Strollers When Flying

[*pixie*dust*]

I have not taken a strolled when flying before. I have a Triumph that I would like to take instead of renting a WDW one. How is this handled at the airport? Is it just tagged and checked with the other baggage? Is there a charge? Will it arrive in one piece? Thanks for your help!

 

[mamabear2]

I would actually recommend gate-checking the stroller, that way you can ensure it doesn't get lost or damaged on the way. Have fun!

 

[mom_2_K'Lynn]

I have never had any problems flying with strollers. I actually love keeping them until the last minute. I never check them with my luggage as you can then keep it. Once through security and everything the service desk next to your gate is where you would go and they will put a ticket on your stroller. They will then take it when you board and keep it right up front. Then when you get off they have them sitting right in front and you just have to grab it. That way you are never stranded without one. The only challenging part is you do need to fold your stroller up and send it through the detectors on the conveyer belt. Hope this helps!

 

[karen624]

I have always gate checked them. There will be a place to leave them, usually at the end of the jetway.

 

[TKL SHOP]

When do you gate check or what is gate check?? I called southwest, and they told me I would have to check it as a piece of dds luggage.

 

[thmar]

When do you gate check or what is gate check?? I called southwest, and they told me I would have to check it as a piece of dds luggage.

Wondering about Southwest also.......

 

[lnh'smom]

Now I am wondering too..... Anyone know about Airtran? :

 

[turkeymama]

We have used Southwest and gate checked our Maclaren Volo.

I think the people where you actually check your luggage tagged the stroller for us. We took it through security and then rolled it all the way up to the door of the plane. That is where you will have to fold it and they will stow it for you. Once you land, you wait just outside the door of the plane and they get the strollers out.

We had 4 checked bags (one for each of us), and we had 3 carryon bags. We were not charged any extra fees for the stroller.

 

[clc053103]

Take stroller to the gate agent (the flight attendant at the desk at the gate, not at check in) and they will give you a tag for the stroller. On a Disney-bound flight, they typically walk around handing them out to every stroller in sight. Roll down the gate and right before boarding, fold up the stroller and leave it with the other strollers and wheelchairs. When you arrive, someone will bring out all the gate checked strollers and wheelchairs to the area outside the cabin door- claim it and take it with you. Easy as that!

 

[TKL SHOP]

Take stroller to the gate agent (the flight attendant at the desk at the gate, not at check in) and they will give you a tag for the stroller. On a Disney-bound flight, they typically walk around handing them out to every stroller in sight. Roll down the gate and right before boarding, fold up the stroller and leave it with the other strollers and wheelchairs. When you arrive, someone will bring out all the gate checked strollers and wheelchairs to the area outside the cabin door- claim it and take it with you. Easy as that!

Thanks for the information! I am going to try that then, I would rather have my stroller with me than have to wait for them to deliver to my room 3 hrs later.

 

[thmar]

We have used Southwest and gate checked our Maclaren Volo.

I think the people where you actually check your luggage tagged the stroller for us. We took it through security and then rolled it all the way up to the door of the plane. That is where you will have to fold it and they will stow it for you. Once you land, you wait just outside the door of the plane and they get the strollers out.

We had 4 checked bags (one for each of us), and we had 3 carryon bags. We were not charged any extra fees for the stroller.

Thanks turkeymama!

 

[pilotwife_02]

If you are concerned about your stroller getting damaged, you can also buy a stroller bag that you can put the stroller in before you leave it at the gate.

I can't post links, but if you google stroller bag they will come up, they are only $25.

 

[LWatson]

okay this was good info even for those going on regular vacas. I have been wondering this too since I will be traveling alone w/ 2 kids in a few weeks in 3 diff airports. THANK YOU.

 

[NotUrsula]

When do you gate check or what is gate check?? I called southwest, and they told me I would have to check it as a piece of dds luggage.

Someone misunderstood someone else, one way or another. While you *can* check a stroller as checked baggage, it is not recommended, because it's a really good way to get it destroyed (unless you do it up in bubble wrap and put it in the original box.)

You gate check it. The baggage checkin counter does not handle this; it is handled by the gate agent ONLY.

This is how it works: Fold your stroller and take it through security (yes, it must go through the x-ray), then open it up and wheel baby to your gate. Once you reach the gate, take your boarding pass and the stroller to the gate counter and ask the agent for a gate-check tag. The agent will issue you a claim check and place two labels on the stroller: one that says GATE-CHECK and attaches via an elastic band, and one that is a long barcoded label of the same type that goes on baggage, and states your destination airport (so that the handlers can be sure that it is indeed meant to be on that flight. If you have a connection they will put two of these on.) If you are using some kind of cover for protection, you will need to tell the agent that so that he/she can make sure that the labels can be read outside of the cover.

As to avoiding damage, we just had a thread about that: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2169934&highlight=stroller+damage

PS: I'm positive that this is SWA's current procedure; I just did it on an MCO flight less than 2 weeks ago.

 

[RoadTripFanatic]

Gate check!! It's the safest way to make sure your stroller gets there.

 

[kimberleeJohnston]

I usually gate check mine, that way you have it the whole time your in the airport. The first time we travelled we checked it with our luggage and they made us put it into a huge plastic bag and they sent it with all our bags....it wasnt until it was gone that I realized we still had 2 hours in the airport with a 10mnth old and no where to put her......

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Now I am wondering too..... Anyone know about Airtran? :

dont worry - you can gate-check your stroller with Airtan, we are flying them this friday, all you do is ask for a gatecheck tag when you get to the boarding gate (get there early so you have time to fill it out) and then you fold it up and leave it on the jetway right before entering the plane!

 

[amandaraye]

Wondering about Southwest also.......

Just wanted to add we also had no trouble gate-checking our stroller with Southwest. Got a tag right at the gate, left it right outside the plane and on the way down and homw when we got off it was right there waiting for us. Once it was even opened up and ready for my DD! FYI--We did not use a stroller bag and we had no damage done to our stroller. It was insanely easy and so helpful to gate check it!

PLEASE, though...anyone gate checking...do it BEFORE getting ready to board. We had a family who, after the third announcement to make sure you had a gate-check tag for your stroller, STILL didn't get a tag. when came time to board, they weren't ready, and they had the nerve to insist the rest of us passengers wait to board until after they get their gate-check tag. The guy at the gate almost bust out laughing and let us all get right on while the couple got their tag. Guess they should have been paying attention.

 

[thmar]

Just wanted to add we also had no trouble gate-checking our stroller with Southwest. Got a tag right at the gate, left it right outside the plane and on the way down and homw when we got off it was right there waiting for us. Once it was even opened up and ready for my DD! FYI--We did not use a stroller bag and we had no damage done to our stroller. It was insanely easy and so helpful to gate check it!

PLEASE, though...anyone gate checking...do it BEFORE getting ready to board. We had a family who, after the third announcement to make sure you had a gate-check tag for your stroller, STILL didn't get a tag. when came time to board, they weren't ready, and they had the nerve to insist the rest of us passengers wait to board until after they get their gate-check tag. The guy at the gate almost bust out laughing and let us all get right on while the couple got their tag. Guess they should have been paying attention.

Thanks!!