Traveling (airplane) with a stroller for the first time... help!

[Erica09M]

We haven't traveled with the kids yet, so I'm totally new at this. Can someone tell me the ins and outs of traveling on a plane with a stroller? When do I have to let go of the stroller? Can I use it (hopefully) through the airport until we're boarding the plane and then have them take it? Or do I have to check it with our luggage? How about when I get off of the plane, will it be waiting for me (assuming I had it with me until boarding the plane)?

We'll be traveling with this stroller

 

[loveysbydesign]

You get a tag at the gate and gate check it, fold it up, roll it down to the end of the boarding tunnel upon boarding and leave it there. They will bring it back to that same spot once you land and they get it off the plane.
I highly recommend purchasing a stroller bag so it doesn't get damaged!
HTH!

 

[kidsicet]

When we've traveled with a stroller, we were able to take it right up to the door of the airplane. We got a gate check tag for it, and folded it up. The guys grab the strollers and put them in the cargo area last, and they're the first things that are taken out. When we got off the plane, the stroller was there waiting for us.

The only hassle is you have to take the baby and everything out of the stroller when going through security. Other than that, it's a slick deal!

 

[Erica09M]

I don't think they even make stroller bags for this stroller, does anyone know for sure? Or is there some type of "universal" stroller bag that it would fit in? It's not a small stroller.

 

[natashag76]

you may want to use a small stroller, because you WILL have to stuff it through the security conveyor belt. we made the mistake once (and never again) of bringing our nice big graco. after 3 kids, we only use lightweight- smaller ones. the security will take your stroller apart if necessary to make sure it all goes through the xray machine, but then they expect you to put it back together yourself. i've never used a stroller bag for ours and they've never gotten damaged from going into cargo during the flight. sometimes we've seen the attendants just hang an umbrella stroller in the little coat closet in 1st class if there's enough room.

 

[Erica09M]

Eeek, a smaller stroller isn't an option for us. We have 2 children who need to be in it and this is the double we have. I can't justify buying a new double stroller just for a vacation...

How big is this security conveyor belt? (It's been 6 years since I've traveled and that was pre-children)

Has anyone ever traveled with a Graco Quattro Tour Duo?

Ok... so what if I check it with our luggage instead of checking it when we board the plane? Would it really be easier? I guess my then 5 year old could walk, and I could wear my almost 2 year old in my Beco carrier through the airport. DH would have to manage the car seat and a carry-on bag or two, and I could carry a bag.

What about insurance? Can you buy insurance when traveling for your personal belongings incase they are damaged? I really don't want my nearly $300 stroller damaged and not be able to replace it.

Not sure what I should do!

 

[mejkjj97]

also, depending on your airline- when you get to the gate ask the people at the counter about checking the stroller.

I know jet blue tags the stroller when you give you boarding pass but southwest you have to get the stroller tag at the desk where you board the plane. slightly different by airlines. It's just a pain with southwest if you have to get out of line and get back in since it's not reserved seats.

 

[loveysbydesign]

also, depending on your airline- when you get to the gate ask the people at the counter about checking the stroller.

I know jet blue tags the stroller when you give you boarding pass but southwest you have to get the stroller tag at the desk where you board the plane. slightly different by airlines. It's just a pain with southwest if you have to get out of line and get back in since it's not reserved seats.

We just flew SW and we got our tag awhile before we boarded so we didn't have to get in and out of line. I just walked up to the counter, asked for one, showed them the stroller bag and they put one on it

Also the stroller bag we bought was from Target and it was universal...we could've fit 3 umbrella type strollers in it it's so huge! After my ds wakes up from nap i will go check out the manufacturer of it, can't remember offhand. The 1st time we went to Disney I didn't use a stroller bag and one of our bag wheels got broken off so we've used one ever since!

 

[asoko]

We've flown NWA. We've gotten gate check tags when we've gotten to the gate and also when we were walking on the plane.

Make sure you have nothing in your stroller though because things are easily lost or transferred to another stroller.

We use 2 smaller strollers and attach them together. They sell the attaching things at babies r us. It has worked really well for us as our only double is huge and we already owned the singles we put together.

I've also done it by myself with the 2 kids and it has gone relatively smoothly. I had to load 2 strollers, 3 coats, 3 backpacks and 3 sets of shoes on the xray belt by myself. Also be prepared to take you time and relax. Don't let other people rush you, that makes it stressful.

 

[bumbershoot]

you may want to use a small stroller, because you WILL have to stuff it through the security conveyor belt. we made the mistake once (and never again) of bringing our nice big graco. after 3 kids, we only use lightweight- smaller ones. the security will take your stroller apart if necessary to make sure it all goes through the xray machine, but then they expect you to put it back together yourself.

Strange security people!

I couldn't fit (or rather THEY couldn't) the carseat, that I was gate-checking, through the machine in San Diego (fit fine at Seattle though which the SAN people refused to believe LOL), and they just took it, and us, over to the extra screening area to feel the thing up, LOL.

 

[woodkins]

With Southwest it really isn't a problem getting out of line to get the tag because on your boarding pass it has your letter code (A,B,C) and the number of that boarding group you are in. You line up by group and then in numeric order, so your place is held. We only fly southwest from LI and always bring our stroller without a problem & gate check it each time.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Oops...I went and got the box...the one from the other year was from Target(the zipper ripped on thia one on the way home) but this new one I got at Big Lots for $4.70(an amazing price as it's real sturdy, heavy duty bag) and it is by Alphabetz On-The-Go accessories and it says Standard/Double Stroller Travel Bag. Bag measures 42"L X 21" H X 13"D

They sell similiar ones at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b...ts&field-keywords=double+stroller+bag&x=0&y=0

 

[Erica09M]

Strange security people!

I couldn't fit (or rather THEY couldn't) the carseat, that I was gate-checking, through the machine in San Diego (fit fine at Seattle though which the SAN people refused to believe LOL), and they just took it, and us, over to the extra screening area to feel the thing up, LOL.

This I wouldn't mind. I understand that they need to make sure everything is safe, and I'd rather them take a few extra minutes to check over our stuff (or anyone elses) than there be a problem that gets overlooked.


I'm still wondering about checking it with our luggage... is that an easier route?

I just hate to even think about how badly they're going to handle our property!! LOL

 

[Erica09M]

Oops...I went and got the box...the one from the other year was from Target(the zipper ripped on thia one on the way home) but this new one I got at Big Lots for $4.70(an amazing price as it's real sturdy, heavy duty bag) and it is by Alphabetz On-The-Go accessories and it says Standard/Double Stroller Travel Bag. Bag measures 42"L X 21" H X 13"D

They sell similiar ones at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b...ts&field-keywords=double+stroller+bag&x=0&y=0

I'd have to go measure the stroller... but it's BIG and I'm thinking it would be too big for that bag.

 

[sau418]

There was no way for our stroller to fit through the conveyor belt in security and it was never questioned, they let me walk it through with no kids in it. They checked it out by hand and off we went. There was never an issue with it not fitting. In Orlando they never even blinked, just looked at it and told us to walk through the line and that was that.

 

[Erica09M]

Should I call the airport we'll be flying out of to see what the policy/procedure will be and what if the stroller won't fit through the conveyor belt?

 

[woodkins]

Should I call the airport we'll be flying out of to see what the policy/procedure will be and what if the stroller won't fit through the conveyor belt?

On our last trip our stroller did not fit and they simply take the stroller on the side and manually wand and search it. We fly out of NYC so security is especially tight and this is what they did. It was not a big deal.

 

[natashag76]

your 5 year old should be perfectly fine walking around the airport. what we did was use 2 separate umbrella strollers, then clamped them together with these things we found at babies r us for 9.99. it actually worked out better because we could separate the strollers when we only needed to use one.

 

[J3nn78]

Just wanted to give my experience with a bigger stroller.
I have flown twice with strollers. The first time we went with 2 graco ipos and had no troubles. Gate check is easy.
2nd time we went with a double stroller- InStep Safari. Our stroller was obviously dropped off the conveyor belt that loads it in. The wheel was snapped right off and there was scratches and bits of gravel/dirt on it.
The airlines do NOT cover the damage. We checked at all levels-gate, desk, and called. They claimed it was cargo shift and that it is not a covered item. We were SOL. We also had to wheel around a broken stroller with 2 kids and me in a wheel chair. NOT fun. Luckily it was our return trip.

So, it probably does not happen too often, but I think that larger strollers are more vulnerable.

 

[bumbershoot]

your 5 year old should be perfectly fine walking around the airport.

Unless the OP has any extremely early morning or late night flights...then having a sleepy big kid could be difficult.


About getting the gate check tag, I just do it when I get up to the gate. Well before people are getting onto the plane. And with SW, at least at the places I fly from, they don't let you line up early anyway, they'll nicely yell at everyone to sit back and relax and wait to be called up to line up.


As for checking it with luggage...that just gives them more machinery to get it caught in, more times to fall off the conveyor belts, more hands on it tossing it around. I really wouldn't do that. I'd just get to the airport as early as you can stand, take your time, do NOT let anyone behind you rush you (we're only a family of 3, but somehow take up LOTS of bins at security, and I've let people behind me get in front as we take off shoes and jackets and such), and if your stroller doesn't fit, they'll work it out. If they say "does this come off" and it doesn't easily come off say "NO". Once you get to the gate, walk up to the counter there and ask for the gate check tag, then settle back and relax.