debarkation, to get the stroller.We literally SAW the baggage handlers, open the cargo bay, pull out all the strollers, and TOSS them onto the tarmac.Its a real shame i loved that Combi stroller.I still use it, but its lost some of its usefulness now that i have to wrestle with it.
When we go to DW in Oct. i'm going to either buy a chap stroller that i dont care if it gets broke, or i will rent one form www.abbf.com or Murray Hill Limo.
Sherrie

 

[**pixiedust**]

We flew Delta last May and they broke our stroller beyone repair. It was like trying to move mountains to get them to do anything about it. We finally gave up and had to buy a new one when we got home (after going back and forth with them even AFTER the trip). The worst part was that we then didn't have our own stroller in WDW. Yes, we could rent one in the park, but for DTD or the Boardwalk, walking around the hotel and then the airport for the return flight, we didn't have one. It's a chance you take.

 

[elmonshea]

Our sit n stand stroller got broke on Delta.. But we had ALOT of problems with that airline and will NEVER use them again..
They were rude about the whole ordeal. my husband had to carry the stroller , 1 of the kids and our carry on bag. I carried (while being 6 months preg.) the other kid, and diaper bag and carry on.. We had to go to the other side of the ATL airport. We got half way to the other side and husband decided to leave the broken stroller at one of the delta desk..
it was going to be a hassel to deal with them people to get it replaced.
Aweek after we got home delta called to say they "found" our stroller.. WHAT>>>
My husband said.. No you did not FIND it , I left it there with your unfriendly customer service people because it was broken when we got off of the plane..
they say . Ok have a nice day.
Rude people...
We ended up spending 60.oo for renting a double stroller and having to buy a new one when we got home.
Don't fly delta , get a stroller bag and take a Cheap stroller that can be replaced and you will be okay.

 

[disneymom3]

Ours was damaged too--on two different airlines. Yes, we gate checked but all they did was send it crashing down a ramp to the baggage checkers and I don't have a lot of faith in what they did once it got down there. The first flight was on continental and it wasn't major damage, but the cup holder broke off which was a bummer.

Then the next flight was with ATA--no great loss them going out of business!!--I don't know how it was loaded because I didn't see it. Ours seemed fine when we got home, but a week later, just walking along the wheel fell off and since we saw two other families with broken strollers getting off that flight, I don't think it was just coincidence.

This was a Peg Perego double stroller by the way, so not a cheapie model. But it was the only one we had and my boys were one and two so what could you do?

 

[frannn]

I got a lot of runaround, since we didn't report it immediately when we picked it up from gate check. I called the next day. Not only was the material torn and filthy, it wouldn't snap open properly. It wasn't an expensive one (Babytrend), but it was brand new. I had to continue calling until they offered me one of their lost and found strollers, which my DH had to go pick up from the airport. It turned out to be an old, ugly stroller. Somehow I finally ended up being contacted by the first person I had sent the claim into, who sent me a check to buy a new stroller (about 65-75), which I used to buy a new inexpensive closeout at Burlington Baby Depot.

 

[NotUrsula]

Gate-checking does put the stroller in the hold, but it goes on TOP of the baggage that comes from the bag room. That means that there is less opportunity for damage due to being crushed, but it doesn't mean that there is no opportunity for damage at all. Also, if you read the fine print on your gate-check tag, you will notice that signing it absolves the airline from responsibility for damage.

I've actually questioned ramp workers on this topic, and to a man, they told me that the usual reason that strollers get broken is that they come unfolded while they are being moved. These guys just grab the thing; and if they happen to hit the fold latch, they don't have time to study it and figure out how to properly re-latch it. They will cram it flat any old way that they can, and they WILL use brute force to do it. It is up to you to do what you can to make sure that this doesn't accidentally happen; at very least use a strap or bungee to make sure it stays folded, at best, put a padded water-resistant cover sleeve on it.

As for damage to cup holders, napper bars, canopies, etc., that is not unexpected. Automated equipment *is* used to move gate-checked luggage, and anything that sticks out can get caught in it. Again, be proactive: remove the canopy, napper bar, cupholders, pouches, etc., and put them inside one of your checked bags for the trip.

That said, I've always taken these steps when I checked my strollers, and the only time I've had one damaged during a trip, it was my own fault, or actually, DS' fault. We were in our gate area waiting for a delayed flight, and he got out of his stroller and walked right between Mom's legs, causing me to trip and fall. In avoiding falling on the baby, I fell on the stroller -- unfortunately, I'm not built like Kate Moss, and I bent the frame.

I used a ripstop sleeve to protect my stroller when checked; it leaves the wheels and handle exposed so that it can be pulled down the jetway. My SOP was to wrap my empty backpack carseat satchel around the body of the stroller inside the sleeve; both padding it and eliminating the need to find a place to store the satchel whilst in flight.

 

[disneymom3]

Notursula--I agree that is why I didn't even bother to contact the airline when our stroller was damaged. I knew that was the chance we were taking and we paid the price. I felt it was a gamble we had to take as it was the only stroller we had and I needed it to get from point A to point B.

For us, however, the cup holder was attached to the stroller--across the top bar--and there was no way to remove it. And when travelling alone with two small children and getting no help at all from the airline employees even when requested, I sure didn't have time or the hands to put it in a stroller bag.

 

[rhiannonwales]

Id like to add that on Continental ive NEVER signed a gate check tag... didnt even know we ought to!

 

[emsip]

We gate checked our Mclarren stroller on our way home for WDW last year. It must have been against something hot because one of the wheels was melted. The wheel had a dent as if it had been against a hot pole. You don't notice it much when used out in the street. But when we are in the mall or any other place that has a smooth surface, we definitly feel the difference.

 

[nancy drew]

gate-checking a stroller doesnt really save it from damage.

i gate checked my peg perego stroller on american and it was damaged. i watched them loading and unloading all of the car seats and strollers from my window seat on the plane, and they seriously THROW them all in a big heap. it looked like these guys had some unresolved anger issues, thats how hard they were throwing this stuff. the damage was that one of the buttons that controls the handlebar extensions broke off, so we cant raise or lower the handles. so the stroller works fine, but still i am worried about bringing it on our next trip.

 

[caspersmom83]

We were planning on taking our jogging stroller in June. I thought that gate checking it would mean that it was safe, and then read that the strollers go in with the rest of the luggage. I'm a bit worried about it. How many of you have had damage to a stroller on the plane? I would be sick if our stroller got broken, meaning we couldn't use it at WDW or back at home!

SOuthwest actually broke our stroller and refused to pay for it saying they were not responsible. We had to go to Walmart and buy a new one.

 

[Tiger926]

I've been meaning to ask this, are there any strollers that would fit into the overhead compartment? If in a stroller bag, would this be allowed. We are allowed to bring on diaper bags as an extra carryon, so why not use the extra bag allowance for a stroller (if small enough)? We are buying a Maclaren Volo next week, and this would really irritate me if it got damaged (we are flying on Spirit).

Tiger

 

[NotUrsula]

Combis will often fit, but will almost never be allowed onto the aircraft. The reason is the wheels. Sometimes they will roll back and forth and bang around, driving passengers nuts. If it was completely incased in a bag and the FA didn't know it was a stroller, it would probably not be noticed.

A Volo is going to be too long for almost all overhead compartments. It is around 45" when folded.

 

[slbeaute]

Wow! After hearing all of that, I think we'll take our old stroller. It's not as comfy or easy to move about, but if it was broken, it wouldn't be a big deal. Thanks so much for the advice!