What is it like going through tsa precheck with a stroller and car seats? Any experiences out there?

[Donna M]

We are heading out tomorrow. The boarding pass gave us tsa precheck, and the 2 little grandkids, but not their mother. We were planning on taking the kids with us and having mom do the stroller and both carseats, but maybe she could take the kids through the reg line and we take the stroller and car seats. We are using the seats in the plane, and the stroller helps carry everything.

Any suggestions and which might be easier: Grandparents with stroller/carseats precheck line,or gp with kids and mom handles stroller/carseats in regular line?


Update We just returned and here´s what we did.

We the grandparents took the kids through tsa precheck with their backpacks and didn´t have any issues, mom took the carseats and stroller through the regular line because she didn´t have precheck eventhough the little kids got it. Leaving from MCO, she got through regular security faster than we got through precheck, no line for her. 10 am on Wed.

Going onto the plane, my dh and I took the double stroller and carseats to the gate and boarded when families are allowed which made it very easy to buckle the seats without the kids in the way. Mom boarded later with the kids. This was so much easier than last year when we all boarded early together.

What a great trip, looking forward to them outgrowing carseats!

 

[tom1944]

Following because we will be there in August

 

[Jimsig]

@Donna M Before you bring the car seats make sure they are FAA compliant. There will be a sticker that says "This restraint has been certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft" in red lettering. It may also be accompanied by an airplane icon.

How old are the kids? Depending on their age etc. you may want to skip the big bulky car seats and and use booster seats. Though a bit pricey there is also a system called the Cares Kids Fly Safe Safety harness. Very lightweight and easy to bring through security. You probably wouldn't have time to have it shipped (unless it's available for Amazon late night delivery or in the overnight hours) but if you have a Buy Buy Baby near buy they may have it in stock.

​

 

[Donna M]

Thanks for the info. We own high back 5 point harness booster seats for the kids which are the only kind of booster that can be used on a plane. We will be driving up to Jacksonville too, and I don´t think a Cares harness can be used in a car. Since we need car seats we figure the kids will be safer on the plane in them, and the seats less likely to get damaged.

Just wondering what a sight we´ll be; mom with a double stroller, 2 car seats but no kids.

Following because we will be there in August

I will try to remember to follow up with our experiences.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Thanks for the info. We own high back 5 point harness booster seats for the kids which are the only kind of booster that can be used on a plane. We will be driving up to Jacksonville too, and I don´t think a Cares harness can be used in a car. Since we need car seats we figure the kids will be safer on the plane in them, and the seats less likely to get damaged.

Just wondering what a sight we´ll be; mom with a double stroller, 2 car seats but no kids.

I will try to remember to follow up with our experiences.

make sure kids can still use tray table while in seats.

 

[sam_gordon]

A thought...

If OP takes the stroller and car seats through pre-check and mom takes the kids through the regular line, isn't there a pretty good chance mom & kids will be directed through the metal detector (vs the full body scan) because of the young kids?

 

[Kerr84]

They had us send our car seat through with the luggage on the conveyor belt, but checked the stroller separately. They pulled it to the side and checked it and wiped it, so it took a little longer.

 

[sponica]

I've flown TSA precheck with a stroller, I'm pretty sure I had to send it on the conveyor belt? But that was with our umbrella stroller. I can't remember if our regular stroller fit through the conveyor belt.

I also don't know if you'll be allowed with the stroller and car seats without the kids? But I've never tried.

 

[Micca]

I think grandparents with TSA pre take as much "stuff" as possible, kids go with mom. When DW and I travel she often gets TSA pre and I do not. She graciously schleps my carry on and coat through TSA with no issues, I just get in the regular line with nothing to carry.

Try to remain patient when traveling with the kids and all their accoutrement, frankly it's a PITA (but worth it!) Been through it with our kids, and our grandkids (who no longer need strollers or car seats.)

 

[PrincesCJM]

My mom had previously signed up for pre-check. My mom, 2 sons, and I flew in April 2019. She and the boys got the pre-check on their boarding passes. I did not. It wasn't an issue at our home airport. In Orlando, she took the boys with her through the pre-check line and I took the stroller through the regular line. It was no issue, although I'm sure I got some strange looks for having a stroller but no visible kids with me. They were in and out in under 5 minutes. It took me nearly 30 minutes from the time I entered the security line until I was reunited with them. After that, I said "that's it, I'm getting pre-check" and signed up for it over that summer.